There was a filial daughter-in-law named Tan Shi in the Zhong family of Shangjun. Her husband died shortly after their marriage, when she was only eighteen years old. She was especially devoted to her mother-in-law, earning a reputation for her devotion that was well-known in the area. Several years later, both her mother-in-law and her husband's uncles died, leaving Tan's family in poverty, unable to afford the funeral costs. She saved money by living frugally, working tirelessly day and night to weave cloth and spin yarn. After a decade of hard work, she managed to arrange funerals for all eight family members. Her story spread throughout the state and even reached the emperor, who rewarded her with a hundred measures of rice and erected a monument in front of her house.
Next comes the story of Yuan Wuguang's mother, a lady from the Lu family in Fanyang. She loved reading from a young age and was very attentive to etiquette. After her husband passed away, she raised several young children on her own, despite their poverty, which made it difficult for them to attend school. Lu taught her children to read and instilled in them moral principles, earning widespread praise. During the Sui era, Han Wang Liang rebelled and sent a general named Qi Liang to Shandong to capture territory. Qi Liang had Wuguang serve as his secretary. Later, when Qi Liang was defeated, the governor of Cizhou, Shangguan Zheng, raided Wuguang's home and, seeing Lu's beauty, developed sinister intentions towards her. Lu firmly refused and vowed to resist at all costs. Shangguan Zheng, a cruel man who became enraged, even burned her with a candle. Lu's resolve remained unshaken, and she never yielded.
The last to mention is Pei Lun's wife, who was a young lady from the Liu family of Hedong and had received a good education from a young age. During the Sui Dynasty's Daye era, Pei Lun became the magistrate of Weiyuan County. When Xue Ju rebelled, the county was besieged by bandits, and Pei Lun was killed. At that time, Mrs. Liu was forty years old and had two daughters and three daughters-in-law, all of whom were beautiful. Mrs. Liu said to them, "We are now in troubled times, your father has died, I cannot go on living, much less protect you. Our family has always been upright and cannot be insulted by those bandits. I will die with you, what do you say?" The daughters and daughters-in-law cried and said, "We will follow your lead!" So Mrs. Liu was the first to jump into the well to take her own life, and her daughters and daughters-in-law followed suit, all dying in the well.
Zhao Yuankai's wife was a daughter of the Cui family from Qinghe. Her father, Cui Nuo, is mentioned in "Wen Xue Zhuan." Their family has always upheld strict traditions, and all their children abide by the rules. Yuankai's father held the position of minister, the family was wealthy and placed great importance on social status, so they offered a generous dowry to marry into the Cui family. Yuankai respected Mrs. Cui deeply; even at private banquets, he never spoke out of turn, and his gestures and attire all adhered to the standards of etiquette.
Later, Yuan Kai went to Hebei on official business for the court and was preparing to return to Chang'an. Upon arriving at Fukou, he encountered bandits who were robbing travelers. Yuan Kai barely saved his life, but Cui Shi was taken captive by the bandits. The bandits intended to force her into marriage, but Cui Shi said to them, "I am the daughter of a scholar-official and the wife of a Minister of Works' son. Even if my family is destroyed today, I would rather die right here. Let me be your wife? Absolutely impossible!" The bandits ripped her clothes off and bound her naked body to the bed, preparing to violate her. Afraid of being defiled, Cui Shi lied to them, saying, "I am too weak to resist, so I will do as you say. Please untie my ropes first." The bandits hastily untied her. Cui Shi quickly dressed herself, took the bandit's sword, stood against a tree and declared, "If you want to kill me, then go ahead and do it! If you want me to die, just come and force me!" Furious, the bandits shot her down with arrows. Later, Yuan Kai found his wife's killers and dismembered them, using their remains to honor Cui Shi's spirit.
Historical records state that people often praise women's virtues, primarily emphasizing gentleness and obedience; this is merely an average standard and does not represent the pinnacle. Women like Cui Shi, who possess foresight and insight, unwavering integrity, and an unshakable will, are solely devoted to righteousness and the study of history. Such women have existed throughout history! Princess Lanling's qualities are as noble as those of a cold pine, and Princess Nanyang's resolve is even stronger than that of a rock, loyal and brave like Xi Yao and other devoted daughters. Mothers like Cui Shi and Feng Shi are so sincere that they make the brave and righteous feel ashamed and those of noble character feel inferior. Princess Xiangcheng, Princess Huayang, the wives of Pei Lun and Yuan Kai, have all faced hardships and adversity; their lives have not gone as they hoped, but they willingly endure hardships alongside their husbands, facing struggles without complaint. Their will is as steadfast as ice, and their actions and words shine as brightly and uprightly as the sun. Even the self-vows of Gong Jiang celebrated in the Book of Songs and the account of Bo Ji's loyal death in the Zuo Zhuan cannot compare to their greatness!
