Lady Wang

A Buddhist, primary wife of Jia Zheng. Daughter of one of the four most prominent families of Jinling. Because of her purported ill-health, she hands over the running of the household to her niece, Xifeng, as soon as the latter marries into the Jia household, although she retains overall control over Xifeng's affairs so that the latter always has to report to her. Although Lady Wang appears to be a kind mistress and a doting mother, she can in fact be cruel and ruthless when her authority is challenged and can act with cruelty towards maids she thinks is seducing her son. She pays a great deal of attention to Baoyu's maids to make sure that Baoyu does not develop romantic relationships with them. Lady Wang is one of the culprits resulting in the death of Baoyu's maid Qingwen.