Background
Cao Xueqin was born into a wealthy landlord's family. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather all served in the imperial government, and his great-grandmother was the nanny of the infant Emperor Kangxi. The Cao family had a close relationship with the royal family, and Cao Xueqin enjoyed a life of luxury as a young boy. The family's fortunes lasted until Kangxi's death and the ascension of the Yongzheng Emperor to the throne. Yongzheng severely attacked the family and later confiscated their properties, while Cao Fu was thrown in jail. When Cao Fu was released a year later, the family, completely impoverished, was forced to relocate to Beijing. Cao Xueqin, still a young child then, lived in poverty with his family.