Did you know the origin of "drinking vinegar" is related to jealousy? Want to know why? -Chinese Folk Tale
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One day, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty invited the founding heroes of the dynasty to a royal banquet. After everyone had eaten and drunk to their heart's content, Fang Xuanling, emboldened by his colleagues' teasing, boasted a few words about not being afraid of his wife. The slightly intoxicated Emperor Taizong, caught up in the festive spirit, decided to bestow upon Fang Xuanling two beautiful women as a gift. Fang Xuanling, who had not expected his drunken boasts to be taken seriously by the emperor, was now in a predicament. He thought of his domineering and meticulous wife and was at a loss about what to do. It was Yuchi Jingde who encouraged him, saying that no matter how fierce his wife was, she wouldn't dare to do anything to the women bestowed by the emperor. Thus, Fang Xuanling cautiously took the two beauties home.
However, Fang Xuanling's wife paid no heed to the fact that the emperor had bestowed these women. Upon seeing her husband bring home two young and beautiful concubines, she flew into a rage, scolding Fang Xuanling loudly and even taking up a feather duster to drive the two "beauties" out of the house. Seeing the situation escalate, Fang Xuanling had no choice but to send the women away. This incident quickly became known to Emperor Taizong and his court. Wanting to curb the arrogance of the prime minister's wife, Emperor Taizong immediately summoned Fang Xuanling and his wife to account for their actions.
Knowing the gravity of the situation, Fang Xuanling's wife reluctantly followed her husband to see the emperor. Upon their arrival, Emperor Taizong pointed to the two beauties and a jar of "poisonous wine," saying, "I will not pursue your crime of defying the imperial decree. Here are two paths for you to choose from: one is to take back the two beauties and live harmoniously, the other is to drink this jar of 'poisonous wine' and spare yourself from jealousy." Fang Xuanling, aware of his wife's fiery temperament and fearing she might drink the "poisonous wine," knelt down and begged for mercy. Emperor Taizong, enraged, said, "You, as the prime minister, dare to defy the imperial decree and still have the audacity to speak!" Seeing that the situation had reached this point, Fang Xuanling's wife looked at the two women, realizing that she was no longer young and beautiful. She thought that if these two women entered the household, she would eventually have to defy the imperial decree. Rather than suffer and die from anger, it would be better to drink the "poisonous wine" and end it all.
Without waiting for Emperor Taizong to urge her again, Fang Xuanling's wife lifted the jar and gulped down the "poisonous wine" in one go. Fang Xuanling, in tears, held his wife and sobbed, while the other ministers burst into laughter. It turned out that the jar did not contain poisonous wine but vinegar from Jinyang Qingyuan, which was completely non-toxic. Seeing the temperament of Fang Xuanling's wife, Emperor Taizong sighed and said, "Madam Fang, do not blame me for using this method to pressure you. Your jealousy is indeed great. However, considering your willingness to die for your husband, I will retract my decree." Fang Xuanling's wife, not expecting that her daring act of drinking the "poisonous wine" would lead to such an outcome, though her mouth was sour and her body shook, was inwardly overjoyed. Fang Xuanling also wiped away his tears and smiled. From then on, the term "eating vinegar" became a metaphor for jealousy among women.
