#Princess Pingyang

[city-of-ladies]

Women warriors in Chinese history - Part 1

“In the nomadic tribes of the foreign princesses from the Steppes northwest to the northeast of the Chinese borders, women habitually rode horses and were frequently also skilled militarily. They had to be able to survive on their own and defend themselves when their men left camp to herd animals for months on end. Thus, unsurprisingly, many daughters of nomadic and semi-nomadic tribal chiefs were also capable fighters. Madam Pan 潘夫人 of “barbarian origins” during the Wei dynasty, the semi-barbarian Princess Pingyang 平陽公主 who helped establish the Tang dynasty, and the “barbarian queen,” Empress Dowager Xiao, are historical examples of this category of female generals.

While the barbarians to the north were known as fan 番, those belonging to peripheral areas from the southwest to the southeast were known as man 蠻. Like the nomadic princesses, these women of non-Chinese or Chinese ethnic minority groups did not bind their feet and could thus become formidable opponents. Indeed, the female battle units within the Taiping 太平 rebel forces that actually entered combat – rather than merely providing labour as most of the female units did –were reportedly made up in the main of women from the Miao 苗 tribes, aside from the Hakka (Kejia 客家) women of Guangxi. 

Female bandit leaders or daughters and sisters of bandit leaders who occupied mountains or established strongholds in marginal lands are almost indistinguishable from the man barbarian princesses of tribal chieftains in novels and shadow plays. Such barbarian women generals and female bandit leaders were rarely privileged enough to be recorded by the historians. The three found most frequently, Madam Xi 洗夫人 (502– 557), Madam Washi 瓦氏夫人 (1498–1557),95 and Madam Xu 許夫人 (1271–1368), were all pro-Chinese. While the first two cooperated with the Chinese government, the third joined Chinese forces against the Mongols. A certain Zhejie 折節 or Shejie 蛇節, a female leader of the Miao tribe, also led a rebellion against Mongol troupes, but she eventually surrendered to them and was subsequently executed. 

Real enemies of the Chinese empire, such as the Trv’vy sisters of Vietnam, are hardly ever mentioned by the Chinese, even though they are first recorded in the Han dynastic history. Even under such circumstances, of the women commanders in Chinese history studied by Xiaolin Li, a hefty per cent were from “minor nationalities.”

Female rebel leaders and women warriors in rebel forces tended to rise from peasantry and marginal groups such as families of itinerant performers, robbers, boatmen, and hunters. Many of them are beautiful and charismatic. Most of the rebel groups were basically bandits (known as haohan 好漢, “bravos” euphemistically) – how else could they have survived without a continuous source of income? Many of the bandit groups, like the sworn brothers of the Water Margin, lived in mountains and marshlands, awaiting a chance to start or join in an uprising with the hope of gaining power and legitimacy through either pardon (when they posed too great a threat to the state) or founding a new dynasty. Many had sisters, wives, or daughters who were also capable of leading armies.”

Chinese shadow theatre: history, popular religion, and women warriors, Fan Pen Li Chen

[stiltonbasket]

Fanart for my fic Coming Down the Mountain for the Danmei Gotcha for Gaza! Art by Paperpomme on Twitter.

Or: what's a transmigrated villain Emperor to do when he finds out that the first and second female leads have fallen in love with each other instead of the protagonist?

(Luckily, the villain doesn't have to do anything! As it turns out, the protagonist is madly in love with him. (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧)

Find the rest of our Gotcha fills at @danmei-action, DanmeiAction on twitter, and in this collection on AO3! Prompts will remain open until August 31; click the Danmei Gotcha for Gaza link above to access the donation form.

[chinesehanfu]

[Hanfu · 漢服]Chinese Western Han (202 BC–9 AD) Traditional Clothing Hanfu Photoshoot

She is the emperor's sister, She is also the emperor's aunt.

【About Princess Guantao Liu Piao/馆陶公主刘嫖】 Princess Guantao, Liu Piao (born before 188 BCE—died before 116 BCE), was the daughter of Emperor Wen of Han and Empress Dou, and the sister of Emperor Jing of Han. She was granted the title of Princess Guantao, but after marrying Chen Mu of Tangyi(���邑)Marquis, she was also known as Princess Tangyi. As the aunt of Emperor Wu of Han, she was honored with the title of Dowager Dou(窦太主). Her daughter, Chen, became the first empress of Emperor Wu of Han.

Liu Piao's birth year is unknown, but her younger brother, Emperor Jing of Han (Liu Qi/刘启), was born in 188 BCE. At that time, their father, Emperor Wen of Han (Liu Heng/刘恒), was only fifteen years old and still a vassal king of han dynasty, so Liu Piao's birth year is unlikely to be later than 188 BCE. In September 180 BCE, Liu Heng was ushered to Chang'an and ascended the throne as Emperor Wen. A few months later, Liu Qi was made Crown Prince, Empress Dou was made appointed, and Liu Piao was given the title of Princess Guantao. During this period, Liu Piao married Chen Mu, Marquis of Tangyi, and they had at least two sons and one daughter. Chen Mu became the third-generation Marquis of Tangyi in the third year of Emperor Wen’s reign (177 BCE), but the exact date of Liu Piao's marriage to him is no longer verifiable.

During the Reign of Emperor Jing of Han(Princess's brother) Peirod

In 157 BCE, after Emperor Jing of Han ascended the throne, Princess Guantao Liu Piao continued to frequently visit the palace. With the favor of Dowager Dou and the indulgence of Emperor Jing, she became a significant figure in the Han court. During this time, her son Chen Jiao was granted the title of Marquis of Longlü because of his mother's status.

