Princess Lanling, nicknamed A Wu, is the fifth daughter of Gaozu. She is beautiful, gentle, and loves to read. Gaozu dotes on her more than any of his other daughters. She was first married to Wang Fengxiao of Yitong. After Wang Fengxiao died, she married Liu Shu, a man from Hedong, at the age of eighteen. Her sisters were all proud and held high status, but she was modest and virtuous, exemplarily filial to her in-laws. Whenever her in-laws fell ill, she personally tended to them with medicine. Gaozu was very pleased to hear this and treated Liu Shu increasingly well. Initially, Prince Jin Yang Guang wanted to marry the princess off to his concubine's brother, Xiao Guo, and Gaozu initially agreed. Later, he let her marry Liu Shu instead, which greatly displeased Prince Jin. As Liu Shu rose to become an official, Prince Jin's disdain for him grew. After Gaozu's death, Liu Shu was exiled to Lingnan. Emperor Yang of Sui ordered the princess to divorce Liu Shu and take another husband. The princess vowed never to leave Liu Shu, refused to attend court to see the emperor, and requested to be exiled to Lingnan with Liu Shu. The emperor was furious and wondered if there were no other men in the world for her to be exiled with. The princess replied, "The late emperor married me to the Liu family. Now that Liu Shu has committed a crime, I should share the responsibility with him. I do not want Your Majesty to violate the law for me and show special favor." The emperor did not listen to her. The princess died from a combination of melancholy and resentment at the age of thirty-two. Before her death, she wrote, "In the past, the oath of Jiang has been turned into beautiful poetry and passed down; Bi Gui did not speak, but left a good reputation in the edict. Although I have made mistakes, I also want to emulate the ancients. I cannot be with my husband alive, but I also request to be buried with the Liu family after my death." The emperor's anger only intensified after reading this, and he did not shed a single tear, hastily burying her by the Hongdu River with few burial items. Both the court and the common people sympathized with her.
Emperor Yang of Sui separated Princess Lanling and Liu Shu in an attempt to force her to remarry, but the princess firmly refused, saying she would rather die than be separated from her husband. She wrote a letter to the emperor, requesting to renounce her title as princess and be exiled with Liu Shu. The emperor was furious, questioning why she insisted on following Liu Shu. The princess stated it was her responsibility and hoped the emperor wouldn't make an exception for her. Her unwavering resolve only served to infuriate the emperor further, and ultimately, the princess died at the age of 32. Before her death, she left a will expressing admiration for ancient chaste women and requesting to be buried next to Liu Shu. After reading the will, the emperor was even angrier, not mourning for her but simply burying her with few burial items, which left the people mourning her loss.
Princess Nanyang was the daughter of Emperor Yang of Sui, a beauty with ambition, politeness, and a strong sense of propriety. At the age of fourteen, she married Yu Wenshu's son, Yu Wenshijie, who was known for his cautious demeanor and serious nature. When Yu Wenshu fell seriously ill, the princess took it upon herself to care for his daily needs, serving him tea and water, earning widespread admiration for her devotion.
After Yu Wenshu rebelled and killed Emperor Yang of Sui, the princess followed Yu Wenshijie to Liaocheng. Later, when Yu Wenshu was defeated by Dou Jiande, Yu Wenshijie fled west from Jibei back to the Tang Dynasty. Many Sui officials were with Dou Jiande, and when he summoned them, they were pale and flustered, but the princess remained unfazed and composed.
When Dou Jiande spoke to the princess, she spoke of the anguish caused by her country's downfall, loss of family, and inability to seek revenge, her tears flowed as she spoke from the heart. Dou Jiande and those present were moved to tears, with deep admiration for the princess.
When Dou Jiande killed Yuwen Huaji, the princess had a son named Chanshi, who was about ten years old. Dou Jiande sent Wuben Lang to tell the princess, "Yuwen Huaji committed the heinous act of killing the emperor, an act that cannot be tolerated by heaven and earth. Now we must exterminate his entire family, and according to the law, the princess's son must also face execution. If you can't bear it, you can keep him." The princess cried and said, "Wuben Lang, you are a high-ranking official of the Sui Dynasty; do you really need to consult me about this?" Ultimately, Dou Jiande went ahead and killed the princess's son. Later, the princess asked Dou Jiande to allow her to become a nun.
