Liu Chuyu
Encyclopedia
Liu Chuyu (died 465), often known by her title Princess Shanyin (山陰公主) (even though her title at death was the greater title of Princess Kuaiji (會稽公主)), was a princess
of the Chinese
dynasty Liu Song, as the daughter of Emperor Xiaowu
.
Liu Chuyu was the oldest of six children of Emperor Xiaowu's wife Empress Wang Xianyuan
, although her birth date is not known. During her father's reign, her father created her the Princess Shanyin and married her to He Ji (何戢), the son of his official He Yan (何偃). After her father's death in 464, her younger brother, also by Empress Wang, Liu Ziye
became emperor (as Emperor Qianfei). She became one of the people who often attended him while he visited places outside the palace. On one occasion, she told him, "While our genders are different, we are born of the same father. However, you have more than 10,000 women in your palaces, and I only have one husband, and this is unfair." In response, Emperor Qianfei selected 30 young handsome men for her, calling them her mianshou (面首, literally meaning "prime faces"), for them to be her lovers. (From this point on in Chinese history, mianshou became a term for women's male lovers, often referring to lovers of honored women.) He also promoted her to the greater title of Princess Kuaiji.
However, Liu Chuyu was not content, and when she saw how Emperor Qianfei's mid-level official Chu Yuan
was young and handsome, she requested Emperor Qianfei to give her Chu as a lover. Emperor Qianfei agreed. However, even though Chu was ordered to attend her for more than 10 days, and she tempted him throughout that period, he refused to have sexual relations with her, and she released him.
In 465, after the violent and arbitrary Emperor Qianfei was assassinated by his attendant Shou Jizhi (壽寂之), his uncle Liu Yu
the Prince of Xiangdong became emperor (as Emperor Ming). Even before he actually took the throne, however, he issued an edict in the name of Liu Chuyu's grandmother Grand Empress Dowager Lu
, condemning her for her immorality and her other younger brother Liu Zishang (劉子尚) the Prince of Yuzhang of violence, ordering them both to commit suicide.
Princess
Princess is the feminine form of prince . Most often, the term has been used for the consort of a prince, or his daughters....
of the Chinese
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
dynasty Liu Song, as the daughter of Emperor Xiaowu
Emperor Xiaowu of Liu Song
Emperor Xiaowu of Liu Song , personal name Liu Jun , courtesy name Xiulong , nickname Daomin , was an emperor of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song. He was a son of Emperor Wen. After his older brother Liu Shao assassinated their father in 453 and took the throne, he rose in rebellion and overthrew Liu...
.
Liu Chuyu was the oldest of six children of Emperor Xiaowu's wife Empress Wang Xianyuan
Empress Wang Xianyuan
Empress Wang Xianyuan , formally Empress Wenmu , was an empress of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song. Her husband was Emperor Xiaowu .- Background :...
, although her birth date is not known. During her father's reign, her father created her the Princess Shanyin and married her to He Ji (何戢), the son of his official He Yan (何偃). After her father's death in 464, her younger brother, also by Empress Wang, Liu Ziye
Emperor Qianfei of Liu Song
Emperor Qianfei of Liu Song , personal name Liu Ziye , nickname Fashi , was an emperor of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song. His brief reign as a teenager was known for his violent and impulsive acts, including the slaughter of many high level officials and his sexually immoral behavior...
became emperor (as Emperor Qianfei). She became one of the people who often attended him while he visited places outside the palace. On one occasion, she told him, "While our genders are different, we are born of the same father. However, you have more than 10,000 women in your palaces, and I only have one husband, and this is unfair." In response, Emperor Qianfei selected 30 young handsome men for her, calling them her mianshou (面首, literally meaning "prime faces"), for them to be her lovers. (From this point on in Chinese history, mianshou became a term for women's male lovers, often referring to lovers of honored women.) He also promoted her to the greater title of Princess Kuaiji.
However, Liu Chuyu was not content, and when she saw how Emperor Qianfei's mid-level official Chu Yuan
Chu Yuan
Chu Yuan , courtesy name Yanhui , formally Duke Wenjian of Nankang , was a high level official of the Chinese dynasties Liu Song and Southern Qi.-Background:...
was young and handsome, she requested Emperor Qianfei to give her Chu as a lover. Emperor Qianfei agreed. However, even though Chu was ordered to attend her for more than 10 days, and she tempted him throughout that period, he refused to have sexual relations with her, and she released him.
In 465, after the violent and arbitrary Emperor Qianfei was assassinated by his attendant Shou Jizhi (壽寂之), his uncle Liu Yu
Emperor Ming of Liu Song
Emperor Ming of Liu Song , personal name Liu Yu , courtesy name Xiubing , nickname Rongqi , was an emperor of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song...
the Prince of Xiangdong became emperor (as Emperor Ming). Even before he actually took the throne, however, he issued an edict in the name of Liu Chuyu's grandmother Grand Empress Dowager Lu
Empress Dowager Lu Huinan
Empress Dowager Lu Huinan , formally Empress Dowager Zhao , semi-formally Empress Dowager Chongxian , was an empress dowager of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song...
, condemning her for her immorality and her other younger brother Liu Zishang (劉子尚) the Prince of Yuzhang of violence, ordering them both to commit suicide.