Liu Piao was adept at political maneuvering and used her daughter, Chen Shi（陈氏）, as a political pawn. Initially, she intended to marry Chen Shi to Crown Prince Liu Rong(刘荣), the son of Lady Li(Concubine). However, due to her frequent introduce of beautiful women to Emperor Jing, which caused deep conflict with Lady Li, this proposal was firmly rejected by her. Enraged, Liu Piao later sought a marriage alliance with Consort Wang, who agreed to the match. Through the combined efforts of Liu Piao and Consort Wang, Crown Prince Liu Rong was deposed and made the King of Linjiang in the seventh year of the Yuan era (150 BCE), and two years later, he was forced to death, with Lady Li also dying from grief.

Soon after, Consort Wang was made Empress, and her son, Liu Che（刘彻）, was established as Crown Prince and married Chen Shi（陈氏）.

During the Reign of Emperor Wu of Han(汉武帝)

In 141 BCE, after Emperor Wu of Han (Liu Che/刘彻) ascended the throne, Chen Shi was made Empress（陈氏）. As the granddaughter of Dowager Dou and the daughter of Princess Guantao Liu Piao, who had contributed to the appointment of Liu Che as Crown Prince, Chen Shi enjoyed significant favor. At this time, Princess Guantao Liu Piao had been elevated by the emperor and was honored with the title Dowager Dou(窦太主).

Later, Emperor Wu favored Wei Zifu(卫子夫), a singer from the residence of his sister, Princess Pingyang(平阳公主). This situation made Empress Chen extremely jealous, especially since she was childless and unable to conceive despite seeking medical help. Meanwhile, Wei Zifu(卫子夫) became pregnant. As a result, Empress Chen resorted to witchcraft, but Emperor Wu discovered her actions, leading to her deposition in the fifth year of the Yuan Guang era (130 BCE).

By 129 BCE, after the death of Dowager Dou Liu Piao's husband, Chen Mu, she was a woman in her sixty year old, living as a widow. At this time, she became infatuated with a handsome young man named Dong Yan(董偃). Dong Yan(董偃)'s mother had been a pearl seller, and from the age of thirteen, he had frequently visited the home of Dowager Dou Liu Piao. Known for his good looks, Dong Yan was summoned by Dowager Dou Liu Piao, who took him into her household, where he was educated and trained in various skills. At eighteen, Dong Yan served as Dowager Dou's attendant and also acted as her inner chamber servant. His gentle and kind nature, combined with their illicit relationship, led many to address him as “Lord Dong/董君.”

Later, Anling Yuan Shu(安陵爰叔) advised Dong Yan to suggest to Dowager Dou that she offer the Changmen Garden as a separate palace to Emperor Wu. Emperor Wu was pleased with this gesture and renamed the garden “Changmen Palace.” Dowager Dou, delighted with this outcome, rewarded Yuan Shu generously.

Subsequently, Anling Yuan Shu suggested that Dong Yan propose to Dowager Dou that she be ill and unable to see Emperor Wu. When Emperor Wu visited to inquire about her health, Dowager Dou expressed a desire to host him. After Dowager Dou recovered, Emperor Wu was invited to a banquet. During the event, Dowager Dou removed her jewelry, knelt to apologize to Emperor Wu, and then had Dong Yan do the same. Throughout the banquet, Dowager Dou and Dong Yan showed great respect and hospitality to Emperor Wu, who was very pleased. As a result, Dong Yan became highly favored and frequently participated in palace activities.

Han dynasty scholar-official DongFang Shuo(東方朔) was quite critical of Dong Yan, disapproving of his affair with the princess, which he felt undermined moral standards and distracted the ruler from his duties. Emperor Wu gradually distanced himself from Dong Yan, who fell out of favor and died in his thirties. After losing Dong Yan, Princess Guantao Liu Piao lived for several more years before her death. Her final wish was not to be buried with her husband, Chen Mu, but rather to be interred with her lover, Dong Yan, in Balin. This request is considered the beginning of more extravagant practices among princesses and noblewomen.

In the first year of the Yuanding era (116 BCE), her two sons, Chen Xu, Marquis of Tangyi, and Chen Jiao, Marquis of Longlü, committed suicide during their mother's mourning period due to their involvement in illicit affairs(with woman)and disputes over inheritance. The title of Marquis of Tangyi was abolished. A few years later, her daughter, the deposed Empress Chen Shi, also passed away.

In Chinese history, princesses were often unfortunate victims of political marriages and diplomatic alliances. However, there are also many fortunate examples, such as Princess Guantao. Unlike many others confined by the conservative constraints of a feudal empire, she lived a life of personal freedom and pursued her desires, breaking free from traditional limitations.

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[dangermousie]

Does anyone know when in the Tang Dynasty they set Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty?

It's post Gaozhu (because they talk about him as if he's dead) but other than that, when is it? (Or it is a nebulous fake ruler(s) during the period thing.)

PS Not related but I have just learned about Princess Pingyang, Emperor Gaozhu's general daughter who helped him overthrow the Sui Dynasty and I am in freaking love! censors will never let the drama about a dynasty overthrown pass now even if it's historical event* but I'd kill for a drama about her.

I felt nostalgic and rewatched the first ep of Gong/JPLH yesterday and it's WILD how they've tightened the screws since then! It's less than 15 years ago!

[mydaylight]

In ep 38, we found out that Nian Shilan's favourite play is "Niangzi Pass". Niangzi (娘子) means "Lady" and is a reference to the famous Princess Pingyang, the third daughter of the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Li Yuan. During the uprising of the Li family against the preceding Sui Dynasty, Princess Pingyang was personally credited with raising an army of 70000 which she led during the capture of Chang'an at her father's side. "Niangzi's Pass", was the name given to the location Princess Pingyang garrisoned with her army - called "Lady's Army" (娘子军). When she died, she was given the rare honour of a military funeral to pay tribute to her accomplishments. Considering Shilan's background as the sister of a distinguished military official and her temperament, it makes perfect sense she would admire and idolize Princess Pingyang.

