The four daughters of Empress Changsun were deeply favored by Li Shimin, but they did not live long
When it comes to Empress Changsun, we will think of her as Li Shimin's favorite wife, who gave birth to three sons for him and helped him ascend to the throne. However, Empress Changsun also gave birth to four daughters for Li Shimin, all of whom were deeply favored by Li Shimin.
But what makes people sigh is that the lives of these four princesses are not all smooth sailing, either they died early, or they encountered great disasters, which can be said to be a thin life. So, who are the four daughters of Empress Changsun? What are their life experiences? Why didn't they end well? Let's wait and see.
Changle princess Li Qi, Li Shimin's favorite eldest daughter.
In 623 AD, Empress Changsun gave birth to her eldest daughter, Li Xin, nicknamed Zhaoyang, who had the same name as Li Shimin, the king of Qin. This is the third child born to Empress Changsun and Li Shimin. Li Shimin was only the second prince of the Qin Palace, and he had not yet shown his unique talent. However, he had fallen in love with his wife, Empress Changsun, and liked her grace, generosity, and humility. They loved each other and lived very lovingly. Li Qian was born in such an environment.
After the Xuanwumen Rebellion in 634, Li Shimin ascended the throne, and at the age of 11, Li Qi was named Princess Changle. Traditionally, a princess has no name, and we can see her name, which means that she is very favored. Two years ago, Li Shimin usurped the throne, and for a while the whole country was paying attention to this sudden new emperor. Therefore, his wife, Empress Changsun, seized the opportunity and became the first noblewoman of the country. As the emperor's favorite eldest daughter, Princess Changle is naturally favored by everyone.
In 635 AD, Li Shimin betrothed the 11-year-old Li Qi Xu to Changsun Chong, the eldest son of the eldest grandson Wuji. Li Li's marriage was a major event in the imperial court. Li Shimin even wanted to surpass his mother's sister, the once-prominent Princess Yongjia, and gave generously twice, but was dissuaded by Prime Minister Wei Zheng. This fully reflects Li Shimin's love for his eldest daughter. Li Liqi is smart and clever, shares worries and solves problems for Li Shimin, and is often regarded as the pearl of Li Shimin's palm. At that time, Li Xin was only 11 years old, and the innocence of childhood had not faded, but at the same time, his mother's intelligence and generosity were not easy to detect.
In 644 AD, at the age of 22, Li Liqi helped Li Shimin intervene on behalf of his father-in-law, the eldest grandson, Wuji, to undo reforms that had destroyed the foundations of the Tang Dynasty. At this time, Li Liqi was already a mother and became Li Shimin's flesh and blood, but Li Shimin still had deep feelings for her. She is considerate and gentle as jade, and the eldest grandson Wuji has deep trust in her. He spoke for his father-in-law at this moment because he was grateful for Li Shimin's help. Li Shimin sometimes has difficulty seeing the overall situation, and Li Qi's advice helped Li Shimin clarify the direction.
But the good times didn't last long. In 645 AD, 23-year-old Li Liqi died of postpartum weakness shortly after giving birth to her first child. Li Shimin was grief-stricken and mourned for his beloved daughter for a month. He lived in seclusion all day long, temporarily away from the government. Li Liqi was the most favored daughter in Li Shimin's short life, but she was also the first daughter to leave him. Her sudden death made Li Shimin realize that imperial power is like the moon, like life and death, like the shadow of a lamp, and it is only temporary.
Princess Chengyang died of illness on the way home from attending a wedding.
Princess Chengyang is the second daughter of the eldest grandson queen, the year of birth is unknown, but she is kind and careful. At the beginning of Li Shimin's accession to the throne, in order to appease the soldiers, Princess Chengyang married Du Xiu, the son of the famous minister Du Ruhui, and the two lived very affectionately. Although Du Hui is kind, he is also a father and a son, and he refuses to let his father's power position be shaken.
When she was young, she married Du Chou, the son of Prime Minister Du Ruhui, and soon Du Chou was implicated in the rebellion of the crown prince Li Chenggan and was executed. The Tang Dynasty was the heyday of Chinese history, with thousands of beauties in the harem. Princess Chengyang is naturally favored because of her good looks and elegant temperament. She could have lived a life of luxury, but a sudden turn of events ruined her life. The young princess Chengyang was devastated as she watched her beloved husband die.
In 672, Princess Chengyang was involved in a witch case, and Li Zhi sent her and Xue Jiao to the remote Fangzhou. At this time, Princess Chengyang was in her prime. Li Zhi sent them away in a fit of rage, and Princess Chengyang blamed herself.
She realizes that what happened to her husband is her fault, that she must live and die with him, and that she cannot leave him alone. So, she decided to go to work with her husband. Not long after, both of them, who were still very young, died of illness. Grief-stricken, Li Zhi ordered them to be escorted to the capital for burial, and buried Princess Chengyang with the etiquette of an empress. It's a pity that Princess Chengyang didn't have time to enjoy her old age.
