Among the four beauties of ancient China, there is a name that is not as loud as Xi Shi, Wang Zhaojun and Diao Chan, but she is the first beauty of the Tang Dynasty, she is Li Bao'er, the princess of Anle. Although she is outstanding, she did not become one of the four beauties due to various reasons.
The story of Li Bao'er begins during the reign of Tang Zhongzong. She is the daughter of Li Xian, and by the time she was thirteen years old, she had already shown her beauty and intelligence. She married Wu Chongxun, and after his death, she married Wu Yanxiu. These scandals made her reputation bad, and she was resented by many for her domineering and reliance on her father's power.
Li Bao'er asked Zhongzong to make her the crown princess, and even interfered in court politics and bribed ** to seek a higher status. She lived a luxurious life, building a large number of civil works and seizing people's land and houses. Although she once dreamed of becoming the empress dowager, her father, Zhongzong Li Xian, was firmly opposed. In 710 AD, after the death of Zhongzong, Li Longji staged a coup d'état and killed Li Bao'er, the princess of Anle.
Princess Anle's fate is destined to be tragic. She was sentenced to death, beheaded and hung from a pole, and posthumously deposed as a "rebel". Although Li Dan issued an edict to bury her in accordance with the etiquette of the second grade after ascending the throne, the throne of the Tang Dynasty was obtained after all because of the killing of Wei, and the power of Princess Anle could not be supported and recognized.
Lee's beauty and talent do not make her one of the four beauties who have been widely acclaimed. Her reputation suffered, and her actions and desires put her in deep trouble, which eventually led to her tragic end.
However, we cannot ignore the existence and influence of Princess Anle Li Bao'er as a historical figure. Her story illustrates the complex political environment and the brutality of power struggles during the Tang Dynasty. Her beauty and ambition also serve as a reminder that no matter how beautiful she may be, she will not be able to earn lasting respect and honor without true character and intelligence.
The story of Anle Princess Li Bao'er is a regrettable and intriguing episode in ancient history. Her beauty and tragedy are unique in history, and they also make people think more deeply about power, beauty and destiny.
In ancient Chinese society, the status of women was often severely restricted. Despite her outstanding looks and talents, Princess An Le was criticized and killed for her private life and ambitions. At the same time, other ancient beauties, such as Xi Shi, Wang Zhaojun and Diao Chan, were praised in the history books as models of virtue that benefited the country and the nation.
This unjust standard reflected the inherent bias of society at the time regarding the role of women. Women are often expected to be submissive, chaste, and pure, in keeping with the traditional image of a "good wife and mother". For a princess, it is more important to fulfill her family responsibilities and act as a tool for political marriage, rather than pursuing her own personal interests and desires.
Princess Anle's fate exposes the double standards of society at the time for women's behavior. Men can pursue power and lust politically, but women are more restricted. Princess Anle aspires to be part of the center of power, hoping to change her fate through her beauty and ingenuity, but in the end she is brutally punished.