Gu Taiqing (1799-1876), whose given name was Chun and whose courtesy name was Meixian, was originally from the Xilinjueluo clan and was a member of the Bordered Blue Banner of Manchuria. She married the concubine of Beile Yihui. She is recognized by the modern literary world as the “first female poet of the Qing Dynasty”. In her later years, she wrote the novel “The Shadow of the Dream of the Red Chamber” under the Taoist name “Yuncha Waishi”, becoming the first female novelist in the history of Chinese novels. Her literary talent and insight were extraordinary, so the Eight Banners said that “Cheng Rongruo (Nalan Xingde) is the best among men, and Taiqingchun (Gu Taiqing) is the best among women”. Gu Taiqing was not only extremely talented, but also beautiful, of moderate stature, gentle and virtuous. Yihui fell in love with her very much. Although she was a concubine, she gave birth to four sons and three daughters in her lifetime, and several of her sons have made great achievements.
顾太清(1799-1876)，名春，字梅仙。原姓西林觉罗氏，满洲镶蓝旗人。嫁为贝勒奕绘的侧福晋。她为现代文学界公认为“清代第一女词人”。晚年以道号“云槎外史”之名著作小说《红楼梦影》，成为中国小说史上第一位女性小说家。其文采见识，非同凡响，因而八旗论词，有“男中成容若(纳兰性德)，女中太清春(顾太清)”之语 。顾太清不仅才华绝世，而且生得清秀，身量适中，温婉贤淑。令奕绘钟情十分。虽为侧福晋一生却诞育了四子三女，其中几位儿子都有很大作为。
顾太清·《悟》
一番磨炼一重关，悟到无生心自闲。
探得真源何所论，繁枝乱叶尽须删。
Sitting in Meditation: A Random Thought
Ku T’ai-Ch’ing
One more round of trials, another ordeal endured—
Aware that there’s only Nonbeing, my mind is composed.
Talk of finding the true source of wisdom?
Tangled branches, o’er-reaching leaves must all be cut down.
