Princess Nanyang was the daughter of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty. She was beautiful, elegant, principled, and always polite. At the age of fourteen, she married the son of Duke Xuwenshu, Yuwen Shiji, who was known for his caution and seriousness, and had a good reputation. When Yuwen Shu fell gravely ill, Princess Nanyang personally took care of his daily needs, serving him tea and running errands, and people praised her filial piety.
After Yuwen Huaji's rebellion resulted in the death of Emperor Yang of the Sui, Princess Nanyang fled with Yuwen Shiji to Liaocheng. Later, Yuwen Huaji was defeated by Dou Jiande, and Yuwen Shiji made his way west from Jibei back to the Tang Dynasty. At that time, many officials of the Sui Dynasty were under Dou Jiande's control. When Dou Jiande summoned them, everyone was pale and terrified, except Princess Nanyang, who remained unfazed.
Dou Jiande spoke to Princess Nanyang, and she recounted the tragic loss of her country and family, expressing her sorrow and inability to seek revenge, with tears streaming down her face. Her sincerity moved Dou Jiande and the others present, who were all touched and admired her strength and bravery.
When Dou Jiande killed Yuwen Huaji, Princess Nanyang had a son named Chanshi, who was about ten years old. Dou Jiande sent a military officer to inform Princess Nanyang, "Yuwen Huaji committed heinous crimes, and justice requires the complete annihilation of his entire family, including your son. If you wish to spare him, you may keep him." Princess Nanyang cried and said, "As a high-ranking official of the Sui Dynasty, do you really need to ask me about this?" Ultimately, Dou Jiande went ahead and killed Princess Nanyang's son. Later, she requested permission to become a nun.
After Dou Jiande's failure, he sought to return to the Western Capital. The princess encountered Yuwen Shiji once more in the Eastern Capital. The princess would not see him. Yuwen Shiji stood outside her door, pleading for reconciliation. The princess rejected him, saying, "We are enemies, and now I wish I could kill you with my own hands. But on the day of the rebellion, you appeared to be unaware." She then severed ties with Yuwen Shiji and asked him to leave quickly. Yuwen Shiji pleaded desperately, and the princess, in anger, said, "If you must die, then you may see me." Seeing the princess's firm attitude, Yuwen Shiji knew he could not change her mind, so he took his leave and departed.
Princess Kefei, the wife of Xiangcheng Wang, hailed from the Liu family in Hedong. Her father, Liu Dan, was the governor of Xunzhou. Kefei was renowned for her extraordinary beauty. When she was in her teens, she was selected as Wangfei due to her noble lineage. Not long after, Xiangcheng Wang was deposed, yet Kefei remained devotedly by his side. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Xiangcheng Wang was exiled to the border, where he was assassinated en route. Before his execution, Xiangcheng Wang took his leave of Kefei, who said, "If the king dies, I shall not live on!" They wept bitterly in each other's arms. After Xiangcheng Wang's burial, Kefei addressed the mourners, saying, "I vow to be buried alongside the Yang family. If I can be laid to rest with him and never parted, it would be your kindness." She then hugged the coffin and wept bitterly, before taking her own life. All who witnessed this were moved to tears.
Princess Kai Fei of Huangyang was a girl from the Yuan family in Henan. Her father, Yuan Yan, was intelligent and had integrity. During the Renshou period, Yuan Yan became a Palace Attendant and was titled the Duke of Longhe County. After Sui Yangdi ascended the throne, he was stripped of his title and exiled to the South Sea because of his association with Liu Shu. He later returned to Chang'an after a general amnesty, but was later falsely accused of fleeing, captured, and executed. Kai Fei was beautiful and gentle, and was initially chosen as the queen. Shortly thereafter, the Prince of Huangyang was imprisoned and deposed, and Kai Fei grew increasingly respectful and cautious around him. Whenever she saw the Prince worried and scared, she would comfort him with rational words, and he respected her greatly. During the chaos in Jiangdu, the Prince was killed by the rebel army led by Yuwen Huaji, and Kai Fei was given to Yuwen Huaji's subordinate Yuan Wuda as a reward. At first, Yuan Wuda treated her like a woman from his clan, arranging her in a separate residence, but later, he forced himself upon her after getting drunk. Kai Fei vowed not to submit, which infuriated Yuan Wuda, leading him to beat her over a hundred times, his words growing more vicious. Kai Fei then picked up a shard of tile and disfigured herself, shedding tears of blood. Only then did Yuan Wuda let her go. Kai Fei said to Yuan Wuda's subordinates, "I cannot die early and bring shame upon myself, this is my fault!" After speaking, she ultimately starved herself to death.
