Lan-Ni

Lan Ni (1912–1996), born with the name Lan Ye-zhen, was originally from Jianshui, Yunnan, and was of Miao ethnicity. She was born on July 2, 1912, in Macau. Later, her family moved to Guangzhou, and when she was seven years old, they relocated to Shanghai. At age 11, Lan Ni enrolled at Huiwen Middle School in Nanjing, and at 13, she entered Jinan Girls' School in Nanjing. At 15, she returned to Shanghai and attended Zhiren Yong Girls' Middle School to complete high school. Her family was wealthy; her grandfather, Lan He-guang, served as the governor of Xiangshan County in Guangdong. Her family achieved success in commerce and industry. Her father, Lan Jian-jun, courtesy name Min-yu, was a follower of Sun Yat-sen's ideas, participated in anti-Qing revolutionary activities, studied at Cambridge University in the UK, and later served as the Director of Taxation in Wuxi, Jiangsu. Her mother, Fang Shu-zhen, was a lady of noble background, skilled in calligraphy, and had a profound influence on Lan Ni’s cultural education.

During her youth, Lan Ni received a solid education both at home and in academics. She studied classical literature, history, and the Four Books and Five Classics, demonstrating intelligence and beauty from a young age. Due to family upheavals, she experienced a decline in family fortunes; in 1926, after her father encountered difficulties, her family faced financial hardship, and she spent challenging years in Shanghai with her parents. Because of the family troubles, she was forced to assume early family responsibilities. Meanwhile, her appearance and exotic charm drew attention, earning her the nickname “Princess Miao King.”

In terms of marriage, in 1929, citing family difficulties, Lan Ni married Li Ding-guo, the second son of Li Tiao-sheng. After marriage, she gave birth to one son and two daughters but divorced in 1934 due to incompatible personalities and differing lifestyles. Afterwards, she entered the upper social circles of Shanghai and became a renowned socialite. In 1935, at a family banquet, she met Sun Yat-sen’s son, Sun Ke, and became his personal secretary. Sun Ke was a prominent figure in the Nationalist government and was closely related to Sun Yat-sen. Their relationship grew increasingly close, and Sun Ke decided to marry Lan Ni as his second wife. After their marriage, Lan Ni became Sun Ke’s second wife and had a daughter, Sun Sui-fen.

During the War of Resistance Against Japan, Lan Ni moved with Sun Ke to Chongqing, where she met and forged close relations with prominent CCP leader Deng Ying-chao. In 1948, after Sun Ke failed to win the vice presidency, their relationship ended, ending nearly thirteen years of marriage. After the war, Lan Ni engaged in the real estate and construction industries in Shanghai, investing in the “Rose Villa,” and involved in property and import businesses. After the founding of the People’s Republic, she was suspected of being a “traitor” and was detained for three months, but was released through connections with Sun Ke. She lived in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Thailand, the United States, and other places, and in her later years dedicated herself to safeguarding her personal assets and family reputation.

In 1982, Lan Ni was invited back to mainland China to participate in the 120th anniversary commemorations of Sun Yat-sen’s birth and received a warm reception from the Central Committee of the Communist Party. In 1986, she visited China again, was invited to pay respects to Deng Ying-chao, and met with CCP leaders. Finally, in 1990, she returned to Shanghai and moved into her longtime beloved Rose Villa. She passed away peacefully in Shanghai in 1996 at the age of 85. Her life spanned numerous historical changes, making her a prominent figure with a complex history in modern Chinese history.