After Dou Jiande's failure, he wanted to return to the Western Capital. The princess encountered Yuwen Shicheng near the Eastern Capital. The princess refused to see him. Yuwen Shicheng stood outside her house, pleading for reconciliation. The princess rejected him, saying, "We are already enemies, and I would love to kill you myself. It's just that during the rebellion, I felt like you were not aware." She then severed all ties with Yuwen Shicheng and asked him to leave. Despite Yuwen Shicheng's repeated requests, the princess angrily said, "If you are determined to seek death, then you may see me." Seeing the princess's firm attitude, Yuwen Shicheng knew it was impossible to reconcile, so he bid farewell and left.
Princess Ke, the wife of Prince Xiangcheng, hailed from the Liu family in Hedong. Her father, Liu Dan, was the Intendant of Xunzhou. Princess Ke was exceptionally beautiful and, in her teens, she was chosen as the consort of Prince Xiangcheng due to her good family background. Not long after, Prince Xiangcheng was deposed, yet Princess Ke remained devoted to serving him. Later, Emperor Yang became the emperor and sent Prince Xiangcheng into exile on the border, where he was killed by agents sent by the emperor. As they said their goodbyes, Princess Ke told Prince Xiangcheng, "If you die, I will never live alone!" They then embraced and wept bitterly. After Prince Xiangcheng's death, when the coffin was ready, Princess Ke told the burial attendants, "I vow to be buried alongside the Yang family. If we can be buried together after death, it will be your kindness." After saying this, she clung to the coffin, cried out, and then took her own life. Those who witnessed it could not help but shed tears.
Princess Kai Fei of Huayang was a girl from the Yuan family in Henan. Her father, Yuan Yan, was intelligent and had a strong character. During the Renshou period, Yuan Yan became a Yellow Gate Minister and was also appointed as the Duke of Longhe County. After Yang Guang became emperor, Yuan Yan was implicated with Liu Shu and was stripped of his title and exiled to Nanhai. A general amnesty was later declared, and Yuan Yan returned to Chang'an. However, someone falsely accused Yuan Yan of escaping, and he was captured and killed. Kai Fei was beautiful and gentle in character, and she was initially selected as a princess through a beauty pageant. Soon after, Hua Yang Wang was imprisoned and deposed, but Kai Fei remained respectful and attentive to him. Whenever she saw Hua Yang Wang feeling distressed, she would comfort him with her wise words, and Hua Yang Wang held her in high regard. Later, during the rebellion in Jiangdu, Hua Yang Wang was killed by Yuwen Huaji’s rebel forces, and Kai Fei was given to Yuwen Huaji's subordinate Yuan Wuda as a prize. Yuan Wuda initially treated her with respect and had her stay in a separate room, but later, when he got drunk, he assaulted Kai Fei. Kai Fei firmly refused, which angered Yuan Wuda, who then brutally beat her more than a hundred times while cursing at her. Kai Fei then picked up a shard of tile and disfigured her own face, shedding tears of blood. Only then did Yuan Wuda let her go. Kai Fei told Yuan Wuda's subordinates, "I cannot die earlier and bring shame upon myself. This is my fault." After saying this, she ultimately starved herself to death.
Lady Qiao Guo was the daughter of the Xi family from Gaoliang. Their family had been leaders of the Southern Yue for generations, occupying caves and governing tens of thousands of households. She was intelligent and wise from a young age, demonstrating great strategic thinking. While at her parents' home, she was skilled in pacifying the people and leading troops into battle, subduing the various Yue tribes in the area. She often encouraged her people to do good deeds, earning her a stellar reputation in the region.
The Yue people have a habit of attacking each other. Madam's brother, Xiting, who was the governor of Nanliangzhou, often harassed the neighboring counties, and the people in the Lingnan area were fed up. Madam advised her brother multiple times, ultimately resolving the conflict, leading to over a thousand tribes in the Hainan and Dan'er regions pledging their allegiance to them.
During the Liang Datong era, the governor of Luozhou, Feng Rong, hearing of Madam's talent and virtue, arranged for his son, Feng Bao, the governor of Gaoliang, to marry her. Feng Rong was descended from the Northern Yan, with his grandfather Feng Ye fleeing to the Song Dynasty from Goryeo with three hundred people, eventually settling in Xinhui. From Feng Ye to Feng Rong, three generations of their family served as local officials, showing effective governance despite being outsiders. After marrying into the Feng family, Madam urged her family members to respect local customs. She and Feng Bao handled legal cases together, ensuring fair justice, even when it came to their own relatives. Consequently, the government in the Gaoliang region functioned smoothly, and no one dared to defy it.