Lady Qiao of Qiao Guo was a daughter of the Gao Liang Xi family. Her family had been leaders of Nan Yue for generations, occupying caves and governing tens of thousands of households. Lady Qiao was intelligent and wise from a young age, demonstrating great strategic acumen. While in her parents' home, she excelled at pacifying the populace and leading troops in battle, successfully conquering various Yue tribes. She often advised her people to do good deeds, earning her a stellar reputation in the region.
The Yue people have a tendency to attack one another. The lady's brother, Xi Ting, the governor of Nanliangzhou, relied on his strong power to frequently harass the nearby counties, causing immense suffering to the people of the Lingnan region. The lady advised her brother several times, eventually resolving their conflicts, and over a thousand tribes in the Hainan and Dan'er regions pledged allegiance to them.
During the Datong era of the Liang dynasty, Feng Rong, the governor of Luozhou, heard of the lady's talents and married his son, Feng Bao, to her. Feng Rong was a descendant of the Northern Yan; his grandfather Feng Ye led three hundred followers across the sea to pledge loyalty to the Song Dynasty, settling in Xinhui. From Feng Ye to Feng Rong, three generations of their family served as officials in the local area, and although they were outsiders, they proved to be quite effective in local governance. After marrying into the Feng family, the lady urged her family members to adhere to the law, and she and Feng Bao handled legal cases together. Even if her own relatives broke the law, she did not show any mercy. Since then, the governance of Gaoliang became orderly, and no one dared to violate the laws.
During Hou Jing's rebellion, Xiao Bo, the commander of Guangzhou, recruited troops to assist Taizhou. Li Qianshi, the governor of Gaozhou, took control of Dagao Kou and summoned Feng Bao. Feng Bao wanted to go, but the lady stopped him, saying, "The governor is likely trying to trick you into joining the rebellion." Feng Bao asked, "How do you know?" The lady said, "The governor, while summoned to assist Taizhou, falsely claimed to be ill, secretly forging weapons and gathering troops before summoning you. If you go now, he will surely detain you as a hostage and then launch an attack on your forces. His intentions are clear; we should refrain from acting first and wait to see how things unfold."
After a few days, Li Qianshi did indeed rebel, sending General Du Pinglu to lead the army into Lanshi. Feng Bao learned about this and quickly told his wife. His wife said, "Du Pinglu is a brave general. When he leads the troops into Lanshi, there will surely be conflicts with the government troops. It will take some time for him to return. Li Qianshi is in the state and he won't be able to send reinforcements. If you go in person, a battle is bound to happen. We should send an envoy to deceive him, using a humble tone and offering generous gifts, saying that you dare not go in person and want to send me to pay a visit. When he hears this, he'll be pleased and won't suspect a thing. At that time, I will lead over a thousand men, pretending to transport tribute, and when we reach near his camp, we can launch an attack."
Feng Bao went along with his wife's plan, and Li Qianshi was indeed very happy. He saw that the lady's troops were all carrying things and not prepared for battle, so he was caught off guard and suffered a major defeat. Li Qianshi fled and escaped to Ningdu. The lady led the troops to join forces with Lord Chen Baxian at Lanshi. When they got back, the lady told Feng Bao, "Commander Chen is very powerful and has won the hearts of the people. I'm confident he can put down the rebellion. You should support him well."
