From ancient times to the present, there have been too many women of high moral character and upright behavior recorded in historical books and classics. The virtue of women lies not only in gentleness and virtue, but also in the establishment of achievements and a lasting reputation, which are grounded in chastity. Gentleness is the foundation of benevolence, and chastity is the reliance of justice. Without gentleness, benevolence cannot be achieved; without chastity, justice cannot be manifested. Therefore, what is recorded in poetry and classics, passed down through social customs, depicted in paintings, and sung in songs is all about adhering to the principles of womanhood and upright behavior, even sacrificing their lives to achieve righteousness. Mothers such as Wenbo and Wang Ling, wives such as Baigong and Qizhi, the righteous aunt of Lu State, the virtuous woman of Liang State, the concubine of Lord Ling of Wei, and the daughter of Xiahou Wenning—some embrace loyalty and maintain chastity, while others sacrifice themselves for loyalty and righteousness. They do not waver in their convictions in the face of life and death, nor do they change their principles because of prosperity and decline. Their achievements have been passed down through the ages, and their good names will last forever; isn't it admirable?
However, there are also some wives of nobles and ministers who indulge in a life of debauchery and licentiousness. Even if they wear luxurious clothes, eat delicacies, live in magnificent houses, and ride in gorgeous carriages, they will neither be recorded in history nor remembered in official records, and in the end, they will wither away like grass and die quietly like deer. There are countless examples of this behavior! Pondering on this for a long time, it is truly a disgrace for women!
Look at these outstanding women today; each of them is self-disciplined as pine and cypress trees, willing to be shattered like jade and to wither like orchids in order to maintain noble character and pass on the bloodline of outstanding women from ancient to modern times. So I write these words to praise their noble aspirations and to address the shortcomings of previous biographies of exemplary women.
Princess Lanling, whose nickname was Awu, was Gaozu's fifth daughter. She was beautiful, gentle, and loved reading. Gaozu favored her greatly and doted on her the most among all his daughters. She first married Yitong Wang Fengxiao, and after his death, she married Liu Shu, a man from Hedong, when she was just eighteen. Her sisters were all spoiled and arrogant, but she was modest and upheld her duties as a wife, being especially filial to her in-laws. If her in-laws fell ill, she would personally prepare medicine and take care of them. Gaozu was very pleased to hear this and showed Liu Shu more favor as a result.
Initially, Prince Jin Yang Guang intended to marry the princess to his wife's brother, Xiao Mao, and Gaozu agreed at first. However, he later married her to Liu Shu instead, which displeased Prince Jin greatly. When Liu Shu became an official, Prince Jin grew to dislike him even more. After Gaozu's death, Liu Shu was exiled to Lingnan. Emperor Yang of Sui ordered the princess to divorce Liu Shu and remarry someone else. The princess adamantly refused, swearing that she would rather die than remarry. She even requested to have her title revoked and be exiled to Lingnan with Liu Shu.
Emperor Yang was furious and demanded to know if there were no other men in the world for her to remarry instead of being exiled with Liu Shu. The princess replied, "Your Majesty married me to the Liu family initially, and now that Liu Shu has committed a crime, I should share the burden of his crime. I do not want Your Majesty to break the law or make exceptions for me." Emperor Yang remained unconvinced, and the princess fell ill from her distress and eventually passed away at the age of thirty-two. Before her death, she wrote, "In the past, Lady Jiang made an oath to uphold her chastity, leaving behind beautiful poems; Lady Ji did not complain and became renowned for generations. Although I have made mistakes, I still want to emulate the ancients. Unable to be with my husband in life, I request to be buried in the Liu family after death." Emperor Yang, upon reading this, became even angrier, didn't shed a tear, and hurriedly buried the princess at Hongdu River with few burial items. The people both in the court and the commoners felt a deep sympathy for her.
Princess Nanyang was the daughter of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty. She was beautiful, dignified, and always polite. At the age of fourteen, she married Yuwen Shiji, the son of Duke Xuwenshu, who was known for his caution and seriousness and had a good reputation. When Yuwen Shu became seriously ill, the princess took care of his daily life, serving him tea and water with great care, and people praised her filial piety.
After Yuwen Huaji rebelled, the princess accompanied Yuwen Shiji to Liaocheng. Later, when Yuwen Huaji was defeated by Dou Jiande, Yuwen Shiji returned to Datang from Jibei. At that time, the officials of the Sui Dynasty had all gathered under Dou Jiande. When Dou Jiande summoned them, everyone was pale and flustered, except for the princess who maintained her composure. Dou Jiande spoke to her, and the princess recounted the destruction of her country and family, expressing her powerlessness to seek revenge. She wept uncontrollably, and her genuine emotions moved Dou Jiande and the others present, who respected her greatly.