During the rebellion of Hou Jing, the governor of Guangzhou, Xiao Bo, called up troops to support Taizhou. The governor of Gaozhou, Li Qianshi, occupied Dagao Kou and sent for Feng Bao. But Madam stopped him, saying, "The governor summoning the governor without reason must be setting a trap to get you involved in a rebellion." Feng Bao asked, "How do you know?" Madam replied, "The governor falsely claimed to be ill to dodge supporting Taizhou, secretly forging weapons and gathering troops before summoning you. If you go, he'll definitely hold you hostage and take your military power. His intentions are clear; it's best not to go for now and to keep an eye on the situation first."
A few days later, Li Qianshi did indeed rebel, sending General Du Pinglu to lead troops into Lanshi. Feng Bao learned of this and quickly told my wife. My wife said, "Du Pinglu is a brave general. When he leads his troops into Lanshi, there will definitely be conflicts with the officials. He won't be back anytime soon. Li Qianshi has no power in the state. If you go there yourself, there will definitely be a battle. We should send an envoy to deceive him, using a humble tone and offering generous gifts, saying that you can't go yourself but would like to send me to visit. He will be very happy to hear this, completely unprepared. When the time comes, I will lead over a thousand men, pretending to transport tribute, and when we reach his camp, we can launch an attack." Feng Bao followed my wife's plan. Li Qianshi was indeed very happy. Seeing my wife's troops carrying things and not prepared for battle, he was caught completely off guard and suffered a total defeat. Li Qianshi fled to Ningdu. My wife led the army and met General Chen Baxian at Lanshi, near the Great Wall. After returning to Gaoliang, my wife said to Feng Bao, "General Chen is very powerful and well-loved. I believe he will definitely be able to put down the rebellion. You should serve him well."
After Uncle Bao passed away, the Lingnan region fell into chaos. His wife was incredibly capable; she united the various Baiyue tribes, and several prefectures remained peaceful. In the second year of Chen Yongding, her son was only nine years old. The generals and leaders all traveled to Danyang to pay their respects to him, and the court appointed him directly as the magistrate of Yangchun County. Later, Governor Ouyang Ge rebelled and called Pu to Gao'an, hoping to persuade him to join the rebellion. Pu quickly sent someone back to tell his mother, and his mother said, "I have been loyal and devoted my entire life, serving the court for two generations. I cannot betray the country because of you!" She immediately took command of the troops to resist and even brought the tribal chiefs of Baiyue to meet the general sent by the court, Zhang Zhaoda. With a united front, Ouyang Ge's army quickly dispersed.
Due to his wife's contributions, Pu was titled as the Marquis of Xindu and was also given the title of General of Pingyue. He was later promoted to the Prefect of Shilong. The court issued a decree, granting her the title of General, Lady of Shilong, and bestowed upon her an embroidered canopy, exquisite horses, a comfortable carriage, and a ceremonial guard, with the same grandeur as a governor. During the Zhide reign of the Chen Dynasty, Pu passed away. Later, when the Chen Dynasty was destroyed and the Lingnan region had yet to submit to the new dynasty, several prefectures rallied behind her, honoring her as the "Holy Mother." She continued to protect the land and bring peace to the people.
The Emperor dispatched Wei Guang as the governor to pacify Lingnan, while General Xu Shi of the Chen Dynasty mounted a resistance in Nangang. Upon reaching the Lingnan border, Wei Guang hesitated to advance. Earlier, the Empress of the Chen Dynasty had presented a rhinoceros horn cane from Funan to the Chen Emperor. At this time, Prince Yang Guang of Jin sent a letter to the Empress of the Chen Dynasty, informing her of the Chen Dynasty's fall and urging her to submit to the Sui Dynasty, and also sent the rhinoceros horn cane and seal as tokens. Upon seeing the rhinoceros horn cane, the Empress realized that the Chen Dynasty had indeed fallen, so she gathered thousands of leaders and wept throughout the day.
Then, she sent her grandson Chen Bao to lead the army to welcome Wei Guang. After Wei Guang entered Guangzhou, the Lingnan region was fully brought under control. The court bestowed the title of Lady of Song Kang County upon the queen. Not long after, the people of Panyu revolted, and many leaders rallied to his cause, surrounding the city where Wei Guang was stationed and stationing troops in Hengling. The queen sent her grandson Chen Xuan to rescue Wei Guang. Chen Xuan and the rebel Chen Fuzhi had been friends before, so he deliberately delayed and refused to mobilize troops. The queen learned of this and was very angry, sending someone to arrest Chen Xuan and imprison him.
