陈世美 Chen Shimei (Level 1) - Graded Readers for Chinese Language Learners (Folktales)

The book Chen Shimei tells the story of Chen Shimei and Qin Xianglian. In the story, Chen Shimei got first place in the imperial examination, and for the sake of wealth and high status, he abandoned his parents, wife and children and married the princess. His first wife Qin Xianglian came to the capital with their children looking for him. He refused to acknowledge them and even planned to kill them. Eventually, Bao Zheng, the governor of the City of Kaifeng, sentenced Chen Shimei to death penalty.

The “Folktales” subseries includes 10 stories, hence 10 books, adapted from folk legends, each book written in 20,000-30,000 Chinese characters. The titles of the 10 books are Hua Mulan, Lady White Snake, The Cow Herder and the Weaver Girl, A Golden Millet Dream, Chang’e Flying to the Moon, The Old Man under the Moon, The Butterfly Lovers, Nie Xiaoqian, Chen Shimei, and Beauty from the Painting.

《陈世美》讲述了陈世美和秦香莲的故事。故事梗概是：书生陈世美到京城参加科举考试，考中了状元。他为了荣华富贵，抛弃了父母、妻子、儿女，和公主结婚。妻子秦香莲带着儿女来找他，他不但不认他们，还要杀死他们。最后，开封府的包公查明真相，叛处陈世美死刑。

“民间故事”系列取材于中国的民间传说，一个故事一本书，每本2—3万字。本系列包括《花木兰》《白蛇传》《黄粱梦》《牛郎织女》《嫦娥奔月》《月下老人》《梁山伯与祝英台》《聂小倩》《陈世美》《画上的美人》10 本。