[creativeafterdark]

Chapter 11 and 12

I'm really dropping the ball on these huh? Things are just crazy right now.

Chapter 11:

I don't have much to say about chapter 11. It was cool seeing the names of a bunch of folks that have come up in my reading on the Tang Dynasty. And I loved the idea of Grand Marshal Zhu essentially telling Taizong to gtfo.

Chapter 12:

I have a little more to say about this chapter!

I'm very relieved that the situation with Li Quan and his wife was handled quickly and without issue. The two were, in the grand scheme, innocent folks and giving them more grief would have been a pain, very bad karma for the Emperor.

(Learning about Taizong, I really hope that his sister Yuying wasn't supposed to be Princess Pingyang, because I've grown to really like that lady and this would be a slap in the face at how powerful she is as she helped her father to START the Tang Dynasty. I say that because I'm still looking into it but I have not found a Yuying in the list of his known siblings. And Pingyang is the ONLY full sister he has, as far as I am aware)

I'm also glad Taizong keep his promises in the underworld and gave back to the Xiang couple. Giving him credit, smart idea making a temple for them and honoring them that way. This temple ends up bringing Xuanzang into the fray and Taizong is super happy to have someone related to his officials in the temple.

And then comes Guanyin. With the cassock and staff, she gives Xuanzang the sacred mission and he makes his preparations for the journey. (I find it HILARIOUS that he says it'll be 3 years, at most 7).

The talk between Taizong and Xuanzang at the very end was, oddly enough, my favorite bit. It was a simple wish of good luck but I felt like it was literally an older brother telling his younger brother to remember his home. Funny as I've heard their relationship is very much NOT like this in real life but I did learn (and please feel free to correct me if I am mistaken) that Xuanzang had an older brother in real life. Perhaps it was a callback to it?

With this chapter, we begin the journey! Which means I need to get my butt moving on finishing the designs of our Pilgrims (minus Wukong).

@journeythroughjourneytothewest

All that said, I kinda think I'm going to be slow with updates, as folks probably noticed. Work is giving me insane hours, and I'm still dealing with burn out. I have a few things to try to get me back into the groove, so we'll see how this goes. I very much want to read the full text. That's the best I got for now.

Gotta prepare to start reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms and some Cthulhu mythos stories.

Later, pilgrims.

[craftercat]

What dynasty of your research do you think afforded women with the most freeedom

I'm going to go for the early Tang dynasty.

Xianbei culture did traditionally allow women more freedom than Han culture, but this freedom was seen by the Tuobas as a threat to their power. They introduced policies such as 子贵母死 which restricted the freedoms of women. However, the emperors didn't pass laws to restrict common women, so they likely retained their higher status, and only the elite women were restricted.

The Northern Wei dynasty did end up with Empress Dowager Feng and Empress Dowager Hu, but they succeeded in spite of Northern Wei's misogynistic policies.

The early Tang dynasty however had many influential women, such as Princess Pingyang, Empress Zhangsun, Wu Zetian, Princess Taiping, Empress Wei, Shangguan Wan'er and Princess Anle.

[eofaquitaine]

could not decide between which one of these but it’s finally on my dash again so i can reblog with my answers!

Maude Adams/Isabella of Parma/Ban Zhao

JC Leyendecker/Alan Turing/ Christina of Sweden/Artemisia Gentileschi

Voltaire/Renee Vivien/Charlotte Robespierre/Eleanor of Aquitaine/Princess Pingyang

Louis Antoine Saint Just/Marie Antoinette (ironic)

Maximilien Robespierre

Maria Theresa/Frederick the Great

Alexander the Great/Lady Zhou/Dante

Wu Zetian

[mistypurplespark]

Chapter 24: Sorcery

Chapter 24: Sorcery

"He must have really been driven to desperation."

Translator(s): Zryuu

“Where’s Feng Qianjun?” Xiang Shu rode onto the Official Road and led over ten thousand people to Ahfang Palace outside the city.

“Tuoba Yan sent someone to protect him!” Chen Xing said, “He’s very safe.”

A marble white colour appeared on the horizon. When day broke, the vast sky was still densely packed with dark clouds. The sun hid behind the clouds, and chilly winds blew everywhere. Xiang Shu rode onto a small hill and looked at the ancient Chang’an City -- a deathly atmosphere had already thoroughly permeated the city.

“I don’t understand why Feng Qianyi would choose to act at this kind of timing,” Chen Xing said, “He must have really been driven to desperation.”

“He wants to save Feng Qianjun,” Xiang Shu said, “Is that very difficult to comprehend?”

Chen Xing, “If that’s what he wanted to do, why throw Feng Dage into the mirror?”

Xiang Shu said, “He’s saving Feng Qianjun not out of brotherly affection, but because he wants to use him.”

“What does he want to use him for?” Chen Xing uttered in disbelief. When he was reminded by Xiang Shu, he instantly understood: once Feng Qianjun got possessed by resentment and was able to use the Senluo sabre, he would be able to display an extraordinary strength. The family heirloom that had been thoroughly refined with resentment would also become Feng Qianyi’s, the sorcerer's, greatest support. If it were to erupt, no one would be its

match.

Fortunately, they had saved him. Otherwise, if he had landed in Feng Qianyi’s hands, then it wouldn’t just be a simple matter of an outbreak of living corpses.

Thirty miles outside the western outskirts of Chang’an, in front of Ahfang Palance.

