陳(chen)圓圓出身于貨郎之家,母(mu)親(qin)早(zao)亡,育(yu)于姨(yi)夫(fu)家,從姨(yi)父的姓“陳(chen)”。居蘇州桃花塢。隸籍梨園,為吳中名(ming)優,戲曲家尤(you)西堂(tang)少時“猶及見之”。
陳(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)色藝(yi)雙絕,名動(dong)江左。她自幼冰雪聰明(ming),艷(yan)驚鄉(xiang)里。時逢江南年谷不登,重利輕義的姨夫將圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)賣給蘇(su)州梨(li)園(yuan),善演弋陽(yang)腔戲劇。初登歌臺(tai),圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)扮演《西廂(xiang)記(ji)》中的紅(hong)娘(niang),人麗如(ru)花(hua),似云(yun)出岫,鶯聲嚦嚦,六(liu)馬仰秣,臺(tai)下(xia)看客(ke)皆凝神屏氣,入(ru)迷著(zhu)魔。陳(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)“容(rong)辭閑雅(ya),額(e)秀頤豐”,有名士(shi)大家風度,每一登場(chang)演出,明(ming)艷(yan)出眾(zhong),獨(du)冠當時,“觀者為之魂斷”。
陳(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)作(zuo)為(wei)梨(li)園(yuan)女妓,難以(yi)擺(bai)脫以(yi)色事人(ren)(ren)的命運。圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)曾(ceng)屬(shu)意于(yu)吳江(jiang)鄒樞,“常在予(yu)家演(yan)劇(ju),留連不去”(《十美詞紀》)。據載(zai),江(jiang)陰貢(gong)(gong)修齡之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)子貢(gong)(gong)若甫曾(ceng)以(yi)重金(jin)(jin)贖陳(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)為(wei)妾(qie),然圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)不為(wei)正(zheng)妻所容。而貢(gong)(gong)若甫的父親(qin)貢(gong)(gong)修齡,在 見(jian)到(dao)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)后(hou),非常吃驚,說:“此貴人(ren)(ren)!”“縱之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)去,不責贖金(jin)(jin)。”(李介立(li)《天(tian)香閣隨筆》)。陳(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)還與(yu)冒(mao)(mao)襄有過一段情(qing)(qing)緣,崇禎十四年(1641)春,冒(mao)(mao)襄省(sheng)親(qin)衡岳(yue),道經(jing)蘇州(zhou),經(jing)友人(ren)(ren)引薦,得會陳(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan),并訂后(hou)會之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)期(qi);當年八月(yue),冒(mao)(mao)襄移舟(zhou)蘇州(zhou)再(zai)會圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan),時圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)遭豪家劫(jie)(jie)奪,幸脫身虎口,遂有許嫁冒(mao)(mao)襄之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)意,并冒(mao)(mao)兵(bing)火之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)險至(zhi)冒(mao)(mao)襄家所棲舟(zhou)拜見(jian)冒(mao)(mao)襄之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)母。二人(ren)(ren)感情(qing)(qing)繾綣,申(shen)以(yi)盟誓。此后(hou)冒(mao)(mao)襄因喪亂屢(lv)失約期(qi),陳(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)不幸為(wei)外戚田(tian)弘遇劫(jie)(jie)奪入京。
