Introducing the 4 beauties of ancient China. Despite their name, what united them wasn't just their beauties but also their tragic ending because of their beauty. Well at least for the 3 of them, the last one is kinda debatable whether if her ending count as tragic.
First, in the top left corner is Diaochan, the lover of Lu Bu in Romance of the Three Kingdoms. She famously seduced the tyrant Dong Zhuo while being in love with Lu Bu. After Lu Bu was defeated, she was captured by Cao Cao, who attempted to use her beauty to sow discord among Liu Bei’s brothers. However, Guan Yu—recognizing the danger she posed—took Diaochan behind a shed and executed her.
In the top right is Yang Guifei, the favorite concubine of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. Many blamed her for the An Lushan Rebellion because she promoted her cousin, whose actions ultimately sparked the uprising. Despite his deep love for her, the Emperor ordered her execution after his court and guards begged him to do so to restore order
In the bottom left is Xi Shi. After her king was captured by a neighboring country, she was trained to be a master seductress to infiltrate enemy lines and save him. She succeeded not only in saving her king but also in causing the downfall of the neighboring country with her beauty. However, upon her return, the king she rescued ordered her death, fearing she might seduce him and lead him to the same ruinous end. In alternative, happier versions of the story, she fell in love with her handler; after her mission was complete, he took her and their child away from the palace to live a life of seclusion.
The last one is Wang Zhaojun, the only one whose story does not end in tragedy. She was a minor concubine waiting to be seen by the Emperor. However, because she refused to bribe a greedy court painter—who was tasked with illustrating the harem so the Emperor could choose favorites—he purposefully drew an ugly portrait of her. Consequently, the Emperor never paid her any attention. Years later, a Xiongnu prince visited and expressed a desire to marry a Han woman to strengthen the relationship between the two nations. Not wanting to lose his most beautiful women, the Emperor selected the woman with the worst portrait: Wang Zhaojun. When she appeared, the Emperor realized he had lost his most stunning concubine, while the prince was so overjoyed by the Emperor's perceived generosity that he offered an even better deal to the Han. Wang Zhaojun went on to live a happy, influential life in her husband’s homeland. The worst thing she faced was being unable to return home and, according to Xiongnu custom, having to marry her stepson after her husband’s death."
by Archaon0103
5 Comments
I believe with Diao Chan, there are multiple ways that her story ends, since unlike the other 3 she was made up purely for the Romance of the Three Kingdom’s novel rather than actually being a historical figure.
The version I actually heard of where she was killed by Guan Yu was actually that Zhang Fei got hold of her in the aftermath of Lu Bu’s death and showed her of to the other 2 in a sort of “hey guys look what I found” brag only for Guan Yu to immediately kill her due to everyone around her constantly feeling a desire to have her at the cost of betraying those around them.
There’s another where she becomes a nun after Lu Bu died to try and live a secluded life, but then Cao Cao got wind of her location and sent men to try and got hold of her in order to make her one of his concubines, but she then killed herself to prevent this.
Kinda sucked to be a woman in China, regardless of dynasty (or lack thereof), huh.
The last one’s kind of funny though. I wonder what the emperor thought of the painter after he discovered how she actually looked.
Your right one of them isn’t like others, Yang guifei is a literal anime girl !
I’m glad at least one of these stories had a good ending.
Not on the list but Bao Si, Daji and Zhao Feiyan who were considered for an extra spot also met their tragic ends.