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序
Preface.
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夫三才分位，室家之道克隆； 二族交歎，貞烈之風斯著。 振高情而獨秀，魯冊於是飛華； 挺峻節而孤標，周篇於焉騰茂。 徽烈兼劭，柔順無愆，隔代相望，諒非一緒。 然則虞興媯汭，夏盛塗山，有娀、有廣隆殷之業，大任、大姒衍昌姬之化，馬鄧恭儉，漢朝推德，宣昭懿淑，魏代揚芬，斯皆禮極中闈，義殊月室者矣。 至若恭薑誓節，孟母求仁，華率傅而經齊，樊授規而霸楚，譏文伯于奉劍，讓子發於分菽，少君之從約禮，孟光之符隱志，既昭婦則，且擅母儀。 子政緝之於前，元凱編之於後，具宣閨範，有裨陰訓。 故上從泰始，下迄恭安，一操可稱，一藝可紀，咸皆撰錄，為之傳云。 或位極后妃，或事因夫子，各隨本傳，今所不錄。 在諸偽國，暫阻王猷，天下之善，足以懲勸，亦同搜次，附於篇末。
When heaven, earth, and humanity stand in their proper stations, the way of family life takes deep root. Kin on both sides praise one another, and the aura of faithful integrity shines clear for all to see. Women of singular nobility lift the chronicles of Lu to brilliance. Their stern moral stature sets the Zhou hymns soaring. They unite shining merit with flawless gentleness; generations apart, they still seem to speak to one another—not one simple lineage could contain them all. From the rise of Yu at Guīruì to the glory of Xia at Tushan, from the mothers of Yin and Zhou who bore sage kings to the modest Ma and Deng ladies praised in Han, down to Wei exemplars of gentle wisdom—these women perfected ritual inside the palace women's quarters; their moral stature stands apart even from the storied "moon chamber." Think of reverent Jiāng's vow, Mèng's mother instructing her son, the tutors who steered Qi and Chu, the rebukes at court and the humility over a meal, Shaojūn's modest obedience, Mèngguāng's lamp-and-platter harmony: each engraved the wife's example and embodied a mother's standard. Liú Xiàng began the tradition; Dù Yù continued it, laying out models for the women's quarters and reinforcing lessons meant for the household. Accordingly, from Western Jin's Taishi era through the Eastern Jin Gong'an years, every woman with one memorable deed or teachable talent has been gathered here. Queens and imperial consorts, or stories told chiefly through husbands and sons, remain in those main biographies and are omitted from this collection. Even under the so-called usurper houses that momentarily interrupted imperial rule, exemplary conduct still deserves to be remembered; those entries are gathered at the close of this chapter.
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羊耽妻辛憲英
Xīn Xiànyīng, wife of Yáng Dān
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羊耽妻辛氏，字憲英，隴西人，魏侍中毗之女也。 聰朗有才鑒。 初，魏文帝得立為太子，抱毗項謂之曰：「辛君知我喜不？」 毗以告憲英，憲英歎曰：「太子，代君主宗廟社稷者也。 代君不可以不戚，主國不可以不懼，宜戚而喜，何以能久！ 魏其不昌乎？」
Yáng Dān's wife, Lady Xīn Xiànyīng of Longxi, was the daughter of the Wei courtier Xīn Pí. She was perceptive, quick-witted, and astute. When Cáo Pī first became crown prince, he threw his arms around Xīn Pí's neck and asked, "Do you know how happy this makes me?" Xīn Pí told his daughter; she sighed and replied, "The heir is the man who will succeed the throne and bear the shrines of realm and soil on his shoulders. He should dread inheriting the throne and tremble for the realm—yet he rejoices. Such a house cannot last. His line will not prosper for long."
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弟敞為大將軍曹爽參軍，宣帝將誅爽，因其從魏帝出而閉城門，爽司馬魯芝率府兵斬關赴爽，呼敞同去。 敞懼，問憲英曰：「天子在外，太傅閉城門，人云將不利國家，於事可得爾乎？」 憲英曰：「事有不可知，然以吾度之，太傅殆不得不爾。 明皇帝臨崩，把太傅臂，屬以後事，此言猶在朝士之耳。 且曹爽與太傅俱受寄託之任，而獨專權勢，於王室不忠，於人道不直，此舉不過以誅爽耳。」 敞曰：「然則敞無出乎？」 憲英曰：「安可以不出！ 職守，人之大義也。 凡人在難，猶或恤之； 為人執鞭而棄其事，不祥也。 且為人任，為人死，親昵之職也，汝從眾而已。」 敞遂出。 宣帝果誅爽。 事定後，敞歎曰：「吾不謀于姊，幾不獲於義！」
Her brother Yáng Chǎng was an adviser to Cáo Shuǎng. As Sima Yi prepared to purge Shuǎng, the capital gates were closed while the emperor was away; Lǔ Zhī hacked through a gate and urged Chǎng to ride with Shuǎng's guard. Terrified, Chǎng asked his sister, "The emperor is outside the city and the regent has barred the gates—rumor says the state is in peril. Is it really as dire as they claim?" Nothing is certain," she said, "but I judge Sima Yi has no choice but to act. Emperor Ming on his deathbed clasped Sima Yi's arm and entrusted him with the boy emperor—the court still remembers that charge. Cáo Shuǎng shares the regency yet hoards authority; he is false to the throne and unjust by every moral measure—Sima Yi is simply moving to cut him down." So I should stay home?" You must go—how could you refuse? Duty to one's post is a paramount obligation. Even common people pity comrades in danger; to accept another's pay and desert him in crisis invites disaster. You took his stipend; you owe him your life in a trusted adviser's role—go with the rest and do your part." Chǎng went. Sima Yi did execute Cáo Shuǎng. When the dust settled he said, "Without my sister's counsel I would nearly have failed decency itself!"
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其後鐘會為鎮西將軍，憲英謂耽從子祜曰：「鐘士季何故西出？」 祐曰：「將為滅蜀也。」 憲英曰：「會在事縱恣，非持久處下之道，吾畏其有他志也。」 及會將行，請其子琇為參軍，憲英憂曰：「他日吾為國憂，今日難至吾家矣。」 琇固請于文帝，帝不聽。 憲英謂琇曰：「行矣，戒之！ 古之君子入則致孝於親，出則致節于國； 在職思其所司，在義思其所立，不遺父母憂患而已。 軍旅之間可以濟者，其惟仁恕乎！」 會至蜀果反，琇竟以全歸。 祜嘗送錦被，憲英嫌其華，反而覆之，其明鑒儉約如此。 卒，年七十九。
When Zhōng Huì received the western command, she asked her cousin-in-law Yáng Hù why Zhòng Shìjì was headed into Shu." To conquer Shu," Hù replied." Zhōng Huì has always done as he pleased," she warned. "No man like that stays content as a subordinate—mark my words: he is nursing larger ambitions." As Huì prepared to leave he pressed her son Yáng Xiù into his staff. "Yesterday I feared for the country," she said; "today trouble has come to our household." Xiù pleaded with Sima Zhāo; the prince refused to excuse him. "Then go," she told Xiù, "and remember this: The ancients honored parents in private and served the state with integrity abroad; on duty they weighed their responsibilities; in moral crises they weighed the right course—never bringing shame or worry upon family. Amid armies and intrigue, only kindness and restraint will save you." Huì did rise in rebellion; Xiù nevertheless came home alive. Hù once gifted a silk quilt; she deemed it ostentatious and flipped it to the plain side—her taste for simplicity ran that deep. She died at seventy-nine.
