Ancient China · Consort of King Huai of Chu

Zheng Xiu 鄭袖

Attested BC 328 - BC 299

Passages: 3
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Zheng Xiu was a consort of King Huai of Chu.

Life and dates

Attested activity

BC 328 to BC 299 楚懷王
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 84, passages 2, 42

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Spouse of King Huai (懷王)
favored consort 寵姬 · Concubinage
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 84, passage 42

Career and standing

Held
Favored consort
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 84, passage 42

References in the histories

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 84Biographies of Qu Yuan and Master Jia · 3 passages

如楚，又因厚幣用事者臣靳尚，而設詭辯於懷王之寵姬鄭袖。 He went to Chu and bribed the powerful minister Jin Shang with lavish gifts, then contrived through cunning arguments to win over King Huai's favored consort, Zheng Xiu.

懷王竟聽鄭袖，復釋去張儀。 In the end, King Huai heeded Zheng Xiu and released Zhang Yi once again.

懷王以不知忠臣之分，故內惑於鄭袖，外欺於張儀，疏屈平而信上官大夫、令尹子蘭。 Because King Huai could not distinguish a loyal minister from a false one, he was beguiled within by Zheng Xiu and deceived without by Zhang Yi. He cast aside Qu Ping and placed his trust in Grand Master Shangguan and the Prime Minister Zi Lan.