Zhao Yuankai's wife is the daughter of the Cui family from Qinghe. Her father, Cui Li, is mentioned in "Literary Biography." Their family has always upheld strict traditions, and all their children follow the rules and etiquette. Yuankai's father is a minister, wealthy and influential, highly valuing social status, so he married her with lavish gifts. Yuankai holds great respect for his wife; even in private banquets, he behaves properly, in accordance with proper etiquette.
Later, Yuankai was ordered to go to Hebei, preparing to return to Chang'an. When he reached Fukou, he encountered bandits who attacked him. Yuankai barely escaped with his life. However, Cui was captured by the bandits, who intended to take her as their wife. Cui said to the bandits, "I am the daughter of a scholar-official, the wife of a minister's son. Even if I end up in this situation today, I can end my own life. It is absolutely impossible for me to be your wife!" The bandits tore her clothes and bound her naked to the bed, preparing to violate her. Fearing humiliation, Cui lied to them, saying, "I am too weak now; do as you please; I won't resist. Please untie my ropes first." The bandits quickly untied her. Cui took the opportunity to put on her clothes, seized a bandit's dagger, stood by a tree and said, "If you want to kill me, come at me with your blades. If you want me dead, come on!" The bandits, furious, fired arrows at her. Later, Yuankai found his wife's murderers, dismembered them, and used their remains to honor Cui's memory.
The history books say: when people commend women's virtues, most often emphasize gentleness and obedience as the foremost qualities. This represents a merely mediocre standard, falling short of the ideal. Regarding those who are visionary, resolute, unwavering in their convictions, and who act solely for justice, when examining historical records, one can find them in every era! Princess Lanling's integrity stands tall like a frost-covered pine, Princess Nanyang's determination is as unyielding as stone, the loyalty and resilience of washerwomen and devoted daughters, the sincerity of mothers such as the Cui and Feng families, are sufficient to make the brave and righteous feel ashamed and the noble feel inadequate. The wives of Princess Xiangcheng, Princess Huayang, Pei Lun, and Yuan Kai have all encountered hardships and setbacks, and when things didn’t go as expected, yet they willingly shared their struggles with their husbands, enduring without faltering. Their resolve is as resilient as frost, and their actions and words are as bright and righteous as the sun. Even the oaths of Gong Jiang found in the Book of Songs, and the record of Bo Ji's loyalty and martyrdom in the Zuo Zhuan, pale in comparison to theirs!