崇(chong)(chong)(chong)禎(zhen)(zhen)十(shi)(shi)五(wu)年(nian)(1642)仲(zhong)(zhong)春(chun)(chun),陳(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)被外(wai)戚(qi)(qi)田弘(hong)遇劫奪入京。圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)入京的(de)時間,有(you)崇(chong)(chong)(chong)禎(zhen)(zhen)十(shi)(shi)四(si)、十(shi)(shi)五(wu)、十(shi)(shi)六年(nian)三說(shuo),其(qi)中,胡介祉《茨村詠史新(xin)樂府》稱:“崇(chong)(chong)(chong)禎(zhen)(zhen)辛巳年(nian),田貴(gui)妃父宏(hong)遇進(jin)香普陀,道過(guo)金閶(chang),漁獵(lie)聲(sheng)妓,遂挾沅(yuan)以(yi)歸。”持十(shi)(shi)四(si)年(nian)說(shuo);葉夢珠《閱世(shi)編》稱:“十(shi)(shi)六年(nian)春(chun)(chun),戚(qi)(qi)畹田宏(hong)遇南游吳閶(chang),聞(wen)歌妓陳(chen)沅(yuan)、顧(gu)壽(shou)。名震一(yi)時,宏(hong)遇使人購得顧(gu)壽(shou),而(er)沅(yuan)尤靚麗絕世(shi),客有(you)私于宏(hong)遇者(zhe),以(yi)八百金市沅(yuan)進(jin)之,宏(hong)遇載(zai)以(yi)還(huan)京。”持十(shi)(shi)六年(nian)說(shuo)。然據冒(mao)(mao)襄(xiang)《影梅(mei)庵(an)憶語》載(zai),冒(mao)(mao)襄(xiang)與(yu)陳(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)私訂盟(meng)約在崇(chong)(chong)(chong)禎(zhen)(zhen)十(shi)(shi)四(si)年(nian)秋,此后(hou)冒(mao)(mao)襄(xiang)因家事(shi)牽累,未(wei)能赴圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)約會。其(qi)間圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)屢次(ci)寄(ji)書冒(mao)(mao)襄(xiang),促(cu)其(qi)踐約,冒(mao)(mao)襄(xiang)皆不及回復。崇(chong)(chong)(chong)禎(zhen)(zhen)十(shi)(shi)五(wu)年(nian)仲(zhong)(zhong)春(chun)(chun),冒(mao)(mao)襄(xiang)至蘇州會圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan),不意圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)已(yi)于十(shi)(shi)日前被劫入京。由于冒(mao)(mao)襄(xiang)所記為(wei)自(zi)己親歷之事(shi),故陳(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)入京時間當為(wei)崇(chong)(chong)(chong)禎(zhen)(zhen)十(shi)(shi)五(wu)年(nian)仲(zhong)(zhong)春(chun)(chun)。
至于劫奪圓(yuan)圓(yuan)之(zhi)(zhi)人(ren),有崇禎帝田(tian)妃之(zhi)(zhi)父田(tian)宏遇、崇禎帝周(zhou)后之(zhi)(zhi)父周(zhou)奎兩說。持(chi)前說者以鄒樞(shu)、劉(liu)健(jian)、尤侗、李介(jie)立、葉(xie)夢珠、陸次云等人(ren)代(dai)表,由于他(ta)們為(wei)陳(chen)圓(yuan)圓(yuan)同時代(dai)人(ren),較可憑(ping)信。持(chi)后說者僅有姓(xing)名難以稽(ji)考的“之(zhi)(zhi)江抱(bao)(bao)陽生(sheng)”之(zhi)(zhi)記(ji)載及鈕(niu)琇(xiu)的轉述。之(zhi)(zhi)江抱(bao)(bao)陽生(sheng)《甲申朝(chao)事小紀》稱:“外戚周(zhou)嘉定采辦(ban)江南,聞其(qi)美,厚縑得之(zhi)(zhi)。攜歸京師。”孤證單說,似不可靠。
陳圓(yuan)圓(yuan)入京(jing)后(hou),成(cheng)為(wei)田(tian)(tian)弘(hong)遇家(jia)樂演員。田(tian)(tian)弘(hong)遇因貴妃去(qu)世,日漸(jian)失勢,為(wei)了鞏固自(zi)(zi)己的(de)(de)地位以及在(zai)亂(luan)世中(zhong)找到倚靠,有(you)意結(jie)交當時(shi)聲望甚隆且(qie)握有(you)重(zhong)兵的(de)(de)吳(wu)(wu)三(san)(san)(san)桂。田(tian)(tian)弘(hong)遇曾盛邀吳(wu)(wu)三(san)(san)(san)桂赴其家(jia)宴,“出群姬調絲竹(zhu),皆殊秀(xiu)。一(yi)淡(dan)妝(zhuang)者(zhe),統(tong)諸(zhu)美而先眾音,情艷意嬌。”而這位淡(dan)妝(zhuang)麗質的(de)(de)歌姬,就是陳圓(yuan)圓(yuan)。吳(wu)(wu)三(san)(san)(san)桂驚詫(cha)于陳圓(yuan)圓(yuan)的(de)(de)美艷,“不覺其神移心(xin)蕩也”(陸次云《圓(yuan)圓(yuan)傳》)。田(tian)(tian)弘(hong)遇遂因三(san)(san)(san)桂之請,將圓(yuan)圓(yuan)贈送吳(wu)(wu)三(san)(san)(san)桂,并置辦(ban)豐厚的(de)(de)妝(zhuang)奩,送至(zhi)吳(wu)(wu)府。李自(zi)(zi)成(cheng)農(nong)民軍攻占北(bei)京(jing)后(hou),圓(yuan)圓(yuan)為(wei)劉(liu)(liu)宗敏(min)所奪。