Princess Fukang

Posthumous name
	Zhuangxiao (庄孝）

Princess Fukang
福康公主
Princess Fukang; 福康公主
Born	1038
Died	1070 (aged 31–32)
Spouse	Li Wei
Posthumous name
Posthumous name
	Zhuangxiao (庄孝）
Clan	House of Zhao
Father	Emperor Renzong of Song
Mother	Consort Miao

Princess Fukang (Chinese: 福康公主), (1038 –1070) was a princess of the Song Dynasty. She was the eldest daughter of Emperor Renzong of Song.^[1]

Background

Princess Fukang received her title in 1038 CE, shortly after she was born.^[2] Her mother was Lady Miao, one of Emperor Renzong's concubines.^[2] Renzong was very fond of Fukang.^[1]

In 1056, she married Li Wei, her first cousin once removed, who was of a similar age. Li Wei was the son of Renzong’s uncle. The marriage happened because Renzong’s mother, Consort Li, died early, and he wanted to have more connections with his mother’s family, and to repay them. However, Princess Fukang did not have a happy marriage.^[3] Both Li Wei and his mother did not like her. They divorced briefly, and were forced to marry again.

According to legend, the deeply unhappy Princess Fukang confided in, and became close to, a eunuch court official named Liang Huaiji. Her husband's family was angered by this, and in response Emperor Renzong transferred Liang, appointing him as a guard of the imperial mausoleum. Distraught at being parted, Princess Fukang became mad.^[4]

Princess Fukang died in 1078, aged 33.^[4]^[3] Her posthumous name is Zhuangxiao (庄孝), which means wide and filial.

In popular culture

In the television series Serenade of Peaceful Joy, Princess Fukang had the name Zhao Huirou, and was played by five actors.

Adult: Ren Min (任敏)/ Teenager: He Sitian (何思甜)/ Pre-teen: Ren Feier (任飞儿)/ Child: Zheng Yuyi (张毓宜)/ Toddler: Su Yike (苏伊可)

References

^ ^a ^b Lily Xiao Hong Lee; Wiles, Sue (2015). "Zhao, Princess Supreme of Zhou and Chen States". Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women. Vol. 2. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781317515616.
^ ^a ^b 巩义市文物和旅游局; 赵玉安; 赵延利; 康孝本 (2013-09-01). 解读宋陵 (in Chinese). Beijing Book Co. Inc. ISBN 978-7-5349-6358-2.
^ ^a ^b 驸马传 (in Chinese). 河南人民出版社. 1994. ISBN 978-7-215-02615-5.
^ ^a ^b Huang, Kunfeng (2021-11-15). Illustrated Guide to 50 Masterpieces of Chinese Paintings. Shanghai Press. ISBN 978-1-938368-71-4.

[:0-1] Lily Xiao Hong Lee; Wiles, Sue (2015). "Zhao, Princess Supreme of Zhou and Chen States". Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women. Vol. 2. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781317515616.

[:1-2] 巩义市文物和旅游局; 赵玉安; 赵延利; 康孝本 (2013-09-01). 解读宋陵 (in Chinese). Beijing Book Co. Inc. ISBN 978-7-5349-6358-2.

[:2-3] 驸马传 (in Chinese). 河南人民出版社. 1994. ISBN 978-7-215-02615-5.

[:3-4] Huang, Kunfeng (2021-11-15). Illustrated Guide to 50 Masterpieces of Chinese Paintings. Shanghai Press. ISBN 978-1-938368-71-4.

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