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杜有道妻嚴憲
Yán Xiàn, wife of Dù Yǒudào
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杜有道妻嚴氏，字憲，京兆人也。 貞淑有識量。 年十三，適於杜氏，十八而嫠居。 子植、女韡並孤藐，憲雖少，誓不改節，撫育二子，教以禮度，植遂顯名于時，韡亦有淑德，傳玄求為繼室，憲便許之。 時玄與何晏、鄧揚不穆，晏等每欲害之，時人莫肯共婚。 及憲許玄，內外以為憂懼。 或曰：「何、鄧執權，必為玄害，亦由排山壓卵，以湯沃雪耳，奈何與之為親？」 憲曰：「爾知其一，不知其他。 晏等驕移，必當自敗，司馬太傅獸睡耳，吾恐卵破雪銷，行自有在。」 遂與玄為婚。 晏等尋亦為宣帝所誅。 植後為南安太守。
Lady Yán Xiàn of Jingzhao was married to Dù Yǒudào. Virtuous, poised, and far-sighted. She married into the Du clan at thirteen and was widowed at eighteen. She raised her orphaned son Zhí and daughter Wěi, refusing remarriage though barely more than a girl; Zhí became famous, Wěi grew admirable, and she agreed when Fù Xuán asked to marry her. Fù Xuán feuded with Hé Yàn and Dèng Yáng, who kept plotting against him—nobody would ally with Xuán by marriage. Her kinsmen were terrified when she accepted. "Hé and Dèng control the court—they will crush Xuán as surely as a landslide flattens an egg. Why tie our family to his?" You see only half the picture, she answered. "Those men are bloated with pride and will fall of themselves; Sima Yi merely seems to slumber. Their league will shatter like eggshell and melt like snow—you will see." She went ahead with the wedding. Soon Hé Yàn's faction fell to Sima Yi's purge. Her son Du Zhí became prefect of Nan'an.
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植從兄預為秦州刺史，被誣，徵還，憲與預書戒之曰：「諺-{云}-忍辱至三公。 卿今可謂辱矣，能忍之，公是卿坐。」 預後果為儀同三司。 玄前妻子咸年六歲，嘗隨其繼母省憲，謂咸曰：「汝千里駒也，必當遠至。」 以其妹之女妻之。 咸後亦有名於海內。 其知人之鑒如此。 年六十六卒。
Her nephew Du Yù, governor of Qin, faced false charges and recall; she wrote, "They say patience through disgrace carries a man to the three highest offices. You are certainly humbled now; bear it, and those exalted posts will yet be yours." Du Yù eventually gained rank equal to the Three Dukes. Xuán's six-year-old son Xián visited with his stepmother; Xiàn said, "You are a thousand-li foal—you will go far." She married her niece to him. Xián later won fame empire-wide. Thus keen was her judgment of people. She died at sixty-six.
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王渾妻鍾琰
Zhōng Yǎn, wife of Wáng Hún
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王渾妻鍾氏，字琰，潁川人，魏太傅繇曾孫也。 父徽，黃門郎。 琰數歲能屬文，及長，聰慧弘雅，博覽記籍。 美容止，善嘯詠，禮儀法度為中表所則。 既適渾，生濟。 渾嘗共琰坐，濟趨庭而過，渾欣然曰：「生子如此，足慰人心。」 琰笑曰：「若使新婦得配參軍，生子故不翅如此。」 參軍，謂渾中弟淪也。 琰女亦有才淑，為求賢夫。 時有兵家子甚俊，濟欲妻之，白琰，琰曰：「要令我見之。」 濟令此兵與群小雜處，琰自幃中察之，既而謂濟曰：「緋衣者非汝所拔乎？」 濟曰：「是。」 琰曰：「此人才足拔萃，然地寒壽促，不足展其器用，不可與婚。」 遂止。 其人數年果亡。 琰明鑒遠識，皆此類也。
Lady Zhōng Yǎn of Yingchuan, great-granddaughter of Zhōng Yóu, married Wáng Hún. Her father Zhōng Huī was a palace gate tender. She wrote essays as a girl; as a woman she was brilliant, graceful, and learned. Graceful and skilled in song, she set the tone for her extended kin. She bore Wáng Jì after marrying Hún. One day Jì crossed the yard while his parents conversed; Hún beamed, "A son like this heartens a father." Yǎn smiled. "Had I married your younger brother the military aide, our sons would have been no less remarkable." "Army aide" meant his brother Wáng Lún. Her daughter was equally gifted; Yǎn hunted for a worthy son-in-law. A junior officer's son seemed splendid; Jì proposed the match, but Yǎn insisted on inspecting him. She watched from behind a screen as he stood among servants. "The man in red," she asked Jì, "isn't he your choice?" Yes." He has ability," she said, "but mean birth and a brief span—his gifts will never fully bloom. This match will not do." Jì abandoned the idea. The young officer died just as she predicted. Her foresight always proved so exact.
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渾弟湛妻郝氏亦有德行，琰雖貴門，與郝雅相親重，郝不以賤下琰，琰不以貴陵郝，時人稱「鐘夫人之禮，郝夫人之法」-{云}-。
Zhàn's wife Lady Hǎo was equally ethical; noble-born Yǎn cherished her without condescension, and Hǎo never bowed obsequiously—contemporaries spoke of "Lady Zhōng's ritual grace and Lady Hǎo's household law."
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鄭袤妻曹氏
Lady Cáo, wife of Zhèng Mào
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鄭袤妻曹氏。 魯國薛人也。 袤先娶孫氏，早亡，娉之為繼室。 事舅姑甚孝，躬紡織之勤，以充奉養，至於叔妹群娣之間，盡其禮節，咸得歡心。 及袤為司空，其子默等又顯朝列，時人稱其榮貴。 曹氏深懼盛滿，每默等升進，輒憂之形於聲色。 然食無重味，服浣濯之衣，袤等所獲祿秩，曹氏必班散親姻，務令周給，家無餘貲。
Lady Cáo, wife of Zheng Mao. She came from Xue in Lu. Zheng Mao's first wife Lady Sun died young; he then married Lady Cao as his successor. She cared for her parents-in-law devotedly, weaving to support them, and treated sisters-in-law with such tact that the household adored her. When Mao rose to Minister of Works and his sons Mo gained high office, people called them splendid. Yet Lady Cao dreaded excess: each promotion for Mo shadowed her face with dread. She ate plainly, dressed plainly, and scattered every salary her sons earned to needy relatives until nothing remained in the coffers.
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初，孫氏瘞于黎陽，及袤薨，議者以久喪難舉，欲不合葬。 曹氏曰：「孫氏元妃，理當從葬，不可使孤魂無所依邪。」 於是備吉凶導從之儀以迎之，具衣衾几筵，親執雁行之禮，聞者莫不歎息，以為趙姬之下叔隗，不足稱也。 卒，年八十三。
Lady Sun lay at Liyang; after Mao's death some argued the years since her death made joint burial impractical. "Lady Sun was his first wife," Cao insisted. "She belongs beside him—we cannot strand her ghost unattended." She staged the full procession, draped the bier, and walked the ritual herself—onlookers wept, declaring Zhao Ji's famous homage to Shuwei paled beside this. She died at eighty-three.
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湣懷太子妃王惠風
Wáng Huìfēng, consort of Crown Prince Minhuai
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湣懷太子妃王氏，太尉衍女也，字惠風。 貞婉有志節。 太子既廢居於金墉，衍請絕婚，惠風號哭而歸，行路為之流涕。 及劉曜陷洛陽，以惠風賜其將喬屬，屬將妻之。 惠風拔劍距屬曰：「吾太尉公女，皇太子妃，義不為逆胡所辱。」 屬遂害之。
Lady Wang Huifeng, daughter of Minister Wang Yan, was consort to Crown Prince Yu. Virtuous, graceful, and iron-willed. When Sima's faction deposed the prince at Jinyong, Wang Yan tried to dissolve the marriage; Huifeng sobbed her way home while strangers wept along the road. After Liu Yao seized Luoyang, he handed Wang Huifeng to his officer Qiao Shu, who meant to marry her. She leveled her blade at Shu and cried that she was Wang Yan's daughter and the crown prince's consort—she would die before submitting to a traitorous Hu chieftain. Qiao Shu murdered her.
