Dong Xiaowan

Dong Xiaowan (1624-1651), was a famous Chinese courtesan.
She was described as the perhaps most famous courtesan of her time, known for her beauty and talent within singing, needlework and the tea ceremony. After a long campaign of persuasion, she managed to convince the noble Mao Xiang, known as one of "The Four Masters", to marry her as his concubine in 1643, after she had her debts paid by a benefactor and had her name struck from the list of musicians. She has been described as an ideal dutiful, sacrificing and loyal wife and daughter-in-law during her marriage to Mao Xiang, who as a loyalist of the Ming dynasty became persecuted after the Qin dynasty's rise to power in 1644.
Dong Xiaowan published several books about jewelry, parties and women's costume. She has often been confused with Consort Donggo, and therefore said to have been abducted to the harem of the Emperor.