Grand Princess Linchuan was the daughter of Emperor Wen of the Liu-Song Dynasty. She was known to be a very jealous princess.[1] When her husband cheated on her, Grand Princess Linchuan had her husband killed.[2] However, Grand Princess Linchuan’s lasting legacy is her memorial in which she expresses remorse for her ruthless actions.[3] Her famous memorial has continued to evoke raw feelings and emotions that “touches people’s hearts across the ages.”[4]
In circa 230 C.E., Grand Princess Linchuan was born.[5] Her personal name was Liu Yingyuan.[6] She was the sixth daughter of Emperor Wen of the Liu-Song Dynasty.[7] Her mother was an imperial consort whose name is unrecorded.[8] Liu Yingyuan was granted the title of Princess of Linchuan.[9] Princess Linchuan grew to be very “spoiled and reckless.”[10] As a princess, she lived a life of luxury.[11]
Princess Linchuan later married her second cousin, Wang Zao.[12] Wang Zao had a male lover.[13] Her husband’s extramarital affair infuriated Princess Linchuan.[14] During Emperor Qianfei’s reign in 465 C.E., Princess Linchuan made false accusations against her husband, Wang Zao.[15] Emperor Qianfei imprisoned Wang Zao, who later died in prison.[16] Princess Linchuan renounced Wang Zao’s family and deserted her own son.[17] Princess Linchuan returned to the palace.[18]
Shortly after she arrived at the palace, Emperor Ming ascended the Liu-Song throne. Emperor Ming arranged for Princess Linchuan to remarry.[19] However, her prospective groom died before the wedding ceremony.[20] Linchuan was given the title of Grand Princess.[21]
Emperor Ming strongly disliked jealous women and wanted to teach Grand Princess Linchuan a lesson.[22] Emperor Ming hired a scholar to write a memorial detailing the cons of marrying a princess.[23] In the memorial, there was a reference to Grand Princess Linchuan’s husband, Wang Zao.[24] When Grand Princess Linchuan read it, she felt regret and guilt for causing Wang Zao’s death.[25] She wrote a memorial to Emperor Ming, in which she requested to return to her husband’s family and her son.[26] Emperor Ming granted her request.[27] Her famous memorial was preserved in The History of the [Liu] Song Dynasty.[28] An excerpt reads:
“My fate is extremely unfortunate, because I broke off relations with the Wang family. My arrogance and violent temper in the privacy of our home led to this estrangement . . . Alone and sick, I am now so lonely. I may stop breathing any day but my only concern is my son. Our separation has caused me so much suffering; I also feel very sorry for him. Whether I flourish or wither, in good fortune or bad, my life is bound to his. I am truly willing to let go of my grudge against his family and resume with him the relationship of mother and son.”[29]
Grand Princess Linchuan returned to her husband’s family and her son.[30] Her life afterwards is unknown.[31] The death of Grand Princess Linchuan is also unknown.[32] Grand Princess Linchuan was very pampered and overly jealous.[33] Her jealousy caused her husband’s death.[34] However, she felt immense regret for killing her husband.[35] Her memorial has become her lasting legacy.[36] Her writing has moved the hearts of the people of China as they feel her yearning for repentance.[37] Thus, Grand Princess Linchuan will never be forgotten as long as the memorial is still preserved.[38]
Sources:
Lee, L.X.H. (2015). “Liu Yingyuan”. Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: Antiquity Through Sui, 1600 B.C.E. – 618 C.E.. (L. X. H. Lee, Ed.; A. D. Stefanowska, Ed.; S. Wiles, Ed.). NY: Routledge. pp. 312-314.
McMahon, K. (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. NY: Rowman and Littlefield.
[1] Lee, 2015; McMahon, 2013
[2] Lee, 2015; McMahon, 2013
[3] Lee, 2015; McMahon, 2013
[4] Lee, 2015, p. 314
[5] Lee, 2015
[6] Lee, 2015
[7] Lee, 2015
[8] Lee, 2015
[9] Lee, 2015; McMahon, 2013
[10] Lee, 2015, p. 313
[11] Lee, 2015; McMahon, 2013
[12] Lee, 2015
[13] Lee, 2015
[14] Lee, 2015; McMahon, 2013
[15] Lee, 2015; McMahon, 2013
[16] Lee, 2015; McMahon, 2013
[17] Lee, 2015
[18] Lee, 2015
[19] Lee, 2015
[20] Lee, 2015
[21] Lee, 2015
[22] Lee, 2015
[23] Lee, 2015
[24] Lee, 2015
[25] Lee, 2015
[26] Lee, 2015
[27] Lee, 2015
[28] Lee, 2015
[29] Lee, 2015, p. 313
[30] Lee, 2015
[31] Lee, 2015
[32] Lee, 2015
[33] Lee, 2015; McMahon, 2013
[34] Lee, 2015; McMahon, 2013
[35] Lee, 2015
[36] Lee, 2015
[37] Lee, 2015
[38] Lee, 2015
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