Lady Sun - Biography

Biography

Younger sister of the founding emperor of Eastern Wu, Sun Quan, Lady Sun was the only known daughter of Sun Jian and Lady Wu. Sun Jian had two other daughters by consorts, older than Lady Sun, who were recorded in history. One daughter was married to Hong Zi and highly respected the abilities of Zhuge Jin. The other was borne by a Lady Chen, who was possibly a concubine of Sun Jian, and she married Pan Mi.

Although the personal name of Lady Sun (or any of her sisters) was not recorded in history, in legend, she was commonly referred to as "Sun Shangxiang". She was a woman of strong personality and this is shown in events throughout her life. The biography of Fa Zheng tells that she had the courage and energy of her brothers.

In the 12th lunar month of 209, she married Liu Bei as a part of an alliance between Sun Quan and Liu. At the time, Lady Sun was a little over 20 years of age but because of the marriage, she took general control over his household as well as guardianship over Liu Bei's son and heir, Liu Shan. This is because both of Liu Bei's previous spouses had already died of natural causes. Because Lady Sun was accompanied by more than a hundred female attendants, all of whom were capable of bearing arms, whenever Liu Bei visited her, he was afraid. It is unknown if they had any children.

Two years later, however, in 211, there was tension within the Sun-Liu alliance over the affairs of Jing Province. It was at this time when Sun Shangxiang returned to her brother's side. According to Zhao Yun's biography, Lady Sun attempted to take Liu Shan with her but was stopped by Zhang Fei and Zhao. Through negotiations by the two generals, Lady Sun surrendered the young heir before she journeyed downriver to Jiangdong. It is through this event that the marriage and alliance effectively ended. She never met Liu Bei again, and presumably never remarried.