The Tragic Tale of the Four Ancient Chinese Beauties: Unveiling the Lesser-Known Stories of Their Untimely Demises

Xishi

Xishi, the famed beauty of ancient China, was born as Thi Di Quang. During the Spring and Autumn period, she was the daughter of a woodcutter from Mount Zhu Jia in Jia Lan. Despite growing up in humble circumstances and dressing modestly, Xishi possessed an enchanting beauty that captivated all who beheld her. Her exquisite looks earned her a place among the Four Great Beauties of that era.

However, Xishi’s life took a tragic turn, as the ancients often said, “Great beauty brings sorrow.” Her exceptional beauty became a tool in the hands of Yue Wang Goujian in his dispute with Wu Wang Fu Chai, leading to a fateful twist of events.

In his scheme, Goujian offered Xishi to Fu Chai, who was easily captivated by her allure. Fu Chai indulged in a hedonistic lifestyle with Xishi, gradually neglecting his royal duties and losing his grip on power.

After years of meticulous preparation, Goujian initiated a revolt against Wu in 473 BC, leading to the downfall of the Wu dynasty. Yet, Xishi’s fate remains shrouded in mystery.

According to legends, she met a tragic end, drowning in the waters. Some believe that Fu Chai himself took her life, understanding that Xishi was the cause of his dynasty’s downfall. Conversely, there are also theories suggesting that Goujian ordered her death to prevent a repetition of Fu Chai’s fate, fearing that she might enchant and undo all that he had achieved.

Wang Zhaojun

Wang Zhaojun, one of ancient China’s renowned beauties, was blessed with breathtaking beauty and a keen intellect. She excelled in playing the pipa and mastered the four arts: music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Around 40 BC, during the reign of Han Yuan Di, Zhaojun was selected for the imperial harem, but during her time in the palace, she never had the opportunity to meet the Emperor and remained a mere concubine.

In 33 BC, following the Emperor’s order, she was married to Huhanye, the Chanyu of the Southern Xiongnu. Tragedy struck again in 31 BC when Huhanye passed away, and Zhaojun was forced to follow the Xiongnu custom of “wife succession,” becoming the concubine of his eldest son, Fuzhulei Ruodi.

The tragedy didn’t end there. After 11 years of marriage, her second husband also passed away, and she was once again forced to marry the eldest son of Fuzhulei, becoming the wife of Huhanye’s grandson. Unable to bear the pain and humiliation, Wang Zhaojun decided to end her life by consuming poison. She found her final resting place at Qingzhong, a place that bore witness to a life filled with sorrow and tragedy.

The circumstances of Zhaojun’s death remain shrouded in mystery, with various stories circulating. Some say she threw herself into the river at Yanmen Pass, while others claim she went to the Hu people, asking their Chanyu to punish the treacherous official Mao Yanshou before taking her own life by jumping into the river, hoping to return to her homeland in her dreams.

Throughout her life, happiness seemed elusive for Wang Zhaojun. Despite her beauty and talents, she never gained the Emperor’s favor. Due to the schemes of others, she was forced to leave her homeland and sacrifice her personal life for the sake of peace between two nations. Even though she bore two children with her new husband, Zhaojun lived a quiet and lonely life until her dying days in a foreign land.

Diaochan

Diaochan, the epitome of beauty and fragrance in ancient China, captivated all with her stunning looks and extraordinary intelligence. Historical records describe her as the adopted daughter of Wang Yun, who cherished and indulged her. During a time of national turmoil, when Dong Zhuo and Lü Bu held sway over the government, persecuting loyal ministers and indulging in decadent pleasures, Wang Yun and Diaochan bravely devised a plan to counter Dong Zhuo’s influence.

Wang Yun promised to marry Diaochan to Lü Bu but instead offered her to Dong Zhuo. She presented herself as a victim, weeping to Lü Bu that Dong Zhuo had taken her by force, while also appearing weak and vulnerable before Dong Zhuo, speaking of Lü Bu’s harassment. This deception fueled suspicion and rivalry between the two men, leading to a fateful confrontation where Lü Bu slew Dong Zhuo—a feat that eluded even the strongest warriors. Diaochan’s intelligence and manipulation had achieved what an army could not.

After Dong Zhuo’s death, Diaochan became Lü Bu’s concubine. However, her tragic fate continued to unfold as Lü Bu was defeated by Li Thôi, forcing her to follow Lü Bu to Xuzhou. When Lü Bu was killed by Cao Cao, Diaochan accompanied his followers to Xu Chang, and her story faded into silence.

Her disappearance from the historical record has spawned various legends. Some believe that after Guan Yu hid her, Cao Cao sent men to capture her, driving her to take her own life to escape her pursuers. Other accounts assert that, thanks to Guan Yu’s efforts, Diaochan returned to her homeland to live a peaceful life. There are also suggestions that she became a nun, living a secluded life.

Another theory suggests that Cao Cao, after subduing Lü Bu, presented Diaochan to Guan Yu while secretly plotting to give her to Liu Bei to create discord between the two generals. Upon learning of this scheme, Guan Yu decided to end Diaochan’s life.

To this day, Diaochan’s fate remains shrouded in mystery, leaving generations of historians and storytellers with unanswered questions and intriguing hypotheses. She stands as a symbol of intelligence and sacrifice during a tumultuous era.

Yang Guifei

Yang Guifei, born Yang Yuhuan, lived from 719 to 756 and was a prominent figure during the Tang dynasty. She was bestowed the title of Guifei (honored consort) by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang in 745. Not only was she renowned for her captivating beauty, but she was also exceptionally talented in singing and dancing, with a profound understanding of music theory, making her a rare gem among the countless concubines and beauties throughout Chinese imperial history.

The romance between Yang Guifei and Emperor Xuanzong is immortalized in the romantic and glamorous tales of the Tang dynasty’s zenith. However, the Emperor’s intense favoritism towards her is also believed to have contributed to the dynasty’s decline.

In 756, when An Lushan instigated a rebellion, Emperor Xuanzong fled the capital with Yang Guifei. Her departure was marked by sorrow and mystery. According to records in the New Book of Tang and Old Book of Tang, the Emperor, pressured by his generals, was forced to order the death of Yang Guifei to maintain their loyalty. Thus, he reluctantly commanded his men to take her life.

However, other legends suggest that she was killed by enemies during their escape or that she might have been sent to a distant place to live out her days in anonymity.

The exact circumstances of Yang Guifei’s death remain a historical enigma. Nonetheless, her tragic end, coupled with her exquisite beauty, has inspired countless literary and artistic works throughout Chinese history. The legend of Yang Guifei endures as a symbol of love and sacrifice during challenging times.