Also known as Chen Jing Tang, the grandfather of Ping'an and head of the Southern Chen Family. He has a naturally soft temperament—indecisive, gentle, and tolerant, lacking firm opinions. He is described as the most idle person in the family after little Ping'an. He is a renowned collector of antiques, calligraphy, paintings, bronzes, jades, and foreign goods, and is also a skilled restorer. He is a famous epicure in the circle of wealthy squires. Despite being a good old man, he is not up to the task of leading the family and allowed his clansmen to run amok. He spent twelve taels of silver on a fortune-teller who swindled him regarding the family's naming issues.
