In ancient times, the matters of couples mostly revolved around mundane matters like firewood, rice, cooking oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea. However, when it comes to remarkable women, such as Mò Mǔ who educated the imperial harem, É Huáng and Nǚ Yīng, who contributed to the achievements of Emperor Shùn, and the three mothers of the Tū Shān clan who brought prosperity to two nations, they truly distinguished themselves and were far from being ordinary housewives. There were also those intelligent, capable women with outstanding talents who became famous throughout history, from Zǐ Zhèng to Yuán Kǎi, whose stories have been passed down to this day, such as the numerous women documented in "Liè Nǚ Zhuàn" from the Wei dynasty.
Let’s first discuss this woman, Fēng, the wife of Cuī Lǎn, the Minister of the Interior from Qīng Hé. Her surname was Fēng, and she was from Bó Hǎi, the daughter of the Imperial Attendant Cuī Kǎi. Fēng was an exceptionally talented, eloquent, and quick-witted woman, with profound knowledge that no other woman at the time could match. Even prominent figures like Lǐ Fū and Gōng Sūn Wén Shū, despite their high status, were not completely familiar with some recent anecdotes and would seek her counsel!
Fēng Zhuó from Bó Hǎi married a woman, the daughter of the Liú family from Péng Chéng. On their wedding night, Fēng Zhuó was dispatched by the court to the capital for an official position. Later, he was sentenced to death for committing a crime. At home, Liú dreamt that Fēng Zhuó had died, and she wept uncontrollably, unable to stop. Her sisters-in-law advised her for several days, and when the tragic news finally arrived, Liú, in her grief, also died. People at the time likened her to Qín Jiā's wife, the story of Qín Jiā's wife, which exemplifies her loyalty.
The Minister of the Interior Gāo Yǔn believed she was exceptionally loyal, but her reputation did not extend beyond her immediate circle, so he composed a poem in her honor:
"The two cosmic principles are correctly positioned,
and human relationships begin to be defined.
The husband and wife are united, inheriting the family business.
Although they are of different tribes, their spirits are still natural.
In life, they share the same room;
in death, they are bound in the Yellow Springs."
This poem serves as a tribute to Liú's loyalty.
Gao Yun's poem consists of eight lines. He continues to write: "First, Feng Zheng is of noble birth, renowned for his talents. Within, he collaborates with the elite, while externally, he embraces the three transformations. Who can serve as a match, responding to his selection? Indeed, there is a noble lineage, where pure elegance flourishes." The poem describes Feng Zheng's noble background and his prominence at the time, while Liu's family is also of high status, making them a perfect match.
The poem continues: "Second, the capital's situation is exceptional, with mountains and rivers at odds. Thus, I am summoned by the king, hastily traveling on the road. While public duties are demanding, private feelings are acknowledged. Due to the matchmaker's efforts, we are separated for a night." It depicts Feng Zheng being sent to the capital for duty, and the couple hastily parting on their wedding night, quickly separated after a brief reunion.
"Third, I don my bridal crown, cherishing her youthful beauty. Formed by rituals, emotions harmonize with interests. Joyful wishes are hard to maintain, but shadows can easily drift. The long passage of time brings lingering thoughts." This section describes their wedding scene, filled with the helplessness and sorrow of having to part so soon after their marriage.
"Fourth, the times are perilous, entangled in dust and webs. I face punishment, my body destined for the grave. Though a thousand miles apart, we should feel the impact. The good consort senses it deeply, arising from her dreams." The poem describes Feng Zheng's misfortune and execution, while Liu, thousands of miles away, seems to sense her husband's death, perceiving everything in her dreams.
"Fifth, I heed my family's wishes, seeking good fortune below. Who says our meeting is shallow, when the bond of righteousness runs deep? I am determined to uphold my vows, swearing not to remarry. How can this be proven? My death is the proof." This part praises Liu's loyalty to Feng Zheng, as she adheres to her duties as a wife and remains unwavering until death, proving her deep affection with her life.
"Sixth, in this world, who doesn’t value life? One must uphold righteousness, valuing what truly matters. Resolving anger in the heart, willingly accepting the dark. Forever abandoning the family home, I bid farewell to my mother and brothers." The poem clarifies Liu's reason for her tragic end: to uphold her chastity, sacrificing her life, choosing death over a life of dishonor.
