Originally named Du, sold into the Shen family as a child. He married a cook from the manor and had two daughters. His eldest daughter Ding He became senior maid to Third Young Master Shen Rusong and had an affair, leading to the birth of Sister Gui. After the scandal, he was expelled from the manor and became a tenant farmer on the Shen family's suburban estate. He regrets his past decisions and feels he has no right to regret now. He sees Sister Gui and Ju'er as his last cards to play, and decides to humble himself to understand the inner quarters situation. He is the patriarch of the Ding family.
