Xing Xiuniang
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Xing Xiuniang (Chinese: 邢秀娘 or 邢綉娘; pinyin: Xíng Xiùniáng) is depicted in some fictions as a Chinese farmer who transitioned into an opera actress. She is believed to have come from Huangmei County in Hubei Province and to have lived during either the Ming Dynasty, Qing Dynasty or Republic of China. A recent narrative suggests she also lived and performed in Jiangxi Province during the early Daoguang period (1820–1850). While some stories extol her beauty and talent, there are no written records to confirm her life's details. Furthermore, there's no evidence to validate her existence as a historical figure. The character is thought to be inspired by a real woman, Li Zicheng's wife, from the late Ming Dynasty. Stories about Xing Xiuniang have spanned nearly 300 years. The controversies in these narratives often stem from rural writers in Huangmei County, who, lacking historical expertise, adjust her age repeatedly to lend credibility to their stories. The local government of Huangmei is suspected of using this ambiguity to claim credit for Huangmei opera, which is generally believed to have originated and developed in Anqing, Anhui.