Finally, Gao Yun wrote: "In the vast wilderness, there is a solitary hill covered in darkness. Thickets and thorns surround it. If righteousness is not obscured, the spirits will surely roam together. Oh virtuous woman, truly unique in the world. This eighth poem depicts the desolate burial place of Mrs. Liu after her death, emphasizing once again her loyalty and rarity throughout the ages. Wei Pu's wife was Fang Shi from Changshan; her father, Fang Kan, was the magistrate of a county under Murong Chui. Fang Shi was gentle and virtuous from a young age, with a strong sense of honor. When she was sixteen, Wei Pu fell ill and passed away. Before he died, he said to Fang Shi: "Life is like a fleeting shadow; death is nothing to fear. But what really saddens me is that I haven't been able to do the things I wanted to do. It's such a shame! What troubles me even more is that my mother is getting old and we’re struggling financially; and my child is still young, the future looks bleak. I’m filled with regret!" Fang Shi replied tearfully, "I will carry on your wishes and be a good wife and mother, fulfilling my responsibilities. Let me fulfill the wishes you couldn't. Your mother is still alive, and the child is young; I will take care of them and so you can rest easy." Wei Pu passed away after saying this.
When Wei Pu was buried, Fang picked up a knife and sliced off her left ear, throwing it into the coffin, saying, "If ghosts really exist, I hope you can see my determination in the underworld." Blood spilled everywhere, and the people attending the funeral were overwhelmed with grief and fear. Wei Pu's aunt, Aunt Liu, stopped crying and said to Fang, "Why did you do this?" Fang replied, "I became a young widow, and I was genuinely concerned that my parents would fret about my future, so I wanted to demonstrate my resolve this way." Everyone who learned of this was deeply moved. At that time, Wei Pu's son, Ji Cai, was not even ten months old and had always been cared for by Fang in the inner chamber, never leaving the house. From that point on, Fang never listened to music again and avoided all banquets for the rest of her life.
When Wei Pu's son Ji was twelve years old, Fang Shi's parents were still alive, so Fang Shi returned to her family home for a visit. However, her brother and some others objected to this. Ji secretly overheard this and informed his mother. Fang Shi arranged for a carriage, pretended to go elsewhere, and then snuck back to her family home without them knowing. After walking for several tens of miles, her family eventually discovered her absence, and her brothers caught up with her. Fang Shi sighed sadly but chose not to return. She firmly held onto her beliefs. She educated her son with the example and principles of a devoted mother. When Ji made friends, if they were of prestigious stature, Fang Shi would personally prepare food and drink to entertain them; if they were of lesser stature than Ji, Fang Shi would make them stand aside and not eat until they apologized. She educated her son with strict discipline. Fang Shi passed away at the age of sixty-five. Ji's accomplishments were recorded in the "Xu Zhuan." Ji's son Yue became the magistrate of Jiyin County, and local officials and residents erected a stele in her honor. The esteemed Imperial Doctor Gao Lu penned an inscription in her honor, which stated, "Fang Shi, at a young age, upheld her principles and ideals, embodying the virtues of a virtuous wife, and demonstrating a spirit of self-sacrifice." The inscription also stated, "Young widowhood, early death from illness, husband and wife united, noble character, demonstrating integrity despite her physical limitations, vows lasting forever, giving birth to outstanding descendants, renowned for generations to come." Since Wei Pu passed away without holding an official position, he was referred to as a recluse.
Huzhangming's wife, Zhang Shi, was known for her meticulousness, and her mother-in-law, Wang, was even more so. One year, when the capital banned brewing alcohol, Zhang secretly brewed some wine because her elderly and ailing mother-in-law needed wine. This led to their discovery by the authorities. Wang voluntarily went to the authorities to confess, saying, "I was the one who brewed it at home." Zhang also said, "My mother-in-law is old and in poor health, and I manage all the household affairs. She had no idea I was brewing wine; the blame should fall on me." The officials were unsure how to decide. Wang Luli from Pingyuan brought the matter to the emperor's attention, and Emperor Gaozong understood their reasoning and pardoned them.
"Old and ill, she brewed secretly and was caught by the officials." "Old and sick need wine; the brewing was done by Wang." "Old and ill, Zhang manages the household; the mother-in-law did not know about the brewing, so the guilt lies with Zhang."
Sun, a resident of Pingyuan County, had her husband murdered by a man from Ling County. While seeking revenge on her husband's killer, Sun's son, Yuer, wanted to kill the enemy himself for revenge, but his brother tried to stop him. Yuer said, "Once a woman marries, her husband becomes her world. I must take revenge myself; how can I use someone else's hand!" In a fit of rage, he struck the enemy dead with a stick. The authorities sentenced him to death and reported it to the court. Emperor Xianzu decreed, "Yuer prioritizes loyalty and righteousness above his own life. Although he broke the law, his intentions were honorable, and his actions, while illegal, are justifiable; he is granted a special pardon."