The west bank of Zaohe River was packed with Chang’an people who were fleeing for their lives with their families, and more people were arriving one after another. After the Great Qin’s imperial army experienced the sudden riot, they were quickly startled awake by the sudden event and assembled at the place where Fu Jian was located. The Northern Armoured Battalion was known for never losing a single war and now revealed the efficiency and discipline they had honed through their battles throughout the country. They gathered speedily under Fu Jian’s unparalleled prestige: the imperial guards were first, then the troops within the pass, and the cavalry from the various tribes came after. The generals took only six hours before they urged their horses to rush to the main hall of Ahfang Palace.

“What on earth happened?!” Murong Chui shouted. “Silence!” Tuoba Yan ordered loudly.

Fu Jian sat upright in the main hall and said, “This mattered occurred all of a sudden, there’s no time to explain in detail. How many men do we have?”

Each tribe reported their military strength. Fu Jian still has 300,000 troops under his command. Murong Chui said, “Yesterday morning, a letter was sent to the governor of Pingyang. They’re currently on their way here while leading 100,000 troops to serve the emperor and will arrive tomorrow morning.”

The governor of Pingyang was Murong Chong. A letter sent out early yesterday morning and taking 100,000 people along to set out -- Fu Jian knew very well that this action was obviously not to serve the emperor, but to bring the troops here to get even with him for his older sister, Princess Qinghe’s death.

Fortunately, Chen Xing’s narration of the events that had transpired finally made  Fu�� Jian  sense  that  the  Murong  family  was  being  slightly inappropriate. But looking at how Murong Chui and the others escaped in a flurry at night, they really didn’t seem to be accomplices. After all, if Princess Qinghe was colluding with Feng Qianyi, then they shouldn’t go so far as to kill the Murong family indiscriminately as well.

Fu Jian was filled with doubts but chose not to blow up because of this matter. He said in a low voice, “Take stock of kerosene in the palace and siege weapons. Each troop is to station themselves in advance, be prepared for my orders to retrieve Chang’an.”

“What on earth are those things?” Before the incident had occurred, Wang Ziye was having dinner when he was carried onto a carriage by the imperial guards in a hurry before fleeing. Civil and military officers throughout the city were suddenly met with such an unforeseen event; without their hair crowns and shoes, they appeared to cut quite a sorry figure and were in a state of terror and helplessness.

“The Great Chanyu has arrived——”

All of the civil and military officials became restless. Murong Chui pressed down on his sword.

“The one who’ll explain is here,” Fu Jian sighed and sat down, then answered, “Listen ba.”

Xiang Shu entered, his whole body covered in dust. His glance swept across the crowd, and he didn’t seem to care about Murong Chui at all. Chen Xing came in afterwards.

“What’s the situation?” Chen Xing saw that not a single sound was made in the hall and felt that something was wrong.

“We were waiting for you two.” Fu Jian said, “Speak ba, make it clear.”

Chen Xing glanced at Xiang Shu, who nodded as a signal for him to speak. Everyone in the main hall drew their swords in an instant. All of the generals of the Murong family were trembling slightly, as if they would

rush forward and try to stab Xiang Shu to death at the next moment to avenge Princess Qinghe. But Chen Xing, who was used to witnessing Xiang Shu’s skills, knew very well that as long as Fu Jian didn’t participate in the battle, then even if everyone here were to charge forth at the same time, they wouldn’t even be able to match up to even one of Xiang Shu’s fingers. This guy is truly way, too, strong!

“Where should I start?” Chen Xing was tired too. He walked to the steps in front of Fu Jian and sat down, then said to everyone in the hall, “I think the true perpetrator behind everything that happened is actually His Majesty, and everyone else present here can’t escape the blame either.”

A clamour was instantly erupted within the hall, and everyone  angrily denounced Chen Xing. After the crowd quieted down, Xiang Shu suddenly said, “The pitiful ones are the innocent people who died of unnatural causes because of your battles throughout the country, as well as your desire to do great things and be recognised for it.”

“Zhen’s achievements are unparalleled in the world!” Fu Jian said in an authoritative voice, “Only Qin Shihuang can stand on equal ground with Zhen. If Zhen had not recaptured the entire northern territory, only more people would have died today!”

Chen Xing retorted without giving him any face, “But how many people did you kill? Calculate it for yourself! Every time you wage a war, hundreds of thousands of people would die! How much hatred would that have released? How many mortals were reluctant to die? All their hatred and reluctance would wander around the world and converge into resentment, and it was from this that the chaos of the drought fiends arose……”

Chen Xing was now almost certain of the series of events that had transpired. He spoke with fervour and confidence in the hall, and from the fragments of events, he pieced together the entire process of the havoc wreaked by the living corpses that packed Chang’an—— in order to overthrow Fu Jian, the Feng family restrained their emotions for all these years. They bought the original site where the Exorcism Department had been located and rebuilt a new Xifeng Bank on Mt. Song.

While they were digging up the headquarters of the Exorcism Department and filling the canyon, the Feng family inadvertently found the Yin Yang Mirror left behind by their exorcist predecessors, as well as the method for controlling this magic weapon.

So in order to confront the ever expanding Qin State, Feng Qianyi turned deranged and let everything get out of hand. He began to find ways to transform people who died during wars into drought fiends, then absorbed the resentment in the world and used it to refine them. He refined the shadow warriors in the mirror world, as well as the general there, and waited for the right time before releasing this living corpse army from the mirror to overthrow Fu Jian.

“You provided him with his greatest strength,” Chen Xing, “As well as the most suitable materials.”

The palace suddenly fell silent.

“You still haven’t answered this yet,” Murong Chui said eerily with grief, “The Feng family was plotting a conspiracy, but why did they kill my niece? What does this have to do with Princess Qinghe?!”

Wang Ziye immediately interrupted and asked, “How did Feng Qianyi refine them into drought fiends? Does he have an innate familiarity with such secret arts?”

