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Princess Pingyang (平陽公主) was a
Princess Pingyang (平陽公主) was a Western Han dynasty
The Han dynasty (, ; ) was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China (202 BC – 9 AD, 25–220 AD), established by Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang (Emperor Gao) and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by th ...
princess. She was the eldest daughter of Emperor Jing of Han
Emperor Jing of Han (Liu Qi (劉啟); 188 BC – 9 March 141 BC) was the sixth emperor of the Chinese Han dynasty from 157 to 141 BC. His reign saw the limiting of the power of the feudal kings/princes which resulted in the Rebellion of the Sev ...
and his second empress Empress Wang Zhi
Empress Wang of Jing (孝景王皇后, 173–126 BC), also known by her birth name Wang Zhi (王娡) and by her title Lady Wang (), was an empress during the Han Dynasty. She was the second wife of Emperor Jing and the mother of Emperor ...
, the most famous sister of Emperor Wu, and the former master and later wife of renowned military general Wei Qing
Wei Qing (died 106 BC), courtesy name Zhongqing, born Zheng Qing in Linfen, Shanxi, was a Chinese military general and politician of the Western Han dynasty who was acclaimed for his campaigns against the Xiongnu, and his rags to riches life. ...
. Her official title was actually Grand Princess Yangxin (陽信長公主), but because she married Cao Shi (曹时, also known as Cao Shou 曹寿), the Marquess of Pingyang (平陽侯), she was generally referred to as Princess Pingyang after her first husband's enfeoffment
In the Middle Ages, especially under the European feudal system, feoffment or enfeoffment was the deed by which a person was given land in exchange for a pledge of service. This mechanism was later used to avoid restrictions on the passage of ti ...
.Records of the Grand Historian
''Records of the Grand Historian'', also known by its Chinese name ''Shiji'', is a monumental history of China that is the first of China's 24 dynastic histories. The ''Records'' was written in the early 1st century by the ancient Chinese hist ...
(《史记 卷五十四 曹相国世家第二十四》)
Life
After her marriage to Cao Shi, Princess Pingyang had a son named Cao Xiang (曹襄). Some suspect that Cao Xiang was an adopted ''shu'' son rather than the princess' biological son. Nonetheless, Cao Xiang inherited his father's title in 131 BC. Princess Pingyang maintained a close relationship with her brother Emperor Wu, and he often visited her at her estate. She was instrumental in the union between Emperor Wu andWei Zifu
Wei Zifu (; died 91 BC), posthumously known as Empress Si of the Filial Wu () or Wei Si Hou (衛思后, "Wei the Thoughtful Empress"), was an empress consort during ancient China's Han dynasty. She was the second wife of the famous Emperor Wu ...
, who would eventually become his second empress. At the time, Wei Zifu
Wei Zifu (; died 91 BC), posthumously known as Empress Si of the Filial Wu () or Wei Si Hou (衛思后, "Wei the Thoughtful Empress"), was an empress consort during ancient China's Han dynasty. She was the second wife of the famous Emperor Wu ...
was working as a singer/dancer at the princess' estate, Emperor Wu took a liking to her and brought her back to his palace as a concubine. Wei Zifu
Wei Zifu (; died 91 BC), posthumously known as Empress Si of the Filial Wu () or Wei Si Hou (衛思后, "Wei the Thoughtful Empress"), was an empress consort during ancient China's Han dynasty. She was the second wife of the famous Emperor Wu ...
's half-brother Wei Qing
Wei Qing (died 106 BC), courtesy name Zhongqing, born Zheng Qing in Linfen, Shanxi, was a Chinese military general and politician of the Western Han dynasty who was acclaimed for his campaigns against the Xiongnu, and his rags to riches life. ...
, who was also working in Princess Pingyang's estate as a stableboy, was sent along to serve the palace as a royal guard horsekeeper. He would later get promoted by Emperor Wu and achieve great military success in the war effort against Xiongnu.
After Cao Shi died in 131 BC, widowed Princess Pingyang remarried to Xiahou Po, the Marquis of Ruyin. After Xiahou Po committed suicide in 115 BC for adultery
Adultery (from Latin ''adulterium'') is extramarital sex that is considered objectionable on social, religious, moral, or legal grounds. Although the sexual activities that constitute adultery vary, as well as the social, religious, and legal ...
with his father's maid, she considered remarrying again, and her advisors suggested Wei Qing
Wei Qing (died 106 BC), courtesy name Zhongqing, born Zheng Qing in Linfen, Shanxi, was a Chinese military general and politician of the Western Han dynasty who was acclaimed for his campaigns against the Xiongnu, and his rags to riches life. ...
as a suitor. She initially hesitated because Wei Qing
Wei Qing (died 106 BC), courtesy name Zhongqing, born Zheng Qing in Linfen, Shanxi, was a Chinese military general and politician of the Western Han dynasty who was acclaimed for his campaigns against the Xiongnu, and his rags to riches life. ...
was her former servant, but agreed after being reminded that Wei Qing
Wei Qing (died 106 BC), courtesy name Zhongqing, born Zheng Qing in Linfen, Shanxi, was a Chinese military general and politician of the Western Han dynasty who was acclaimed for his campaigns against the Xiongnu, and his rags to riches life. ...
had already become a high-ranking marquis. After expressing her wishes through Empress Wei, Princess Pingyang married Wei Qing
Wei Qing (died 106 BC), courtesy name Zhongqing, born Zheng Qing in Linfen, Shanxi, was a Chinese military general and politician of the Western Han dynasty who was acclaimed for his campaigns against the Xiongnu, and his rags to riches life. ...
with the blessing from Emperor Wu, and remained his spouse for the remainder of their lives.
References