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鄭休妻石氏
Lady Shi, wife of Zheng Xiu
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鄭休妻石氏，不知何許人也。 少有德操，年十餘歲，鄉邑稱之。 既歸鄭氏，為九族所重。 休前妻女既幼，又休父布臨終，有庶子沈生，命棄之，石氏曰：「奈何使舅之胤不存乎！」 遂養沈及前妻女。 力不兼舉，九年之中，三不舉子。
Zheng Xiu's wife Lady Shi—her homeland is unrecorded. Even as a girl she had sterling character, and the countryside praised her before she turned twenty. After she entered the Zheng family, every branch of the clan respected her. Her husband's little daughter by an earlier wife still needed care, and Xiu's dying father had ordered a maid-born son Shen abandoned; Lady Shi protested, "We cannot let our father-in-law's heir vanish." She reared both Shen and the first wife's girl. The strain was so great that for nine years running she could not carry a birth to completion while raising those children.
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陶侃母湛氏
Lady Zhan, mother of Tao Kan
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陶侃母湛氏，豫章新淦人也。 初，侃父丹娉為妾，生侃，而陶氏貧賤，湛氏每紡績資給之，使交結勝己。 侃少為尋陽縣吏，嘗監魚梁，以一坩鮓遺母。 湛氏封鮓及書，責侃曰：「爾為吏，以官物遺我，非惟不能益吾，乃以增吾憂矣。」 鄱陽孝廉範逵寓宿于侃，時大雪，湛氏乃徹所臥親薦，自銼給其馬，又密截發賣與鄰人，供肴饌。 逵聞之，歎息曰：「非此母不生此子！」 侃竟以功名顯。
Tao Kan's mother, Lady Zhan of Xingan in Yuzhang commandery. Kan's father took her as a concubine; though the Taos were destitute, she spun for him and paid his social calls so he could network upward. As a young county clerk in Xunyang he oversaw a fishery and mailed her salted fish. She sent the jar back with a scolding: official supplies were not gifts—he only added to her shame. When scholar Fan Kui stayed overnight, blizzard snow fell; she shredded her bedding for his horses, sold her shorn hair for cash, and laid out a banquet worthy of a gentleman. Fan Kui marveled, "No mother like this, no son like him!" Tao Kan rose to glory.
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賈渾妻宗氏
Lady Zong, wife of Jia Hun
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賈渾妻宗氏，不知何許人也。 渾為介休令，被劉元海將喬晞攻破，死之。 宗氏有姿色，晞欲納之。 宗氏罵曰：「屠各奴！ 豈有害人之夫而欲加無禮，于爾安乎？ 何不促殺我！」 因仰天大哭。 晞遂害之，時年二十餘。
Jia Hun's wife Lady Zong—her birthplace is unknown. As magistrate of Jiexiu he fell when Liu Yuan's officer Qiao Xi stormed the city. Qiao Xi coveted her beauty and meant to wed her. She spat back, "Tuge slave! You slew my lord yet crave me—does that sit well even with you? Strike me down at once!" She threw back her head and screamed at the sky. Qiao Xi killed her; she was barely twenty.
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梁緯妻辛氏
Lady Xin, wife of Liang Wei
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梁緯妻辛氏，隴西狄道人也。 緯為散騎常侍，西都陷沒，為劉曜所害。 辛氏有殊色，曜將妻之。 辛氏據地大哭，仰謂曜曰：「妾聞男以義烈，女不再醮。 妾夫已死，理無獨全。 且婦人再辱，明公亦安用哉！ 乞即就死。 下事舅姑。」 逐號哭不止。 曜曰：「貞婦也，任之。」 自縊而死。 曜以禮葬之。
Liang Wei's wife Lady Xin of Didao in Longxi. He was an imperial attendant when Chang'an fell to Liu Yao and died in the sack. Liu Yao's men coveted her looks and meant to take her. She threw herself to the ground, then faced Liu Yao: men die for honor; widows do not remarry. Her husband was gone—she had no wish to outlive him alone. Besides, a twice-shamed woman would disgrace even your hall—what good would she be? Let me die now. Living on would mock the very in-laws I owe duty to. Thus she wailed on without stopping. Liu Yao said only, "A faithful wife—leave her be." She hanged herself. Liu Yao gave her an honorable burial.
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許延妻杜氏
Lady Du, wife of Xu Yan
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許延妻杜氏，不知何許人也。 延為益州別駕，為李驤所害。 驤欲納杜氏為妻，杜氏號哭守夫屍，罵驤曰：「汝輩逆賊無道，死有先後，寧當久活！ 我杜家女，豈為賊妻也！」 驤怒，遂害之。
Xu Yan's wife Lady Du—her home is unrecorded. Li Xiang killed him while he served as Yizhou aide. Li Xiang meant to marry her; she clung to her husband's body and howled that rebels like him died in due course—she would not cling to breath. A Du woman would never wed a traitor! Furious, Li Xiang cut her down.
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虞潭母孫氏
Lady Sun, mother of Yu Tan
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虞潭母孫氏，吳郡富春人，孫權族孫女也。 初適潭父忠，恭順貞和，甚有婦德。 及忠亡，遺孤藐爾，孫氏雖少，誓不改節，躬自撫養，劬勞備至。 性聰敏，識鑒過人。 潭始自幼童，便訓以忠義，故得聲望允洽，為朝廷所稱。 永嘉末，潭為南康太守，值杜弢構逆，率眾討之。 孫氏勉潭以必死之義，俱傾其資產以饋戰士，潭遂克捷。 及蘇峻作亂，潭時守吳興，又假節征峻。 孫氏戒之曰：「吾聞忠臣出孝子之門，汝當捨生取義，勿以吾老為累也。」 仍盡發其家僮，令隨潭助戰，貿其所服環珮以為軍資。 于時會稽內史王舒遣子允之為督護，孫氏又謂潭曰：「王府君遣兒征，汝何為獨不？」 潭即以子楚為督護，與舒允之合勢。 其憂國之誠如此。 拜武昌侯太夫人，加金章紫綬。 潭立養堂于家，王導以下皆就拜謁。 咸和末卒，年九十五。 成帝遣使弔祭，諡曰定夫人。
Yu Tan's mother, Lady Sun of Fuchun in Wu commandery, belonged to Sun Quan's lineage. Married to Tan's father Zhong, she was gentle, faithful, and harmonious—the model wife. Widowed young with a tiny son, she refused remarriage and raised him herself through every hardship. She was brilliant and saw farther than most. She taught Tan loyalty and duty while he was still a child, winning him court renown. Early in exile Jin, as Nankang governor he marched against Du Tao's rebellion. His mother demanded he prefer death to dishonor and spent her estate on supplies—Tan broke the rebels. When Su Jun struck, Tan defended Wuxing and took imperial warrant to strike him. She warned him: faithful sons come from dutiful mothers—die if duty demands; ignore her frailty. She drafted family retainers for his column and pawned her jewelry for war funds. When Wang Shu of Kuaiji sent his son Yunzhi as colonel, she asked why Tan refused his own son. Tan then named his son Chu colonel to coordinate with Wang Yunzhi. Her patriotism ran that deep. The court titled her Dowager of Wuchang marquis with gold seal and purple ribbon. Tan built her a hall at home; Wang Dao and the elite lined up to pay respects. She died in Xianhe's last years at ninety-five. Emperor Cheng sent condolences and styled her Lady Ding.
30
周顗母李氏
Lady Li Luoxiu, mother of Zhou Yi
31
周顗母李氏，字絡秀，汝南人也。 少時在室，顗父浚為安東將軍，時嘗出獵，遇雨，過止絡秀之家。 會其家父兄不在，絡秀聞浚至，與一婢於內宰豬羊，具數十人之饌，甚精辦而不聞人聲。 浚怪使覘之，獨見一女子甚美，浚因求為妾。 其父兄不許，絡秀曰：「門戶殄瘁，何惜一女！ 若連姻貴族，將來庶有大益矣。」 父兄許之。 遂生顗及嵩、謨。 而顗等既長，絡秀謂之曰：「我屈節為汝家作妾，門戶計耳。 汝不與我家為親親者，吾亦何惜餘年！」 顗等從命，由此李氏遂得為方雅之族。
Zhou Yi's mother Lady Li Luoxiu of Runan. Still a maiden when Zhou Jun hunted through rain and sheltered at her house. Her brothers gone, she secretly butchered livestock and laid out a feast for dozens without a sound. Jun peeked in, saw only a stunning girl, and asked for her as concubine. Her kin refused; she argued the clan was shattered—why spare one girl? An alliance with honor might yet restore them. They relented. She bore Zhou Yi, Zhou Song, and Zhou Mo. When they matured she reminded them she became a concubine solely to lift the Li clan. If they spurned her family, she would disown them in turn. They complied, and the Lis entered polite society.