Li Mingda, the princess of Jinyang, was talented, but died young.
Princess Li Mingda of Jinyang is the third and youngest daughter of Empress Changsun and Li Shimin. She was intelligent, kind, and virtuous, so in 636 (when she was 12 years old), Li Shimin doted on her very much. It is said that she is most like her mother, Empress Changsun - calm, dignified, and gentle. Li Shimin initially admired the nobility and tranquility of Empress Changsun. Now that he has lost his beloved wife and sees the shadow of his mother looming in his daughter, Li Shimin has a lot of thoughts in his heart.
However, Empress Changsun has been dead for many years, and Mingda is still a child. Li Shimin cares for Mingda and regards it as a pearl in his palm. Mingda is sensitive and intelligent, and inherits his mother's gentle character. She blushed and said"I miss Mom. "She hugged her father tightly. Li Shimin stroked her soft hair, suppressing indescribable sadness.
Mingda has a gentle temperament, never loses his temper, and often helps Li Shimin. He inherited his mother's talent and was good at calligraphy, especially flying white style. Li Mingda's life was quiet and short. In 636 AD, Li Mingda, who was only 12 years old, died, and Li Shimin was deeply affected and guarded her for a whole month, as if he had lost the last shadow of the eldest grandson empress. Mingda could have grown into a talented woman and enjoyed all the wealth and glory, but she died on the spot in the Green Lantern Ancient Buddha.
Princess Xincheng has been married three times, unfortunately all three times.
Princess Xincheng was the youngest daughter of Empress Changsun, born in 622 AD, perhaps destined to be in the dark - she was the last child born to Empress Changsun and the last appendage of Li Shimin, who made an exception in 639 AD"Princess Hengshan", breaking the rule that the princess of the landscape is not allowed to give a name, it can be seen that she is favored. The 17-year-old princess of Xincheng is beautiful, intelligent, and loved.
In 641, Li Shimin betrothed the nine-year-old princess of Xincheng to Wei Shuyu, the son of the prime minister Wei Zheng. Three years later, Li Shimin canceled the marriage because he misunderstood Wei Zheng and framed him. At that time, the princess of Xincheng was still a little girl and had no concept of marriage, but Li Shimin wanted to find a good home for her beloved daughter. But Li Shimin wanted to find a good home for his beloved daughter, but his hopes were disappointed, and this first marriage was over.
In 649 AD, Li Shimin betrothed the 19-year-old princess of Xincheng to her cousin, Sun Wuji. Soon after the marriage, Li Zhi killed the eldest grandson Wuji. The princess of Xincheng is in pain, and the grief of losing her lover is beyond words. She washed her face with tears all day long and closed her door. Li Zhi was heartbroken and once again chose the mount of the princess of Xincheng - Wei Zhengru.
In 661, at the age of 29, he died of illness. Li Zhi was furious and killed Wei Zhengru's entire family. After several great changes in her life, Princess Xinsheng's tenacity cannot withstand the vicissitudes of fate. She has been through three marriages in her life, but none of them have been happy.
Why are they all living such miserable lives? Li Shimin's favor did not make them happy.
The four daughters of Empress Changsun are the pearls of Li Shimin and Li Zhi, and they are deeply loved. However, their lives have not been as smooth sailing as we imagined. Except for Princess Chengyang, who lived to middle age, the other three all died young. Princess Xuancheng married three times, and each time it ended in tragedy.
Some people say that because they are not fatal, they are dyed red. But as princesses, they should have avoided disaster and enjoyed fame and fortune. Li Shimin and Li Zhi should sympathize with them and take care of them for the rest of their lives. Therefore, fate can only take part of the blame.
A more important reason is that in ancient societies, even royal blood and extraordinary affection were not enough to change the fragile fate of women. As the tragedy of the three marriages of the princesses of the new city shows, they cannot escape the injuries suffered by women in ancient times. In that era when a thousand favors could not make the princess happy, how could an ordinary woman survive? Their tragedy is also the tragedy of ancient society. As daughters, they can enjoy all the glory and wealth, but as women, it is difficult for them to decide their own destiny.
Therefore, we must not only envy the glorious lives of the four daughters of the eldest grandson empress, but also reflect on the poison of the times they represent. Perhaps it is precisely because they are Li Shimin's heart that the arrangement of fate will be extremely cruel, and even the favor for them has become a curse. The historical lessons it contains deserve deep reflection by everyone.
After all, the feelings of the royal family could not resist the tide of the times and the fate of the individual. The story of these four princesses also calls us to examine the status of women in ancient societies. Their misfortune is also the misfortune of all women. Only when society progresses will the fate of the times be favorable to them.