Liu Chuyu

Liu Chuyu (劉楚玉) (died 465), often known by her title Princess Shanyin (山陰公主), although 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.[1]

Liu Chuyu
18th century depiction of Liu Chuyu
Born446
Died465 (aged 18–19)
SpouseHe Ji
FatherEmperor Xiaowu of Liu Song
MotherEmpress Wang Xianyuan

Life

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 appointed 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."[2]

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 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.

References
  1. Lily Xiao Hong Lee, Clara Lau, A.D. Stefanowska: Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: Antiquity Through Sui, 1600 B.C.E
  2. Robert Hans van Gulik: 中國古代房内考: A Preliminary Survey of Chinese Sex and Society from Ca ...
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