She then sent her grandson Chen Ang to subdue Chen Fuzhi, leading to his defeat and subsequent death. Chen Ang continued to advance to Nanhai, where he allied with Lu Yuan's forces, and together they defeated Wang Zhongxuan. The queen personally donned armor, rode a war horse, held a brocade umbrella, and led the cavalry to escort the court envoy Pei Ju to inspect various prefectures. Leaders from Cangwu, Guangzhou, Ganzhou, Lianghua, Tengzhou, and Luozhou all came to pay their respects. Upon her return, the queen continued to lead these tribes, and the Lingnan region was finally stabilized.
The emperor appreciated this and appointed Chen Ang as the Prefect of Gaozhou, and pardoned Chen Xuan, appointing him Prefect of Luozhou. Chen Bao was posthumously honored as the Governor of Guangzhou, Duke of Qiao, and the queen was appointed as the Lady of Qiao, restoring the title of Song Kang County to her attendant Xi Shi. A palace was established for the Lady of Qiao, with officials, including the Chief Historian, appointed, granting her a seal, allowing her to mobilize the armies of six prefectures, and giving her the power to manage emergencies. The emperor issued a decree saying, "I care for the people as a parent cares for their children, hoping for peace and prosperity throughout the realm. However, Wang Zhongxuan and others have gathered to cause chaos, disturbing the people, so troops were sent to suppress them and eliminate the harm to the people."
The lady devoted herself to the country wholeheartedly, with a profound understanding of righteousness. She ordered Chen Ang to execute Chen Fozhi, ultimately quelling the rebellion, earning her great merit. She has now been awarded five thousand bolts of cloth. Although Chen Xuan’s delay in sending troops is a serious offense, he is pardoned due to Madam’s significant contributions. Madam should educate her descendants properly, adhere to the rituals, and obey the court to align with the Emperor's wishes. The Empress also provided jewelry and a complete set of elegant attire, placing these items in an ornate golden box and storing them separately from the rewards given by the Liang and Chen dynasties. Every year during the sacrifices, she would display these items in the courtyard for her descendants to see, saying, "You must serve the Emperor with unwavering loyalty. I have served three emperors from different dynasties with a heart of loyalty. These rewards are still here, which is the reward for loyalty and filial piety. I hope you all remember this."
The Governor of Fanzhou, Zhao Ne, was too greedy and cruel, causing the local populace to flee and rise in rebellion. His wife, also known as Madam Zhao, promptly dispatched Chief Clerk Zhang Rong to petition the Emperor, asking to appease the people and expose Zhao Ne's crimes, arguing that his conduct would never win back the fugitives. Upon receiving this news, the Emperor dispatched agents to investigate Zhao Ne, and it was found that he was corrupt and had accepted bribes, with compelling evidence, resulting in his immediate trial. Afterwards, the Emperor ordered Madam Zhao to pacify the rebellious populace.
Lady Zhao personally carried the imperial edict as if she were an envoy sent by the court, traveling to over ten provinces to convey the Emperor's intentions to the fugitives. Wherever she went, the people surrendered. Emperor Gaozu was especially pleased and rewarded Lady Zhao with the town of Tangmuyi in Linzhen County, totaling one thousand five hundred households! Her husband was posthumously bestowed the title of Governor of Yanzhou and Duke of Pingyuan County. During the Renshou era, Lady Zhao passed away, and the court sent her one thousand bolts of cloth for funeral use, posthumously bestowing upon her the title "Lady Chengjing."
Zheng Shanguo's mother was from the Cui family in Qinghe. At the age of thirteen, she married Zheng Cheng and gave birth to Zheng Shanguo. Later, Zheng Cheng went to battle against Wei Jiong and valiantly died on the battlefield. Zheng Shanguo's mother, then only twenty years old, became a widow. Her father Cui Yanmu wanted her to remarry, but she held Zheng Shanguo close and said to her father, "Remarrying as a woman is against etiquette. Moreover, although Zheng Cheng has died, he has left behind this son. Abandoning a son is unfilial, and going against the wishes of a husband is disrespectful. I would rather cut off my ears and chop off my hair to show my determination. I cannot go against etiquette or be unkind to my son. I will not listen to you!" Zheng Shanguo, since her father sacrificed himself for the country, became the Grand General at a young age, inheriting the title of Count of Kaifeng with lands supporting one thousand households. During the Kaihuang era, she was promoted to the Duke of Wude County. At the age of fourteen, she was appointed as the Inspector of Yizhou, later transferred to Jingzhou, and then became the Governor of Lu County.
Her mother, she was truly a remarkable figure! Wise, principled, knowledgeable, and skilled in medicine. Every time Shanguo finished handling a case and returned, her mother would be sitting on a low stool, observing from behind a screen. If Shanguo's judgment was fair and reasonable, her mother would be especially happy and have Shanguo sit down; the two of them would chat and laugh together.
