Princess Chengyang (? – June 27, 671). The daughter of Emperor Taizong Li Shimin and Empress Changsun, the younger sister of Emperor Gaozong, the younger sister of Princess Changle Li Lizhi, and the aunt and mother-in-law of Princess Taiping. Her birth year is unknown.
Princess Chengyang was loved throughout her life and even received protection from the emperor’s brother when she grew up. During the reign of Emperor Zhenguan, he chose a husband for his beloved daughter. After numerous selections, Emperor Taizong of Tang ultimately chose Du He, the son of Du Ruhui, as the son-in-law of Princess Chengyang. Du Ruhui was one of the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion, ranking third. Like Fang Xuanling, he was also a right-hand man of Emperor Taizong of Tang. Due to marrying Princess Chengyang, Ye Duhe received a different kind of care and was appointed as the Duke of Xiangyang County and granted the title of Shangcheng Fengyu. It can be seen that Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty was very fond of Princess Chengyang.
After marriage, Du He never neglected Princess Chengyang, and his life was relatively smooth sailing. This marriage can also be considered a beautiful story, and as a confidant of Crown Prince Li Chengqian, Du He’s future can also be said to be bright. Unfortunately, this marriage only lasted for a few years. In the 17th year of the Zhenguan reign, Crown Prince Li Chengqian rebelled, and Du He vigorously incited the Crown Prince to rebel. After the rebellion ended, Du He was executed. Afterwards, Princess Chengyang was implicated and married for less than a few years before becoming a widow.
Because Princess Chengyang lost her husband at a young age, Emperor Taizong of Tang deeply felt sorry for his beloved daughter. Later, he chose Xue Guan, the son of Wei Wei Qing Xue Huaiyu, who came from the Xue family in Hedong, as her husband. This time, in order to ensure the success of his daughter’s new marriage, Emperor Taizong ordered a fortune teller to perform divination before Princess Chengyang surrendered. The result of divination is that the wedding of Princess Chengyang was held during the day. In the Tang Dynasty, weddings were usually held in the evening, and holding them during the day violated the etiquette. After hearing this, Emperor Taizong insisted on holding a grand wedding during the day, but this move was strongly prevented by the courtiers, and Emperor Taizong of Tang had to give up in the end.
After Princess Chengyang married Xue Guan, their relationship remained very good and was not affected in any way. Xue Guan is also recorded in history as having a very handsome appearance and talent. And they gave birth to three sons, the eldest son Xue Di, the second son Xue Xu, and the youngest son Xue Shao.
After Tang Gaozong ascended to the throne, he was also particularly friendly to Princess Chengyang, constantly rewarding her and enjoying the emperor’s favor.
In the second year of Longshuo (662 AD), Princess Chengyang ordered the summoning of Master Falang from Qinglong Temple to set up an altar for her to recite after falling ill. After recovering from her illness, Princess Chengyang not only rewarded the Zen master but also asked Emperor Gaozong to change Qinglong Temple into Guanyin Temple. Emperor Gaozong naturally agreed after hearing this.
In the early years of Linde’s reign, the Chengyang Princess witchcraft incident broke out. Tang Gaozong, who favored his sister, not only did not execute Chengyang Princess Chang according to the law, but also did not punish her, nor did he make a single word of accusation. He only demoted Xue Guan to the position of the governor of Fangzhou. On May 16th, the second year of Xianheng (671 AD), Princess Chengyang passed away in Fangzhou, and subsequently Xue Guan also passed away in Fangzhou. After hearing the bad news, Emperor Gaozong of Tang sent envoys and palace officials to Fangzhou to mourn the princess, and then buried Princess Chengyang with her in Zhaoling.
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