Nowadays, when it comes to female artists in the show business circle, Gong Li's acting skills can definitely be regarded as a leader. Otherwise, Gong Li would not have been called "Gong Huang". A "huang" word is enough to see Gong Li's status in today's showbiz circle.
After all, there are not many female artists who can be called "emperors". As early as the last century, there was also a female artist who was called "Emperor", she was the "Winter Emperor" Meng Xiaodong, Du Yuesheng's fifth wife.
As Du Yuesheng's fifth wife, Meng Xiaodong is the "most disadvantaged". Because when she followed Du Yuesheng, Du Yuesheng was no longer as beautiful as she was then. In the end, Du Yuesheng died, and did not leave much of an inheritance for Meng Xiaodong. So, how did the later Meng Xiaodong make a living?
Meng Xiaodong, who has a bumpy road
Meng Xiaodong, born in the Liyuan family, was one of the best female Peking opera performers in her early years. He was enlightened at the age of nine, took the stage at the age of twelve, and achieved good results at the age of fourteen. In 1938, Meng Xiaodong was able to worship Yu Shuyan as a teacher, and since then, the curtain has opened for Meng Xiaodong to be called "emperor".
In this process, Meng Xiaodong also met his own relative Mei Lanfang. At that time, the most popular Dan horn was Mei Lanfang, who was known as the "King of Ling", dressed as a woman; and the most popular horn was Meng Xiaodong, who dressed as a man.
In more than one cooperation, the two slowly developed feelings, and Meng Xiaodong became the third wife of the Mei family. However, Meng Xiaodong's identity as the "third wife" was not recognized by meifu.
Although she was Mei Lanfang's third wife, Meng Xiaodong had never been recognized by the eldest wife of the Mei family, and she had never been able to enter the Mei Family. Later, for various reasons, Meng Xiaodong and Mei Lanfang even quarreled to the point of not seeing each other again.
Meng Xiaodong, who left Mei Lanfang, although he still has talent, he is not good at surviving in the chaotic world. At such a time, Du Yuesheng appeared in Meng Xiaodong's life.
In fact, as early as around 1925, when Meng Xiaodong went to Shanghai to perform on stage, Du Yuesheng had already noticed this beautiful and generous woman, but also excellent singing skills.
From that time on, Du Yuesheng found that his feelings for Meng Xiaodong were unusual. When facing Meng Xiaodong, Du Yuesheng is more like a suitor who loves and can't help it.
Love returned to Du Province, but could not stay together until they were old
After separating from Mei Lanfang, Meng Xiaodong could only rely on performances to relieve his inner bitterness. At that time, the domestic situation was not very good. After the charity performance, Meng Xiaodong appeared to be a bit godless in the besieged city of Beiping.
There was no one around who could really take care of her, and Meng Xiaodong herself had no sense of sensitivity. Just as she was about to seek a way out, she received a letter from Yao Yulan, the fourth wife of Du Province. Yao Yulan said in the letter that the situation in Peiping was complicated and hoped that she would take refuge in Shanghai.
Receiving the care of the former good sisters, Meng Xiaodong's inner feelings are very complicated. In this way, Meng Xiaodong embarked on the road to Shanghai, that is, this time, Meng Xiaodong's fate ushered in the next turning point.
In fact, clear-eyed people know that the reason why Yao Yulan wrote such a letter was actually entrusted by Du Yuesheng. Although Du Yuesheng did not "attack" Meng Xiaodong in the early years, his attention to Meng Xiaodong did not diminish in the slightest.
Therefore, Meng Xiaodong left Mei Lanfang, Meng Xiaodong was trapped, and These situations Du Yuesheng saw in his eyes. In order to give Meng Xiaodong a comfortable living environment, Du Yuesheng gave Yao Yulan tips in the open and secret. Therefore, Meng Xiaodong came to Shanghai.
After arriving in Shanghai, Meng Xiaodong met a Du Yuesheng who was completely different from the rumors. Du Yuesheng was rumored to be treacherous and cunning, and his methods were vicious, but Du Yuesheng, who was standing in front of Meng Xiaodong, was not like this.
Although Du Yuesheng was ill at that time, he insisted on personally going to the airport to greet Meng Xiaodong. Not to mention, Meng Xiaodong's plane to Shanghai was also arranged by Du Yuesheng.
In the face of such Du Yuesheng, I believe that as long as Meng Xiaodong has a mind, she can feel Du Yuesheng's love. However, it was also somewhat difficult for Meng Xiaodong to accept Du Yuesheng at once.
First of all, Du Yuesheng is quite older than Meng Xiaodong, and compared with his predecessor Mei Lanfang, his appearance is not particularly handsome; secondly, he fell in love with a Du Yuesheng with these feelings, which is also too much to test Meng Xiaodong's concept of love.
However, Meng Xiaodong was eventually taken down by Du Yuesheng's warm offensive. In front of Meng Xiaodong, this once-mighty Boss of Shanghai Beach was as considerate as a harmless cat.
At that time, although Du Yuesheng had already suffered from illness, when facing Meng Xiaodong, he still spoke softly, spoke and acted patiently; what Meng Xiaodong needed, wanted, and wanted to use, Du Yuesheng could always put it in front of Meng Xiaodong's eyes at the first time.
In this way, Meng Xiaodong gradually developed different feelings for Du Yuesheng. Perhaps, it is not very deeply loved, but Meng Xiaodong's life needs a man like Du Yuesheng. So, in 1950, the 42-year-old Meng Xiaodong officially married Du Yuesheng, who was already 63 years old.
The following year, Du Yuesheng died. Before his death, Du Yuesheng did not have much money left for Meng Xiaodong. After all, at that time, Du Yuesheng was no longer the boss on the beach at that time. So, how will Meng Xiaodong, who has not received much inheritance, survive?
From the memories of Du Yuesheng's son Du Weishan, we can know that after Du Yuesheng's death, Meng Xiaodong lived alone in Hong Kong and then began to receive apprenticeships. Because Meng Xiaodong was famous in the early years, there were naturally not a few people who were willing to learn art under Meng Xiaodong's door at that time.
In addition to her disciples, many passers-by who like Peking Opera and worship Meng Xiaodong will also send money to Meng Xiaodong. They think that they are Meng Xiaodong's students and friends, and after learning about Meng Xiaodong's living conditions in his later years, they will help Meng Xiaodong from time to time.
Coupled with the assistance of some friends in the circle, although Meng Xiaodong later went to other places, she never worried much about her life.
epilogue
Judging from Meng Xiaodong's life experience, her life is really not very good. Despite her talent, her emotional path has not gone very smoothly. However, in his later years, Meng Xiaodong has gradually looked down on the world.
So, she would play cards and chat with her friends, and when she was interested, she would hum a few familiar lines. Perhaps, at this time, Meng Xiaodong was really comfortable. No longer worried about mundane things, it was enough to live her own life.