I. Book One: Playwriting (Ciqu bu 詞曲部)
II. Book Two: Performance (Yanxi bu 演習部)
III. Book Three: Exquisite Ingénues (Shengrong bu 聲容部)
IV. Book Four: Residences (Jushi bu 居室部)
V. Book Five: Furnishings and Fine Things (Qiwan bu 器玩部)
VI. Book Six: Food and Drink (Yinzhuan bu 飲饌部)
VII. Book Seven: Horticulture (Zhongzhi bu 種植部)
VIII. Book Eight: Care of the Self (Yiyang bu 頤養部)
I. Book One: Playwriting 詞曲部
I. Section One: Structure (Jiegou diyi 結構第一)
1. Avoid satire (Jie fengci 戒諷刺)
2. Establish a central concept (Li zhunao 立主腦)
3. Break out from ruts (Tuo kejiu 脫窠臼)
4. Tighten the stitches (Mi zhenxian 密針線)
5. Reduce plotlines (Jian touxu 減頭緒)
6. Avoid fantasy (Jie huangtang 戒荒唐)
7. Consider fiction and truth (Shen xushi 審虛實)
II. Section Two: Writing Arias (Cicai di’er 詞採第二)
1. Prize the clear and straightforward (Gui qianxian 貴顯淺)
2. Value organic unity and witty charm (Pollard’s trans.: Unity and Wit) (Zhong jiqu 重機趣)
3. Avoid shallowness (Jie fufan 戒浮泛)
4. Do not overstuff (Ji tianse 忌填塞)
III. Section Three: Prosody (Yinlü disan 音律第三)
1. Keep to the rhymes (Keshou ciyun 恪守詞韻)
2. Adhere strictly to the aria scores (Linzun qupu 凜遵曲譜)
3. Distinguish between [rhyme categories] yu and mu (Yu mu dangfen 魚模當分)
4. Avoid lian and jian [rhyme categories] (Lian jian yibi 廉監宜避)
5. Awkward-sounding lines are difficult to write well (Aoju nanhao 拗句難好)
6. It’s easy to be redundant when repeating earlier rhymes (Heyun yichong 合韻易重)
7. Take care when using the falling-rising tone (Shenyong shangsheng 慎用上声)
8. Minimize use of the entering tone (Shaotian ruyun 少填入韻)
9. A different interpretation of the “wutou” (Biejie wutou 別解務頭)
IV. Section Four: Dialogue (Spoken Lines) (Binbai disi 賓白第四)
1. Make the sounds resonate (Shengwu kengqiang 聲務鏗鏘)
2. Seek semblance in language (Yuqiu xiaosi 語求肖似)
3. Modulate between the verbose and the terse (Cibie fanjian 詞別繁減)
4. Distinguish between Northern and Southern characters (words) (Zifen nanbei 字分南北)
5. Value the clean and simple in language (Wengui jiejing 文貴潔淨)
6. Make use of sharply novel ideas (Yiqu jianxin 意取尖新)
7. Use dialect judiciously (Shaoyong fangyan 少用方言)
8. Constantly guard against “leaks” (Shifang loukong 時防漏孔)
V. Section Five: Comic Elements (Kehun diwu 科諢第五)
1. Avoid lecherous obscenity (Jie yinxie 戒淫褻)
2. Avoid vulgar indecency (Ji su’e 忌俗惡)
3. Emphasize connection (Zhong guanxi 重關係)
4. Value naturalness (Gui ziran 貴自然)
VI. Section Six: Dramatic Structure (Geju diliu 格局第六)
1. “Front gate”/Prologue (Jiamen 家門)
2. “Taking the Stage”/First proper scene (Chongchang 衝場)
3. Introducing the characters (Chu jiaose 出腳色)
4. Minor dénouement (Xiao shousha 小收煞)
5. Grand Dénouement (Da shousha 大收煞)
VII. Epilogue: Remaining Ideas on Play Composition (Tianci yulun 填詞餘論)
