Abstract: For a long time, in the study of Tang Xianzu, most scholars believe that "countering Confucian ethical codes with emotion" is core to his idea of love, and Du Liniang is his spokesperson. In The Peony Pavilion, before her death, Du Liniang's image is an awakening young person, which is from the original material that Tang Xianzu adapts. From her death to resurrection, she gradually steps towards tradition and returns to the ethical codes. Du Liniang's journey from a human being to a ghost and from a ghost to a human being starts from love and ends in ethical codes, which means that she returns to the order of reality. The image of Du Liniang indeed contains the factors of the Neo-Confucian School of Mind's challenge to traditional ethical codes, but there are more the author's dream and pursuit to advocate rites and music as means of education. It clearly reflects the author's attitude to the Neo-Confucian School of Mind, namely to correct its errors and restore ancient ways.

Key words: the real sentiments, the rite and music, the Neo-Confucian School of Mind, tradition, restoration