After Uncle Bao passed away, the Lingnan region descended into chaos. His wife was powerful, uniting various Baiyue tribes and keeping several prefectures stable. In the second year of Chen Yongding, when their son Pu was only nine years old, military leaders flocked to Danyang to pay their respects to him, and the court appointed him directly as the magistrate of Yangchun. Later, when the Guangzhou governor Ouyang Ge rebelled and called Pu to join him, Pu quickly sent someone back to tell his mother. His mother said, "I can't betray the country for your sake!" She immediately led her troops to defend the border, and together with the Baiyue tribal chiefs, welcomed the general Zhang Zhaoda sent by the court. With support from both inside and outside, Ouyang Ge's forces quickly fell apart.
Thanks to his wife's efforts, Pu was appointed as the Marquis of Xindu and was also given the position of General for Pacifying the Yue. He was later promoted to Governor of Shilong. The court even sent an envoy with an imperial decree to appoint Pu's mother as General of the Central Army and Lady of Shilong, rewarding her with an ornate carriage, four fine horses, and a ceremonial escort comparable to that of a governor. Pu passed away during the Chen dynasty. After the Chen dynasty fell, the Lingnan region hadn't yet submitted to the new regime, and several prefectures still supported Pu's mother, honoring her with the title "Holy Mother." She continued to safeguard the land and ensure the people lived in peace and prosperity.
Emperor Gaozu sent the general Wei Guang to pacify Lingnan, while the Chen Dynasty general Xu Shu resisted in Nankang. When Wei Guang arrived at the foot of Lingnan, he hesitated to move forward. It is said that this woman had previously presented a rhinoceros horn cane from Funan to the Emperor of the Chen Dynasty. At this time, Prince Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty sent a letter to her, informing her that the Chen Dynasty had truly fallen, and asking her to submit to the Great Sui. He also sent the rhinoceros horn cane along with a military token as proof. When the woman saw the rhinoceros horn cane, she knew that the Chen Dynasty had indeed been destroyed, so she summoned thousands of leaders and cried all day. Then, she sent her grandson Hun to lead the army to meet Wei Guang. When Wei Guang entered Guangzhou, the Lingnan region was completely pacified. The court appointed Hun as Yitong Sanqi and granted the title of Lady Kangjun to her.
Not long after, the people of Panyu, led by Wang Zhongxuan, rebelled, and many leaders responded to him, surrounding the prefecture where Wei Guang was located and stationed troops in Hengling. The woman sent her grandson Xuan to rescue Wei Guang. However, Xuan and the rebel leader Chen Fuzhi had been friends before, so he intentionally stalled and refused to move forward. When the woman learned of this, she was furious and ordered Xuan's arrest, imprisoning him in the prefectural jail. She then sent her grandson Ang to attack Chen Fuzhi; Ang defeated Chen Fuzhi and killed him. Then, Ang led his troops to march to Nanhai, where they joined forces with the army of Lu Yuan and together defeated Wang Zhongxuan. The woman personally put on armor, rode a war horse, carried a ceremonial umbrella, and led the cavalry to escort the court envoy Pei Ju to oversee the various prefectures. Leaders such as Chen Tan of Cangwu, Feng Cenweng of Gangzhou, Deng Matou of Lianghua, Li Guanglue of Tengzhou, Pang Jing of Luozhou, and others came to pay their respects to her. After her return, she continued to lead their tribes and ultimately brought peace to the Lingnan region.