II. Book Two: Performance 演習部
I. Section One: Selecting plays (Xuanju diyi 選劇第一)
1. Distinguishing between the old and new (Bie gujin 別古今)
2. Dosing out “hot” and “cold” (Ji lengre 劑冷熱)
II. Section Two: Changing the tunes (Biandiao di’er 變調第二)
1. Shortening the long (Suochang weiduan 縮長為短)
2. Changing the old into the new (Bianjiu chengxin 變舊成新)
(a) (Appendix: Revised version of The Lute (Pipa ji 琵琶記) “In Search of my Husband” (“Xunfu” 尋夫); Revised version of The Bright Pearl (Mingzhu ji 明珠記) “Simmering Tea” (“Jiancha” 煎茶))
III. Section Three: Teaching arias (Shouqu disan 授曲第三)
1. Explain the meaning of the arias (Jieming quyi 解明曲意)
2. Drill the sounds of characters until familiar (Diaoshu ziyin 调熟字音)
3. Don’t muddle [the pronunciation of] characters (Ziji mohu 字忌模糊)
4. Strictly distinguish between solo arias and ensemble arias (Quyan fenhe 曲严分合)
5. Don’t allow the drums and cymbals to play in a slapdash way (Luogu jiza 锣鼓忌杂)
6. Accompanying woodwinds should be played quietly (Chuihe yidi 吹合宜低)
IV. Section Four: Teaching dialogue (Jiaobai disi 教白第四)
1. Adjusting emphasis (Gaodi yiyang 高低抑扬)
2. Modulating cadence (Huanji duncuo缓急顿挫)
V. Section Five: Doing away with bad practices (Tuotao diwu 脫套第五)
1. Bad practices in costuming (Yiguan exi 衣冠恶习)
2. Bad practices in pronunciation (Shengyin exi 声音恶习)
3. Bad practices in words (Yuyan exi 语言恶习)
4. Bad practices in comic bits (Kehun exi 科诨恶习)
III. Book Three: Exquisite Ingénues 聲容部
I. Section One: Selecting Features (Xuanzi diyi 選姿第一)
1. Skin (Jifu 肌膚)
2. Eyes (Meiyan 眉眼)
3. Hands and Feet (Shouzu 手足)
4. Bearing (Taidu 態度)
II. Section Two: Modifying Appearance (Xiurong di’er 修容第二)
1. Washing and Combing (Guanzhi 盥櫛)
2. Perfuming (Xuntao 薰陶)
3. Make-up (Dianran 點染)
III. Section Three: Managing Attire (Zhifu disan 治服第三)
1. Accessories (Shoushi 首飾)
2. Clothing (Yishan 衣衫)
3. Shoes and Socks (Xiewa 鞋襪)
IV. Section Four: Developing Skills (Xiji disi 習技第四)
1. Literary Arts (Wenyi 文藝)
2. Musical Instruments (Sizhu 絲竹)
3. Singing and Dancing (Gewu 歌舞)
IV. Book Four: Residences 居室部
I. Section One: Buildings (Fangshe diyi 房舍第一)
1. Orientation (Xiangbei 向背)
2. Paths (Tujing 途徑)
3. Terrain (Gaoxia 高下)
4. Depth of Overhanging Eaves (Chuyan shenqian 出檐深淺)
5. Putting up a Ceiling (Zhi dingge 置頂格)
6. Brick Paving (Zhoudi 甃地)
7. Sprinkling and Sweeping (Sasao 灑掃)
8. Storing Dirt and Waste (Canggou nawu 藏垢納污)
II. Section Two: Windows and Railings (Chuanglan di’er 窗欄第二)
1. The Frame should be Sturdy (Zhiti yijian 制體宜堅)
2. Capturing Views is in the Borrowing (Qujing zaijie 取景在借)
III. Section Three: Walls (Qiangbi disan 牆壁第三)
1. Dividing Walls (Jieqiang 界牆)
2. Maiden Walls (Nüqiang 女牆)
3. Walls in the Main Hall (Tingbi 廳壁)
