Xiangling

Xiangling (Chinese: 香菱; Pinyin: xiānglíng) is a character in the novel Dream of the Red Chamber. She is the primary maid of the Xue household. Originally named Zhen Yinglian (甄英蓮), she is the lost daughter of Zhen Shiyin (甄士隱), the country gentleman in chapter 1. She was kidnapped as a young girl on the streets and sold to the Xue family under the name Xiangling (Lotus). Also an unofficial "concubine" to Xue Pan, she is greatly abused by him and later his wife, the cruel Xia Jingui. Xiangling is a kind girl who is much loved by Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai.