In 1949, a lazy woman married a boilermaker. Her daily life seems to revolve only around drinking, lounging, and listening to theater. And her husband, the boilermaker, turned a blind eye to everything about her.
It wasn't until many years later that people learned that this woman was a famous prostitute in Beijing's Bada Hutong, Xiao Fengxian.
Xiao Fengxian was originally from Qiantang, Zhejiang, and was born in a declining Manchu military attache family. Her childhood was rich and comfortable, but her life was turned upside down when her father lost his official position overnight and the family was in trouble.
The nurse wandered around with the little phoenix and finally settled in Shanghai. Master Hu adopted her and gave her the stage name Xiao Fengxian. Soon, her nurse also died, and Xiao Fengxian lost her support again. In desperation, she could only live with her master, but Master Hu sold her to the Shaanxi Lane Yunji Class in Beijing, and since then she has embarked on the road of wind and dust.
In the gathering class, Xiao Fengxian underwent rigorous training, and eventually she rose to prominence in Beijing with her reputation for her good colors and arts, and became one of the hottest famous prostitutes in the early years of the Republic of China. She thought that she could only live a life of picking up customers and earning money in the Yunji class, but the appearance of a person completely changed the trajectory of her life. This person was the general who had a heavy army at that time, Cai Yi.
In 1914, Cai was placed under house arrest in Beijing by Yuan Shikai, and although he had been the overseer of Yunnan Province and held military power, he was now trapped in the city. In order to pass the boring time, he often disguised himself as a businessman and went to Bada Hutong to hang out. It was under such circumstances that he met the little phoenix.
When Cai Yi first saw Xiao Fengxian, he was attracted by her unique charm, and Xiao Fengxian also felt that Cai Yi was unusual. Soon after the two met, they fell into a special emotion. For Xiao Fengxian, the encounter with Cai Yi was a turning point in her life, and for Cai Yi, the appearance of Xiao Feng Xian also changed the monotony and tedium of his life.
In the days they were together, Cai Ye often confided in Xiao Fengxian about his thoughts and ambitions. He told her about national affairs, about his ideals and pursuits. And the little phoenix responds to him with her wisdom and understanding. At this special moment, they become the closest people to know each other.
Faced with the enmity of their family and country, they jointly decided to let go of their short-term love for their children and embark on their own journeys. However, the tricks of fate made their parting a farewell. When the news of Cai Yi's death in Japan came, Xiao Fengxian's heart was like a knife. She sent a couplet to express her grief.
Xiao Fengxian, who has lost her life support, is in a difficult situation. In order to survive, she chose to marry a commander of the Northeast Army who resembled Cai Yi, but this marriage only lasted a year.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Xiao Fengxian chose marriage again, this time, she married a boiler worker Li Zhenhai. Although Li Zhenhai already had four children, Xiao Fengxian became their stepmother.
The neighbors talked about her a lot, from the initial curiosity and envy to the accusation that she didn't do housework and walked around in a cheongsam. The hardships of life did not crush her, she still lived the life she loved, drinking, listening to book reviews, and living a leisurely life every day.
In that turbulent era, Xiao Fengxian's life seemed to be a twisted and bizarre opera. She left a deep mark on the stage, but in the end only one photograph was left as a testimony of her life. Flip to the back of that photograph and there is a line engraved on it:
"Since ancient times, there have been many beautiful women, and chivalrous women have never been out of the dust. The man in the photo is a heroic general, dressed in a military uniform and with a determined look in his eyes, as if he has infinite courage and strength. The stepdaughter had asked her who the general was, but each time she just said lightly, "A friend." ”