"Once a woman marries, her husband becomes her world; she should personally avenge her grievances. How can she use another's hand!" "Yuer values integrity over life; he broke the law for righteousness. His actions, while illegal, are justifiable, and he is granted a special pardon."
Mrs. Cui, the wife of Fang Ai from Qinghe, is the daughter of Cui Yuansun from the same county. She is disciplined, noble in character, well-read, and well-informed. Their sons Jingbo and Jingguang were both personally taught by Mrs. Cui in classics and morals, and they were both exceptional in both knowledge and character, becoming notable figures of their time. Jingbo became the magistrate of Qinghe, and whenever he encountered difficult cases, he would always consult his mother first. Once, there was a commoner named Liezi in Beiqiu County who was unfilial, and the officials sought to punish him according to the law. Jingbo was deeply troubled by this situation and told his mother when he got home. His mother said, "I’ve heard that seeing is believing. People in the mountains might not be familiar with proper etiquette, so why blame him harshly? Invite his mother here, let me live with her, and let him serve us by your side. Maybe he will change for the better." Jingbo then invited Liezi's mother, and Mrs. Cui let her stay in her own bed and eat with her. Jingbo was gentle, while Liezi served below the hall. Within ten days, Liezi expressed regret for his actions and requested to go home. Mrs. Cui said, "Although he appears to be ashamed on the surface, I don't know if he truly repents in his heart. Let him stay for now." After more than twenty days, Liezi knelt and bled, his mother cried and begged, and Mrs. Cui finally agreed to let them go back. Ultimately, Liezi gained a reputation for his repentance and transformation. Mrs. Cui's wisdom and open-mindedness ultimately contributed to her long and fulfilling life.
Once upon a time in Jingzhou, there was a virtuous woman named Xi Xianshi. She promised to marry an old man named Peng Laosheng, accepted the betrothal gifts, but the wedding had not yet occurred. Xi Xianshi was very chaste and kind, and despite being poor, she would grind rice and fetch water herself, demonstrating filial piety towards her parents. However, Peng Laosheng continued to pressure her, and Xi Xianshi said, "Although our marriage has been arranged, there are still many unresolved matters between our families, and we have not formally met. How can you force and humiliate me without my parents' consent? If you dare to do anything unchaste to me, I'd rather die!" So she refused resolutely. In a fit of rage, Peng Laosheng killed her and stole her clothes and jewelry. Although Xi Xianshi was fatally wounded, she could still speak, and before she passed away, she said to Peng Laosheng, "I have never done anything wrong in my life, but I had the misfortune of meeting you. I insisted on my chastity not for anything else, but to serve you well! And now you have killed me. If my soul knows what happened, it will surely seek revenge!" With that, she died.
Peng Laosheng took Xi Xianshi's jewelry and ran to her uncle's house to tell him what had happened. Upon hearing this, her uncle cursed, "She was your wife, and you killed her. Even heaven won't bless you!" He then handed Peng Laosheng over to the authorities. In the seventh year of Taihe, the authorities sentenced Peng Laosheng to death. The emperor declared, "Peng Laosheng acted without benevolence or righteousness, forcing a good woman. His actions were despicable, and he deserves to die! As for this woman who upheld her principles and remained steadfast until death, even though she lived in the countryside, her behavior exemplifies that of a virtuous woman from ancient times. She should be honored with a beautiful title to recognize her noble character. A monument should be erected at her grave to commemorate her chastity, and she should be known as 'The Chaste Woman'."
Yao's daughter-in-law, known as Yang, is the aunt of the eunuch Fu Chengzu. She comes from a poor family and has nothing. After Fu Chengzu gained the favor of Empress Wenming, his relatives all sought to gain benefits from it, but Yang was different from the rest. She often told her sister, "Sister, you may be enjoying temporary glory, but I prefer my carefree life." Her sister often sent her clothes, but she mostly refused to accept them. When her sister insisted, she would say, "My family can't afford to feed them." In short, she refused to accept anything. She usually wore tattered clothes and did her own work. Even when she accepted her sister's clothes, she rarely wore them, often burying them secretly; if she really had to wear them, she would deliberately dirty them first. Every time Fu Chengzu saw her in ragged clothes, he deeply resented his mother for not taking care of her. So he asked his mother, "I have everything I need now; why does my aunt live in such hardship?" His mother then told him about Yang's situation. Fu Chengzu sent someone to take her by cart, but Yang stubbornly refused to get on the cart. When they insisted on carrying her onto it, she cried out loudly, "You want to kill me!" Consequently, everyone in the Fu family referred to her as "the foolish aunt." Later, when Fu Chengzu fell from grace, the authorities captured his two aunts and brought them to the palace. One aunt was executed, while Yao's daughter-in-law was granted a special pardon because of her tattered clothing. Her insight and wisdom even surpassed that of Lü Shi.