After Dou Jiande killed Yuwen Huaji, the princess had a son named Chanshi, who was about ten years old. Dou Jiande sent a general to inform the princess, "Yuwen Huaji committed heinous crimes that cannot be tolerated by heaven. His entire family must be exterminated, and according to the law, the princess's son must also be put to death. If you cannot bear it, you can keep him." The princess cried and said, "You are a high-ranking official of the Sui Dynasty, why would you even need to ask me about such things?" In the end, Dou Jiande still killed the princess's son. Later, the princess humbly requested permission to become a nun.
After Dou Jiande was defeated in battle, he sought to return to the Western Capital. The princess and Yuwen Shiji encountered each other near the Eastern Capital. The princess refused to see him. Yuwen Shiji went to the princess's residence and stood outside the door, requesting to reconcile with her. The princess refused him, saying, "We are enemies. I could kill you right now. It's just that on the day of the rebellion, I had the impression that you were unaware." She then severed ties with Yuwen Shiji and asked him to leave quickly. Despite his repeated pleas, the princess angrily said, "If you truly wish to die, then you may see me." Seeing the princess's firm attitude, Yuwen Shiji knew he couldn't salvage the situation and bid farewell before leaving.
The concubine of Prince Xiangcheng was a Liu family girl from Hedong. Her father, Liu Dan, had served as the Inspector of Xunzhou. The concubine was very beautiful, and in her teens, due to her good family background and appearance, she was chosen as the prince's concubine. Shortly thereafter, Prince Xiangcheng was deposed, but the concubine remained loyal, demonstrating even greater respect for him. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he sent Prince Xiangcheng to a border region and had him assassinated en route. As they parted, the concubine declared to him, "If you die, I will not live on without you!" The two of them wept bitterly. After Prince Xiangcheng was buried, the concubine told the messenger, "I swear to be buried with the Yang family (referring to Prince Xiangcheng). If I can be buried with the prince after my death, it will be your kindness." After saying this, she hugged the coffin, cried out, and then took her own life. Those who witnessed this scene could not hold back their tears.
Concubine Kai of King Hua Yang was a young woman from the Yuan family in Henan. Her father, Yuan Yan, was shrewd, capable, and courageous. During the Renshou era, he served as the Attendant of the Yellow Gate and was also titled the Duke of Longhe County. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was demoted to a commoner and exiled to the South Sea due to his connections with Liu Shu. Later, after a general amnesty, he returned to Chang'an. Someone falsely accused Yuan Yan of fleeing, and he was arrested and executed. Concubine Kai was beautiful, gentle, and submissive. Initially, she became the king's concubine through a selection of candidates. Not long after, King Hua Yang was imprisoned and deposed. Concubine Kai became increasingly cautious around King Hua Yang. Whenever she saw King Hua Yang worried, she would comfort him with rational words. King Hua Yang respected her greatly. During the chaos of the Jiangdu Rebellion, King Hua Yang was slain by the rebel forces under Yuwen Huaji. Concubine Kai was given to Yuwen Huaji's subordinate Yuan Wuda as a prize. Initially, Yuan Wuda treated her with respect and housed her separately. However, after getting drunk, he assaulted her. Concubine Kai firmly resisted, and Yuan Wuda became furious, beating her over a hundred times with increasingly harsh words. Concubine Kai then picked up a piece of tile and ruined her own appearance, blood tears streaming down her face. Only then did Yuan Wuda finally relent. Concubine Kai said to Yuan Wuda's subordinates, "It is my fault that I did not die earlier, that led to this humiliation!" After speaking, she ultimately starved herself to death.
Lady Qiao, daughter of the Gao Liang Xi family, has seen her family serve as the 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, displaying remarkable strategic acumen. While living with her parents, she excelled at pacifying the populace, leading troops into battle, and subduing the Yue people from various regions. She often counseled her people to do good deeds, earning her considerable respect in the community, where everyone placed their trust in her. The Yue people had a tendency to attack one another. Lady Qiao's brother, the governor of Nan Liangzhou, Xi Ting, often invaded neighboring counties, inflicting great suffering on the people of Lingnan. Lady Qiao counseled her brother on numerous occasions and ultimately resolved the conflict, resulting in over a thousand tribes in the Hainan and Dan'er regions pledging their allegiance to them.