If Shanguo mishandles a case or flies off the handle, his mother will go back to the room, cover herself with a blanket, cry, and not eat all day. Shanguo kneels in front of his mother's bed, too scared to make a sound. When his mother calms down, she will say, "I'm not angry with you; I'm ashamed of your family! I married into your family and managed the household well, just like your father, who was a loyal and upright official, honest and upright in his official duties, never asking for personal gain, sacrificing for the country, even unto death. I hope you can carry on his legacy! You became an orphan at a young age, and I am a widow, loving but lacking authority, which has left you ignorant of proper etiquette. How can you live up to the title of a loyal minister? You inherited the family legacy from a young age, and rose to the position of a marquis; did you earn it all on your own merit? How can you lose your temper without thinking about all this, only chasing pleasure and neglecting your duties? This damages the family's reputation, and you might even lose your position, breaking the emperor's laws and committing a serious offense. When I die, how will I face your ancestors in the afterlife?"
"I'm not angry with you; I'm ashamed of your family. I am your family's wife, managing the household, like your late father, a loyal and diligent man, clean and honest in office, never asking for personal gain, sacrificing for the country, even unto death. I also hope you can follow his heart. You are young and orphaned; I am a widow, loving but lacking authority, which has left you ignorant of proper etiquette. How can you shoulder the responsibility of a loyal minister? You inherited the family legacy from a young age, rose to the position of a marquis; was it all achieved by yourself? How can you get angry without considering all of this, indulging in pleasure and neglecting public affairs? This damages the family's reputation, and you might even lose your position, breaking the emperor's laws and committing crimes. When I die, how will I face your ancestors?"
My mother always spins yarn and weaves fabric by herself, often working until late at night before sleeping. I (Shan Guo) asked her, "Mom, I am now a high-ranking official with a decent salary, why do you still work so hard?" My mother said, "Oh, you are already so grown up, I thought you would understand some principles. Listening to you, it seems you still have a lot to learn! How do you think your official position and salary came about? It is the emperor's way of repaying the merits of your ancestors serving the country! This money should be used to support relatives and friends, to accumulate virtue for your ancestors. How can you only think about enjoying yourself and getting rich? Furthermore, spinning and weaving is the duty of all women, from the empress to the wives of ordinary officials; they all have to do these tasks. If you neglect these tasks, that would be indulgent behavior. Although I do not understand much about grand principles, I cannot ruin our reputation!"
After my father passed away, my mother never wore makeup or dressed up again, usually wearing coarse clothes. She was very thrifty, never indulging in extravagant food or drink, except during sacrifices and when entertaining guests. She usually stayed quietly at home, rarely going out. For important events of relatives and friends, she would send lavish gifts, but never visited others' homes. Besides things she made herself or gifts from the estate, she did not allow any gifts from relatives and friends to enter the house.
After I became an official, no matter where I served in the state government, I brought my own meals to the office and never touched the office food, using the money I saved to repair the office and assist my colleagues. Because of this, I always maintained a clean and upright reputation, known as an honest official. Emperor Yang of Sui even sent the Grand Master of the Imperial Secretary, Zhang Heng, to commend me, calling me the best official in the realm, and then promoted me to Guangluqing. However, after my mother passed away, I slowly became proud and arrogant, and my integrity and fairness began to wane.
Princess Xiao Nu is the daughter of Prince Chun of Zhao. Her father Prince Chun had a strained relationship with his cousin Chang Xin, and when the state of Qi fell, Chang Xin and his wife plotted to kill Prince Chun. At that time, Nu was only seven years old, with two younger sisters: one named Can, who was five, and the other named Fan, who was two. The three of them were orphaned and alone, so they could only stay with relatives. Nu took care of her two younger sisters, and their sisterly bond was very strong. However, Nu always wanted revenge in her heart, while Chang Xin was completely unguarded. When the sisters grew up, relatives wanted to marry them off, but they all refused. Then Nu secretly said to her two younger sisters, "We have no brothers, so we can't avenge our father. What's the point of living as women without avenging our father? I want to seek revenge with you; what do you think?" The two younger sisters cried and said, "We will listen to our sister." That night, the three sisters each took a knife and climbed over the wall into Chang Xin's house, where they took matters into their own hands and killed Chang Xin and his wife, and then went to their father's grave to pay their respects. Afterwards, they surrendered to the county, with all three sisters insisting they were the masterminds. The local officials were at a loss. When Emperor Gaozu heard of it, he was greatly impressed, so he granted them a special pardon.