Upon hearing of this matter, Gaozu was very pleased. He appointed Ang as the Inspector of Gaozhou, granted clemency to Xuan, and appointed him as the Inspector of Luozhou. He posthumously honored Lady Bao's husband with the title of Grand Governor of Guangzhou, and appointed Lady Bao as the Duchess of Qiao. He also restored the title of Song Kang County to her maid, Xi Shi. A court was established for Lady Qiao, with various official positions, including Chief of Staff, and a seal was given to her to command the armies of the six southern provinces. In case of emergencies, she could handle them independently. Gaozu issued a proclamation stating, "I govern the realm with the same care as a parent for their children, hoping for peace and happiness for the people. However, Wang Zhongxuan and others incited chaos, disturbing the people. Therefore, I dispatched troops to quell them and remove the threat to the people. Lady Qiao is loyal to the court, understands righteousness deeply, and dispatched Sun Ang to kill Chen Fozhi, finally quelling the rebellion with great merit. Now, Lady Qiao is granted a reward of 5,000 bolts of silk. Xuan was at fault for delaying military matters, but in light of Lady Qiao's contributions, he was pardoned. Lady Qiao must diligently educate her descendants, uphold proper conduct and values, and be loyal to the court, in alignment with my wishes." The Empress also bestowed upon her jewelry and a ceremonial outfit, which Lady Qiao carefully stored in a golden box, alongside gifts from the Liang and Chen dynasties, kept in different warehouses. During the annual sacrifices, she would display these items in the courtyard for her descendants to view, saying, "You must remain wholeheartedly loyal to the emperor. I have faithfully served three successive dynasties with unwavering loyalty. These honored gifts remain, a testament to loyalty and filial piety. I hope you will carry this lesson forward."
At that time, it was said that Zhao Ne, the governor of Fanzhou, was particularly greedy and cruel, causing the local people to flee, with many defecting. His wife sent the chief secretary Zhang Rong to the capital to submit a memorial, suggesting that the court should take proper measures to appease the fleeing people, and detailed his crimes in the memorial, stating that he was incapable of winning back those who had fled.
After the emperor reviewed the memorial, evidence of his corruption and bribery was uncovered. Finally, Zhao Ne was brought to justice. The emperor then ordered Zhao Ne's wife to go and reassure the fugitives. Zhao Ne's wife personally delivered the emperor's edict, claiming to be the emperor's envoy, and traveled to more than ten states, reading the emperor's decree to comfort the fleeing ethnic minorities. Wherever she went, the people surrendered. The founding emperor was very pleased and rewarded her with Tangmu Prefecture, located in Linzhen County, totaling fifteen hundred households. Her husband was posthumously honored as the governor of Yanzhou and made Duke of Pingyuan County. Zhao Ne's wife passed away during the Renshou period, and the court granted her one thousand bolts of cloth for her funeral, and she was posthumously honored with the title "Lady Chengjing."
Zheng Shanguo's mother, a daughter of the Cui family in Qinghe, married Zheng Cheng at the age of thirteen and gave birth to Zheng Shanguo. Later, when Zheng Cheng fought bravely against the enemy Yu Jing and was left a widow, Zheng Shanguo's mother, only twenty at the time, became a widow. Her father Cui Yanmu wanted her to remarry, but she held Zheng Shanguo in her arms and said to Cui Yanmu, "It is not proper for a woman to remarry. Besides, although Zheng Cheng has died, he has left behind this child. Abandoning the child is not compassionate, and going against the wishes of the deceased husband is not filial. I would rather cut off my ears and shave my head to demonstrate my resolve. I cannot obey your orders to act against propriety and be unkind to my child." Zheng Shanguo, because of her father's sacrifice for the country, became a high-ranking official at a young age, inheriting the title of County Duke of Kaifeng with a land grant of a thousand households. During the Kaihuang period, she was further promoted to Duke of Wude Commandery. At the age of fourteen, she was appointed Governor of Yizhou, later transferred to Jingzhou, and then she became the Prefect of Lu County. Wow, she was really an extraordinary woman! Virtuous, principled, exceptionally learned, and skilled in medicine. Whenever her son Shanguo finished a case, his mother would sit on the couch, peeking out from behind a screen. If her son judged the case fairly and reasonably, she would be especially happy to see him return, quickly inviting him to sit down for a chat and some laughs.
If my son handles the case unfairly or flies off the handle, his mother will go back to her room, pull the blanket over her head, cry, and not eat for a whole day. Shan Guo kneels in front of his mother's bed, holding his breath. When his mother's emotions calm down a bit, she will say, "I'm not mad at you; I'm embarrassed for your family! I married into your family, just as your father did, working hard to take care of the household. He was upright in the officialdom during his lifetime, never corrupt, and dedicated his life to the country. I hope you will carry on his legacy! You lost your father at a young age, and I am a widow. I love you but lack strict discipline, which has led you to not pay enough attention to education in proper conduct. How can you fulfill the noble duties of a loyal minister? You inherited the family legacy from a young age, and now you have become a marquis. Did you really achieve all this on your own? How can you not consider these things, lose your temper at will, indulge in pleasure, and neglect official duties? If this continues, the family will be corrupted, and you may even risk losing your position. Outside, you will violate the emperor's laws and face consequences. After I die, how will I ever face your ancestors?"
