Have you ever heard of Pu Xinji? This calligrapher and painter from the Manchu aristocracy lived a dramatic life. In 1912, the Qing Dynasty fell, and for a time, the Manchu relics looked for their own way out, and Pu Xinji chose the road of art and became a painter on the same level as Zhang Daqian. But do you know that his private life is more like a bloody drama? He looked at his tired wife and kindly bought a 12-year-old girl to help, who knew that five years later, this girl would become his main house, what kind of story is hidden behind this?
Back to that turbulent era, in 1912, the once glorious Qing Empire came to an end, and the Manchu nobles faced an unprecedented turning point in their lives. In this context, Pu Xinji, the grandson of Prince Gong Yixun, chose a different path. Instead of indulging in the glory of the past like other aristocrats, and not following others to Japan or the puppet state of Manchukuo for restoration, he chose the arts, and he achieved great heights.
Pu Xinji's calligraphy and painting were already well-known at that time, and his paintings were not only sought after by collectors at home and abroad, but even each of his works could fetch sky-high prices. He and Zhang Daqian, who is also a painter, are known as "South Zhang Beipu", and the two not only appreciate each other in art, but also cherish each other in life.
However, Pu Xinji's private life is quite complicated. His original wife, Luo Qingyuan, was a gentle and virtuous woman, but because of the perennial housework, her health was not as good as before. Pu Xinji saw it in his eyes and was anxious, so he decided to buy a Yahuan to help his wife reduce her burden, and this Yahuan was later Han Xiaoju.
At first, Han Xiaoju's addition did make Luo Qingyuan's life a lot easier. This 12-year-old girl is diligent and sensible, and she quickly won Luo Qingyuan's love and trust. After a long time, Pu Xinji began to notice this smart and clever girl. With the passage of time, Han Xiaoju's status gradually rose, and finally replaced Luo Qingyuan and became Pu Xinji's main house.
This change not only made Luo Qingyuan's heart like a knife, but also surprised the outside world. After all, according to common sense, it is not a glorious thing for the family to turn right. What's more, Pu Xinji and Luo Qingyuan were originally in love, and this sudden change makes people have to guess whether there is a deeper reason.
In fact, the relationship between Pu Xinji and Han Xiaoju did not change overnight. From the moment Han Xiaoju entered the Pu family, Pu Xinji had a special feeling for this clever and intelligent girl. As an artist, his pursuit of beauty is everywhere, and perhaps in Han Xiaoju, he found some special "inspiration". And Han Xiaoju's wit and ability also made Pu Xinji gradually rely on him in daily communication.
With the passage of time, Han Xiaoju's status in Pu Xinji's heart gradually improved, which eventually led to this great change in the family. Among them, there is another factor that has to be mentioned, that is, Pu Xinji's style of life. It is understood that Pu Xinji and Zhang Daqian both have a hobby of marrying a woman much younger than themselves, which may also invisibly promote Pu Xinji's favor for Han Xiaoju.
After Luo Qingyuan learned all this, her mood was extremely complicated. She couldn't accept that her long-time partner would betray her, and she couldn't accept that this betrayal came from a maid she regarded as her own. This psychological devastation directly led to the deterioration of her health, and eventually, she passed away in pain and discouragement.
Pu Xinji's decision not only changed the fate of him and Luo Qingyuan, but also affected his reputation to some extent. Although his artistic achievements are still admired, the scandal of his private life has always followed.
Although the marriage between Pu Xinji and Han Xiaoju was recognized by the law, it was controversial in public opinion at the time. On the one hand, people criticize Pu Xinji for ignoring the sense of family responsibility and moral bottom line, and on the other hand, some people sympathize with Luo Qingyuan's experience, thinking that she is a victim of the traditional family concept.
After this turmoil, although Pu Xinji is still active in the field of art, he has become more low-key in his private life. There is not much outside coverage of his and Han Xiaoju's lives, and it seems that they have chosen a more secretive way to face the relationship.
When we look back at this period of history, it is not difficult to find that Pu Xinji's choices largely reflect the changes in personal choices and social attitudes in the context of that era. In the context of a great era, how to find a way out of the social situation of personal destiny, the story of Pu Xinji may give us a perspective.
Pu Xinji's life, like his paintings, is full of color and change. From a Manchu aristocrat to a well-known artist at home and abroad, to the twists and turns of his family life, his story is like a script with ups and downs. Whether praised or accused, Pu Xinji's life undeniably reflects the complexity and multifaceted nature of an era.