4. Walls in the Study (Shufang bi 書房壁)
IV. Section Four: Placards (Lianbian disi 聯匾第四)
1. Plantain Leaf Vertical Placards (Jiaoye lian 蕉葉聯)
2. Bamboo Vertical Placards (Cijun lian 此君聯)
3. Stele Horizontal Placards (Beiwen e 碑文額)
4. Handscroll Horizontal Placards (Shoujuan e 手卷額)
5. Album Leaf Horizontal Placards (Ceye bian 冊頁匾)
6. Blank White Horizontal Placards (Xubai bian 虛白匾)
7. Gleaming Rock Horizontal Placards (Shiguang bian 石光匾)
8. Autumn Leaf Horizontal Placards (Qiuye bian 秋葉匾)
V. Section Five: Rockery and Stones (Shanshi diwu 山石第五)
1. Large Rockery (Dashan 大山)
2. Small Rockery (Xiaoshan 小山)
3. Stone Walls (Shibi 石壁)
4. Rockery Caves (Shidong 石洞)
5. Assorted Pebbles (Lingxing xiaoshi 零星小石)
V. Book Five: Furnishings and Fine Things 器玩部
I. Section One: Design/Manufacture (Zhidu diyi 制度第一)
1. Tables and Desks (Ji’an 几案)
2. Chairs and Stools (Yiwu 椅杌)
3. Beds and Bed Curtains (Chuangzhang 床帳)
4. Cupboards (Chugui 櫥櫃)
5. Baskets and Boxes (Xianglong qiesi 箱籠篋笥)
6. Antiques (Gudong 古董)
7. Censers and Bottles (Luping 爐瓶)
8. Screens and Scrolls (Pingzhou 屏軸)
9. Tea Service (Chaju 茶具)
10. Wine Accessories (Jiuju 酒具)
11. Bowls and Plates (Wandie 碗碟)
12. Lamps and Candles (Dengzhu 燈燭)
13. Stationery (Jianjian 箋簡)
II. Section Two: Arrangement (Weizhi di’er 位置第二)
1. Against Parallel/Symmetrical Arrangement (Ji pai’ou 忌排偶)
2. Prioritize Lively Change (Gui huobian 貴活變)
VI. Book Six: Food and Drink 飲饌部
I. Section One: Vegetables (Shushi diyi 蔬食第一)
1. Bamboo Shoots (Sun 笋)
2. Mushrooms (Xun 蕈)
3. Watershield (Chun 蒓)
4. Lettuce (Cai 菜)
5. Squash, Eggplant, Gourd, Taro, Sweet Potato (Gua qie hu yu shanyao 瓜 茄 瓠 芋 山藥)
6. Onion, Garlic, and Chives (Cong suan jiu 蔥蒜韭)
7. Radish (Luobo 萝卜)
8. Spicy Mustard Sauce (Jiela zhi 芥辣汁)
II. Section Two: Grains (Gushi di’er 谷食第二)
1. Rice and Congee (Fanzhou 飯粥)
2. Soup (Tang 湯)
3. Cakes (Gaobing 糕餅)
4. Flour (Mian 麵)
5. Powdered Starches (Fen 粉)
III. Section Three: Meats (Roushi disan 肉食第三)
1. Pork (Zhu 豬)
2. Mutton (Yang 羊)
3. Beef and Dog (Niu quan 牛犬)
4. Chicken (Ji 雞)
5. Goose (E 鵝)
6. Duck (Ya 鴨)
7. Wild Fowl and Wild Beasts (Yeqin yeshou 野禽 野獸)
8. Fish (Yu 魚)
9. Shrimp (Xia 蝦)
10. Soft-shelled Turtle (Ao 鰲)
11. Crab (Xie 蟹)
12. Assorted Seafood (Lingxing shuizu 零星水族)
13. Addendum: On not including Fruits, Teas, or Spirits. (Fu: Buzai guoshi chajiu 附：不載果食茶酒)
VII. Book Seven: Horticulture 種植部
I. Section One: Trees (Muben diyi 木本第一)
1. Moutan Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) Tree Peony (Mudan 牡丹)
2. Chinese plum (Prunus mume) (Mei 梅)
3. Peach (prunus persica) (Tao 桃)
4. Prunus (Prunus salicina?/Chinese plum) (Li 李)
5. Apricot (Xing 杏)
6. Pear (Li 梨)
7. Crab apple (Haitang 海棠)
8. Magnolia (Yulan 玉蘭)
9. Lily Magnolia (Xinyi 辛夷)
