Jiang Dounu

Jiang Dounu was a Chinese courtesan and stage performer active in Beijing during the Xuande period (1426–1435) of the Ming dynasty. Her mother Qi Yaxiu was also a famous actress. Her stories as told by a military official surnamed Liu are recorded in Lu Cai's biji book Yecheng Kelun .

Jiang Dounu was said to be a favorite of the general Zhang Fu. Once Zhang invited the "Three Yang's" (Yang Shiqi, Yang Rong, and Yang Pu, all senior grand secretaries ) to a banquet at Jiang Dounu's private quarter. They played a poetry-drinking game, during which Jiang Dounu showed her literary brilliance by composing verses that perfectly match those of these highly-educated men. Yang Shiqi was so impressed and enamored that he allegedly remarked to his colleagues that younger men would have an even harder time resisting beauties like her. Soon afterward, they submitted a memorial banning officials from spending nights at Geji quarters.