32
中興時，顗等並列顯位。 嘗冬至置酒，絡秀舉觴賜三子曰：「吾本渡江，托足無所，不謂爾等並貴，列吾目前，吾復何憂！」 高起曰：「恐不如尊旨。 伯仁志大而才短，名重而識暗，好乘人之弊，此非自全之道。 嵩性抗直，亦不容於世。 唯阿奴碌碌，當在阿母目下耳。」 阿奴，謨小字也。 後果如其言。
After the court crossed south they each climbed to rank. At a winter banquet she toasted her sons: refugees once footloose, now three dignitaries faced her—what grief remained? Zhou Song stood and warned that her joy might be premature. Zhou Yi aimed too high for his gifts—renowned yet blind—always exploiting cracks in others—no recipe for safety. Zhou Song's blunt pride would earn the world's spite. Only little A'nu would stay ordinary under her eye. A'nu was Zhou Mo's pet name. Events proved her right.
33
張茂妻陸氏
Lady Lu, wife of Zhang Mao
34
張茂妻陸氏，吳郡人也。 茂為吳郡太守，被沈充所害，陸氏傾家產，率茂部曲為先登以討充。 充敗，陸詣闕上書，為茂謝不克之責。 詔曰：「茂夫妻忠誠，舉門義烈，宜追贈茂太僕。」
Zhang Mao's wife Lady Lu of Wu. Shen Chong killed Governor Zhang Mao; Lady Lu spent her estate and led his bodyguard vanguard against Shen. After Shen's defeat she petitioned the throne, begging forgiveness for Mao's defeat. The emperor replied that the Zhangs had been loyal—posthumously promote Mao to Grand Coachman.
35
尹虞二女
The two daughters of Yin Yu
36
尹虞二女，長沙人也。 虞前任始興太守，起兵討杜弢，戰敗，二女為弢所獲，並有國色，弢將妻之。 女曰：「我父二千石，終不能為賊婦，有死而已！」 弢並害之。
Yin Yu's daughters were Changsha women. Former Shixing prefect Yin Yu fell to Du Tao; his stunning daughters were captured—bandits meant to wed them. They shouted that their father held two-thousand-dan rank—they would die before wedding rebels. Du Tao executed both.
37
荀崧小女灌
Xun Guan, youngest daughter of Xun Song
38
荀崧小女灌，幼有奇節。 崧為襄城太守，為杜曾所圍，力弱食盡，欲求救于故吏平南將軍石覽，計無從出。 灌時年十三，乃率勇士數千人，逾城突圍夜出。 賊追甚急，灌督厲將士，且戰且前，得入魯陽山獲免。 自詣覽乞師，又為崧書與南中郎將周訪請援，仍結為兄弟，訪即遣子撫率三千人會石覽俱救崧。 賊聞兵至，散走，灌之力也。
Xun Song's daughter Guan was a prodigy of resolve. Du Zeng besieged Xun Song at Xiangcheng until supplies vanished; he needed Shi Lan's relief but had no messenger. At thirteen she led thousands in a night sortie over the wall. Pursued fiercely, she fought through to Luyang Mountain and broke free. She begged Shi Lan for soldiers, wrote Zhou Fang for reinforcements, bonded with him as a sworn brother, and Zhou Fang sent three thousand men under his son Fu alongside Shi Lan to lift the siege. The bandits fled at the approach of relief forces—credit belonged to Xun Guan's valor.
39
王凝之妻謝道韞
Xie Daoyun, wife of Wang Ningzhi
40
王凝之妻謝氏，字道韞，安西將軍奕之女也。 聰識有才辯。 叔父安嘗問：「《毛詩》何句最佳？」 道韞稱：「吉甫作頌，穆如清風。 仲山甫永懷，以慰其心。」 安謂有雅人深致。 又嘗內集，俄而雪驟下，安曰：「何所似也？」 安兄子朗曰：「散鹽空中差可擬。」 道韞曰：「未若柳絮因風起。」 安大悅。
Wang Ningzhi's wife Lady Xie Daoyun was daughter of Xie Yi, general pacifying the west. Bright, insightful, and sharp in debate. Uncle Xie An asked which Mao Poetry couplet she liked best. She answered with the ode: "Jifu's hymn comes mild as clear wind. Zhong Shanfu holds fast in longing—easing the royal mind." Xie An called it the taste of a true aesthete. Once during an indoor gathering snow burst forth; Xie An asked what it resembled. Nephew Xie Lang said scattered salt was the nearest likeness. Daoyun answered that willow floss riding the gust suited better. Xie An beamed with pride.
41
初適凝之，還，甚不樂。 安曰：「王郎，逸少子，不惡，汝何恨也？」 答曰：「一門叔父則有阿大、中郎，群從兄弟復有封、胡、羯、末，不意天壤之中乃有王郎！」 封謂謝韶，胡謂謝朗，羯謂謝玄，末謂謝川，皆其小字也。 又嘗譏玄學植不進，曰：「為塵務經心，為天分有限邪？」 凝之弟獻之嘗與賓客談議，詞理將屈，道韞遣婢白獻之曰：「欲為小郎解圍。」 乃施青綾步鄣自蔽，申獻之前議，客不能屈。
She came home glum after marrying Wang Ningzhi. Her uncle protested: Wang was Xie Xuan's distinguished son—why sulk? She answered that between uncles like Xie Shang and cousins nicknamed Feng, Hu, Jie, and Mo, she never dreamed the world could harbor Wang Ningzhi. Feng was Xie Shao, Hu Xie Lang, Jie Xie Xuan, Mo Xie Chuan—family pet names. She needled Xie Xuan's slow progress—was dust-clogged duty to blame or shallow genius? When Wang Xianzhi floundered before visitors, she offered through a maid to lift him from the trap. Behind an azure screen she picked up his thread and routed every objection.
42
及遭孫恩之難，舉厝自若，既聞夫及諸子已為賊所害，方命婢肩輿抽刃出門。 亂兵稍至，手殺數人，乃被虜。 其外孫劉濤時年數歲，賊又欲害之，道韞曰：「事在王門，何關他族！ 必其如此，寧先見殺。」 恩雖毒虐，為之改容，乃不害濤。 自爾嫠居會稽，家中莫不嚴肅。 太守劉柳聞其名，請與談議。 道韞素知柳名，亦不自阻，乃簪髻素褥坐於帳中，柳束脩整帶造於別榻。 道韞風韻高邁，敘致清雅，先及家事，慷慨流漣，徐酬問旨，詞理無滯。 柳退而歎曰：「實頃所未見，瞻察言氣，使人心形俱服。」 道韞亦云：「親從凋亡，始遇此士，聽其所問，殊開人胸府。」
Sun En's rebellion left her calm until word came that Wang Ningzhi and her sons were dead—then she rode out in a sedan, blades ready. She killed several soldiers herself before they seized her. When brigands threatened toddler grandson Liu Tao, she insisted his fate belonged to the Wang family alone—leave other houses aside. If they insisted on blood, let them strike her down before the boy. Even ruthless Sun En relented and let the boy live. As widow in Kuaiji she ruled the clan with iron dignity. Governor Liu Liu sought an audience after hearing of her. She knew Liu Liu's name, pinned her hair, sat on white felt behind drapes; Liu tidied his sash on a separate seat. Her manner was lofty, her storytelling lucid—she began with family sorrow, then fielded questions without stumbling. Liu Liu left marveling that voice and spirit alike humbled him. Daoyun added that after bereavement Liu Liu's inquiry awakened whole new thoughts.
