Prince Jing was seriously ill, so Taoist Zhang Ying asked Zijing: "What are the similarities, differences, and pros and cons of the origin?" Zijing said: "I don't know what else to do, but I remember my divorce from the Xi family."—— "Shishuo Xinyu·Virtue"
The romantic and suave Prince Pian Pianjia, Wang Xianzhi, has seen many landscapes and met many beauties in his life. However, at the last stop of his life journey, he regretted his gains and losses in this life. At that time, the only thing that he couldn't let go of was the divorce from his ex-wife Xi Daomao. It is said that when a person is about to die, his words are also good. Wang Xianzhi's confession before his death must be true. So what kind of love-hate relationship between him and Xi Daomao made him so unrestrained by nature that he couldn't let go?
Wang Xianzhi's ex-wife Xi Daomao is the niece of his mother Xi Xuan. Because she is slightly one year older than him, she is also his cousin. The two grew up together as childhood sweethearts, and gradually fell in love and became privately engaged for life. Since the Wang family of Langya and the Xi family of Gaoping were both from first-class families and were well matched, when it came time for the male elder to get married and the female elder to get married, their parents took advantage of the situation and made their marriage a success.
In their early years, this childhood sweethearts couple lived happily, had a sweet relationship, cherished each other, and vowed to never be separated in life or death, as sung in the Han Yuefu folk song "Shangxie":
Shang Xie, I want to know you and live a long life. The mountains have no mausoleums and the rivers are exhausted. The winter thunder shakes, the summer rains and snows, the heaven and the earth are united, and I dare to be with you.
However, life is not an idyllic pastoral after all. Unexpected things often happen like thunderbolts from the blue sky. From AD 373 to AD 375, Princess Sima Daofu of Xin'an, the sister of Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, took a first look at Wang Xianzhi, who was versatile, charming, and more mature and elegant in his thirties, so she cried and clamored for her. Her brother, Emperor Xiaowu, Sima Yao, made the decision for her and betrothed to Wang Xianzhi. It is worth mentioning that Princess Xin'an was already married at this time. After her ex-husband Huan Wen's son Huan Ji was deposed by her uncle Huan Chong, she kicked her ex-husband.
However, since Wang Xianzhi already had his wife Xi Daomao at this time, as the emperor, Sima Yao could not directly issue an edict to divorce Xi Daomao on behalf of Wang Xianzhi, and then betroth his sister to him. Because this is tantamount to the emperor directly encouraging his ministers to like the new and dislike the old, which runs counter to the traditional Chinese ethical concept of "the wife of chaff must not be abandoned". Sima Yao, he's not stupid either. He won't do this kind of business where he both compensates his wife and takes the blame.
However, Princess Sima Daofu of Xin'an was not a light-hearted person. She kept buzzing like a bee in front of the emperor's brother all day long. Sima Yao, Emperor Xiaowu of Jin Dynasty, was really annoyed and had to find an opportunity to chat with Wang Xianzhi in private. During the conversation, Sima Yao first greatly praised Wang Xianzhi, who was only the fifth-grade secretary-general at the time, and believed that his future prospects at just 30 years old were limitless. Then he revealed intentionally or unintentionally that he was willing to betroth his sister, Princess Xin'an, to him. Meaning, in the end, Sima Yao felt sorry for Wang Xianzhi's wife and his younger sister, Princess Xin'an.
Who is Wang Xianzhi? With his intelligence and quick understanding, how could he fail to detect the drunkard's intention of Emperor Xiaowu? At that time, if he could tell Sima Yao resolutely that he and his wife Xi Daomao had a deep relationship and vowed not to separate, then Sima Yao would be too embarrassed to show his hot face to him anymore, and this matter might not go further. . For example, in February 639 AD, Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, directly told his confidant and beloved general Yuchi Gong (Yuchi Jingde, commonly known as Youmen Shen), who had repeatedly accomplished extraordinary feats, that he was willing to betroth his beloved daughter to him. But after Yuchi listened respectfully, he said categorically: "Although my wife is old and ugly, she has been in trouble with me for many years. Although I have no knowledge, I also know the ancient saying that 'it is difficult to get rich when you have a wife'. Today, I am true It's hard to accept your Majesty's kindness." After hearing this, Emperor Taizong respected Yu Chigong's character even more and never mentioned marrying his daughter again.
However, in this matter, calligraphy master Wang Xianzhi was not as kind as Yuchi Gong, a rough old man who didn't know a few Chinese characters. Although, in the conversation, Wang Xianzhi did not explicitly say that he wanted to be happy with the new and dislike the old, and marry the princess, his ambiguous attitude was enough to make Emperor Xiaowu Sima Yao very sure.
Later, when Wang Xianzhi returned home, he wrote a letter of divorce and kicked out his childhood sweetheart, Xi Daomao. As for whether the reason for the two's divorce was emotional discord, personality conflict, or some other reason, perhaps only Wang Xianzhi himself knows best.
What was the scene like when the childless Xi Daomao finally walked out of the Wang family? There is no record in any history book, but it must not be any warmer than the autumn wind sweeping away the fallen leaves.