Liu, the wife of Zhang Hong from Xingyang County, lost her husband at seventeen, leaving her pregnant; the child died at three. Her in-laws were elderly, and she served them daily, never neglecting her duties. Her brother, seeing her young and widowed, wanted to find her a new husband. Liu vowed to never remarry and chose to live as a widow for the rest of her life.
Dong Jingqi, a native of Chenliu, was married to a woman named Zhang. Dong Jingqi passed away early, leaving Zhang, who was only sixteen at the time, in grief that exceeded societal expectations. She appeared emaciated, went without bathing for an extended period, ate a vegetarian diet, and observed fasting all year round. She had no children, remained chaste, and was determined to maintain her virtue until death. The villagers held her in high regard, and in the end, she received praise from everyone.
Gao Shi, the wife of the Prefect of Yuyang, Yang Ni, was from the region of Bohai. She was well-educated and articulate, and Emperor Gaozu summoned her to serve in the palace. All the memorials of the Empress Dowager (Empress Dowager of Youzhou) were written by her.
Shi Yingzhou's wife, a girl from the Geng family in the same county, was said to be from Yingyang. In the twenty-third year of the Taihe era, Shi Yingzhou passed away. Geng feared her parents would disapprove of her decision to remain a widow, so she quickly took care of Shi Yingzhou's affairs, cried bitterly, and completed the funeral. Those who witnessed it couldn't help but feel sympathy and regret. This incident was later known to the officials sent by the court to assess the welfare of the people, and they subsequently submitted a report to the court. The Emperor even commanded that a monument be erected in front of Geng's home in her honor.
The Empress Dowager Meng of Rencheng, a person from Julu, was the mother of the Minister of Personnel Affairs, Wang Cheng of Rencheng. When Cheng was an official in Yangzhou, he led troops into battle. Later, the rebel leader Jiang Qingzhen secretly colluded with the traitors and launched a surprise attack, capturing Luocheng. At that time, Wei Zuan, the Grand Historian, was caught off guard and had no way to respond. Meng personally led the troops to the city walls, first occupying advantageous terrain. She encouraged the soldiers to fight bravely against the enemy, reassured both veteran and new soldiers, motivated the troops with a system of rewards and punishments, reasoned with them, and appealed to their emotions, explaining the consequences of rebellion versus loyalty. As a result, everyone’s morale was high. Meng personally inspected the defenses, unfazed by stray bullets. The rebels were unable to capture the city, and in the end, Luocheng was saved. Wang Cheng reported this matter to the court, but it coincided with the death of Emperor Shizong, so the matter was put on the back burner. Later, Empress Dowager Ling proclaimed, "This is indeed a great achievement that should be passed down forever!" Thus, she ordered the relevant departments to erect a monument in honor of Meng's achievements.
Gou Jinlong's wife, Liu Shi, was from Pingyuan and the sister of Liu Shuzong, the Deputy Minister of Justice. During the reign of Emperor Shizong, Gou Jinlong served as the governor of Zitong, overseeing the troops in the city. However, when Xiao Yan came to attack with his troops, Gou Jinlong fell ill and was unable to command the battle, which instilled fear in everyone, and the situation grew increasingly dire.
Liu immediately rallied the townspeople to quickly repair their weapons and equipment, and by morning, they were all set. They persisted in resisting for more than a hundred days, with more than half of the soldiers lost. There was a deputy general named Gao Jing, who was secretly plotting to defect, and Liu executed him along with dozens of his co-conspirators. The remaining soldiers shared meager rations and wore tattered clothes alongside her, enduring hardships together, and there was not a single person who did not respect and support her. The well outside the city was occupied by the enemy, and the city lacked water, resulting in many people perishing from thirst. Liu then gathered the old and young in the city to discuss the importance of loyalty and honor, and together they cried out to the heavens for rain, and before long, it started to pour. Liu ordered the cloth and clothing from the government and the people to be taken out and hung on the city walls to catch the rainwater, and other items were also collected to store water. This boosted everyone's morale significantly.
