The Turbulent Backdrop of Warring States Matchmaking

The late Warring States period (475-221 BCE) was an era of shifting alliances and ruthless power struggles among seven major kingdoms. Against this volatile backdrop, the marriage of Ying Yiren (later King Zhuangxiang of Qin) in Handan became a celebrated event among Zhao’s elite circles. However, beneath the surface of this political union lay a complex web of personal entanglements involving Lü Buwei, the merchant-turned-statesman who would later become Chancellor of Qin.

This was an age where marriages served as political instruments, particularly for exiled princes like Ying Yiren who lived as hostages in Zhao. The elaborate social codes governing relationships between merchants, nobility, and courtesans created intricate power dynamics. The famous courtesan houses like Changqing Lou maintained strict protocols about their women never becoming wives—a rule that would be dramatically broken in this extraordinary tale.

The Wedding Aftermath and a Life in the Balance

Following Ying Yiren’s nuptials, Lü Buwei retreated to his Canggu Valley estate in emotional turmoil. For two days, he remained secluded, neither eating nor conducting business—an uncharacteristic withdrawal for the famously shrewd merchant. His steward grew increasingly concerned and summoned the eccentric sage Mao Gong for counsel.

Meanwhile, in a secluded courtyard filled with summer blossoms and poplars, another drama unfolded. Chen Xuan (formerly known as Zhao Ji), the displaced princess from the destroyed Chen state, had lain motionless for six days in a chamber filled with white flowers—a symbolic suicide attempt through self-neglect. Mao Gong’s intervention proved pivotal; his ancient shamanistic chants calling wandering spirits back to earthly vessels miraculously revived her.

This scene reveals much about Warring States spirituality—the blending of Chu shamanism with Confucian ideals of purity. Chen Xuan’s white-themed chamber reflected both her royal background (white being the color of mourning for Zhou aristocracy) and her desire for an immaculate death.

The Merchant and the Princess: An Improbable Romance

When Lü Buwei finally confronted Chen Xuan, their exchange exposed multiple layers of Warring States social complexity:

1. The Changqing Lou Protocols: The elite courtesan house maintained strict rules preventing their women from becoming wives to avoid destabilizing powerful families.
2. Identity Erasure: Chen Xuan had already been replaced by another woman (Zhao Ji) in Ying Yiren’s marital arrangements—a common practice for political cover.
3. Statehood Trauma: As a Chen princess, her entire kingdom had been annihilated by Chu in 479 BCE, leaving her part of a displaced aristocracy.

Lü Buwei’s shocking solution—forcing intimacy despite her protests—must be understood within contemporary patriarchal norms. His subsequent marriage proposal broke multiple social taboos, particularly his willingness to elevate a courtesan to wife status.

A Wedding Unlike Any Other

Their simple ceremony contrasted sharply with Ying Yiren’s lavish affair:
– Only four attendees: Mao Gong, Xue Gong, the couple
– No music or grand celebrations
– Chen Xuan’s astonishing alcohol tolerance (downing six wine vessels consecutively) hinted at her noble training

The wedding night conversation revealed deeper political machinations. Lü Buwei confessed his original plan—using Chen Xuan to cure Ying Yiren’s lovesickness for another woman (Zhao Ji). This admission showcased the era’s complex interplay between personal relationships and statecraft.

The Political Storm on the Horizon

The arrival of a cryptic message—written in ancient Zhouwen script—signaled impending upheaval:
– The Qin crown prince had named an heir
– Urgent action required to return Ying Yiren to Qin

This development would eventually lead to:
1. Ying Yiren’s ascendance as King Zhuangxiang of Qin
2. Lü Buwei’s rise as Chancellor
3. The birth of Ying Zheng (future Qin Shi Huang)

Mao Gong’s skepticism about the message’s authenticity reflected the period’s intelligence challenges—unverifiable sources, ambiguous wording, and constant danger of interception.

Cultural Transformations and Lasting Legacies

This episode marked several significant developments:
– Social Mobility: A merchant breaking class barriers by marrying displaced nobility
– Gender Norms: A courtesan transitioning to respected wife status
– Political Strategy: The early groundwork for Qin’s eventual unification of China

Chen Xuan’s transformation from suicidal recluse to capable estate manager demonstrated remarkable resilience. Her efficient management of Canggu Valley—symbolized by the “red cloud” of her robes moving through the compound—mirrored the larger societal shifts occurring as Qin’s power grew.

Echoes Through History

The Lü Buwei-Chen Xuan union represents more than a personal romance—it encapsulates the Warring States period’s defining tensions:
– Identity vs. Pragmatism: Princess, courtesan, then merchant’s wife
– Personal Desire vs. State Necessity: Love entangled with political calculation
– Tradition vs. Innovation: Breaking social codes to forge new paths

Their story’s modern relevance lies in its exploration of how individuals navigate societal constraints during times of radical change—a theme as pertinent today as in third-century BCE China. The Canggu Valley household became a microcosm of the larger transformations that would eventually lead to China’s first imperial unification under the Qin dynasty.