Yang Yuhuan: her smile shamed all the beauties
Yang Yuhuan, conferred upon by Emperor Li longji with the title of Noble Imperial Concubine Yang, was one of the most beautiful ladies known in the ancient Chinese history. She, together with Xishi, Diaochan and Wangzhaojun, were generally looked upon as the Four Great Beauties of the ancient China.
Born in a petty official family, Yang Yuhuan was well known for her beauty. Li Mao, the 18th Prince of Emperor Li longji fell in love with her at the first sight and married her later.
The new-weds loved each other very much.
However, things began to change after Wuhuifei’s death (Wuhuifei is a beloved concubine of Li Longji). The sadness of Emperor Li longji was beyond words and he felt lonely even with 3000 youthful and beautiful Imperial Concubines. One day when he met Yuhuan, his daughter-in-law, for the first time at Huaqing Palace, he was fantastically astonished by her beauty. In the following years, with many preparations by Princess Yuzhen and Gaolishi, faithful servant of Emperor Li, Yuhuan left Li Mao and became a Female Taoist. Then, she was formally conferred as Noble Imperial Concubine by Emperor Li longji, which brought her family great luck. Her cousin, Yang Guozhong, made rapid advance in his career and finally became Prime Minister and Yang Family became more and more powerful.
Yang Yuhuan, however, had never intervened with Politics and she cared most for her love towards Emperor Li Longji. Her singing and dancing were well appreciated by Emperor Li Longji, who had a good taste of music. Emperor Li Longji spent most of his time with Yuhuan and paid little attention to politics. And they led a luxurious and comfortable life. They composed together the Chinese Classical Dunhuang Music, which is still very famous today. Day by day, their love deepened.Yuhuan was always the focus of attention. The other 3000 beautiful imperial concubine looked plain in front of her and her shape gradually became the standard of beauty of that time.
Something unexpected may happen any time. Politics of control through conciliation used by Emperor Li Longji fostered An Lushan’s overweening ambition (An Lushan was a high-ranking military officer). And the relationship between An Lushan and the sinister Prime Minister, Yang Guozhong, intensified gradually. In A.D.775, An Lushan led a revolt against Tang Dynasty, winning one success after another and was heading for the capital. Emperor Li Longji had no choice but to escape with Yuhuan. On their journey, Li Longji’s troops refused to advance any more in Maweibo. They killed Yang Guozhong and forced Emperor Li Longji to let Yuhuan die as well. Knowing the situation well, Yuhuan asked to be hanged herself. The two departed with a face bathed in tears.
However, the death of Yuhuan remains a mystery and there were many tales about it, among which one said that Yuhuan was saved by Zhang Guolao, who was a celestial being. Yuhuan acknowledged Zhang Guolao as her teacher and accompanied him to Zhongnanshan Mountain. Another tale said that Yuhuan was sent to Japan by Zhang Guolao and she led a peaceful life there.