Jin Manxiang is the young master and manager of a bookstore in the county town. He is described as elegant, commanding, and exuding wealth and opulence. He recognizes the quality of Song Shiyu's paintings and offers her a commission to create a spring palace picture, as well as a potential opportunity to illustrate storybooks for five to ten taels. He is business-savvy and understands the market for such works, noting that scholars cannot produce this kind of work due to their classical upbringing while ordinary people lack skill and originality.