During the Da Tong era of the Liang Dynasty, the governor of Luo Zhou, Feng Rong, heard of Lady Qiao's talent and arranged for his son, Feng Bao, the governor of Gao Liang, to take her as his wife. Feng Rong was a descendant of Bei Yan, with his grandfather Feng Ye leading three hundred people to cross the sea and seek refuge in the Song Dynasty, eventually settling in Xin Hui. From Feng Ye to Feng Rong, three generations of their family served as officials in the local area, demonstrating effective governance despite being outsiders. After marrying into the Feng family, Lady Qiao urged her family members to adhere to the laws. She often worked with Feng Bao to handle legal cases, showing no leniency even when her own relatives were the offenders. From then on, governance in Gao Liang became orderly, and no one dared to break the law.
Later, Hou Jing rebelled, and the Governor of Guangzhou, Xiao Bo, recruited troops to support Taizhou. Li Qianshi, the Governor of Gaozhou, occupied Dagao Kou and sent someone to summon Feng Bao. Feng Bao wanted to go, but his wife stopped him, saying, "The Governor summoned you without cause; it must be a trap. He wants you to rebel with him." Feng Bao asked, "How do you know?" His wife replied, "The Governor was summoned to support Taizhou, but falsely claimed to be ill, secretly making weapons and gathering forces, and then summoned you. If you go now, he will definitely detain you as a prisoner and take your military power. His intentions are clear; we should hold off for now and see how things unfold." After a few days, Li Qianshi did indeed rebel, sending the general Du Pinglu to enter Ganshi. Feng Bao learned of this and quickly informed his wife. She said, "Du Pinglu is a brave general. When he enters Ganshi, he will certainly clash with the officials and won't return for a while. Li Qianshi in the city is also powerless. If you go in person, there will likely be a battle. We should send an envoy to deceive him, in a humble tone, offering generous gifts, saying you dare not go in person and want to send me to comfort him. When he hears this news, he will surely be happy and let his guard down. At that time, I will lead over a thousand people, carrying various items, pretending to bring tribute, and when we reach his camp, we can attack him." Feng Bao decided to follow his wife's plan, and Li Qianshi was indeed very pleased to see his wife's entourage carrying goods without any suspicion. The wife suddenly attacked and won a great victory. Li Qianshi fled and escaped to Ningdu. The wife led the army and met with Chen Baxian at Ganshi and Changcheng. When she returned, she said to Feng Bao, "Commander Chen is very powerful and has won the hearts of the people. I believe he can definitely suppress the rebellion; you should make sure to reward him generously."
After Bao Shu's death, the Lingnan region fell into chaos. His wife, who was remarkably skilled, united the people of the Baiyue tribes, and several prefectures were peaceful and stable.
In the second year of the Yongding era of the Chen Dynasty, when her son was only nine years old, the former generals and leaders all went to Danyang to pay homage to him, and the court appointed him directly as the magistrate of Yangchun County. Later, the Guangzhou governor Ouyang He rebelled and called the son to Gao'an, hoping to persuade him to join the rebellion. The son quickly sent someone back to tell his mother, who responded, "I have been loyal my entire life, serving the court for two generations. I cannot betray the country because of you!" She promptly took command of the troops to resist and, together with the Baiyue chieftains, welcomed the general Zhang Zhaoda sent by the court. With coordinated efforts from both inside and outside, Ouyang He's army was defeated and fled.
Due to her efforts in restoring order, the son was titled as the Marquis of Xindu and was also appointed as the General for Pacifying the Baiyue. He was later promoted to the position of Taishou of Shilong. The court even sent envoys specifically holding the imperial decree to appoint the wife as the General, Lady of Shilong, and bestowed upon her a lavish four-horse carriage adorned with intricate embroidery, accompanied by a ceremonial procession, various flags, and a band, with a grandeur matching that of a governor! During the reign of the Chen Dynasty, the son also passed away.
After the Chen Dynasty fell, the Lingnan region had yet to submit to the new dynasty, and the people of several prefectures revered her as "Holy Mother." She comforted the people and maintained peace and stability in the region.
Emperor Gaozu sent the general Wei Guang to subdue Lingnan, while the Chen Dynasty general Xu Shi resisted in Nankang. When Wei Guang arrived in Lingnan, he hesitated to advance. Earlier, the Chen Dynasty queen presented a cane made of Funan rhinoceros horn to Chen Shubao. Now, Prince Yang Guang of Jin sent a message to the Chen Dynasty queen, informing her of the fall of the Chen Dynasty and urging her to submit to the Great Sui, along with the rhinoceros cane and the military insignia as proof. Upon seeing the cane, the queen realized that the Chen Dynasty had truly fallen, so she gathered thousands of leaders and cried for a whole day. She then sent her grandson Xian Hun to lead everyone to welcome Wei Guang. When Wei Guang arrived in Guangzhou, the Lingnan region was completely pacified. The court appointed Xian Hun as the Commander of the Three Departments and conferred the title of Lady Song Kang County on the queen.