“It’s a kind of sorcery,” Chen Xing answered, “It was not recorded in the texts I’ve studied. As for the specific process, we can only obtain answers by asking him about it.”

Tuoba Yan said, “We now have very little information on our side; we don’t even know the military strength of our enemy. In view of the current situation, it shouldn’t be less than 200,000……”

In the midst of all these questions and answers, they had avoided Murong Chui’s query. No one wanted to mention how Princess Qinghe had participated in the rebellion conspiracy in front of Fu Jian, and they just wanted to get over it as soon as possible.

Fu Jian’s brows furrowed slightly, and he began observing the faces of the Murong family. Some people had already noticed this and revealed alarmed expressions -- looked like they really were unaware of what was happening.

Xiang Shu answered, “Preliminary estimates suggest that there are at least 300,000 living corpses.”

“So many drought fiends hid in just one mirror?” Wang Ziye uttered in disbelief, “Where on earth did he find it?”

Chen Xing answered “Yes. It was from this mirror, and it may have been found in the battlefield at the Central Plains. There aren’t a lot of living people in this world, but dead ones are still quite easy to find.”

Then Chen Xing held up the Yin Yang Mirror; a black vapour enshrouded the magic weapon in his hands as it gradually spun around in mid-air. Everyone got a fright and retreated one after another.

“Don’t worry,” Chen Xing said, “I’ve already recovered the magic treasure, and all the drought fiends have been released too. We can only wait for the right time to come, then find a suitable place to slowly release the resentment within the Yin Yang Mirror little by little and purify it. We’ll have to try our best not to touch it again within a short period of time.”

Wang Ziye said, “Since this little brother is an exorcist, then you must be able to purify this magic treasure.”

Yet Xiang Shu said in a low voice, “Even if he were to succeed, the magic weapon won’t be given to you to be used.”

Chen Xing was about to answer when he got interrupted by Xiang Shu and thought, don’t tell me you guys actually want this magic weapon?

Wang Ziye asked again, “Let’s put aside discussing the magic weapon for now. I’ll reiterate once more: since this little brother is an exorcist, then he should have an unusual way of dealing with that sorceror, Feng Qianyi?”

“No.” Chen Xing answered, “To be honest, after silence fell on all magic, exorcists of the world can no longer perform any kind of exorcism. At present, I’m the only exception, and my only strong point is that I’m able to

expel a little resentment in a limited manner, which is only good enough for self-defense. As for Feng Qianyi, what he’s using is the plentiful amount of resentment in the world; when one waxes, the other wanes, and his is even more savage.”

“If His Majesty isn’t willing to stop the fighting and killing as soon as possible,” Chen Xing continued, “Then today’s tragedy will surely repeat itself in the future. That’s all I have to say.”

Fu Jian looked very glum. Ever since Wang Meng died, this was the first time someone dared to denounce him in such a direct way, and what he poked at was Fu Jian’s sore spot as well. If they weren’t in such an unusual situation, then just these few sentences would have infuriated Fu Jian so much that he would have ordered for Chen Xing to be flogged fifty times on the spot.

Tuoba Yan mediated the situation once again as he said to Fu Jian, “Since we’re clear on the ins and outs of the situation, this servant would like to request for orders to kill our way back with the Great Chanyu and Chen Xing in order to apprehend Feng Qianyi!”

Fu Jian snapped out of his stupor. He pondered for a short moment and looked straight at Xiang Shu, while Xiang Shu raised an eyebrow at Fu Jian and answered, “Old den got messed up, this isn’t a joke.”

Fu Jian could only say, “The imperial guards will be assigned to you temporarily for you to manage. Great Chanyu, our grudges will be settled after this chaos is over. If anyone dares seeks revenge against you in the meantime, the offenders may be beheaded.”

The whole hall should have erupted into another uproar, but the Murong family seemed to have realised what had happened, so they all looked at Xiang Shu with hatred in their eyes one after another without saying a word.

“You can keep the imperial guards,” Xiang Shu said, “The two of us are enough to capture Feng Qianyi. Taking the soldiers back would just be sending them to their deaths.”

“How could Zhen be a coward who’s only interested in saving my own neck?!” Fu Jian said angrily, “Zhen can still fight! Wang Ziye! Issue an order to the three armies! Open up the armory!’

Xiang Shu and Chen Xing left the main hall. Chen Xing was preoccupied with his thoughts, but he suddenly heard something when he passed by Murong Chui.

“In order to stop the massacres of the world, little brother has been running around everywhere,” Murong Chui murmured, “You must have been worrying yourself to death. After our brief encounter in Xiangyang, we haven’t seen each other for a long time.”

Then Murong Chui took off his mask to reveal the scars left behind by burns. Chen Xing got a fright and suddenly remembered the time when he took Xiang Shu to escape from the city, and when his carriage filled with kerosene rushed into the governor’s manor, he had met face-to-face with Murong Chui!

Xiang Shu, however, blocked in front of Chen Xing almost imperceptibly.

“There’s no time to find trouble with you right now, Murong Chui, behave yourself a little in front of Guwang.” Xiang Shu said coldly.

Chen Xing’s state of mind was rather perturbed. Right after he left the hall, he knew that there were some matters that would be difficult to put to rest. Even if they could clear themselves of the accusations regarding Princess Qinghe, Murong Chui would not let him off.

Xiang Shu slapped Chen Xing on his back, and Chen Xing almost vomited out a mouthful of blood from how much he jolted.

“What are you doing?’

Xiang Shu mocked, “You’re afraid of Murong Chui?”

Chen Xing settled down and said to Tuoba Yan, “How is Feng Dage doing?”

Tuoba Yan motioned for Chen Xing to follow him. Feng Qianjun was safe now and was being confined in a side chamber halfway up a mountain of Ahfang Palace. When Chen Xing entered, both sides cried in surprise at the same time.

