Hsiu-yen
A girl from a poor family, but an honest and sensible girl. She is betrothed to Hsueh Ko, and, after marriage, they prove to be a happy couple.
Pao-chin
Hsueh Ko's sister. She is a talented girl and has traveled to many places with her parents. She marries the son of Academician Mei.
Bailiff Wu
Bailiff of the manor in Black Mountain Village. He comes to pay taxes and rent in kind to the Chia family every year.
Leng Tzu-hsing
Son-in-law of Mr. Chou Jui (the steward of the Chia family), a curio-dealer in a village tavern. He does business with monied families.
Chen Shih-yin
He lives in the city of Kusu with his wife and daughter Ying-lien (Lotus). After his daughter disappears and his house burns, he goes off with a Taoist monk to faraway places and finally becomes a Taoist himself.
Chia Yu-tsun
A poor scholar, he is appointed as the prefect of Yingtian with the help of Chen Shih-yin. He is an ungrateful person, seeking only fame and fortune. He is finally reduced to an ordinary citizen.
Miao-yu
A nun from Iron Threshold Temple. An unconventional person, her eccentricity makes her look down upon all vulgar people. Finally she is kidnapped and killed by brigands.
Third Sister Yu
A past wanton, she is now reformed. Her failure to marry Liu Hsiang-lien causes her to commit suicide with one of Liu's swords in front of him.
Second Sister Yu
Madame Yu's second sister. She marries Chia Lien as his concubine and is finally driven to suicide by Hsi-feng .
Granny Liu
A peasant woman; mother-in-law of one of Lady Wang's remote clansmen. She is simple, honest, and wise. She visits the Chia family three times, the first two times for financial assistance. The extravagant life in the Chia Mansion is presented vividly through her visits to the Chia family.
Liu Hsiang-lien
An orphaned son of a good family. He teaches Hsueh Pan a lesson by giving him a good beating. His uprightness makes him break his betrothal to Third Sister Yu because he thinks that there is nothing clean in the Chia family. He wants to have no association with them.
Lin Chi-hsiao and His Wife
Steward and stewardess of the Chia family.
Lai Ta
Chia Cheng's steward.
Chiao Ta
A servant and benefactor of Chia Chen's father and grandfather. He is a loyal and outspoken servant and looks down on Chia Chen and Chia Jung, calling them descendants of a houseful of rutting dogs and bitches in heat.
Ho San
Chou Jui's adopted son. Chia Lien has him whipped because he fights with Pao-erh. This causes him to conspire with outside brigands and rob the old lady of her gold and silver. Ironically, he is killed by Pao Jung during the robbery.
Yuan-yang
Lady Dowager's favorite maid. She refuses Chia Sheh's proposal to be his concubine. When Lady Dowager dies, Yuan-yang hangs herself in an act of devotion.
Hsi-jen (Pervading Fragrance)
She originally served Lady Dowager, but was given to Pao-yu as his servant. She is loyal to both Lady Dowager and Pao-yu and tries her best to help Pao-yu to study hard so that he can continue the Chia family's reputation as scholars. At last, she marries Chiang Yu-han (Chi-kuan).
Li Kuei
Son of Pao-yu's wet nurse, Nanny Li; a man-servant to Pao-yu.
Ching-wen (Bright Design)
Pao-yu's maid. She is rebellious against all unfair treatment. Lady Wang is prejudiced against her and dismisses her. After she arrives home, she falls ill and dies.
Tzu-chuan
Tai-yu's devoted maid. After Tai-yu's death, she is asked to serve in Pao-yu's quarters. At last, she offers to join in Hsi-chun's devotion to Buddhism.
Chin-chuan
Lady Wang's maid. Lady Wang has seen Pao-yu flirting with her and dismisses her. Once home, she drowns herself in a well.
Mrs. Liu
A cook for the Chia family. Her daughter Liu Wu-erh serves in Pao-yu's quarters.
Liu Wu-erh
Mrs. Liu's daughter. She looks like Ching-wen and serves in Pao-yu's apartment.
Numskull
A maid who does rough work for Lady Dowager. She unintentionally reveals to Tai-yu a secret: Pao-yu will be secretly married to Pao-chai instead of to Tai-yu. This news is responsible for Tai-yu's death.
Mr. Chen Ying-chia
A Chinling native of noble ancestry; principal of the Chinling Provincial College. The Chen and Chia families are interrelated and have a warm, friendly relationship. When the Chens' house is raided and searched, he sends his servant Pao Jung to serve Chia Cheng.
Chen Pao-yu
He looks exactly like Chia Pao-yu; like Chia Pao-yu, he too likes to be in the company of girls, but—unlike Chia Pao-yu—he is very interested in seeking fame and fortune.