Han Ji's wife was the daughter of the Yu family from Luoyang, whose courtesy name was Maode. Her father, Yu Shi, was a prominent minister during the Zhou dynasty. She married Han Ji when she was fourteen. Despite growing up in a wealthy and prestigious family, she was very respectful in her conduct, lived a simple life, and was highly respected by her clan. At the age of eighteen, Han Ji died in battle, leaving Yu in such deep grief that she became physically frail. Her sorrow touched the hearts of those who passed by. Every morning and evening when she made offerings to Han Ji, she personally carried the offerings. After the mourning period ended, her father, concerned for her young age and childlessness, wanted to marry her off. However, she vowed never to remarry. Her father and relatives tried to persuade her, but Yu wept throughout the night and even cut her hair as a vow. Seeing her like this, her father, heartbroken, ultimately chose not to force her. She raised and educated Han Ji's son, Shilong, with great care until he came of age. Since becoming a widow, she only occasionally visited her family, severing ties with other relatives and friends. If dignitaries visited, she would not step outside to greet them. She ate vegetarian food, wore coarse cloth, and did not listen to music, and lived this way for the remainder of her life. The emperor was greatly impressed by her actions when he learned of them, and he honored her with a decree and erected a monument in front of her house. The people of Chang'an came to call her family the "Virtuous Widow's Residence." She eventually passed away peacefully at the age of seventy-two years.
Lu Rang's mother is the daughter of the Feng family from Shangdang, known for her kindness and motherly demeanor. Lu Rang was adopted by her. During the Renshou period, Lu Rang became the governor of Fanzhou, but he was corrupt, extorting and plundering the people, creating a toxic environment. He was impeached by Sima Yi. The emperor sent people to investigate, confirming Lu Rang's crimes, arresting him, and personally interrogating him. Lu Rang declared his innocence, so the emperor ordered the imperial censor to reinvestigate, but the findings were unchanged. The emperor then convened a meeting with his officials, and everyone agreed that Lu Rang should be executed.
Facing imminent execution, Feng appeared in court with unkempt hair and a dirty face, scolding Lu Rang: "You became a governor without having achieved anything, yet you failed to serve the country wholeheartedly in return for the emperor's kindness. Instead, you broke the law through corruption and greed. If Sima framed you, are the common people and officials also lying about you? If the emperor is not merciful to you, why did he order the imperial censor to review your case again? What kind of loyal subject do you think you are? What kind of filial son do you think you are? If you are neither loyal nor filial, do you still consider yourself a human?" With tears streaming down her cheeks, Feng personally brought him porridge, urging him to eat.
Then, Feng Shi submitted a petition to the emperor, her words imbued with sorrow and earnestness. The emperor was deeply moved by Feng Shi's maternal love, and his expression softened considerably. Empress Xian also found Feng Shi's actions quite remarkable and appealed to the emperor. Liu Yu, the Imperial Secretary, also advised, saying, "Feng Shi's maternal virtue has touched many people. If Lü Rang is executed, what else can inspire the world?" The emperor then summoned all the people of the capital to the Vermilion Bird Gate and had an attendant read the imperial edict: "Feng Shi's virtues as a mother are enough to be an example to the world. Her maternal love has moved heaven and earth, and therefore Lü Rang's death sentence is pardoned to encourage virtuous behavior in society. Lü Rang will be spared from death, but he will be stripped of his official position and become a commoner."
The emperor issued another edict: "Feng Shi is compassionate and virtuous, always abiding by etiquette and laws. Lü Rang is not her biological son, and he has committed a crime that should be punished by law. Yet she took it upon herself to come to the palace to plead for him, prostrating herself and begging earnestly. Her filial piety has deeply moved me, and I hereby pardon Lü Rang's death sentence. If all women in the world could be like Feng Shi, wouldn't families be harmonious and society peaceful? Whenever I think of this, I am filled with emotion and admiration. Feng Shi's merits should be recognized, and she should be rewarded generously. Give her five hundred pieces of silk." The emperor also gathered many noblewomen to meet Feng Shi and honor her.
Liu Chang's daughter married into the Zhengsun family of Henan. During the Zhou Dynasty, Liu Chang married a princess and rose to high-ranking military positions, earning considerable status and respect. He was a longtime friend of the Emperor. After the Emperor ascended the throne, he trusted Liu Chang greatly and appointed him as the Left Guard General and the Governor of Qingzhou. His son, named Jushi, was a guard of the crown prince, who liked to form gangs, bully others, and frequently caused trouble. The Emperor always pardoned him, showing leniency because of Liu Chang.
