The story takes place in the Jian’an period of the late Eastern Han Dynasty (196-219 AD), in Lujiang County (now Huaining and Qianshan in Anhui Province). During this period, society was turbulent and feudal ethics constrained people’s thoughts and behaviors, especially the unfortunate fate of women.
After marrying into the Jiao family, Liu Lanzhi worked day and night, diligently doing household chores, but did not receive recognition from her mother-in-law, and instead faced unreasonable disdain and difficulties. Helpless, Liu Lanzhi wrote a letter to her husband Jiao Zhongqing, who was currently working at the Lujiang County Government, expressing her unbearable suffering.
Jiao Zhongqing went home to plead for his wife, but was strongly opposed and rebuked by his mother. Under the pressure of his mother, Jiao Zhongqing had to temporarily send his wife back to her parents’ home, hoping to bring her back in the future. However, this farewell became an eternal memory.
Returning to her mother’s home, Liu Lanzhi, despite receiving love from her family and the favor of many suitors, only had Jiao Zhongqing in her heart and vowed not to marry. However, her brother forced her to remarry the fifth prince of the prefect. In despair, Liu Lanzhi threw herself into the water, expressing her determination through death.
Upon hearing the news, Jiao Zhongqing was overwhelmed with grief. He returned home and expressed his deep affection and unacceptable reality towards his wife to his mother. Subsequently, he hanged himself from a tree in the yard, following death.
After learning of their child’s death, the Jiao and Liu families deeply regretted it. They asked to be buried together beside Huashan Mountain, and planted pines, cypresses, wutong and other trees around the tomb. The branches and leaves of these trees intertwine with each other, as if symbolizing the inseparable souls of Jiao Zhongqing and Liu Lanzhi. In addition, there is a pair of birds called peacocks in the cemetery, who sing their eternal mournful songs to this unfortunate couple every day until the fifth watch of the night.