My mother has always spun and woven by herself, often busy until late at night before going to sleep. One day, I (Shan Guo) said, "Mom, I am now a high-ranking official, with a high rank and a good salary. Why do you still work so hard when I am doing well?"
My mother sighed and said, "Oh, you're already so grown up; I thought you had understood what it means to be a good person. I didn't expect you to say such things today. It shows that you are still far from mature! The salary you mentioned—where do you think it came from? It was a reward given by the emperor to repay your father's service to the country! This money should be used to help relatives and friends, to honor your father's legacy. How can you just think about enjoying yourself and treat it as a tool for getting rich? Furthermore, women should be skilled in embroidery and sewing; from queens to the wives of common officials, who doesn't create something with their own hands? If you neglect these household chores, it will seem extravagant and self-indulgent. Although I may not understand grand principles, I cannot tarnish my reputation!"
Since my father passed away, my mother has never dressed up or put on makeup again, always wearing plain clothes. She is very frugal, never indulging in food or drink except when making offerings or hosting guests. She usually stays quietly at home, rarely going out. When relatives or friends have happy or sad occasions, she always gives generous gifts, but never visits their homes. Apart from what she makes herself or what is given from the estate, she does not allow any gifts from others to enter the house.
After I became an official, no matter where I was stationed, I brought my own food to the office and never accepted any food provided by the government, using it for repairs or sharing with colleagues. This is how I managed to remain self-disciplined and dedicated, known as an honest official. Later, Emperor Yang of Sui sent the Grand Master of Records, Zhang Heng, to commend and praise me, regarding me as the best official in the empire and promoting me to the position of Guangluqing. However, after my mother passed away, I became the Grand Minister of Justice and gradually became extravagant and self-indulgent, no longer as upright and honest as before.
Princess Xiaonu, daughter of Wang Shun, is the daughter of Prince Chun of Zhao. Her father, Prince Chun, had a strained relationship with his cousin, Zhang Xin. When Qi destroyed Zhao, Zhang Xin and his wife conspired to kill Prince Chun. Shun was only seven years old at the time, with two younger sisters, one named Can who was five years old, and one named Fan who was two years old. The three young girls were left without parents and had to depend on their relatives for support. Shun looked after her two younger sisters, and the sisterly bond between them was particularly strong. However, Shun always harbored a thought of revenge that Zhang Xin never anticipated. When the two sisters grew up, relatives tried to marry them off, but they adamantly refused. Shun secretly told her two sisters, "We have no brothers, so we cannot avenge our father. What’s the point of living if we’re only girls? I want to seek revenge with you both; what do you think?" The two sisters cried and said, "We will do as you say, sister." That night, the three sisters scaled the wall with knives and broke into Zhang Xin's house, killed Zhang Xin and his wife, then went to their father's grave to tell him what they had done. They then turned themselves in to the county, each claiming to be the mastermind. The county and the state were at a loss. When Emperor Gaozu heard of this, he was greatly impressed and granted them a pardon.
Han Ji's wife is the daughter of the Yu family in Luoyang, whose courtesy name was Maode. Her father was Yu Shi, a high-ranking official in the Zhou Dynasty. Yu married Han Ji at the age of fourteen. Although she grew up in wealth and came from a prestigious family, she exhibited great propriety and lived frugally, earning the respect of everyone in her family. When Han Ji was killed in battle at the age of eighteen, Yu was devastated and mourned deeply, her sorrow moving those who passed by. She personally made offerings to Han Ji every day. After the mourning period, her father wanted to arrange a new marriage for her, considering her youth and lack of children, but Yu firmly refused and vowed never to remarry. Despite her family's persuasion, she remained steadfast, even cutting her hair as a sign of her vow. Seeing her unwavering determination, her father ultimately relented. She raised Han Ji's son, Shilong, as her own and educated him well. She rarely visited her family after becoming a widow and did not welcome visits from high-ranking officials. She subsisted on a vegetarian diet, wore simple garments, and shunned music. The Emperor greatly admired her virtue and honored her with a memorial arch, which was later known as the "Chaste Woman Arch" in Chang'an. She passed away at the age of seventy-two, leaving behind a legacy of virtue.