10. Camellia (Shancha 山茶)
11. Crape Myrtle (Ziwei 紫薇)
12. Big-leaf Hydrangea (Xiuqiu 绣球)
13. Chinese redbud (Zijing 紫荆)
14. Cape Jasmine (Zhizi 栀子)
15. Azaleas and cherries (Dujuan yingtao 杜鹃 樱桃)
16. Pomegranate (Shiliu 石榴)
17. Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) (Mujin 木槿)
18. Osmanthus (Gui 桂)
19. Albizia julibrissin (Persian silk tree) (Hehuan 合欢)
20. Cotton rosemallow (Mu furong 木芙蓉)
21. Oleander (Jiazhutao 夹竹桃)
22. Daphne odora (Ruixiang 瑞香)
23. Jasmine (Moli 茉莉)
II. Section Two: Vines (Tengben di’er 藤本第二)
1. Multiflora rose (Qiangwei 蔷薇)
2. Saussurea costus (kuth) (Muxiang 木香)
3. Rubus rosifolius var. coronarius (Sims) Focke (Tumi 酴醿)
4. China Rose (Yueyue hong 月月紅)
5. Rosa multiflora Grevillei (Zimei hua 姊妹花)
6. Beach rose (Meigui 玫瑰)
7. “Fragrant White” Jasminum grandiflorum (Royal Jasmine) (Suxin 素馨)
8. “Near-sky” Campsis Grandiflora (Chinese Trumpet Creeper) (Lingxiao 凌霄)
9. Cloranthus spicatus (Zhenzhu lan 真珠兰)
III. Section Three: Herbaceous plants (Caoben disan 草本第三)
1. Chinese peony (Shaoyao 芍药)
2. Orchid (Lan 蘭)
3. Cymbidium, or boat orchid (Hui 蕙)
4. Narcissus (Shuixian 水仙)
5. Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) Sacred Lotus (Fuqu 芙蕖)
6. Poppy (Papaver somniferum) (Yingsu 罂粟)
7. Mallows (Malva sinensis Cav) (Kui 葵)
8. Orange day-lily (Xuan 萱)
9. Cockscomb (Jiguan 雞冠)
10. Plantain lily (hosta) (Yuzan 玉簪)
11. Balsam (Impatiens balsamina) (Fengxian 凤仙)
12. “Money Flower” (Lychnis fulgens Fisch.) (Jinqian 金錢)
13. “Butterfly Flower” (Iris Japonica) (Hudie hua 蝴蝶花)
14. Chrysanthemum (Ju 菊)
15. Rape flowers (brassica chinensis, var. oleifera) (Cai 菜)
IV. Section Four: Leafy plants (Zhonghui disi 众卉第四)
1. Plantain leaves (Bajiao 芭蕉)
2. Peacock Moss (Selaginella) (Cuiyun 翠雲)
3. Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas) (Yu meiren 虞美人)
4. Dwarf Lilyturf (Ophiopogon japonicus) (Shudai cao 書帶草)
5. Amaranthus tricolor (Lao shaonian 老少年)
6. Sacred Bamboo (Nandina) (Tianzhu 天竹)
7. Damnacanthus (Huci 虎刺)
8. Bryophyte (Tai 苔)
9. Duckweed (Ping 萍)
V. Section Five: Bamboo and Trees (Zhumu diwu 竹木第五)
1. Bamboo (Zhu 竹)
2. Pine and Cypress (Songbai 松柏)
3. Parasol Tree (Wutong 梧桐)
4. Locust and Elm trees (Huaiyu 槐榆)
5. Willow (Liu 柳)
6. Boxwood (Huangyang 黄杨)
7. Palm tree (Trachycarpus fortunei) (Zonglü 棕榈)
8. Maple and Tallow tree (Fengjiu 枫桕)
9. Holly (Ilex chinensis) (Dongqing 冬青)
VIII. Book Eight: Care of the Self 頤養部
I. Section One: Enjoying Oneself (Xingle diyi 行樂第一)
1. The Official’s Guide to Happiness (Guiren xingle zhifa 貴人行樂之法)
2. The Rich Man’s Guide to Happiness (Furen xingle zhifa 富人行樂之法)
3. The Poor Man’s Guide to Happiness (Pinjian xingle zhifa 貧賤行樂之法)
4. Finding Happiness at Home (Jiating xingle zhifa 家庭行樂之法)
