Imperial Consort Yue Ji of Chu – King Zhao of Chu’s Imperial Consort who willingly died with him




Imperial Consort Yue Ji of Chu was the daughter of King Goujian of Yue. She was the Imperial Consort to King Zhao of Chu. One day King Zhao of Chu asked if Imperial Consort Yue Ji would die with him.[1] However, she refused.[2] This cost her the love of her husband.[3] When King Zhao of Chu proved himself an honourable King, Imperial Consort Yue Ji finally agreed to die with him.[4] Ancient chroniclers have constantly praised her for her “loyalty.”[5]

Imperial Consort Yue Ji of Chu was born in the early fifth century B.C.E.[6] She lived during the Spring and Autumn era (which lasted from 771 to 453 B.C.E.).[7] During this period, Chinese states were declaring their own independence from the ruling Zhou Dynasty to form their own dynasties.[8] She was a Princess of Yue (modern-day Zhejiang Province).[9] Her father was King Goujian of Yue.[10] She married King Zhao of Chu (who reigned from 515-488 B.C.E.).[11] She became his Imperial Consort. King Zhao of Chu also had another wife who was also his Imperial Consort named Cai Ji.[12]

During the early years of King Zhao of Chu’s marriages to both Imperial Consort Yue Ji and Imperial Consort Cai Ji, he would often take his wives on pleasure outings.[13] During one pleasant outing, King Zhao of Chu asked his wives if they would die with him since he was fond of their time together.[14] Imperial Consort Cai Ji immediately swore that she would die with him.[15] However, Imperial Consort Yue Ji refused to swear and said that he hadn’t proved himself a “virtuous man in government”[16] that made it worth dying with him.[17] King Zhao was surprised but respected her decision.[18] Yet, her refusal made him prefer Imperial Consort Cai Ji over her.[19] Imperial Consort Yue Ji bore King Zhao of Wu a son named Prince Xiongzhang (the future King Hui of Chu who reigned from 488-432 B.C.E).[20]

In 488 B.C.E., King Zhao of Chu had become mortally ill during a military campaign.[21] He refused to allow his generals and ministers to sacrifice themselves in his place.[22] King Zhao of Chu’s decision greatly impressed Imperial Consort Yue Ji.[23] She was finally willing to die with him because of his “righteousness.”[24] When King Zhao of Chu died, Imperial Consort Yue Ji committed suicide.[25] Imperial Consort Cai Ji refused to commit suicide.[26] King Zhao of Chu’s brothers were very impressed with Imperial Consort Yue Ji’s action of suicide.[27] Because of her loyalty to her husband, they chose Imperial Consort Yue Ji’s son, Prince Xiongzhang, as the next King of Chu.[28] Prince Xiongzhang ascended the throne as King Hui of Chu.[29]

Imperial Consort Yue Ji of Chu was reluctant to die with King Zhao of Chu.[30] Her reluctance lessened King Zhao of Chu’s love for her.[31] Instead, he preferred Imperial Consort Cai Ji over her.[32] King Zhao of Chu had to prove himself to be a righteous king before she could die with him.[33] Once King Zhao of Chu made an honourable act as king, Imperial Consort Yue Ji willingly died with him.[34] Because of her act of faithfulness, her son became the next King of Chu.[35] In Biographies of Eminent Women, Imperial Consort Yue Ji of Chu’s biography is categorized under “Biographies of the Chaste and Righteous.”[36]

Sources:

Cook, C. A. (2015). “Yue Ji, Wife of King Zhao of Chu”. 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. 90-91.

Eno, R. (2010).  1.7. Spring and Autumn China (771-453). Indiana University, PDF.

Liu, X., Kinney, A. B. (2014). Exemplary Women of Early China: The Lienü Zhuan of Liu Xiang. United Kingdom: Columbia University Press.


[1] Cook, 2015

[2] Cook, 2015

[3] Liu and Kinney, 2014

[4] Cook, 2015

[5] Cook, 2015, p. 90

[6] Cook, 2015

[7] Eno, 2010

[8] Eno, 2010

[9] Cook, 2015

[10] Cook, 2015

[11] Cook, 2015

[12] Cook, 2015

[13] Cook, 2015

[14] Cook, 2015

[15] Cook, 2015

[16] Cook, 2015, p. 90

[17] Cook, 2015

[18] Liu and Kinney, 2014

[19] Liu and Kinney, 2014

[20] Cook, 2015

[21] Cook, 2015

[22] Cook, 2015

[23] Cook, 2015

[24] Cook, 2015, p. 90

[25] Cook, 2015

[26] Cook, 2015

[27] Liu and Kinney, 2014, Cook 2015

[28] Liu and Kinney, 2014

[29] Liu and Kinney, 2014

[30] Cook, 2015

[31] Liu and Kinney, 2014

[32] Liu and Kinney, 2014

[33] Cook, 2015

[34] Cook, 2015

[35] Cook, 2015

[36] Cook, 2015, p. 90






About Lauralee Jacks 223 Articles
I am a former elementary teacher in Tennessee. I have a bachelor’s degree in Liberal and Civic Studies from St. Mary’s College of California, a master’s in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the College of Saint Mary. Because my family are from East Asia, I have a passion for historical Chinese and Korean television shows. I always wanted to separate fact from fiction in dramas. Writing articles from History of Royal Women gives me a chance to dig deeper and explore these royal women as they might have been in real life. Also, it gives me a chance to look at the history and culture of where my family originated. I love researching East Asian royalty because they rarely get enough attention in the West often being overshadowed by European royalty. I find these royal women to be just as fascinating and their stories deserve to be told. Thus, I am excited to write for History of Royal Women!

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