Zuo Xijia

Life

Her names are variously given as Wanfen and Xiaoyun, with Bingru also appearing as a zi and as her late hao; yun qing is another recorded zi. Her studio names and sobriquets included Lengyin Xianguan, Lengyun Xianguan, and Huanfen.

She was Zuo Ang’s third daughter. Her sisters included Zuo Xixuan and Zuo Xihui, and her clan younger cousin was Zuo Shengsan.

She became the second wife of Zeng Yong (1813–1862), a native of Huayang. Zeng Yong passed the Jinshi examination in the Daoguang jiachen year (1844), served as prefect of Ji’an, and was granted the title Taipusi qing. Her children included the daughters Zeng Yanji and Zeng Luanzhi, and the son Zeng Guangxu.

Works and literary activity

Prefaces to her books were written by Zhang Jingqi, Zhou Tianlin, and Zuo Xixuan; postscripts were written by Xia Jiahao and Cha Yuchen; title inscriptions were supplied by Qiu Rujia and Hu Yujun.

Her works include Huanxiang Xiaocao, Yinyun Ji, Juanshi Yin, Lengyin Ji, and Lengyin Xianguan Shi; other titles are Lengyin Xianguan Shigao, in eight juan, Lengyin Xianguan Wencun, in one juan, Lengyin Xianguan Shiyu, in one juan, and Zengshi Jiaxun.