Not long after, the residents of Panyu rebelled, with many leaders joining them and surrounding the prefecture where Wei Guang was located, stationed troops at Hengling. The queen sent her grandson Xian Xuan to rescue Wei Guang. Xian Xuan and the rebel Chen Fozhi were friends before, so he intentionally stalled and avoided engaging in battle. When the queen found out, she was furious and sent people to arrest Xian Xuan and put him in prison. She then sent her grandson Xian Ang to defeat Chen Fozhi, emerged victorious, and killed Chen Fozhi. She then continued to advance on Nanhai, joined forces with the army of Lu Yuan, and together defeated Wang Zhongxuan. The queen, clad in armor, rode a horse, carried a silk umbrella, and led cavalry to escort the imperial envoy Pei Ju to inspect the various provinces. Leaders such as Chen Tan from Cangwu, Feng Cenweng from Gangzhou, Deng Matou from Lianghua, Li Guanglue from Tengzhou, Pang Jing from Luozhou, and others came to pay their respects. Upon returning, the queen continued to lead her people, and ultimately brought peace to the Lingnan region.
The Emperor Gaozu greatly admired her, appointed Xian Ang as the regional governor of Gaozhou, pardoned Xian Xuan, and appointed him as the regional governor of Luozhou. Xian Bao was posthumously granted the title of Governor of Guangzhou and Duke of Qiao, and the empress was appointed as the Lady of Qiao State. The title of Song Kang County was returned to Xian Bao's concubine, Xi Shi. A court was established for the Lady of Qiao, with officials such as the Grand Historian appointed, granting her a seal and allowing her to mobilize the armies of the six southern provinces, as well as manage emergencies. The Emperor Gaozu issued a decree stating, "I govern the world like loving parents, hoping for peace and happiness for the people. However, Wang Zhongxuan and others gathered to cause chaos and disturb the people, so troops were sent to suppress them and eliminate harm for the people. The Lady is devoted to her country and understands the principles of righteousness; she sent her grandson Xian Ang to kill Chen Fozhi, ultimately defeating the rebels with significant merit. Now she is rewarded with five thousand pieces of cloth. Xian Xuan failed in his duties and cannot evade punishment, but because of the Lady's significant contributions, he was granted a pardon. The Lady should properly educate her descendants, uphold rituals, remain loyal to the court, and fulfill my expectations." The empress also gave her jewelry and a set of banquet clothing, which the Lady stored in a golden box, separate from the rewards received from the Liang and Chen dynasties. During annual sacrifices, she would display these items in the courtyard for her descendants to observe, saying, "You must remain loyal to the emperor. I have served three dynasties with unwavering loyalty. These rewards are still here as a testament to loyalty and filial piety. I hope you will all remember this lesson."
The governor of Fanzhou, Zhao Ne, was too greedy and cruel, causing the local people to flee and revolt. Zhao Ne's wife, his wife, sent a memorial to the emperor via the chief secretary Zhang Rong, suggesting that those who fled should be properly appeased, and Zhao Ne's crimes should be exposed, arguing that he was unfit to negotiate with the fleeing populace. Upon hearing this, the emperor ordered an investigation of Zhao Ne, which revealed evidence of his corruption and bribery. He was eventually brought to trial. The emperor then instructed Zhao Ne's wife to pacify the fleeing populace.
His wife personally carried the imperial decree, claiming to be the emperor's messenger, and traveled to over ten states, proclaiming the emperor's decree to all, appealing to reason and stirring emotions, telling the fleeing people the emperor's true intentions. Wherever she went, the people surrendered. Emperor Gaozu was very pleased and rewarded her with the town of Tangmu in Linzhen County, with fifteen hundred households! Her husband was posthumously appointed as the governor of Yanzhou and the Duke of Pingyuan County. During the Renshou period, she passed away, and the emperor bestowed a thousand bolts of silk and cloth for her funeral, and posthumously conferred upon her the title "Lady Chengjing."