43
初，同郡張玄妹亦有才質，適於顧氏，玄每稱之，以敵道韞。 有濟尼者，游於二家，或問之，濟尼答曰：「王夫人神情散朗，故有林下風氣。 顧家婦清心玉映，自是閨房之秀。」 道韞所著詩賦誄頌並傳於世。
Zhang Xuan boasted his talented sister married to the Gus matched Daoyun. Nun Ji visited both homes and said Lady Wang had reclusive scholars' breeze. The Gu bride shone with icy clarity—the inner chambers' finest jewel. Daoyun's verse and prose survived her age.
44
劉臻妻陳氏
Lady Chen, wife of Liu Zhen
45
劉臻妻陳氏者，亦聰辯能屬文。 嘗正旦獻《椒花頌》，其詞曰：「旋穹周回，三朝肇建。 青陽散輝，澄景載煥。 標美靈葩，爰采爰獻。 聖容映之，永壽于萬。」 又撰元日及冬至進見之儀，行於世。
Liu Zhen's wife Lady Chen was eloquent and literary. Her New Year's Pepper Blossom Ode begins: "The dome of heaven wheels—three courts inaugurate the year. Spring sunlight spreads; clear beams renew the scene. They praise the auspicious bloom—gather and present it. Sacred face reflected—may myriad years grace the throne." She codified New Year and solstice court rituals that became standard usage.
46
皮京妻龍憐
Long Lian, wife of Pi Jing
47
皮京妻龍氏，字憐，西道縣人也。 年十三適京，未逾年而京卒，京二弟亦相次而隕，既無胤嗣，又無期功之親。 憐貨其嫁時資裝，躬自紡織，數年間三喪俱舉，葬斂既畢，每時享祭無闕。 州裏聞其賢，屢有娉者，憐誓不改醮，守節窮居五十餘載而卒。
Pi Jing's wife Lady Long Lian hailed from Xidao county. She wed at thirteen; Pi Jing died within the year, then both his brothers—no offspring, no close kin to mourn. She pawned her dowry, wove for coin, buried three coffins, then kept every memorial feast. Neighbors admired her; matchmakers kept calling, but she stayed chaste five decades.
48
孟昶妻周氏
Lady Zhou, wife of Meng Chang
49
孟昶妻周氏，昶弟顗妻又其從妹也。 二家並豐財產。 初，桓玄雅重昶而劉邁毀之，昶知，深自惋失。 及劉裕將建義，與昶定謀，昶欲盡散財物以供軍糧，其妻非常婦人，可語以大事，乃謂之曰：「劉邁毀我於桓公，便是一生淪陷，決當作賊。 卿幸可早爾離絕，脫得富貴，相迎不晚也。」 周氏曰：「君父母在堂，欲建非常之謀，豈婦人所諫！ 事之不成，當于奚官中奉養大家，義無歸志也。」 昶愴然久之而起。 周氏追昶坐，云：「觀君舉厝，非謀及婦人者，不過欲得財物耳。」 時其所生女在抱，推而示之曰：「此而可賣，亦當不惜，況資財乎！」 遂傾資產以給之，而托以他用。 及事之將舉，周氏謂顗妻云：「一昨夢殊不好，門內宜浣濯沐浴以除之，且不宜赤色，我當悉取作七日藏厭。」 顗妻信之，所有絳色者悉斂以付焉。 乃置帳中，潛自剔綿，以絳與昶，遂得數十人被服赫然，悉周氏所出，而家人不之知也。
Meng Chang's wife Lady Zhou was cousin to Meng Yi's wife. Both families were immensely rich. Huan Xuan favored Meng Chang until Liu Mai smeared him—Chang stewed in resentment. As Liu Yu plotted revolt, Meng Chang meant to spend his fortune on supplies; he told his wife Liu Mai had doomed him with Huan Xuan—only rebellion remained. Better separate now; they could reunite after victory. Lady Zhou shot back that parents still lived—counsel could not stop him. If he failed she would slave in the palace kitchens before forsaking in-laws. Meng Chang rose grimly after brooding. She tugged him down: his scheme was plainly about money, not counsel. She held their baby—sell the child if needed, let alone coin. She handed over their fortune under cover of ordinary errands. On the eve of the coup she warned Meng Yi's wife of bad dreams—demanding red cloth for a week-long ritual cleanse. The cousin wife surrendered all red silk. She shredded lining in secret, fed scarlet cloth to Meng Chang, and clothed dozens of warriors—kin never guessed.
50
何無忌母劉氏
Lady Liu, mother of He Wuji
51
何無忌母劉氏，征虜將軍建之女也。 少有志節。 弟牢之為桓玄所害，劉氏每銜之，常思報復。 及無忌與劉裕定謀，而劉氏察其舉厝有異，喜而不言。 會無忌夜于屏風裹制檄文，劉氏潛以器覆燭，徐登橙于屏風上窺之，既知，泣而撫之曰：「我不如東海呂母明矣！ 既孤其誠，常恐壽促，汝能如此，吾仇恥雪矣。」 因問其同謀，知事在裕，彌喜，乃說桓玄必敗、義師必成之理以勸勉之。 後果如其言。
He Wuji's mother Lady Liu was daughter of Liu Jian, conqueror general. Even young she had backbone. Brother Liu Laozhi died at Huan Xuan's order—she burned for vengeance. She noticed He Wuji's restless plotting with Liu Yu and smiled inwardly. Spying him compose a coup manifesto behind screens, she smothered the candle, climbed a stool, read his plot, and wept—thrilled he would eclipse Donghai's Lady Lü. Lonely vigil had haunted her; now her vendetta could clear. Learning Liu Yu commanded the plot she lectured him on Huan Xuan's doom. History proved her right.
52
劉聰妻劉娥
Liu E, consort of Liu Cong (Han-Zhao)
53
劉聰妻劉氏，名娥，字麗華，偽太保殷女也。 幼而聰慧，晝營女工，夜誦書籍，傅母恆止之，娥敦習彌厲。 每與諸兄論經義，理趣超遠，諸兄深以歎伏。 性孝友，善風儀進止。 聰既僭位，召為右貴嬪，甚寵之。 俄拜為后，將起䳨儀殿以居之，其廷尉陳元達切諫，聰大怒，將斬之。 娥時在後堂，私敕左右停刑，手疏啟曰：「伏聞將為妾營殿，今昭德足居，䳨儀非急。 四海未一，禍難猶繁，動須人力資財，尤宜慎之。 廷尉之言，國家大政。 夫忠臣之諫，豈為身哉？ 帝王距之，亦非顧身也。 妾仰謂陛下上尋明君納諫之昌，下忿暗主距諫之禍，宜賞廷尉以美爵，酬廷尉以列土，如何不惟不納，而反欲誅之？ 陛下此怒由妾而起，廷尉之禍由妾而招，人怨國疲，咎歸於妾，距諫害忠，亦妾之由。 自古敗國喪家，未始不由婦人者也。 妾每覽古事，忿之忘食，何意今日妾自為之！ 後人之觀妾，亦猶妾之視前人也，復何面目仰侍巾櫛，請歸死此堂，以塞陛下誤惑之過。」 聰覽之色變，謂其群下曰：「朕比得風疾，喜怒過常。 元達，忠臣也，朕甚愧之。」 以娥表示元達曰：「外輔如公，內輔如此后，朕無憂矣。」 及娥死，偽諡武宣皇后。
Liu Cong's consort Liu E, courtesy Lihua, was daughter of minister Yin. She sewed by day, read by night; nurses scolded her into deeper study. Debating scripture with brothers she left them speechless. Loving, modest, poised. After Liu Cong seized power he took her as senior consort and doted on her. He promoted her to empress and broke ground on Yanyi Hall—Chen Yuanda's blunt protest nearly cost his head. From the rear quarters she stayed the blade and memorialized that Zhao-de Hall already housed her—Yanyi could wait. The empire remained torn—every project burned treasure and lives. The commandant addressed fundamental policy. True ministers risk counsel for the throne, not themselves. Stubborn rulers refuse counsel for selfish ease. She begged Liu Cong to honor wise rulers who welcomed advice and shun tyrants who spurned it—reward Chen Yuanda, do not kill him. She blamed herself for his rage, Chen's danger, and the realm's fatigue. Historically women undid dynasties. Reading history she loathed such women—now she embodied them. Future ages would condemn her as she condemned predecessors—she offered suicide to expiate his folly. Liu Cong blanched and blamed illness for his rage. Chen Yuanda was faithful—he felt shame. He waved her plea before Chen: inner and outer pillars alike steadied him. When Liu E died Han Zhao styled her Empress Wuxuan.