“That’s great, you’re alright.” Chen Xing said.

Feng Qianjun was exhausted. After hearing the story, he said, “This can’t be redeemed anymore, no matter what is done, but I’ll still have to go back and personally stop my Dage.”

Chen Xing sighed and looked at Xiang Shu for his opinion, yet Xiang Shu said, “Although the general overview has been sorted out, there are still a lot of doubts that remain a mystery. Feng Qianyi……where did he get the technique to transform ‘drought fiends’ from?”

Within the room, Xiang Shu, Tuoba Yan, Feng Qianjun, and Chen Xing sat down. When it came to this sort of situation, the more urgent it was, the calmer they needed to be. They must first find a way to deal with Feng Qianyi. Otherwise, if they were to return to the inner city of Chang’an recklessly, they would just be sending themselves there to get killed together.

Chen Xing naturally had nothing to fear. He had the protection of Iuppiter after all, so he had always been able to get through any daunting experiences without mishap. But this was by no means the case for Xiang Shu.

Chen Xing thought about it over and over, then said, “There shouldn’t be any methods for controlling resentment in the Exorcism Department or any sorcery arts for resurrecting the dead. I’m sure he didn’t dig it out from underground.”

“That is to say,” Feng Qianjun, “Dage learnt it from elsewhere.” Xiang Shu, “Perhaps someone had taught him such sorcery.”

Chen Xing interrupted, “Or he could have obtained some kind of secret scroll through a fortuitous opportunity.”

Xiang Shu asked Feng Qianjun, “Did that bastard usually have any strange friends?”

Feng Qianjun had been separated from his elder brother since he was a child, and they would only meet every two or three years when he went back to the capital occasionally. He knew almost nothing about what his elder brother usually did.

Feng Qianjun shook his head.

“Remember the sorcerer we bumped into on Mt. Longzhong?” Xiang Shu asked.

Chen Xing remembered now. At dusk yesterday, Feng Qianyi also wore a mask similar to the one the mysterious man wore then.

Tuoba Yan said, “Which means that there’s still someone orchestrating this behind the scenes.”

Xiang Shu nodded slightly and murmured, “And that person is very likely in the palace.”

Chen Xing said, “Could it be one of Princess Qinghe’s palace maids? Although I’m also doubtful of how on earth that mirror managed to get back into Feng Qianyi’s hands from the palace, that’s not the most pressing concern in the present situation.”

Yet Xiang Shu said, “No, that’s also very important.”

Tuoba Yan frowned slightly, so Chen Xing roughly described what had happened in Mt. Longzhong to him. The four of them started thinking and deducing and roughly put together a story that might be incomplete, but could sort of explain everything that had happened.

“Someone had mastered the sorcery of resurrecting corpses and creating drought fiends,” Feng Qianjun muttered, “Conferred it onto my Dage and convinced Princess Qinghe as well. At least for now, the princess, my Dage, and that mysterious man in Mt. Longzhong are all henchmen of this sorcerous organisation.”

Chen Xing instantly felt like he awoke from a dream. If it were put that way, it would make more sense! Feng Qianyi’s legs were immobile after all, and he stayed in the capital most of the time, so going around everywhere to gather resentment to refine the Yin Yang Mirror and transporting hundreds of thousands of living corpses into the mirror world was obviously not very logical.

But he could sort of sense that Xiang Shu left a lot of things unsaid. “Xiang Shu?” Chen Xing nudged Xiang Shu’s arm.

Xiang Shu shifted his gaze in an instant and stood slightly guarded as he looked at Chen Xing.

“If you know anything, just say it ba,” Feng Qianjun laughed bitterly, “Look at what my older brother has turned into, shouldn’t you say what has to be said?”

Xiang Shu pondered for a long time. He pondered for so long that Chen Xing was about to say, ‘never mind, never mind,’ before Xiang Shu finally began to recall.

“Five years ago, when I was fifteen,” Xiang Shu said,”A doctor named Kjera came from the Chi Le Covenant.”

Chen Xing, “……”

Chen Xing had a hunch that the truth regarding the greatest mystery revolving around Xiang Shu ever since he had gotten to know him was about to come to light.

[valkyries-things]

LI PINGYANG // PRINCESS OF CHINA

“She was the daughter of Li Yuan (later enthroned as Emperor Gaozu), the founding emperor of the Tang dynasty. She helped him seize power and eventually take over the throne from the Sui dynasty by organising an “Army of the Lady”, commanded by herself, in her campaign to capture the Sui capital Chang’an. In her own way, she was the first general of the Tang dynasty.”

[grand-theft-carbohydrates]

verdict: solid 8.5 on the GBS (girlboss scale)

ok i've been thinking about this all day and now im inflicting my thoughts on EVERYONE. not even putting it under a cut. this is a hostage situation no one leaves until i infodump.

what girlboss would be complete without the BFFs 5eva? you CANNOT mention An Lushan without also mentioning his partner in crime, the Ben to his Jerry, the Jay-Z to his Beyonce: Shi Siming. They were born just one day a part, fought on the frontiers together as young men, AND got equal billing for starting the bloodiest civil war in Chinese history! (its called the An-Shi Rebellion in Chinese!) now that's what I call #bestiegoals!

the Underdog: u cant help but root for him, in spite of the many, many, many atrocities. An Lushan had an absolutely bonkers rags to riches story. not only did he distinguished himself as a frontier commander of exceptional bravery, he also had incredible social intelligence and managed to play the Emperor like a goddamn fiddle. after he made himself Yang Guifei's adpoted son (despite only being one year younger than her) HE FUCKING REFUSED TO BOW TO THE EMPEROR FIRST (punishable by revoking your head privillages). what was his excuse? "oh in my Quaint Barbarian Culture (that u know nothing about) the son bows to the mother before the father" !!! ok!!! so this was such a BALLER move because a) it subtely showed off his "filial piety" e.g. he considers the emperor to be his own father (HUGE guesture of respect) b) his feigned ignorance paints himself as a pure-hearted buffoon with zero ulterior motives. his royal highness swallowed it hook, line and sinker and highly favoured him after that.