After Xi Daomao was sent away like fallen leaves in the autumn wind, not long after, Wang Xianzhi decorated the house with lanterns and colorful decorations and happily married Princess Sima Daofu of Xin'an. After that, Wang Xianzhi, who was married to a wealthy and beautiful woman, naturally saw his career rise all the way. He was promoted to Xie An Changshi (equivalent to today's Director of the State Council Office), Jianwei General, and Wuxing Prefect (the highest military and political officer in Wuxing County) at the speed of a helicopter. Chief), and finally he was appointed as Zhongshu Ling with great glory. Although he was a third-rank official, he held important secrets and his authority was equivalent to the high position of deputy prime minister.
Success comes at a price! Wang Xianzhi's success in official career was even better than that of his father Wang Xizhi, let alone his six brothers.
However, while Wang Xianzhi was enjoying the glory and satisfaction brought by power and status, what he was letting go of was a relationship with his childhood sweetheart for more than 20 years. What's more, Zijing, who was passionate by nature, was not a hard-hearted, ruthless man. Although in his later love life, in addition to being accompanied by the unruly and lovely princess, he was also accompanied by other women (such as the famous sisters Tao Ye and Tao Gen). , but Zijing still can't forget his debt to his ex-wife, as written in his famous work "Feng Dui Tie":
Although Feng Dui has been with you for many years, you can enjoy it all the time, but it is always painful. Touch the forehead as smoothly as possible. Fang wants to match his sister as they were in the past, so they can grow old together. How can it be said that this is the end of their relationship? The sadness in my heart is so deep, how can I see my sister day and night again? Falling down and wailing in sorrow, there is really nothing left to do, the only thing to do is to give up the breath.
"I can't help but sigh with sorrow, and I can only give up my breath." Although Zijing was a high-ranking official and had a successful career in the second half of his life, he still could not get rid of his debt to his ex-wife and his feelings for himself. The frustration of past decisions. It can be said that in this life, Wang Xianzhi knows that what he owes Xi Daomao can never be compensated.
In 386 AD, with a debt that could never be repaid to his ex-wife Xi Daomao, and with a hatred that could never be forgiven for his wrong decision back then, an art master who could shine in the entire history of Chinese culture, including With tears, I passed away.
In this world, it is true that love without bread is unstable and even shaky, but a marriage without love is even more stagnant. As adults who must be responsible for their own decisions, before we make a decision, especially a decision about relationships, we must think about what exactly we want? Don't make a decision like Wang Xianzhi did. You only regret it after you realize the gains and losses it brings. By then it's too late. Zijing’s confession on his deathbed is not a warning to us today.
Wang Xianzhi taught his son calligraphy
Wang Xianzhi was Wang Xizhi’s seventh son. He was smart and studious since he was a child. He specialized in cursive script and official script in calligraphy, and was also good at painting. He began to learn calligraphy when he was seven or eight years old, learning from his father. Once, Wang Xizhi saw Xianzhi practicing calligraphy attentively, so he quietly walked behind and suddenly reached out to pull out the brush in Xianzhi's hand. Xianzhi held the brush firmly and did not pull it out. His father was very happy and praised: "This son will be famous again." Xiao Xianzhi was very happy after hearing this. Another time, a friend of Xizhi asked Xianzhi to write on the fan, and Xianzhi started writing with a pen. Suddenly, the pen fell on the fan, polluting the words. Xiao Xianzhi had an idea, and a calf came to life on the fan. In addition, everyone was full of praise for Xianzhi's calligraphy and painting, which made Xiao Xianzhi feel proud. Xianzhi's parents looked thoughtful at this scene... One day, little Xianzhi asked his mother, Xi, "I just need to write for another three years, right?" Her mother shook her head. "Have you been headquartered for five years?" Mom shook her head again. Xian became anxious and said to his mother: "Then how long do you think it will take?" "You have to remember that after writing these 18 tanks of water in the courtyard, your words will have muscles, bones, flesh and blood, and you will Stand upright and steady." Xianzhi turned around and found his father standing behind him. Wang Xianzhi was dissatisfied and said nothing. He gritted his teeth and practiced for another five years. He showed his father a lot of written words, hoping to hear a few words of praise. Unexpectedly, Wang Xizhi turned over them one by one, shaking his head. When he came across the word "big", his father showed a more satisfied expression, casually filled in a dot under the word "big", and then returned all the manuscripts to Xian. Xiao Xianzhi was still dissatisfied, so he showed all the calligraphy to his mother and said: "I have been practicing for another 5 years, and I have practiced it exactly according to my father's calligraphy. Take a closer look, what other calligraphy does my father and I have?" Different?" Sure enough, the mother looked at it seriously for three days, and finally pointed to the dot Wang Xizhi added under the word "big", sighed and said, "My son has exhausted three tanks of water, but only one thing is like Xizhi." After hearing this, he became discouraged and said feebly: "It's difficult! If this goes on, when will we get good results?" Seeing that his arrogance had disappeared, his mother encouraged him and said: "Son, as long as you work hard, there is nothing you can't overcome. Rivers and mountains that can't be climbed. As long as you keep practicing as you have in recent years, you will definitely achieve your goal!" After hearing this, Xianzhi was deeply moved and continued to practice persistently. Hard work paid off, Xianzhi used up 18 large tanks of water to practice calligraphy, and made rapid progress in calligraphy. Later, Wang Xianzhi's calligraphy also reached the level of being able to penetrate the back of the paper and become so perfect that his calligraphy and Wang Xizhi's handwriting were juxtaposed and were called the "Two Kings".