Zheng Shanguo's mother, a daughter of the Cui family from Qinghe, married Zheng Cheng at the age of thirteen and gave birth to Zheng Shanguo. Later, Zheng Cheng went to fight against Wei Jiong and bravely sacrificed his life on the battlefield. Zheng Shanguo's mother was widowed at just twenty. Her father Cui Yanmu wanted her to remarry, but she held Zheng Shanguo close and said to her father, "A woman should not remarry; that is the custom! Besides, even though Zheng Cheng is dead, he left behind this child. Abandoning the child is not kind; disregarding her husband's wishes is unfilial. I would sooner cut off my ears and hair to prove my resolve. Going against etiquette and not loving the child, I dare not listen to you!" Because her father sacrificed for the country, Zheng Shanguo became a powerful general at a young age, inheriting the title of Count of Kaifeng County with a fief of a thousand households. During the Kaihuang era, she was further elevated to Duke of Wude County. At the age of fourteen, she was appointed as the governor of Yizhou, later transferred to the governor of Jingzhou, and then became the governor of Lu County.
Oh, her mother was such a formidable person! She was both virtuous and upright, with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in medicine. Every time her son Shanguo finished a case and returned, she would often sit on the couch, secretly watching from behind the screen. If her son rendered a fair and just judgment, she would be delighted when he returned and would immediately invite Shanguo to sit down, where they would chat and laugh together.
But if your son handles cases unjustly or flies off the handle, his mother will go back to the room, pull the covers over her head, and cry all day without eating. Shanguo was so scared he knelt by the bed, afraid to make a sound. After his mother cried enough, she came over to him and said, "I'm not angry with you; I'm embarrassed for your family! I married into your family just to keep house. How can I compare to your father, a loyal and upright official, honest and incorruptible in his duties, never favoring private interests, and even sacrificing his life for the country? I hope you can carry on his spirit. You lost your parents young, and here I am, a widow. I've showered you with love but haven't been strict enough. How can I live up to your father's legacy as a loyal minister? You inherited the family business from a young age and became a marquis. Did you think this just fell into your lap? How can you throw tantrums without thinking about all this, just chasing pleasure and ignoring your duties? If this keeps up, our family's reputation will be in tatters, and you could cost yourself your position and break the emperor's laws, leading to serious trouble. When I die, how will I ever face your ancestors?"
My mother has always spun her own thread and woven her own cloth, often working until late at night before sleeping. I (Shanguo) asked her, "Mom, I am now a high-ranking official with a decent salary; why do you still work so hard?" My mother sighed and said, "Oh, you are already so grown up, I thought you understood some principles, but judging by what you just said, it seems you still don't get it! Do you even know where your salary comes from? It was a reward given by the emperor to repay your father's past service to the country! It should be used to help relatives and friends, to repay your father's kindness. How can you just enjoy it yourself, treating it like a way to get rich? Furthermore, spinning and weaving are tasks women should take on; from empresses to the wives of regular officials, who doesn’t work? If you don't even do this, it is indulgent and extravagant. Although I may not understand great principles, I cannot ruin my reputation!"
After my father passed away, my mother never dressed up or wore makeup again, usually wearing coarse clothes. She was very frugal, and aside from offerings or entertaining guests, the house was never extravagant. She mostly stayed quietly at home and rarely went out. For big events among family and friends, she would give generous gifts, but she wouldn’t allow anything else in, not even gifts from relatives and friends.
After I became an official, no matter where I served, I would bring my own food to eat at the office and never accepted the things provided by the office, using them to fix up the office or share with my colleagues. Thanks to my self-discipline and commitment to public service, everyone said I was a clean official. Emperor Yang of Sui even sent the Grand Master of the Imperial Secretariat, Zhang Heng, to commend and praise me, calling me the best official in the empire, and then promoted me to Guangluqing. However, after my mother passed away, I became the Minister of Justice and slowly started to get proud and indulgent, not as straight-laced and honest as I used to be.
It is said that Xiaonu, the filial daughter, was the daughter of Prince Chun of Zhao. Her father, Prince Chun, had a strained relationship with his cousin, Changxin. Later, when the state of Qi conquered Zhao, Changxin conspired with his wife to kill Prince Chun! At that time, Xiaonu was only seven years old and had two younger sisters: Can, who was five, and Fan, who was two. The three little girls were left orphaned and had to rely on relatives to get by. Xiaonu not only had to take care of herself but also raise her two younger sisters. The sisters shared a deep bond. However, Xiaonu was always determined to avenge her father, and her ruthless uncle Changxin remained completely oblivious.
When the three sisters grew up a little, relatives began to arrange marriages for them, but Xiaonu strongly disagreed. She quietly said to her two sisters, "We have no brothers; there is no way to avenge our father. Though we are girls, what meaning does life hold for us? I want to avenge with you; what do you think?" The two sisters cried and said, "We will listen to our sister!" That night, the three sisters each took a knife, climbed over the wall into their uncle's house, killed Changxin and his wife, and then went to their father's grave to pay their respects. Afterwards, they turned themselves in to the authorities. The three sisters each claimed to be the mastermind, and the local authorities were at a loss. Eventually, word of this reached Emperor Gaozu, who was deeply impressed by their filial piety and bravery, and pardoned them for their actions.