Lu Rang's mother is the daughter of the Feng family of Shangdang, known for her kindness and motherly grace. Lu Rang was adopted by her. During the Renshou period, Lu Rang was appointed governor of Fanzhou, but he engaged in corruption, embezzlement, and exploitation of the people, which led to accusations against him from Sima. The emperor sent investigators, and the investigations confirmed the accusations. Lu Rang was arrested and interrogated. Despite his pleas of innocence, a reinvestigation by the imperial censor produced the same findings. The emperor had no choice but to convene his ministers, who unanimously agreed that Lu Rang deserved to die. The emperor approved the execution order for Lu Rang. Just before his execution, Feng rushed to the court, rebuking Lu Rang for his failure to earn merit and loyalty, and pleading for his mercy. The emperor, touched by her words, softened his demeanor.
The Empress Dowager was impressed by Feng's actions and interceded with the emperor. The imperial censor Liu Yu also said, "Feng's maternal virtue has touched the hearts of the people. If we kill Lu Rang, what lesson can we offer to the people?" So, the emperor summoned all the people of the capital to the Zhuque Gate (Vermilion Bird Gate) and had an attendant read the imperial edict: "Feng's maternal virtue is enough to be an example to the world. Her loving ways have moved the heavens and the earth; therefore, Lu Rang's death sentence is commuted to honor good customs. Lu Rang is spared from the death penalty, but he will be stripped of his official title." The emperor then issued another decree: "Feng is kind and benevolent, consistently adhering to the rites and laws. Lu Rang is not her biological son and has committed a crime meriting the death penalty. However, she personally came to the palace gates to plead for her son, prostrating herself and weeping. I am deeply touched by her filial devotion, so Lu Rang's death penalty is pardoned. If all women in the world were like Feng, wouldn't families thrive and society be at peace? Every time I think of this matter, I am profoundly moved and compelled to commend her. She should be bestowed generous rewards to honor her virtues. Reward her with five hundred bolts of cloth." The emperor also gathered all the noblewomen of the capital to meet Feng, in order to commend her. Liu Chang's daughter is married into the Changsun family of Henan. Liu Chang served in the Zhou dynasty, married a princess, and ascended to the titles of Pillar State and Duke of Peng, having served as a general on several occasions, with high status and reputation. He was a longtime friend of the founding emperor. After the founding emperor became emperor, he trusted Liu Chang and appointed him as the Left Martial Guard General and Governor of Qingzhou. His son, named Jushi, was a guard of the crown prince, forming factions, intimidating others, flouting the law, and regularly causing disturbances. The emperor, out of respect for Liu Chang, forgave his transgressions each time.
The ascetic became more and more arrogant, often boasting, "Men should have disheveled hair, hands tied behind their backs, and perform barbaric dances on bamboo mats!" He would target the strong sons of officials and nobles and bring them home, using a cartwheel to choke them and beat them. Those who were nearly beaten to death yet still refused to submit, he would praise as heroes and treat them like brothers. His followers numbered more than three hundred, the agile ones were known as the "Hungry Hawk Team," while the strong ones were called the "Pengzhuan Team." They often rode horses on the road with eagles and hounds, assaulting passersby and robbing them. In Chang'an City, everyone who saw them kept their distance, even the officials and royal relatives dared not confront them.