Jushi became more and more unruly, often brazenly proclaiming, "Men should have disheveled hair, untied hands, and dance wildly on a bamboo mat!" He would target the strong sons of officials and nobles, bring them home, tie them up with a wheel, and beat them with sticks. Those who were beaten almost to death but who still refused to submit, he referred to as "brave warriors," then released them and befriended them. He had over three hundred followers, with the agile ones dubbed the "Hungry Hawk Squad" and the strong ones called the "Pengzhuan Team." They often rode horses on the road with eagles and hunting dogs, attacking passersby and robbing them. In Chang'an City, everyone, including officials and royal relatives, feared encountering them and dared not challenge them.
Liu Chang's daughter, who is also Jushi's sister, often cried and offered heartfelt pleas to him. But Jushi refused to change and ultimately wasted their entire family fortune. As Liu Chang grew older, his son treated him poorly. His daughter was a widow at that time, and seeing her father in such a state, every time she returned to her maternal home, she personally spun yarn and wove cloth, trying her best to ensure her father ate and drank well. Someone reported that Jushi and his accomplices were wandering in Chang'an City, climbing the ruins of the old Weiyang Palace, sitting in rows facing south, and behaving very disrespectfully. They often agreed, "Just to die once!" Some people also said that Jushi conspired with the Turks, allowing them to invade from the south, preparing to collaborate inside and outside the capital. The emperor asked Liu Chang, "What do you say about this?" Liu Chang, relying on past favors, refused to acknowledge his wrongdoings and directly said, "Right or wrong, it's up to you to decide!" The emperor was furious, imprisoned Liu Chang, arrested Jushi and his followers, and dealt with them severely. The supervisory department also accused Liu Chang of being unfilial to his mother.
Liu Chang's daughter knew that her father would definitely not escape punishment, so she fasted for several days, personally preparing meals each time and bringing them to the Dali Temple to feed her father. When she saw the jailer, she knelt down for a long time, crying and sobbing, drawing sympathy from everyone who saw her. Jushi was sentenced to be beheaded, and Liu Chang was eventually granted death at home. The emperor ordered all officials to witness the event. During this time, Liu Chang's daughter fainted multiple times before regaining consciousness, and the court officials comforted her. She lamented that her father was innocent but was only punished because of her son. Her words were filled with grief, making everyone who heard them unable to help but feel sad. Ultimately, she donned rough clothing, subsisted on plain meals, and spent the rest of her life this way.
After hearing this, he sighed and said, "I've heard tales of the fates of daughters from fallen families and sons from thriving ones, and it is indeed true!"
Zhong Shixiong's mother, Jiang Shi, was from Linhe. Zhong Shixiong became the General of Fubo for the State of Chen. The Emperor of Chen was worried that Zhong Shixiong, who oversaw the minority tribal leaders in Lingnan, would rebel, so he often held Jiang Shi hostage in the capital. Later, Prince Jin pacified Jiangnan. Since Zhong Shixiong was in Lingnan, Prince Jin sought to win him over with favors, so he let Jiang Shi return to her hometown of Linhe. Consequently, fellow townsmen Yu Zimao, Zhong Wenhua, and others rebelled, raised troops to attack the city, and even sent people to invite Zhong Shixiong to join the rebellion. Zhong Shixiong was contemplating it, but his mother Jiang Shi said, "I suffered a lot when I was in the capital of Yangzhou. Now that I have finally reunited with my son in this peaceful era, I owe the Emperor so much that I cannot repay his grace in this lifetime. How can I still rebel? If you forget your gratitude and act like a beast, I will take my own life in front of you!" When Zhong Shixiong heard this, he gave up the idea of rebelling. Jiang Shi also wrote to Yu Zimao and others, urging them not to rebel and informing them of the consequences of rebellion. But Yu Zimao ignored her warnings and was later defeated by the imperial troops. Upon hearing of Jiang Shi's actions, the Emperor was deeply moved and bestowed upon her the title of County Lady of Anle.
In Yinzhou, there was a widow named Hu Shi. It is not known which family she married into, but she was known for her integrity and highly respected by the local nobility. During the unrest in Jiangnan, she urged her family and friends to remain steadfast and not participate in the rebellion. She was subsequently granted the title of Lady of Miling Commandery.
