Xu Yi (Western Jin)
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Meiren (美人) Xu Yi 徐義 | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 221 |
| Died | 21 May 298 |
| Children | Xu Lie and others |
| Occupation | Nursemaid |
Xu Yi (徐義, 221 – 21 May 298[1]) was a Chinese woman from the Three Kingdoms to the early Western Jin period. She was the nursemaid of Jia Nanfeng, an empress of the Western Jin dynasty.
The position of nursemaid and trusted court maid of an Empress elevated her and her family's position to a higher status, being involved in many of the court intrigues behind the scenes, even during the fateful War of the Eight Princes. Her achievements were recognized by the Emperor and ministers, receiving the honorary title of "Meiren" (美人). Because of this, her case was immortalized in the "Book of Jin" and in the detailed and ornate inscriptions on her tombstone.
While historical records do not provide detailed information about Xu Yi's life, a comprehensive account of her life is preserved in the "Inscription on the Tombstone of Xu Yi, Nursemaid of Jia Nanfeng," which was unearthed in 1953. The following is a summary of her life based on this inscription, supplemented with information from historical texts such as the "Book of Jin" (晋書). Ages are counted in traditional Chinese years.[2]
Xu Yi was a descendant of a notable family from the coastal region but became displaced due to the devastation in her hometown, which resulted in the loss of her parents and siblings. Due to the famine and chaos, she fled her hometown and came to the territory of Sichuan and Henei commandery and married to a scholar from Taiyuan of the Xu .[3] Xu Yi hailed from Dongwucheng County in Qing province, a region located in the Eastern Commandery. She was often referred to as "Xu Meiren" due to her outstanding qualities and character. “Meiren” was the imperial title granted by the emperor. Xu Yi had a son named Xu Lie.[4]