54
其姊英，字麗芳，亦聰敏涉學，而文詞機辯，曉達政事，過於娥。 初與娥同召拜左貴嬪，尋卒，偽追諡武德皇后。
Sister Liu Ying, courtesy Lifang, surpassed her in wit and policy debate. She entered together as left consort but died young—posthumously Empress Wude.
55
王廣女
The daughter of Wang Guang
56
王廣女者，不知何許人也。 容質甚美，慷慨有丈夫之節。 廣仕劉聰，為西揚州刺史。 蠻帥梅芳攻陷揚州，而廣被殺。 王時年十五，芳納之。 俄於暗室擊芳，不中，芳驚起曰：「何故反邪？」 王罵曰：「蠻畜！ 我欲誅反賊，何謂反乎？ 吾聞父仇不同天，母仇不同地，汝反逆無狀，害人父母，而復以無禮陵人，吾所以不死者，欲誅汝耳！ 今死自吾分，不待汝殺，但恨不得梟汝首於通逵，以塞大恥。」 辭氣猛厲，言終乃自殺，芳止之不可。
Wang Guang's daughter—her homeland unknown. Stunning and fiercely courageous. Wang Guang served Liu Cong as governor of western Yangzhou. Chieftain Mei Fang stormed Yangzhou and killed Wang Guang. Mei Fang seized fifteen-year-old Wang Guang as concubine. Soon she ambushed him in darkness—missed; Mei Fang cried treason. She screamed, "Savage! I strike rebels—how dare you call me traitor? Father's blood feud brooks no shared sky—Mei Fang slew her parents yet vaunts over her—she endured only to kill him. Death was hers already—she only regretted failing to spike his skull at the public crossing." Voice like iron, she fell on her blade before Mei Fang could seize her.
57
陝婦人
The Woman of Shanzhou
58
陝婦人，不知姓字，年十九。 劉曜時嫠居陝縣，事叔姑甚謹，其家欲嫁之，此婦毀面自誓。 後叔姑病死，其叔姑有女在夫家，先從此婦乞假不得，因而誣殺其母，有司不能察而誅之。 時有群鳥悲鳴屍上，其聲甚哀，盛夏暴屍十日，不腐，亦不為蟲獸所敗，其境乃經歲不雨。 曜遣呼延謨為太守，既知其冤，乃斬此女，設少牢以祭其墓，諡曰孝烈貞婦，其日大雨。
A nineteen-year-old widow of Shan county—name lost. Liu Yao's reign found her widowed in Shan, dutiful to her aunt-in-law; kin pressed remarriage so she disfigured herself. When the aunt died, a spiteful cousin framed her for matricide after a loan snub—magistrates executed her unjustly. Birds keened over her corpse; midsummer heat failed to rot her—no beast touched her—and drought gripped the land a year. Prefect Huyan Mo avenged her, executed the false accuser, sacrificed at her grave as Lady Xiaolie—and rain broke.
59
靳康女
The daughter of Jin Kang
60
靳康女者，不知何許人也。 美姿容，有志操。 劉曜之誅靳氏，將納靳女為妾，靳曰：「陛下既滅其父母兄弟，復何用妾為！ 妾聞逆人之誅也，尚汙宮伐樹，而況其子女乎！」 因號泣請死，曜哀之，免康一子。
Jin Kang's daughter—homeland unknown. Beautiful and principled. Liu Cong meant to bed her after wiping out her clan; she asked why he needed a trophy concubine. Even conquered rebels suffer palace pollution and ancestral groves cut—why spare enemy seed? She sobbed for execution until Liu Yao relented and spared one Jin Kang heir.
61
韋逞母宋氏
Lady Song, mother of Wei Cheng
62
韋逞母宋氏，不知何郡人也，家世以儒學稱。 宋氏幼喪母，其父躬自養之。 及長，授以《周官》音義，謂之曰：「吾家世學《周官》，傳業相繼，此又周以所制，經紀典誥，百官品物，備於此矣。 吾今無男可傳，汝可受之，勿令經世。」 屬天下喪亂，宋氏諷誦不輟。 其後為石季龍徙之于山東，宋氏與夫在徙中，推鹿車，背負父所授書，到冀州，依膠東富人程安壽，壽養護之。 逞時年小，宋氏晝則樵采，夜則教逞，然紡績無廢。 壽每歎曰：「學家多士大夫，得無是乎！」 逞遂學成名立，仕苻堅為太常。 堅嘗幸其太學，問博士經典，乃憫禮樂遺闕。 時博士盧壼對曰：「廢學既久，書傳零落，此年綴撰，正經粗集，唯周官禮注未有其師。 窺見太常韋逞母宋氏世學家女，傳其父業，得周官音義，今年八十，視聽無闕，自非此母無可以傳授後生。」 於是就宋氏家立講堂，置生員百二十人，隔絳紗幔而受業，號宋氏為宣文君，賜侍婢十人。 周官學復行于世，時稱韋氏宋母焉。
Wei Cheng's mother Lady Song—unknown prefecture, scholarly clan. Motherless girl raised by her father. He taught her Zhou ritual glosses: generations had guarded this Zhou king scripture covering governance and ritual. With no sons he entrusted her to preserve the lineage's Zhou learning. Through wars she kept chanting the classics. Shi Hu exiled them east; she carted her father's Zhou texts on her back until Cheng Anshou of Jiaodong harbored them. She chopped fuel by day, tutored Wei Cheng by night, never skipping weaving. Cheng marveled that pedigreed scholars rarely matched her. Wei Cheng mastered learning, joined Fu Jian as Minister of Ceremonies. Fu Jian toured the academy, quizzed doctors, mourned broken ritual. Doctor Lu Kan reported that Zhou ritual commentary still lacked a qualified teacher. Only Lady Song, eighty and sharp, could teach Rites of Zhou. Fu Jian opened a crimson-screen lecture hall at her door with 120 students and titled her Lady Xuanwen. Zhou offices scholarship revived; people called her Mother Song Wei.
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張天錫妾閻氏、薛氏
Lady Yan and Lady Xue, concubines of Zhang Tianxi
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張天錫妾閻氏、薛氏，並不知何許人也，咸有寵於天錫。 天錫寢疾，謂之曰：「汝二人將何以報我？ 吾死後，豈可為人妻乎！」 皆曰：「尊若不諱，妾請效死，供灑掃地下，誓無他志。」 及其疾篤，二姬皆自刎。 天錫疾瘳，追悼之，以夫人禮葬焉。
Zhang Tianxi's favored concubines Yan and Xue—origins unknown. Dying, Zhang Tianxi asked how they would repay his love. After his death they must never remarry. They vowed to die with him and sweep his tomb below. As he sank both slit their throats. He survived and buried them as wives.
