| | She was the eldest daughter of the old family Zhang Shi of Bian Xian, and her courtesy name was Xianzhang. With graceful demeanor and cautious conduct, she upheld virtue with depth of character; kind and filial, gentle and obedient, she followed propriety without fail. She possessed the grace of Ji Lan and emulated the conduct of Si Qi. In Yongchu year two, at the age of fifteen, she first came to marriage. She gave birth and established the family's way; looking up, she honored her kind mother-in-law with utmost joy and respect; looking down, she instructed those under her care and thoroughly guided them. Highest virtue was cultivated in the subtlest details, and virtuous reputation spread to heaven and earth. Thus she could rival the achievements of Ren Si and share in the honor of being a mother. She oversaw spring roads and rest quarters, and assisted in the mulberry and silk palace. Glory and favor were bestowed with sacrifices; sacrificial robes were adorned with chong ornaments. For more than thirty years, she had successively fulfilled these rites. The lady bore five sons: the eldest was Zheng Boqi, the second Qianyi Shuwei, the third Ning Zhiwei, and the fourth Shuo Ji Rui. The eldest and middle ones had not yet reached adulthood when they were struck by an epidemic and died at the same time. The third son was recommended as filial and upright by the commandery; the fourth served in various state and commandery offices. Ning was selected for his outstanding talent and became Ye Ling, Jing Ling, and Yi Lang. The youngest, due to high academic achievement, became Shiyushi, Jianyi Dafu, Shizhong, Huben Zhonglang Jiang, and Chenliu Taishou; all died at an early age. The lady grieved deeply and became ill, and after suffering from the sorrow of her mother's serious illness, she passed away at the age of seventy-seven in Jianning year three. While the lady was alive, she managed household affairs with diligence and devotion; tenderly provided for her family; lived in accordance with benevolence; and continued to honor noble intentions. In that intercalary month, she was buried alongside her mother-in-law, laid to rest in this place. If her spirit is aware, it will surely be content and at peace; the divine heart shall rejoice. Indeed, Ning's eldest daughter, Jin Ying, deeply mourned her with enduring sorrow and profound grief without bounds. Thus they erected this inscription, engraving it upon enduring stone. The eulogy says: "Alas for the mother's brief life! Her deep sorrow and grief remain in memory." Only the endless filial duty of sons remains, lamenting that her teachings have not yet ceased to be heard. May she live long and prosper in old age—why has fate taken her from us so soon? My heart is deeply distressed and painfully stirred, as if my liver were torn and my bowels cut. In the past, the words of ancient sages said that those who are kind shall live long. Alas for Mother's sufferings—her body embodied kindness and benevolence. To lose the reward of a long life, why was she abandoned by heaven? The sun and moon pass swiftly toward dusk; sorrow is tightly bound in my heart. I recall past memories, seeking the cause of her illness with longing. Stricken by the early death of her eldest son, she grieved and grew weary from sorrow. When the third and youngest sons also passed away, her sorrow deepened and became ever more entwined. The death of my grandmother-in-law brought final grief; thus she rapidly declined and passed away. Her illness grew daily more severe, her breath faint and gradually fading; her spirit soared far away, beyond the reach of any who would hold it back. Thus she followed fate into the unseen world, continuing to honor her wishes without deviation. She was then buried alongside Her Majesty's grandmother-in-law, hoping that her spirit might find rest and comfort. Now hidden in the dark silence of the tomb, how sad it is to lose such a bright and luminous presence. Once gone beyond reach, time cannot be reversed; all efforts to follow are too late. Looking upon the new shrine brings repeated sighs; bowing before the altar deepens my sorrow. Alas, as she grows ever more distant, how faint and unreachable her memory has become."
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