5. Finding Happiness on the Road (Daotu xingle zhifa 道途行樂之法)
6. How to be Happy in Springtime (Chunji xingle zhifa 春季行樂之法)
7. How to be Happy in Summer (Xiaji xingle zhifa 夏季行樂之法)
8. How to be Happy in Fall (Qiuji xingle zhifa 秋季行樂之法)
9. How to be Happy in Winter (Dongji xingle zhifa 冬季行樂之法)
10. How to be Happy Anytime, Anywhere (Suishi jijing jiushi xingle zhifa 隨時即景就事行樂之法): Sleeping (Shui 睡), Sitting (Zuo 坐), Walking (Xing 行), Standing (Li 立), Drinking (Yin 飲), Chatting (Tan 談), Bathing (Muyu 沐浴), Listening to the Qin and Watching Go (qi) (Tingqin guanqi 聽琴觀棋), Looking at Flowers and Listening to Birds (Kanhua tingniao 看花聽鳥), Raising Birds and Fish (Xuyang qinyu 蓄養禽魚), Irrigating Bamboo and Trees (Jiaoguan zhumu 澆灌竹木)
II. Section Two: Ending Worries (Zhiyou di’er 止懮第二)
1. Ending Worries that Can Be Prepared For (Zhi yanqian kebei zhiyou 止眼前可備之憂)
2. Ending Worries that Cannot Be Prepared For (Zhi shenwai buce zhiyou 止身外不測之憂)
III. Section Three: Regulating Diet (Tiao yinchuo disan 調飲啜第三)
1. Eat Plenty of What You Like (Aishi zhe duoshi 愛食者多食)
2. Eat Little of What You Don’t Like (Pashi zhe shaoshi 怕食者少食)
3. When Hungry, Don’t Eat Until Full (Taiji wubao 太飢勿飽)
4. When Full, Don’t Continue Eating (Taibao wuji 太飽勿飢)
5. Don’t Eat When Angry or Sad (Nushi aishi wushi 怒時哀時勿食)
6. Don’t Eat When Tired or Depressed (Juanshi menshi wushi 倦時悶時勿食)
IV. Section Four: Moderating Sexual Desire (Jie seyu disi 節色慾第四)
1. Moderating Desire When Happy (Jie kuaile guoqing zhiyu 節快樂過情之欲)
2. Moderating Desire When Sad (Jie youhuan shangqing zhiyu 節憂患傷情之欲)
3. Moderating Desire When Hungry or Full (Jie jibao fangyin zhiyu 節飢飽方殷之欲)
4. Moderating Desire Just After Hard Work (Jie laoku chuting zhiyu 節勞苦初停之欲)
5. Moderating Desire on the Wedding Night (Jie xinhun zhayu zhiyu 節新婚乍御之欲)
6. Moderating Desire in Winter and Summer (Jie longdong shengshu zhiyu 節隆冬盛暑之欲)
V. Section Five: Preventing Illness (Quebing diwu 卻病第五)
1. Preventing Illness Before it Arrives (Bing weizhi er fangzhi 病未至而防之)
2. Stopping Illness When it is About to Arrive (Bing jiangzhi er zhizhi 病將至而止之)
3. Repelling Illness That Has Already Arrived (Bing yizhi er tuizhi 病已至而退之)
VI. Section Six: Treating Illness (Liaobing diliu 療病第六)
1. The Medicine of What One Naturally Craves (Benxing kuhao zhiyao 本性酷好之藥)
2. The Medicine of What One Urgently Needs (Qiren jixu zhiyao 其人急需之藥)
3. The Medicine of What One Truly Loves (Yixin zhong’ai zhiyao 一心鍾愛之藥)
4.The Medicine of What One Has Never Seen (Yisheng weijian zhiyao 一生未見之藥)
5. The Medicine of What One Ordinarily Admires (Pingshi qimu zhiyao 平時契慕之藥)
6. The Medicine of What One Normally Loves to Do (Suchang lewei zhiyao 素常樂為之藥)
7. The Medicine of What One Has Always Loathed (Shengping tongwu zhiyao 生平痛惡之藥)