Later, the Yizhou governor, Fu Shuyan, came with troops, and the enemy fled. Fu was very surprised and wrote a detailed report to the court about the matter, which was met with great appreciation by Emperor Shizong. During the Zhengguang period, the court bestowed upon her the title of founding duchess of Pingchang County, granted her two hundred households as her fief, and granted an official position to her son Qingzhen, and her other two sons were also given official posts. After Qingzhen passed away, his son Chuantuo succeeded to the title. After the Qi dynasty usurped the throne, the rank of the title was diminished. Qingzhen's brother Fu was appointed Deputy Minister of the Office of the Governor during the Wuding period.
Once upon a time, there was a model of virtue and filial piety named Li Zong, from Bairen in Zhao County. Her father was Li Shuyin, the governor of Zhao County, and she married Lu Yuanli from Fanyang. Li Zong was extremely filial, and her filial piety was well-known throughout the province. When her father passed away, she cried to the point of nearly fainting several times. Thanks to her mother Cui's constant comfort, she gradually recovered. During the three-year mourning period, she became so emaciated that she needed assistance to stand. After marrying into the Lu family and being separated from her mother, she became even more distressed, unable to eat and weeping incessantly, becoming weaker and weaker. The Lu family made every effort to console her, but she could not be comforted, so they had no choice but to let her stay at her mother's house for a few days. Upon returning to her mother's house, she quickly regained her former vitality. This back-and-forth continued for seven or eight cycles. Later, her husband Lu Yuanli passed away, and Li Zong entered another period of mourning. She fulfilled all the mourning rituals perfectly and showed even more filial piety and respect to her mother-in-law, earning a stellar reputation. When her mother Cui passed away in the first year of Shengui in Luoyang, Li Zong was overwhelmed by grief, fainted and went six days without food or water. Her mother-in-law was worried that she would not be able to bear it, so she personally took her to Luoyang for the funeral. However, her mother-in-law was already in her eighties, and the journey from Fanyang to Luoyang was grueling. By the time they arrived, she was utterly exhausted and succumbed. After this event was reported to the imperial court, the Emperor decreed: "Confucius once said 'destroying one's nature is impossible', which likely refers to those lacking filial piety. Although Li Zong is not her father's biological daughter, her devotion to filial piety is truly heartwarming. Although some of her actions were arguably questionable, her filial piety and loyalty are admirable. If we do not commend her, we cannot hope to inspire the unfilial. She will be posthumously honored as 'Model of Virtue and Filial Piety Zong', her village will be renamed Filial Virtue Village, and memorial tablets will be erected in front of the Li and Lu families' homes to promote filial piety."
The original text is missing, and therefore, a complete translation cannot be provided at this time. Please provide the source text for accurate translation.
Next, let's hear another story about a girl from the Yao family in Hedong, named Nüsheng. Her father passed away early, and there were no brothers in the family; her mother raised her alone. This girl was very devoted from a young age; at just five or six years old, she showed great filial piety. Whenever someone mentioned her father, she would cry. The neighbors thought she was very special. During the Zhengguang era, her mother passed away, and Nüsheng was only fifteen at the time. She cried for days on end, refusing to eat or drink, and eventually, her overwhelming grief took her life. Governor Cui You had a tomb built for her, erected a monument, and personally wrote the epitaph. He placed a monument in front of her house, comparing her to the legendary Cao E, and her village was renamed Shangyu Li. Her tomb is located six miles east of the county town, on the north side of the main road, and is still called the Grave of the Filial Daughter.
Diao Sizun from Yingyang was married to a girl from the Lu family. She had just reached the age of fifteen when Diao Sizun married her, but less than a month later, Diao Sizun died. Her in-laws, seeing her so young and widowed, considered marrying her off again, and a marriage was arranged. Upon hearing this, the Lu girl vowed to die rather than remarry. Her parents didn't understand her feelings, so they went to the county to report the situation, claiming that the Diao family was stingy and would not allow her to return home for a family visit. The Lu girl, along with her mother-in-law, walked to the office of the Minister of Works to report her case and explained her situation clearly. In the early years of the Putai era, the local authorities reported her case to the court, and the emperor issued a decree stating: "The fidelity of husbands and wives has always been esteemed throughout history, and they could be honored according to tradition."
The historians said: (This part is missing) This passage tells the story of an ancient woman from the Lu family who became a widow just after getting married. Her in-laws wanted to remarry her, but she vowed to resist to the death and even personally went to the Minister of Works to report her case. What a determined woman! The emperor even issued a decree to commend her, stating, "Faithful husbands and virtuous wives have always been respected throughout history," which shows the importance placed on fidelity in ancient times. Unfortunately, the subsequent content of the historical record is missing, so we do not know what happened afterward.
