Eight Beauties of Qinhuai

In contrast to the women of the gentry, who were often discouraged from cultivating talent, lest it undermine their virtue as wives and mothers, the Yijis were educated in painting, poetry, and music.

[3] Also known as The Elegant Eight of River Qinhuai[1] and The Eight Great Courtesans of the Ming,[2] the Yijis were Ma Xianglan (馬湘蘭), Bian Yujing [zh] (卞玉京), Li Xiangjun (李香君), Liu Rushi (柳如是), Dong Xiaowan (董小宛), Gu Hengbo (顧橫波), Kou Baimen [zh] (寇白門) and Chen Yuanyuan (陳圓圓).

In order to maintain her reputation as an elite Yiji, she only allowed educated men or young student lords within her residence.

As Yiji matriarch, she befriended many poets and intellects such as Peng Nian (彭年; 1505–1566), Zhou Tianqiu (周天球; 1514–1595), Xu Wei (1521–1593), Xue Mingyi (薛明益; late 16th century), and Wang Zhideng (王穉登; 1535–1612).

[14] When Hou left to sit the imperial examinations (which he failed), Li waited for him and refused to perform for the inspector general of Huaiyang County.

[18] Already a noted poet and painter herself at this early age, she met Chen Zilong (陳子龍) in 1635 and lived with him for about a year, eventually leaving after his family disapproved of their liaison.

Another affair with Song Yuanwen, a government official, ended when his vacillations over marriage resulted in Liu smashing her lute and storming off in a fit of pique.

[18][19] Qian apparently believed her to be a man, but later in the year he had established her at a specially built hermitage in the grounds of his Suzhou estate, called the "According to Sutra Studio".

[16][19] Her affinity for cross-dressing persisted after they were married; she regularly wore men's clothing whilst in public and on occasion made calls on her husband's behalf whilst dressed in his Confucian robes (this affectation earned her the nickname rushi (儒士), "Confucian Gentleman", which also puns on her chosen name Rushi).

[21] Dong has been described as the famous Yiji of her time, known for her beauty and talent in singing, needlework and the tea ceremony.

[22] Similar to other Yijis of the late Ming Dynasty, Dong's moral qualities were emphasised among her admirers more than her talents.

In order to facilitate Dong's marriage, Qian Qianyi, husband of fellow Yiji Liu Rushi, paid off her debts of 3,000 gold taels and had her name struck from the musicians' register.

Soon after, the household moved to Zhejiang, where Dong compiled a book titled Liuyan Ji (流宴集) about jewellery, women's costumes, pavilions and parties.

[28] In her Tower Meilou in Qinhuai district in Nanjing, she hosted a famous literary salon, which counted Chen Liang, Qian Lucan and Mao Xiang [zh] among its guests.

[28] His openly demonstrated love for her attracted much attention during their time,[32] as it offended the norms of Confucian ideals, and her influence over him became legendary.

[34] Kou was a Yiji and when she was 18 or 19 her indenture was bought out by a high official, Zhu Guobi [zh] (朱國弼),[35] whom she married.

[35] Chen Yuanyuan (陳圓圓) was born to a peasant family in Jiangsu province, and on the death of her father, she became a Yiji.

[38] In April 1644, the rebel army of Li Zicheng captured the Ming capital of Beijing, and the Chongzhen Emperor committed suicide.