AND THATS NOT ALL!

he pulled the exact same trick again by refusing to bow to the crown prince! "oh im just an rustic country boob, idk what is a "crown prince."" and Mr Tang Emperor was like "wow UuU what an honest and trustworthy guy UuU im giving him ALL the gifts and indulgences UuU."

the absolute GALL. the 5D CHESS. my man was juggling matchsticks in a kerosene bath, tapdancing in a minefield and sticking his entire ass in a hornet's nest and he still kept winning!!!

he did ALL THAT and doesn't even come close to a 10/10 GBS. thats how stiff the Tang Dynasty Girlboss Competition is. tune in next time to hear my Very Normal and Subdued Opinions about Princess Pingyang and Emperor Wu Zetian (<- someone should really write an award-winning-YA-mecha-reimagining about her life. call it the "iron woman" or something. brb contacting my publisher!)

was an lushan a girlboss. discuss

[shangyangjunzhu]

gif request meme: favorite episode from the story of minglan - episode 33

the minister isn’t only angry at her for tainting the reputation of our family. he also hates her for deceiving him for so many years and he hates her further for not continuing her deception.

send me a number and a fandom i’ll make a gifset.

[arcticdementor]

On princesses and role models…

So, unpopular with certain sorts as it may be, even these days plenty of little girls wish to be a princess when they grow up. Well, it’s generally held that if you’re not born a princess, your only recourse to become one is to marry a prince — and there’s rather a dearth of eligible princes these days. Well, I’d like to point out that that isn’t the only path to princesshood, as our hypothetical little girl could also consider generally emulating the example of Princess Pingyang instead.

[royal-confessions]

“General Zhao, aka Princess Pingyang, led her own army to help her father capture Chang'an. And she probable did it while a teenager because she died in her 20s. China loves making historical dramas so why has no one made one about her yet???” - Submitted by Anonymous

[xiaosean]

Can I ask a question about the wolf that I have not been yet able to figure out myself and I don't really know who to ask? When it comes to princess Pingyuan, at least in the subs they just say that she's a princess of the previous dynasty. But which country's? Is it made more clear in Mandarin? Is she from Jin or Yang or somewhere else? Bc I'm very confused by her. Although I'm not through with the drama yet, maybe it's explained more later.

i don’t think they explicitly stated in the drama, but the previous dynasty would be the tang dynasty bc the drama takes place during the five dynasties and ten kingdoms period (五代十国) after the demise of the tang and before the song; also take the history in ‘the wolf’ with a grain of salt because it’s not entirely accurate 😅 but imo, the previous dynasty would be the tang dynasty (with princess pingyang) and the kingdom of chu would be the later liang dynasty in actual chinese history

[inky-duchess]

Court Archetypes: Princess

Princesses are why we love fantasy, am I right? They are the reason we get into fantasy at a young age. As children we are told stories of princesses being rescued by handsome princes from horrifying dragons and stepmothers. But this is childhood fantasy. Princesses are not clear cut and not all will have happy endings. There are types of princess.

The Classic

The Warrior

The Willful

The Tragic

Now, we may play fast and loose with the term princess here as there are so many we know much about. So any daughter of a ruling figure may be mentioned here.

The Classic

These princesses will fit the fairytale version perfectly. They will be beautiful, kind and good. They will be so sweet that everyone will love them. The Classic princess will most likely evolve into the Good Queen. Any of the stories told here have a simple pattern if you look closely. Beautiful youth, in danger and married happily. Of course this is not the full story and I advise you to read into each.

Princess Mary Rose Tudor, Duchess of Suffolk and Queen of France: Mary was the youngest daughter of Henry VII and the sister of Henry VIII. She was renowned as the most beautiful woman in Christendom and all the eligible men of the known world wanted to marry her. The highest bidder and eventual winner was the elderly King of France. Mary was married to him for some months before he died and was returned to England. Mary fell in love with the dashing friend of her brother, Charles Brandon and married him. Despite a few fines and threats, they lived happily together until Mary died.

Elizabeth of York: Elizabeth was daughter of a relatively new dynasty. She was the daughter of a love match between Elizabeth Woodville and Edward IV. Elizabeth was one of the most beautiful and learned princesses in the world at the time. When her family fell from grace, she lived in a dingy sanctuary beneath Westminster Abbey. There are RUMOURS (which I don't believe, cause I stan Richard III, fight me hoes) that her uncle planned to marry her but along came Henry VII across the sea to marry her and cast down her evil uncle. This story is highly stylized through Tudor propaganda. Much of it may not be so smooth and unfortunately, nobody bothered to ask Elizabeth how she felt about it all.

Cleopatra Selene, Princess of the Nile, Queen of Maurentia: Cleopatra Selene was the daughter of Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII. In her youth, her parents made the mistake of antagonizing the might of Rome. After her parents committed suicide, Cleopatra Selene was carried back to Rome to be raised by the new Emperor's sister and her stepmother. Her elder brother was murdered fleeing from Rome and her twin brother vanished (hem, hem, see: Murdered) Cleopatra Selene was married to another of Rome's wards, Juba of Maurentia. The two remained vassals to Rome and lived happily away ever after. Cleopatra Selene was renowned as a beautiful and well learned woman in the Ancient World.