Liu Chang's daughter, who was also the ascetic's sister, often cried and advised him with a kind heart. But the ascetic did not change at all and eventually squandered all his family's wealth. Liu Chang was aging, and his son was quite disrespectful to him. His daughter became a widow, and seeing her father like this, she personally spun and wove whenever she visited her mother’s house, doing her best to ensure her father was well-fed and taken care of. Someone reported that the ascetic and his accomplices were wandering in Chang'an City, climbing the ruins of Weiyang Palace and boldly sitting facing south, often agreeing, "Anyway, we all have to die once!" Others claimed that the ascetic had colluded with the Turks to launch an invasion from the south, plotting both inside and outside the capital. The emperor asked Liu Chang, "What do you say about this?" Drawing on their past relationship, Liu Chang refused to accept any blame and directly said, "Right and wrong, Your Majesty has the final say!" The emperor was furious, imprisoned Liu Chang, arrested the ascetic and his followers, and dealt with them harshly. The oversight department also charged Liu Chang with disrespecting his mother.
Liu Chang's daughter knew that her father could not escape his fate, and she went several days without eating or drinking. Each time, she personally prepared meals and carried them to the Dali Temple to deliver to her father. When she encountered the prison guards, she knelt down and wept, evoking sadness in everyone who witnessed her. The layman was sentenced to be executed by beheading, and Liu Chang was ultimately granted a death sentence at home. The court ordered all officials to watch. During this time, Liu Chang's daughter experienced several near-death moments and was brought back to life, and court ministers offered her comfort. She cried out that her father was innocent, punished only because of her brother. Her heart was shattered, and her words were drenched in sorrow, breaking the hearts of all who heard her. In the end, she donned rough clothing, subsisted on plain meals, and lived a life of quiet resignation.
After hearing this, he sighed and said, "I've heard the saying: 'the daughter of a fallen family and the son of a thriving one'—and it rings true!"
Zhong Shixiong's mother is Jiang Shi, the daughter of a family from Linhe. Zhong Shixiong became the General of the Fubo Army in the State of Chen. The Emperor of Chen worried that Zhong Shixiong, who oversaw the minority leaders in Lingnan, might rebel, so he often detained Jiang Shi in the capital. Later, Wang Guangping of the Jin Dynasty pacified Jiangnan. Since Zhong Shixiong was in Lingnan, he sought to win him over with kindness, so he let Jiang Shi return to her hometown in Linhe. As a result, rebels from Linhe, including Yu Zimao and Zhong Wenhua, raised troops to attack the city and even sent people to invite Zhong Shixiong to join the rebellion. Zhong Shixiong was about to agree when his mother Jiang Shi said to him, "I endured much hardship when I was in the capital of Yangzhou. Now that we are in a time of peace and prosperity, mother and son are reunited. I can never repay the Emperor's grace in my lifetime. How can we rebel? If you forget your gratitude and behave like a beast, I will commit suicide in front of you!" Upon hearing his mother say this, Zhong Shixiong abandoned the idea of rebellion. Jiang Shi also wrote to Yu Zimao and others, urging them not to rebel and to consider the consequences. Yu Zimao did not listen to the advice and was later defeated by the officials. The Emperor was deeply moved upon learning of Jiang Shi's deeds and bestowed upon her the title of Lady of Anle County.
In Yinzhou, there was a widow named Hu Shi, though her family name was unknown. She was known for her integrity and was highly respected by the local gentry. During the turmoil in Jiangnan, she urged her relatives and friends to remain steadfast and not join the rebellion. She was later granted the title of Lady of Miling Commandery.
There was a filial daughter-in-law named Qin from the Zhong family in Shangjun. She had only been married for a short time when her husband passed away, leaving her at just eighteen. She was extremely devoted to her mother-in-law, earning a reputation for her filial piety. Over the years, both her mother-in-law and her uncles passed away, leaving Qin in poverty without the means to hold proper funerals. She lived frugally, spinning and weaving day and night for ten years to save enough money to hold funerals for eight family members. The villagers admired her greatly, and when the emperor heard of her actions, he rewarded her with one hundred dan of rice and erected a monument in front of her house to honor her.