Speaking of Han Ji's wife, she was the daughter of the Yu family in Luoyang, with the courtesy name Maode. Her father was Yu Shi, a grand minister in the Zhou Dynasty. At the age of fourteen, she married Han Ji. Although she was born into a wealthy and prominent family, she was very disciplined and frugal, earning the respect of everyone in her family. When she was eighteen, Han Ji died in battle, leaving Yu Shi devastated. She was so overcome with grief that she became emaciated, drawing tears from passersby. Every morning and evening when she made offerings to her husband, she did so personally. After her mourning period, her father, seeing her young age and childless status, wanted to remarry her. However, she firmly refused, swearing never to remarry. Despite her family's pleas to convince her, Yu Shi cried all night and even cut her hair as a vow. Seeing her determination, her father relented and stopped pressuring her.
She then adopted her husband's illegitimate son Shi Long as her own, raising him with love and care, educating him well and helping him succeed. After becoming a widow, she only visited her family occasionally, refusing to go to the homes of relatives and friends. Even when important people came to visit, she did not step out to greet them. She lived the rest of her life eating vegetarian food, wearing coarse clothing, and shunning music. When the Emperor heard of her story, he praised her and issued a decree to commend her, erecting a monument in front of her house in Chang'an to honor her. The people of Chang'an referred to her family as the "House of the Exemplary Widow." She passed away at the age of seventy-two in her home.
Lu Rang's mother was the daughter of the Feng family from Shangdang, a kind and loving person who carried herself with grace. Lu Rang was her stepson. During the Renshou period, Lu Rang became the prefect of Fanzhou, but he became corrupt, engaging in embezzlement and extortion, causing chaos, leading to his being reported by the Sima (equivalent to the inspector at that time) to the court. The emperor sent people to investigate, and the accusations were confirmed, so Lu Rang was arrested and interrogated personally.
Lu Rang proclaimed his innocence, so the emperor ordered the imperial censor to reinvestigate, but the result remained the same. Therefore, the emperor summoned all the officials for a discussion, and everyone unanimously concluded that Lu Rang deserved death. The emperor ordered the execution. At this time, Feng, disheveled and in tears, ran to the court and rebuked Lu Rang: "You became a prefect without any merit, but you did not repay the court's kindness with all your heart and instead violated the law, embezzled, and extorted. If it was the Sima who framed you, are the people and officials also framing you? If the emperor does not pity you, why send the imperial censor to reinvestigate? What kind of loyal subject are you? What kind of filial son are you? If you are neither loyal nor filial, what kind of person are you?" With tears streaming down her face, she choked back tears and personally offered Lu Rang a bowl of gruel.
Afterwards, Mrs. Feng presented a petition to the emperor, her words filled with sorrow and earnestness, which deeply moved the emperor, changing his expression. Empress Xian was also deeply touched by Mrs. Feng's actions and interceded on her behalf. The imperial historian Liu Yu remarked, "Mrs. Feng's maternal virtues have moved everyone. If we kill Lu Rang, who else can emulate her?" Consequently, the emperor summoned all the citizens of the capital to the Vermilion Bird Gate and had an attendant read the imperial decree: "Mrs. Feng's maternal virtues make her a model for women throughout the world. Her loving actions have moved the heavens and earth, so Lu Rang's death sentence is commuted as a reward for promoting good social customs. Lu Rang will be spared from death, but stripped of his official position and demoted to a commoner."
The emperor issued another decree: "Mrs. Feng is compassionate and virtuous, consistently adhering to the rules. Her stepson Lu Rang has committed a crime and should be dealt with according to the law. However, she personally came to the court to plead for her son, kneeling and kowtowing. I am touched by her filial devotion, and thus Lu Rang's death sentence is commuted. If all women were like Mrs. Feng, wouldn’t families be harmonious and society peaceful? I am truly gratified by this. Her virtues deserve commendation, and she shall be generously rewarded with five hundred bolts of silk." The emperor also summoned all the noblewomen of the capital to meet Mrs. Feng, in order to honor her.
Liu Chang's daughter is married into the Changsun family in Henan. During the Zhou Dynasty, Liu Chang married a princess and rose to the rank of Duke of Peng, serving as a general multiple times, with high status and reputation. He was a longtime friend of the founding emperor. After the founding emperor ascended the throne, he trusted Liu Chang greatly and appointed him as the General of the Left Guard and the Governor of Qingzhou. His son, Jushi, served as a guard for the crown prince, forming cliques, abusing power, disregarding the law, and frequently causing trouble. The emperor, in deference to Liu Chang, pardoned him each time.