Princess Elizabeth Windsor: Now, Queen Liz II of England, the princess was not always meant to be queen. She came to her new role as heir fairly young and at the beginnings of WWII. Elizabeth or Lilibet, was always mindful of her duty and place she would one day occupy. She served in WWII as a mechanic and found her prince in Prince Philip. They have been married for decades.

The Warrior

Some princesses are born outside the classical view of life. These princesses fight for what is theirs. Some may become bad queens and some will become good queens.

Caterina Sforza, Duchess de Forli: Caterina was the bastard daughter of the Duke of Milan. She received a very strange kind of education for a girl in those days. In those days, the Pope was a Spaniard who nobody liked much. Caterina was very much opposed to the Pope, so much that she rode at the head of an army while pregnant to oppose him. When trapped in her castle by the Pope's son, Cesere Borgia, he threatened to kill her children. Caterina flashed him and said that she had the means to make more. Sadly the castle fell and Cesere won.

Catalina of Aragon, Queen Catherine of England: Catalina was raised in an army camp in Spain whilst her parents fought the Moors. Here she learned the ways of battle and war, never shrinking from her duty. After she became queen, Catalina was left alone to run the country while her useless cock of a husband was playing at war in France. When the Scots encroached on England, Catalina rode forth and smashed them in a bloody battle that claimed the life of The King of Scots. Later on, Henry VIII was stated to say that he was afraid that she would raise arms against him and smash him in battle.

Princess Pingyang: Pingyang was the daughter of Li Yuan, founder the Tang dynasty. As her father rebelled to gain the throne, Pingyang raised an army to help her father rather than sit at home. Pingyang conquered Huxian County and destroyed two armies in Shaanxi. she was the first woman to ever be honoured Marshal.

The Willful

These princesses are not your pets. They will raise hell to get their chance of happiness. They are mostly heroes in their stories.

Christina of Denmark, Duchess of Milan: Christina was the daughter of Isabella of Austria and Christian II of Denmark. Despite one turbulent and strange childhood, Christina grew into a clever beauty. Her uncle the Spanish Emperor Charles V married her off to Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, a man 26 older than the twelve year old princess. Two years later her husband was dead and Christina was sent to the Netherlands. Henry VIII cane sniffing and Christina shut him down with a burn that he would never recover from, “If I had two heads, I would gladly give him one" Christina married the Duke of Lorraine and lived happily with him.

Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales: Diana is the Princess. The People's princess. Married to the Prince of Wales, Diana seemed to be living the dream. Her husband was in love with his mistress Camilla. After years of marriage, the two divorced. Diana became more outspoken and beloved. She championed numerous causes to support sufferers of HIV, hunger and walked through war zones to prove points. Diana defied the royals in a million different ways forcing them to change the way they approached the public and others. Diana was killed in a fatal car crash in Paris, still mourned by millions.

Princess Margaret Rose, Countess of Snowden: Margaret was the sister to present Queen of England, Elizabeth II. Renowned for being the more engaging and willful of the girls, Margaret was the OG wild child of the present royal families. Margaret fell in love with photographer Peter Townsend and sought to marry him. When the engagement was vetoed, Margaret was heartbroken. She married but it wasn't a marriage of love. Margaret continued to be the wild child even rumoured to have a romantic involvement with many notable stars of the day.

Julia the Elder: Julia was the daughter of Augustus, mother the heirs, Lucius and Gaius, and wife of future emperor, Tiberius. She was arrested for adultery and treason. She lost her husband and freedom and was exiled to an island to live with any men and wine.

The Tragic

Some princesses do not find their happily ever after. Some will die young or live horrid lives. Most of these princesses will not evolve into queens but remain trapped as princesses.

Charlotte, Princess of Wales: Charlotte was the only child of George IV and Queen Caroline, conceived quickly into their marriage. Her parents loved her but hated one another leading for an unbalanced kind of childhood. Charlotte was second in line to the throne. She was perhaps one of only members of the royal family that the public actually liked. Charlotte was seen as the only hope of the dynasty. A desired bride everywhere, Charlotte chose to marry a low German Prince, the future King Leopold II of Belgium. The couple fell madly in love and soon the princess was pregnant. Charlotte died delivering a son who also died. She was a queen who was meant to be but never was.

Olga, Tatiana, Marie, Anastasia Romanov, Grand Duchesses of Imperial Russia: The four beloved daughters of the Tsar of Russia and his wife. OTMA as they like to be known as, lived a privileged life in the palaces of Russia while many of their father's people starved. Olga was the eldest and said to be the most like her father, a thoughtful and deep young lady. Tatiana was the bossiest of the sisters and the most assertive. Marie was the kindest and gentlest. Anastasia was the wildest, most prone to joking than being a lady. When WWI came, Olga and Tatiana trained and worked as nurses in one of the many converted palaces of Russia. Marie and Anastasia often entertained the soldiers. The Bolshevik Revolution tore through Russia and soon, the royals were imprisoned. Taken to the basement of the ominously named House of Special Purpose in the dark of a summer night in 1918, the four girls and their family were gunned down and killed. Their bodies were destroyed in acid before being dumped. None survived.

Mary and Elizabeth Tudor, Bastard Princesses: Both daughters of Henry VIII, neither had a good run as princess. Mary was once called the Pearl of Henry's world but when her mother couldn't provide a male heir, she was casted off. Ripped away from her mother, she was put in the household of her new sister who was now the only princess of England. When Elizabeth's mother fell, she was stripped of her title and status. At one point she outgrew all her clothes and Henry did not replace them. Mary helped raise her sister and the two were close. When they were placed in the line of succession and their brother died, Mary became queen. Religion proved a divide. Mary's world had a dark and bloody end. She once imprisoned Elizabeth in the Tower under the threat of death. Elizabeth overcame her tragic princess phase and became the good queen.