Third Young Mistress Zhuang (simplified: 庄三少奶, traditional: 莊三少奶, pinyin: Zhuāng Sānshàonǎi, jyutping: zong1 saam1 siu3 naai5) was the matriarch of the Zhuang family from Huzhou (湖州 — Húzhōu) in Jiangnan, who appears in The Deer and the Cauldron. She is particularly significant for giving Shuanger (双儿) to Wei Xiaobao (韦小宝) as a gesture of gratitude.
Biography
Leadership of the Zhuang family
Third Young Mistress Zhuang serves as the matriarch of the Zhuang family, a prominent family from Huzhou in Jiangnan. As the matriarch, she holds significant authority within the family and is responsible for managing family affairs and making important decisions.
Her position as matriarch reflects the importance of family leadership and the role that women could play in managing family affairs during this period.
The Ming History Case
The Zhuang family suffered greatly during the “Ming History Case” (明史案 — Míngshǐ Àn), in which Zhuang Tinglong (庄廷鑨 — Zhuāng Tínglóng) was falsely accused by Wu Zhirong (吴之荣 — Wú Zhīróng) and executed under the orders of Oboi (鳌拜). This case devastated the Zhuang family, leading to the execution of many family members and the confiscation of their property.
The Ming History Case represents one of the major historical events that forms the backdrop of the novel, demonstrating the dangers of literary persecution during the early Qing dynasty.
Relationship with Shuanger
Third Young Mistress Zhuang is connected to Shuanger, who was raised by the Zhuang family’s third daughter-in-law after her parents were killed. Shuanger grew up as a servant in the Zhuang household, and Third Young Mistress Zhuang became her guardian and protector.
Their relationship demonstrates how the Zhuang family took in orphans and provided them with care and protection, despite the family’s own difficulties following the Ming History Case.
Giving Shuanger to Wei Xiaobao
After Wei Xiaobao helped the Kangxi Emperor defeat Oboi, Third Young Mistress Zhuang was deeply grateful. As a gesture of thanks, she gave Shuanger to Wei Xiaobao as a servant and companion.
This act demonstrates how Third Young Mistress Zhuang expressed her gratitude to Wei Xiaobao for his role in defeating Oboi, who had been responsible for the execution of Zhuang Tinglong and the devastation of the Zhuang family.
Significance
Third Young Mistress Zhuang represents the theme of gratitude and the expression of thanks for acts of justice. Her decision to give Shuanger to Wei Xiaobao demonstrates how individuals and families expressed their gratitude for actions that helped them or brought them justice.
Her character also highlights the theme of family leadership and the role of women in managing family affairs, showing how matriarchs like Third Young Mistress Zhuang held significant authority and made important decisions for their families.
Third Young Mistress Zhuang’s character contributes to the broader theme of the Ming History Case and its impact on families like the Zhuang family, showing how literary persecution affected not just individuals but entire families, and how families like the Zhuang family responded to these challenges.