吳(wu)(wu)三(san)(san)(san)桂本欲投降(jiang)農(nong)民軍,但(dan)得知圓(yuan)圓(yuan)遭劫(jie)后(hou),沖冠一(yi)怒(nu),憤(fen)而降(jiang)清(qing)。《明史·流寇》稱:“初,三(san)(san)(san)桂奉詔入援至(zhi)山海關,京(jing)師陷(xian),猶豫不進。自(zi)(zi)成(cheng)劫(jie)其父襄,作書(shu)招之,三(san)(san)(san)桂欲降(jiang),至(zhi)灤州(zhou),聞愛姬陳沅被劉(liu)(liu)宗敏(min)掠(lve)去(qu),憤(fen)甚,疾(ji)歸山海,襲(xi)破賊(zei)將。自(zi)(zi)成(cheng)怒(nu),親部賊(zei)十余萬,執(zhi)吳(wu)(wu)襄于軍,東攻山海關,以別將從(cong)一(yi)片石越關外(wai)。三(san)(san)(san)桂懼,乞降(jiang)于我。”
在(zai)吳(wu)(wu)三(san)(san)桂(gui)所部(bu)和清(qing)軍(jun)的聯系夾擊下,李自成農民軍(jun)遭受重創,倉皇逃(tao)離北京,盡棄所掠輜重、婦(fu)女于道。吳(wu)(wu)三(san)(san)桂(gui)在(zai)兵火中找到了陳圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan),軍(jun)營團圓(yuan)(yuan)。此后(hou)陳圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)一直跟(gen)隨(sui)吳(wu)(wu)三(san)(san)桂(gui)輾轉征戰。吳(wu)(wu)三(san)(san)桂(gui)平定云南后(hou),圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)進入(ru)了吳(wu)(wu)三(san)(san)桂(gui)的平西王府(fu),一度“寵(chong)冠后(hou)宮”(《十美詞紀(ji)》)。
吳(wu)三桂(gui)獨霸云南后(hou),陰懷異志,窮奢侈欲,歌舞征逐。構建園(yuan)(yuan)林安阜園(yuan)(yuan),“采買吳(wu)伶(ling)之年十五(wu)者,共四十人(ren)為一(yi)(yi)隊”(《甲(jia)申朝事(shi)小紀(ji)》),“園(yuan)(yuan)囿聲伎之盛,僭侈逾禁中”(王澐《漫游紀(ji)略》)。陳圓圓因年老色衰(shuai),加之與吳(wu)三桂(gui)正妻不諧,且吳(wu)三桂(gui)另(ling)有寵姬數(shu)人(ren),于是日漸(jian)失寵,遂辭宮(gong)入(ru)道,“布衣蔬食,禮佛以畢(bi)此生”(《天香閣(ge)隨(sui)筆》)。一(yi)(yi)代紅妝從此豪華落盡,歸于寂寞。
陳(chen)(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan),雖(sui)遠不如梁紅玉英姿(zi)颯爽,但她(ta)以(yi)她(ta)的(de)美貌傾(qing)倒(dao)了(le)吳(wu)三(san)(san)桂(gui),傾(qing)倒(dao)了(le)劉宗敏,傾(qing)倒(dao)了(le)大順(shun)王朝,也傾(qing)倒(dao)了(le)許(xu)多年后的(de)無數的(de)男人(ren)(ren)。即便李自成不敵悍滿,但吳(wu)三(san)(san)桂(gui)若不投降多爾袞,滿人(ren)(ren)最(zui)少要晚入關幾十(shi)年。所(suo)以(yi)說,陳(chen)(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)以(yi)她(ta)個人(ren)(ren)魅力的(de)影響著別人(ren)(ren)而改變了(le)歷(li)史。在隨后的(de)日子里,身負國賊之名的(de)吳(wu)三(san)(san)桂(gui)以(yi)陳(chen)(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)作為精神支柱,自山(shan)西,渡黃河(he)、入潼關、克西安、平(ping)李闖(chuang)、定云(yun)南(nan)、驅永歷(li),可謂風塵仆(pu)仆(pu),東征西伐,為清廷統一中(zhong)國立(li)下了(le)汗馬功勞。 ?
陸次云稱贊曰:“聲(sheng)甲(jia)天(tian)下(xia)之聲(sheng),色甲(jia)天(tian)下(xia)之色。”(《陳圓圓傳》)
吳三桂曰﹕“大(da)丈夫(fu)不能保一女子,何面目(mu)見人耶!”(劉(liu)建《庭聞錄(lu)》)
冒辟疆曾說(shuo):“婦人以資質為主,色次之,碌碌雙鬢,難(nan)其選也。慧(hui)心紈質,淡秀天然,平生所見(jian),則獨有圓(yuan)圓(yuan)爾。”(《影梅庵憶(yi)語(yu)》)
冒襄稱“其人澹而韻,盈盈冉冉,衣椒(jiao)繭,時背顧湘裙,真如孤鸞之(zhi)(zhi)在(zai)煙霧”,觀看(kan)陳圓(yuan)圓(yuan)演弋(yi)陽腔(qiang)《紅梅記》,為其演技所迷醉:“是曰(yue)演弋(yi)腔(qiang)《紅梅》,以燕俗之(zhi)(zhi)劇,咿呀啁哳之(zhi)(zhi)調,乃(nai)出(chu)之(zhi)(zhi)陳姬身口,如云出(chu)岫,如珠大盤,令人欲(yu)仙欲(yu)死。”(《影梅庵(an)憶語》)
鄒樞(shu)稱她“演(yan)《西廂》,扮貼旦、紅娘(niang)腳色(se),體態傾靡,說白便巧,曲盡(jin)蕭寺(si)當年情緒。”(《十(shi)美詞紀》“陳(chen)圓”)