Yuan Wuguang's mother, a member of the Lu family from Fanyang, loved reading from a young age and was known for her politeness. After her husband passed away, she raised several young children on her own in poverty, struggling to afford their education. Lu took it upon herself to teach them to read and instill moral values, earning the admiration of the community. As the Reign of Ren Shou was coming to a close, Prince Han Liang rebelled and sent General Qi Liang to Shandong to seize land. Qi Liang appointed Wuguang as his aide. After Qi Liang was defeated, the Governor of Cizhou, Shangguan Zheng, searched Wuguang's home and took a liking to Lu, attempting to assault her. Lu resolutely refused and vowed never to submit. Shangguan Zheng, a ruthless man, became furious and burned her with a candle. Nevertheless, Lu's resolve remained unshaken, and she never gave in.
Pei Lun's wife was a young lady from the Liu family in Hedong, and she was well-educated from a young age. In the late years of the Sui Dynasty, Pei Lun became the magistrate of Weiyuan County. When Xue Ju rebelled, the county was besieged by bandits, and Pei Lun met a tragic end. At that time, Mrs. Liu was forty years old, who had two daughters and a daughter-in-law, all three of whom were beautiful. Mrs. Liu said to them, "Our family has encountered this chaotic world; your father has already died, and I fear I cannot protect you. Our family has always had a clean and upright family tradition; we cannot allow ourselves to be humiliated by bandits. I want to die together with you. What do you think?" The daughters and daughter-in-law wept and replied, "We will listen to you, Mother." Mrs. Liu then took her own life by jumping into the well, and they all perished in the well.
Zhao Yuankai's wife is the daughter of the Cui family from Qinghe. Her father, Cui Ran, is recorded in "Literary Biography." Their family has always had a strong moral upbringing, and all their children are well-behaved. Zhao Yuankai's father is a minister; the family is quite wealthy and places great importance on social status, so he married into the Cui family with a generous dowry. Zhao Yuankai respects Cui very much; even at private gatherings, he refrains from casual joking, and his behavior, speech, and dress all conform to etiquette norms. After the outbreak of war, Zhao Yuankai followed the army to Hebei, preparing to return to Chang'an. When he arrived at Fukou, he encountered bandits who attacked him, and Zhao Yuankai luckily escaped. However, Cui was taken captive by the bandits, who intended to force her into marriage. Cui said to the bandits, "I am the daughter of a scholar-official family, the daughter-in-law of a minister. Today, my family is ruined and people are dead. If I must die, then so be it. It is absolutely impossible for me to be your wife!" The bandits ripped her clothes and bound her naked body to the bed, intending to insult her. Fearing dishonor, Cui lied to them, saying, "I lack the strength to resist now; do as you will. Please untie my ropes first." The bandits quickly released her. Cui quickly donned her clothes and seized the bandit's sword, stood by a tree, and said, "If you want to kill me, then go ahead and use your sword. If you want me dead, come and get me!" The bandits were very angry and shot her with a hail of arrows. Later, Zhao Yuankai found the killers of his wife, dismembered them, and used their remains as offerings to honor Cui's spirit.
Historians say: when people evaluate a woman's character, they always prioritize gentleness and obedience, but this merely represents an average standard, not the pinnacle! In fact, those with foresight, strong will, and noble character, who live only for justice—if you leaf through the history books, you'll find that every era has had such women. Like Princess Lanling, whose noble character is as steadfast as a cold pine, Princess Nanyang, whose resolve is as unyielding as stone, as well as Lady Xi and devoted daughter Cao E, who embody loyalty and bravery, and Lady Cui and Lady Feng, who embody sincerity and loyalty like devoted mothers—all of them would put even the bravest heroes to shame and earn admiration from those with noble character.
Princess Xiangcheng, Lady Huayang, the wives of Pei Lun and Yuan Kai, have all experienced hardships, and their marriages were not smooth, but they are willing to share difficulties with their husbands. Regardless of how harsh the circumstances, they remain resolute, pure as frost and bright as the sun. Even compared to the oaths of Gong Jiang in the Book of Songs or the loyalty and self-sacrifice of Bo Ji recorded in the Zuo Zhuan, how do they compare in strength?