There was also a filial daughter-in-law named Tan from the Zhong family in Shangjun. She got married to her husband, who died shortly afterwards, when she was only eighteen years old. She served her mother-in-law with great filial piety and became well-known for it. Within a few years, both her mother-in-law and her uncles passed away one after the other. Tan's family struggled financially and couldn't afford the funeral expenses. So she saved money by living frugally, spinning and weaving day and night. After saving up for ten years, she finally managed to hold funerals for all eight family members. The villagers admired her greatly, and even the emperor learned of her deeds and rewarded her with a hundred shi of rice, erecting a chastity monument at her doorstep.
Yuan Wuguang's mother was the daughter of the Lu family from Fanyang. She loved reading from a young age, and she was well-mannered and articulate. After her husband passed away, she raised several young children on her own. The family struggled financially, and the children couldn't afford school fees, so Lu took it upon herself to teach them to read and instilled in them the values of being a good person. Everyone praised her. During the reign of Ren Shou, Prince Han Liang rebelled and sent General Qi Liang to Shandong to seize land. Qi Liang asked Wuguang to be his secretary. Later, Qi Liang was defeated, and the governor of Cizhou, Shangguan Zheng, searched Wuguang's house and saw Lu, harboring ill intentions towards her. Lu resolutely refused to comply. Shangguan Zheng was a cruel man and became very angry, burned her with a candle. Lu's resolve only grew stronger, and she never yielded.
Pei Lun's wife was a young lady from the Liu family in Hedong, and she was very well-mannered since childhood. Towards the end of the Sui Dynasty, Pei Lun was appointed as the magistrate of Weiyuan. When Xue Ju led a rebellion, the county was besieged by bandits, and Pei Lun was unfortunately killed. At that time, Mrs. Liu was forty, and she had two daughters and a daughter-in-law, all of whom were beautiful. Mrs. Liu said to them, "We are in trouble now. Your father is dead, and I fear I cannot protect you. Our family has always been honorable, and we cannot allow ourselves to be dishonored by bandits. I want to die together with you. What do you think?" The daughters and daughter-in-law wept and replied, "We will follow your wishes!" Mrs. Liu then jumped into a well to take her own life, and her daughters and daughter-in-law followed her, all perishing in the well.
Zhao Yuankai's wife was a young lady from the Cui family of Qinghe. Her father, Cui Nuo, is mentioned in the "Literary Biography." Their family has always upheld strong family values, and all their children have been well-mannered. Zhao Yuankai's father was a minister, and the family was quite affluent and placed great importance on their lineage. He took the Cui family's daughter as his wife, providing a generous dowry. Zhao Yuankai held Mrs. Cui in high regard; even at private banquets, he refrained from speaking out of turn, and his behavior was in accordance with etiquette. After the outbreak of war, Zhao Yuankai followed the army to Hebei, preparing to return to Chang'an. When he reached Fukou, he encountered bandits who attacked him, but he narrowly escaped with his life. Mrs. Cui, however, was captured by the bandits, who sought to take her as their wife. Mrs. Cui said to the bandits, "I am the daughter of a scholar-official, the wife of a minister's son. Today, my family is destroyed and my loved ones are dead. I would rather die than become your wife!" The bandits tore her clothes and bound her naked to the bed, preparing to insult her. Fearing defilement, Mrs. Cui deceived them, saying, "I am too weak to resist now. Do as you wish; I won't fight back. Please untie me first." The bandits hurriedly untied her. Mrs. Cui quickly donned her clothes, seized a bandit's knife, and stood by a tree, declaring, "If you want to kill me, come at me with your swords! If you want me dead, then do it!" The bandits, enraged, shot her down with arrows. Later, Zhao Yuankai found his wife's killer, dismembered him, and used his remains to honor her spirit.
Historical records say that women are often praised for being gentle and obedient, but this is merely average and falls short of the ideal. If we talk about women who truly have foresight, wisdom, strong will, noble character, are not swayed by external forces, and act based on justice alone, which era hasn’t had such women? Princess Lanling's character is more upright than a cold pine, the determination of Princess Nanyang is stronger than a rock, the loyalty and bravery of Lady Xi and her daughter’s filial piety, the sincerity and earnestness of mothers Cui and Feng, all put those so-called righteous and brave men to shame, making even the beautiful orchids and jade trees pale in comparison.
The unwavering resolve of Princess Xiangcheng and Lady Huayang, the loyalty of Lady Pei Lun and Yuan Kai, they have faced hardships and challenges, and their marriages were not smooth, but they are willing to live and die together, never wavering from their original intentions regardless of the challenges they encounter. Their will is as unyielding as frost, their words and actions are as bright and upright as the sun. Even the oaths of Gong Jiang in the Book of Songs or the chastity of Bo Ji in the Zuo Zhuan cannot compare to theirs!