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苻堅妾張氏
Lady Zhang, concubine of Fu Jian
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苻堅妾張氏，不知何許人，明辯有才識。 堅將入寇江左，群臣切諫不從。 張氏進曰：「妾聞天地之生萬物，聖王之馭天下，莫不順其性而暢之，故黃帝服牛乘馬，因其性也，禹鑿龍門，決洪河，因水之勢也； 后稷之播殖百穀，因地之氣也； 湯武之滅夏商，因人之欲也。 是以有因成，無因敗。 今朝臣上下皆言不可，陛下復何所因也？ 書曰：'天聰明自我民聰明。 '天猶若此，況於人主乎！ 妾聞人君有伐國之志者，必上觀乾象，下采眾祥。 天道崇遠，非妾所知。 以人事言之，未見其可。 諺言：「雞夜鳴者不利行師，犬群唕者宮室必空，兵動馬驚，軍敗不歸。」 秋冬已來，每夜群犬大嗥，眾雞夜鳴，伏聞廄馬驚逸，武庫兵器有聲，吉凶之理，誠非微妾所論，願陛下詳而思之。」 堅曰：「軍旅之事非婦人所豫也。」 遂興兵。 張氏請從。 堅是大敗于壽春，張氏乃自殺。
Fu Jian's concubine Lady Zhang—eloquent and wise. Fu Jian planned southern invasion despite court protests. She lectured on working with nature—Yellow Emperor tamed beasts, Yu dredged rivers. Houji planted grain following soil's breath. Tang and Wu ended Xia and Shang by harnessing popular will. Success follows alignment; disaster follows its lack. If every minister opposed invasion, what grounds remained? The Book says heaven hears through the people's ears. If heaven listens so, what of emperors? Conquerors read stars and omens. She disclaimed astronomy. Human signs looked ill. Omens listed crowing flocks, howling dogs, stampeding stable horses. Since autumn dogs howled, roosters crowed at night, horses fled armories—she begged reflection. Fu Jian dismissed warfare as no woman's affair. He invaded anyway. Lady Zhang followed the host. After Shouchun disaster she killed herself.
67
竇滔妻蘇氏
Lady Su, wife of Dou Tao
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竇滔妻蘇氏，始平人也，名蕙，字若蘭，善屬文。 滔苻堅時為秦州刺史，被徙流沙，蘇氏思之，織錦為回文旋圖詩以贈滔。 宛轉迴圈以讀之，詞甚淒惋，凡八百四十字，文多不錄。
Dou Tao's wife Su Hui of Shiping—literary fame. Banished to the desert, she wove reversible brocade verse for Dou Tao. Eight hundred forty characters read in cycles—too long to quote.
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苻登妻毛氏
Lady Mao, wife of Fu Deng
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苻登妻毛氏，不知何許人，壯勇善騎射。 登為姚萇所襲，營壘既陷，毛氏猶彎弓跨馬，率壯士數百人，與萇交戰，殺傷甚眾。 眾寡不敵，為萇所執。 萇欲納之，毛氏罵曰：「吾天子-{后}-，豈為賊羌所辱，何不速殺我！」 因仰天大哭曰：「姚萇無道，前害天子，今辱皇后，皇天后土，寧不鑒照！」 萇怒，殺之。
Fu Deng's queen Lady Mao—warrior archer. When Yao Chang stormed Fu Deng's camp she rode with bow, charging hundreds. Numbers overcame her; Yao Chang seized her. Yao Chang meant to rape her; she screamed she was empress of heaven's son, not Qiang chattel. She howled that Yao Chang slew her emperor and now shamed the queen—heaven must see. Yao Chang executed her.
71
慕容垂妻段元妃
Duan Yuanfei, wife of Murong Chui
72
慕容垂妻段氏，字元妃，偽右光祿大夫儀之女也。 少而婉慧，有志操，常謂妹季妃曰：「我終不作凡人妻。」 季妃亦曰：「妹亦不為庸夫婦。」 鄰人聞而笑之。 垂之稱燕王，納元妃為繼室，遂有殊寵。 偽范陽王德亦娉季妃焉。 姊妹俱為垂、德之妻，卒如其志。 垂既僭位，拜為皇后。
Murong Chui's wife Lady Duan Yuanfei—daughter of minister Duan Yi. She swore to her sister Duke Ji she would never marry a mediocrity. Her sister vowed the same. Neighbors mocked their boasts. Murong Chui's Yan kingship made Lady Duan his queen-to-be with singular favor. Murong De wed the younger sister. Both sisters wed Murong brothers as promised. When he took the throne she became empress.
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垂立其子寶為太子也，元妃謂垂曰：「太子姿質雍容，柔而不斷，承平則為仁明之主，處難則非濟世之雄，陛下托之以大業，妾未見克昌之美。 遼西、高陽二王，陛下兒之賢者，宜擇一以樹之。 趙王麟奸詐負氣，常有輕太子之心，陛下一旦不諱，必有難作。 此陛下之家事，宜深圖之。」 垂不納。 寶及麟聞之，深以為恨。 其后元妃又言之，垂曰：「汝欲使我為晉獻公乎？」 元妃泣而退，告季妃曰：「太子不令，群下所知，而主上比吾為驪戎之女，何其苦哉！ 主上百年之後，太子必亡社稷。 范陽王有非常器度，若燕祚未終，其在王乎！」
She warned Murong Chui that crown prince Murong Bao was soft—in crisis he could not save Yan. She urged choosing between the worthy Liaoxi or Gaoyang princes. Prince Zhao Murong Lin schemed against the heir—succession would spark coup. She begged deep dynastic planning. Murong Chui ignored her. Murong Bao and Murong Lin nursed hatred. When she repeated her warning he compared her to Jin's vicious concubine. She wept that Chui likened her to evil favorites though Bao was known weak. After his death Bao would doom Yan. Lady Duan predicted Prince Murong De might salvage Yan.
74
垂死，寶嗣偽位，遣麟逼元妃曰：「-{后}-常謂主上不能嗣守大統，今竟何如？ 宜早自裁，以全段氏。」 元妃怒曰：「汝兄弟尚逼殺母，安能保守社稷！ 吾豈惜死，念國滅不久耳。」 遂自殺。 寶議以元妃謀廢嫡統，無母后之道，不宜成喪，群下咸以為然。 偽中書令眭邃大言於朝曰：「子無廢母之義，漢之安思閻-{后}-親廢順帝，猶配饗安皇，先后言虛實尚未可知，宜依閻-{后}-故事。」 寶從之。 其後麟果作亂，寶亦被殺，德后僭稱尊號，終如元妃之言。
Murong Bao succeeded; Murong Lin bullied her—had she not doubted him? Lin ordered suicide to save her clan. She retorted that fratricidal sons could not hold Yan. She welcomed death mourning Yan's fall. She took her life. Murong Bao refused her funeral as unwomanly regicide plotter—court agreed. Su Sui cited Han Empress Yan who deposed Shun yet kept sacrifice—demanding Lady Duan receive rites. Murong Bao conceded proper burial. Murong Lin rebelled, Murong Bao died, Murong De's queen seized style—as she predicted.
75
段豐妻慕容氏
Lady Murong, wife of Duan Feng
76
段豐妻慕容氏，德之女也。 有才慧，善書史，能鼓琴，德既僭位，署為平原公主。 年十四，適於豐。 豐為人所譖，被殺，慕容氏寡歸，將改適偽壽光公餘熾。 慕容氏謂侍婢曰：「我聞忠臣不事二君，貞女不更二夫。 段氏既遭無辜，己不能同死，豈復有心於重行哉！ 今主上不顧禮義嫁我，若不從，則違嚴君之命矣。」 於是克日交禮。 慕容氏姿容婉麗，服飾光華，熾睹之甚喜。 經再宿，慕容氏偽辭以疾，熾亦不之逼。 三日還第，沐浴置酒，言笑自若，至夕，密書其裙帶云：「死後當埋我于段氏墓側，若魂魄有知，當歸彼矣。」 遂於浴室自縊而死。 及葬，男女觀者數萬人，莫不歎息曰：「貞哉公主！」 路經餘熾宅前，熾聞輓歌之聲，慟絕良久。
Duan Feng's wife was Murong De's daughter. Learned musician—Murong De named her Princess of Pingyuan. She married Duan Feng at fourteen. Slander killed Duan Feng; Murong De's daughter faced forced marriage to Yu Chi. She told servants faithful wives never remarry. Duan wrongs had not let her die with her lord—she still scorned a second match. Murong Bao ignored propriety; refusal disobeyed her royal father. She fixed the ceremony date. She dazzled Yu Chi in splendid dress. Two nights she pled sickness—Yu Chi did not press her. Day three she banqueted calmly, then stitched her sash—bury her beside Duan Feng. She hanged herself in the bathroom. Crowds thronged her funeral praising the princess's fidelity. Yu Chi heard the lament outside his gate and collapsed.
