Following the fall of the Jin Dynasty, her family settled in Qiantang, using their gold, silver, and jewelry as capital to establish a successful business.

Su Xiaoxiao, being intelligent and keen, was greatly influenced by this heritage and learned to read and compose poetry from a young age.

Deeply attached to the natural beauty of the region, she led a tranquil life, spending her days exploring the mountains and rivers, composing poetry, and painting.

To support herself, Su Xiaoxiao worked as a courtesan, captivating audiences with her singing and forming friendships through her poetry.

Ruan Yu had been tasked with a mission in eastern Zhejiang and was passing through Hangzhou, taking the opportunity to visit West Lake.

Concerned for his father’s health, Su Xiaoxiao urged Ruan Yu to return home to care for him.

She spent her days in solitude, finding solace in poetry, wine, and the dim glow of a solitary lamp, as she mourned the loss of her love.

[6][7] After Ruan Yu left, Su Xiaoxiao fell gravely ill. Around this time, Meng Lang (孟浪), the observation envoy from Shangjiang, arrived in Qiantang on official business.

The county magistrate, who had a friendly relationship with Su Xiaoxiao, secretly advised her to apologize to Meng Lang to avoid deeper conflict with a high-ranking official.

On the appointed day, she visited Meng Lang’s residence dressed in simple, modest attire, appearing pale and frail.

[8] On one occasion, while burning incense at a temple, Su Xiaoxiao encountered Bao Ren (鲍仁), a poor scholar.

[9] Su Xiaoxiao succumbed to a terminal illness, leaving behind a legacy of beauty and talent with her untimely death.

[10] A woodcut of unknown origin, inspired by the short story Dreaming of Qiantang, was used to decorate porcelain objects[11] during the Ming and early Qing dynasties.

The story recounts how the scholar Sima Yu, while visiting Hangzhou, dreamt of Su Xiaoxiao being brought to his window by three gusts of wind to sing for him.

Su Xiaoxiao has also been a popular subject in Chinese theater, where her story has been retold and reimagined in various forms over the centuries.

Emperor Qianlong’s interest and visits elevated what might have been an ordinary act of commemoration into a ritual with symbolic significance.

As a result, Su Xiaoxiao’s tomb near West Lake became firmly embedded in collective memory and cultural heritage.

[12] Su Xiaoxiao's tomb was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, but it was rebuilt in 2004, with a new pavilion featuring twelve poetry posts, each handwritten by famous calligraphers.