The recluse became more and more unruly, often shamelessly saying, "A real man should have disheveled hair, hands tied behind his back, performing a barbaric dance on a bamboo mat!" He would pick the strong ones among the sons of officials and nobles, bring them home, tighten a cart wheel around their necks, and then beat them with a stick. Those who were nearly beaten to death yet refused to yield, he called "brave warriors" and then befriended them. He had more than three hundred followers; the nimble ones were known as the "Hungry Hawk Squad," while the strong ones were referred to as the "Pengzhuan Squad." They often rode horses on the road with eagles and hunting dogs, assaulting passersby and robbing them. In Chang'an City, no matter who it was, rich or poor, they would quickly steer clear of them, even the officials and royal relatives dared not confront them.
Liu Chang's daughter, who was the recluse's sister, often cried and advised him very earnestly. But the recluse showed no remorse at all and eventually squandered all his family's wealth. Liu Chang was aging, and his daughter and son-in-law neglected him. His daughter became a widow, and seeing her father like this, she personally wove cloth whenever she visited her father's home to provide for his needs. Someone reported that the recluse and his accomplices were wandering in Chang'an City, scaling the ruins of the Weiyang Palace, sitting facing south, walking in a row, acting with blatant arrogance, and they often agreed, "It's worth dying for this!" Others claimed that the recluse colluded with the Turks to launch an invasion from the south and conspired inside and outside the capital. The Emperor asked Liu Chang, "What do you intend to do about this situation?" Liu Chang, relying on past favors, refused to accept responsibility, stating directly, "Right and wrong are up to Your Majesty's judgment." The Emperor was furious, imprisoned Liu Chang, arrested the recluse and his followers, and punished them harshly. The oversight authorities also charged Liu Chang with being unfilial to his mother.
Liu Chang's daughter knew that her father would definitely not escape, so she didn't eat or drink for several days. She personally prepared meals and brought them to the Dali Temple for her father. When she saw the guard, she knelt down and cried uncontrollably, moving everyone who witnessed her plight. The monk was sentenced to death by execution, and Liu Chang was eventually granted the right to die at home. The emperor even ordered all officials to witness. At that time, Liu Chang's daughter fainted multiple times before regaining consciousness, and the court officials comforted her. She lamented her father's innocence, saying he was only guilty because of his son. Her heartbreaking grief moved everyone who heard it. In the end, she wore coarse clothes, ate simple meals, and lived the rest of her life in sorrow.
Upon hearing this, he sighed and said, "I have heard that the daughter of a declining family, the son of a prosperous family, this saying holds true!"
Zhong Shixiong's mother was from Linhe, surnamed Jiang. Zhong Shixiong became the Fubo General in the State of Chen. The emperor of Chen was worried that Zhong Shixiong, who oversaw the minority ethnic groups in Lingnan, would rebel, so he kept detaining Mrs. Jiang in the capital. Later, Wang Guangping of the Jin Dynasty pacified Jiangnan and, wanting to win over Zhong Shixiong with kindness, sent Mrs. Jiang back to her native Linhe.
Consequently, in Linhe, Zhong Shixiong's hometown, Yu Zimao, Zhong Wenhua, and others from the same county rebelled, raised troops to attack the city, and even sent someone to invite Zhong Shixiong to take part in the uprising. Zhong Shixiong was on the verge of agreeing, but his mother, Madam Jiang, said, "I suffered greatly during my time in Yangzhou. Now that we have the wise rule of an emperor and mother and son are finally reunited, I can never repay the emperor's grace in this lifetime. How could I even think of rebelling? If you behave like a beast, disregard morality, and forget your gratitude, I will take my own life right in front of you!" Hearing this, Zhong Shixiong abandoned the thought of rebellion. Madam Jiang also wrote to Yu Zimao and the others, urging them not to rebel and warning them of the consequences. Yu Zimao did not listen and was later defeated by the imperial troops. The emperor learned of Madam Jiang's actions and was deeply impressed, so he bestowed upon her the title of Lady of Anle County.
At that time, there was a widow named Hu in Yinzhou. Her marital family is unknown, but she was known for her integrity and was highly respected by the local gentry. During the southern rebellion, she persuaded her relatives and friends to stay put and avoid participating in the uprising. She was later honored with the title of Lady of Miling County.
