Princess Ai Jiang was the wife of Duke Zhuang of Lu. She has often been described as “proud, lustful, corrupt, evil, and perverse.”[1] She has been known for her love affair and for trying to murder her husband’s children.[2] Despite her evil actions, her stepson was merciful towards her, especially after her death. He even forgave her ruthless actions. Despite his mercy, Princess Ai Jiang will be remembered as one of China’s most “depraved women.”[3]
Princess Ai Jiang was born during the Spring and Autumn period, which lasted from 771 to 453 B.C.E. During this period, Chinese states were declaring their own independence from the ruling Zhou Dynasty to form their own dynasties.[4] Princess Ai Jiang’s exact birthdate is unknown. She was a Princess of the State of Qi.[5] Her first name means “sorrowful.”[6] She was the daughter of Duke Xiang of Qi. She did have a younger sister named Princess Shu Jiang, which means “third-born daughter”[7].
In 670 B.C.E., Princess Ai Jiang was married to Duke Zhuang of Lu. Duke Zhuang of Lu was Princess Ai Jiang’s first cousin.[8] His mother was Princess Wen Jiang, who was Princess Ai Jiang’s aunt.[9] It also meant that Duke Zhuang was marrying the daughter of the man who killed his father.[10] The marriage was arranged three years before, in 673 B.C.E. One historical source stated that Princess Ai Jiang already had frequent illicit liaisons with her future husband before she went to Lu.[11] Princess Ai Jiang was accompanied by her younger sister, Princess Shu Jiang.[12] Princess Ai Jiang married Duke Zhuang of Lu. She became the Duchess of Lu. Princess Shu Jiang became Duke Zhuang’s concubine.
Even though Duchess Ai Jiang was married to Duke Zhuang for a long time, she failed to produce children.[13] Her sister already had a son named Prince Qi (the future Duke Min of Lu).[14] Duchess Ai Jiang wanted to make Prince Qi the heir apparent.[15] However, he already had an heir apparent named Prince Ban. She turned to her brother-in-law, Prince Qingfu, for help.[16] Prince Qingfu was very handsome, and Duchess Ai Jiang was very attracted to him.[17] She became his lover. However, when Duke Zhuang of Lu discovered the affair, he was enraged.[18] Duchess Ai Jiang had to flee Lu.[19]
In 662 B.C.E., Duke Zhuang of Lu died. This allowed Prince Qingfu to make Duchess Ai Jiang’s wishes come true.[20] He killed the heir apparent and made Prince Qi the new Duke.[21] He became Duke Min of Lu. Duke Min of Lu allowed Duchess Ai Jiang to return to Lu.[22] She continued her affair with Prince Qingfu.[23] However, Prince Qingfu wanted to become the Duke of Lu instead.[24] Duchess Ai Jiang decided to support him.[25] They plotted to assassinate Duke Min of Lu.[26] When the assassination plot was discovered, Duchess Ai Jiang fled to Zhu.[27] Prince Qingfu fled to Qu, where he later committed suicide.[28]
In 659 B.C.E., Duke Huan of Qi decided to intervene in the state affairs of Lu.[29] He made Duke Zhuang Liu’s son from another concubine, Prince Shen, the Duke instead.[30] He became Duke Xi of Lu. Then, Duke Huan ordered Duchess Ai Jiang to be assassinated.[31] The army of Qi caught Duchess Ai Jiang and killed her. They took her body back to Qi. However, Duke Xi requested Duchess Ai Jiang’s body to be sent back to Lu.[32] They buried her there with honours befitting a Duchess.[33] In 652 B.C.E., Duchess Ai Jiang’s ancestral tablet was placed in the Grand Temple.[34]
Many chroniclers have often viewed Princess Ai Jiang’s murder as “too severe.”[35] They believed that she should have been dealt with by Duke Xi of Lu rather than Duke Huan of Qi.[36] Princess Ai Jiang committed many treacherous acts. Yet, Duke Xi was very merciful to her. He buried her with the honours of a Duchess and honoured her by placing her tablet in the temple. Even though Duke Xi forgave her, history has not. In the Biographies of Eminent Women, Princess Ai Jiang’s biography is categorised in the section of “Biographies of Pernicious and Depraved Women.”[37] Thus, Princess Ai Jiang will always be remembered for her evil actions.[38]
Sources:
Cook, C.A. (2015). “Ai Jiang, Wife of Duke Zhuang of Lu”. Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: Antiquity Through Sui, 1600 B.C.E. – 618 C.E. (L. X. H. Lee, Ed.; A. D. Stefanowska, Ed.; S. Wiles, Ed.). NY: Routledge. p. 3.
Eno, R. (2010). 1.7. Spring and Autumn China (771-453). Indiana University, PDF.
Liu, X., Kinney, A. B. (2014). Exemplary Women of Early China: The Lienü Zhuan of Liu Xiang. United Kingdom: Columbia University Press.
[1] Cook, 2015, p. 3
[2] Cook, 2015
[3] Cook, 2015, p. 3
[4] Eno, 2010
[5] Cook, 2015
[6] Liu & Kinney, 2014, p. 264
[7] Liu & Kinney, 2014, p. 264
[8] Liu & Kinney, 2014
[9] Liu & Kinney, 2014
[10] Liu & Kinney, 2014
[11] Cook, 2015
[12] Cook, 2015
[13] Cook, 2015
[14] Cook, 2015
[15] Cook, 2015
[16] Cook, 2015
[17] Liu & Kinney, 2014
[18] Cook, 2015
[19] Cook, 2015
[20] Cook, 2015
[21] Cook, 2015
[22] Cook, 2015
[23] Cook, 2015
[24] Cook, 2015
[25] Cook, 2015
[26] Cook, 2015
[27] Cook, 2015
[28] Cook, 2015
[29] Cook, 2015
[30] Cook, 2015
[31] Cook, 2015
[32] Cook, 2015
[33] Cook, 2015
[34] Cook, 2015
[35] Cook, 2015, p. 3
[36] Cook, 2015
[37] Cook, 2015
[38] Cook, 2015
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