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呂纂妻楊氏
Lady Yang, wife of Lü Zuan
78
呂纂妻楊氏，弘農人也。 美豔有義烈。 纂被呂超所殺，楊氏與侍婢十數人殯纂於城西。 將出宮，超慮齎珍物出外，使人搜之。 楊氏厲聲責超曰：「爾兄弟不能和睦，手刃相屠，我旦夕死人，何用金寶！」 超慚而退。 又問楊氏玉璽所在，楊氏怒曰：「盡毀之矣。」 超將妻之，謂其父桓曰：「后若自殺，禍及卿宗。」 桓以告楊氏，楊氏曰：「大人本賣女與氏以圖富貴，一之已甚，其可再乎！」 乃自殺。
Lü Zuan's wife Lady Yang of Hongnong. Beautiful and righteous. Lü Chao murdered Zuan; Lady Yang buried him west of town. Lü Chao strip-searched her for treasure. She scolded that feuding Lü brothers needed no gold from a dying woman. Lü Chao slunk away shamed. He demanded the seal; she swore it was smashed. Lü Chao threatened her father: suicide would doom the Yangs. She told father peddling her twice to the Lüs was unthinkable. She killed herself.
79
時呂紹妻張氏亦有操行，年十四，紹死，便請為尼。 呂隆見而悅之，欲穢其行，張氏曰：「欽樂至道，誓不受辱。」 遂升樓自投於地，二脛俱折，口誦佛經，俄然而死。
Lü Shao's widow Lady Zhang, fourteen, took vows. Lü Long lusted after her; she vowed the Dharma over shame. She leaped from a tower, broke both legs, chanted sutras, and died.
80
涼武昭王李玄盛后尹氏
Lady Yin, queen of Li Gao of Former Liang
81
涼武昭王李玄盛后尹氏，天水冀人也。 幼好學，清辯有志節。 初適扶風馬元正，元正卒，為玄盛繼室。 以再醮之故，三年不言。 撫前妻子逾于己生。 玄盛之創業也，謨謀經略多所毗贊，故西州諺曰：「李、尹王敦煌。」
Li Gao's queen Lady Yin of Ji in Tianshui. Scholarly, eloquent, principled. Widowed from Ma Yuanzheng, she married Li Gao as successor wife. Ashamed of remarriage she kept silence three years. She favored Li Gao's prior sons over her own issue. She shaped Li Gao's rise—westrons said Li and Yin ruled Dunhuang.
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及玄盛薨，子士業嗣位，尊為太后。 士業將攻沮渠蒙遜，尹氏謂士業曰：「汝新造之國，地狹人稀，靖以守之猶懼其失，云何輕舉，窺冀非望！ 蒙遜驍武，善用兵，汝非其敵。 吾觀其數年已來有並兼之志，且天時人事似欲歸之。 今國雖小，足以為政。 知足不辱，道家明誡也。 且先王臨薨，遺令殷勤，志令汝曹深慎兵戰，俟時而動。 言猶在耳，柰何忘之！ 不如勉修德政，蓄力以觀之。 彼若淫暴，人將歸汝； 汝苟德之不建，事之無日矣。 汝此行也，非唯師敗，國亦將亡。」 士業不從，果為蒙遜所滅。
Li Gao died; son Li Xin elevated her as empress dowager. She warned Xin that tiny Former Liang could ill afford Juqu Mengxun. Juqu Mengxun outclassed him militarily. Years of watching showed Mengxun's appetite for conquest. Small Liang could still rule itself. Daoists prized knowing enough. Li Gao's deathbed urged caution in war. His voice still echoed—why ignore it? Wait and build virtue. If Mengxun turned cruel subjects would flock to Xin. Without virtue no opening would appear. This march would doom army and state. Li Xin ignored her and Juqu Mengxun crushed him.
83
尹氏至姑臧，蒙遜引見勞之，對曰：「李氏為胡所滅，知復何言！」 或諫之曰：「母子命懸人手，柰何倨傲！ 且國敗子孫屠滅，何獨無悲？」 尹氏曰：「興滅死生，理之大分，何為同凡人之事，起兒女之悲！ 吾一婦人，不能死亡，豈憚斧鉞之禍，求為臣妾乎！ 若殺我者，吾之願矣。」 蒙遜嘉之，不誅，為子茂虔娉其女為妻。 及魏氏以武威公主妻茂虔，尹氏及女遷居酒泉。 既而女卒，撫之不哭，曰：「汝死晚矣！」 沮渠無諱時鎮酒泉，每謂尹氏曰：「后諸孫在伊吾，后能去不？」 尹氏未測其言，答曰：「子孫流漂，托身醜虜，老年餘命，當死於此，不能作氈裘鬼也。」 俄而潛奔伊吾，無諱遣騎追及之。 尹氏謂使者曰：」沮渠酒泉許我歸北，何故來追？ 汝可斬吾首歸，終不回矣。」 使者不敢逼而還。 年七十五，卒于伊吾。
Brought before Mengxun in Guzang she sneered that Li was gone. Advisors feared her pride endangered kin. They asked why she showed no sorrow. She replied rise and fall were cosmic pattern—not petty tears. She would not grovel to survive. Death would satisfy her. Mengxun spared her and wed his son Maoqian to her girl. Northern Wei gave Maoqian Princess Wuwei; Lady Yin moved to Jiuquan. When her daughter died she refused tears—you died too late. Juqu Wuhui asked whether she would join grandsons at Yiwu. She first refused to live as Hu hostage ghost. She fled toward Yiwu; Juqu Wuhui's riders caught her. She challenged Juqu's pledge to let her go north. Take her head—she would not turn back. They withdrew helpless. She died at seventy-five in Yiwu.
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【史論】
Historians' commentary
85
史臣曰：夫繁霜降節，彰勁心於後凋； 橫流在辰，表貞期於上德，匪伊尹子，抑亦婦人焉。 自晉政陵夷，罕樹風檢，虧閑爽操，相趨成俗，薦之以劉石，汩之以苻姚。 三月歌胡，唯見爭新之飾； 一朝辭漢，曾微戀舊之情。 馳騖風埃，脫落名教，頹縱忘反，於茲為極。 至若惠風之數喬屬，道韞之對孫恩，荀女釋急於重圍，張妻報怨于強寇，僭登之后，蹈死不回，偽纂之妃，捐生匪吝，宗辛抗情而致夭，王靳守節而就終，斯皆冥踐義途，匪因教至。 聳清漢之喬葉，有裕徽音； 振幽谷之貞蕤，無慚雅引，比夫懸梁靡顧，齒劍如歸，異日齊風，可以激揚千載矣。
Historians write: frost reveals last-evergreens. In chaotic ages fidelity shines—not only great ministers but women. Eastern Jin's collapse brought moral slack—barbarian dynasties hastened decadence. Frontier Hu fashions chased novelty. Leaving Han lands none looked back. People fled Confucian restraint into reckless abandon. Yet Wang Huifeng, Xie Daoyun, Xun Guan, Zhang Mao's widow, Fu Deng's warrior queen, Lü Zuan's Lady Yang, and others embodied virtue without awaiting sermons. They honor Han purity with glorious names. Their chastity rivals ancient rope-and-blade martyrs—future ages may thrill at their breeze.
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贊曰：從容陰禮，婉娩柔則。 載循六行，爰昭四德。 操潔風霜，譽流邦國。 彤管貽訓，清芬靡忒。
Encomium: Grace within women's rites. They walked the six feminine arts, lit the four virtues. Purity like frost; fame crossed realms. Their fragrance endures in women's histories.