Another notable figure was a devoted daughter-in-law named Tan, who married into the Zhong family in Shang County. Her husband passed away shortly after their marriage when she was only eighteen years old. She was exceptionally devoted to her mother-in-law, earning a reputation for her filial piety. Within a few years, her mother-in-law and uncles all passed away one after another, leaving Tan's family in dire poverty, unable to afford funeral expenses. So she lived frugally, working day and night spinning and weaving, saved for ten years before finally managing to arrange funerals for eight family members. The villagers held her in high regard. When the emperor learned of her efforts, he rewarded her with one hundred measures of rice and erected a monument in front of her home to commemorate her.
Yuan Wuguang's mother is a daughter of the Lu family from Fanyang. She has loved reading since she was young and conducts herself with great propriety. In middle age, she became a widow with young sons and a poor household that could not afford to educate them. Lu took it upon herself to teach them to read and instilled in them the values of being good people, earning praise from everyone. During the Renshou era, the Han prince Liang rebelled and sent General Qi Liang to Shandong to seize land. Qi Liang appointed Wuguang as his secretary. After Qi Liang's defeat, the governor of Cizhou, Shangguan Zheng, confiscated items from Wuguang's home. Upon seeing Lu, he became infatuated with her and attempted to coerce her. Lu vowed never to submit. Shangguan Zheng, a cruel man, became very angry and burned Lu with a candle. Lu's will became even firmer, and she never yielded.
Pei Lun's wife was a daughter of the Liu family from Hedong, who had received a solid education from an early age. Towards the end of the Sui Dynasty, Pei Lun was appointed magistrate of Weiyuan County. When Xue Ju rebelled, the county came under attack from bandits, and Pei Lun was unfortunately killed. At that time, Liu was forty years old and had two daughters and a daughter-in-law, all three of whom were strikingly beautiful. Liu said to them, "We are in serious trouble this time. Your father is dead, and I fear I cannot protect you. Our family has always been honest, and we absolutely cannot be insulted by those bandits. I plan to die alongside you; what do you think?" The daughters and daughter-in-law sobbed and replied, "We will follow your wishes." So Liu jumped into the well to commit suicide, and her daughters and daughter-in-law followed, all perished in the well.
Zhao Yuankai's wife is a young lady from the Cui family of Qinghe. Her father, Cui Ran, is mentioned in "Literary Biography." Their family has always upheld strict family values, and all their children follow the rules. Zhao Yuankai's father holds the title of Puyi; the family is quite wealthy and places great importance on social standing, so he married her off with lavish gifts. Zhao Yuankai respects the Cui family very much. Even at private banquets, he refrains from joking around, and his behavior and speech are in line with etiquette. Later, during the chaos that engulfed the land, Zhao Yuankai went to Hebei and was preparing to return to Chang'an. When he reached Fukou, he was ambushed by bandits who robbed him. Zhao Yuankai barely escaped with his life. However, Cui was taken captive by the bandits, who wanted to take her as their wife. Cui defiantly told the bandits, "I come from a family of scholars; I am the daughter-in-law of a Puyi. Today, my family is destroyed, and my loved ones are gone. I would rather die than be your wife!" The bandits ripped her clothes apart, leaving her exposed, bound her to the bed, intending to violate her. Fearing for her honor, Cui lied to them, saying, "I am too weak to resist; I will comply with your wishes, please untie me." The bandits quickly untied her. Cui quickly donned her clothes, seized the bandit's sword, stood beside a tree, and declared, "If you wish to kill me, then do it. If you want to die, come at me!" Furious, the bandits unleashed a hail of arrows at her. Later, Zhao Yuankai found the killers of his wife, dismembered them, and used their remains as an offering to honor Cui's spirit.
Historians say that when it comes to the virtues of women, many believe that gentleness and obedience are the most important, but in fact, this is merely a basic level and has not reached the highest realm yet. When it comes to having foresight, wisdom, unwavering character, and a strong will for justice, which era has not had such women in historical records? The qualities of Princess Lanling are even more noble than the frigid pine, the resolve of Princess Nanyang is harder than any stubborn stone, and the loyalty and bravery of the old woman Xi and her devoted daughter, along with the sincerity of the two mothers Cui and Feng, can evoke a sense of shame in the courageous and righteous, and make those of noble character feel inferior.
Princess Xiangcheng, Princess Huayang, and the wives of Pei Lun and Yuan Kai, when faced with adversity, willingly share the hardships with their husbands, remaining unwavering amidst turmoil; their will is as unyielding as frost, and their words and deeds are as bright and upright as the sun. Can even the oaths of Gong Jiang in the "Book of Songs" and the accounts of Bo Ji's loyalty and sacrifice in the "Zuo Zhuan" surpass their deeds?
