陳圓圓出身于貨郎(lang)之家,母親早亡,育于姨(yi)夫家,從(cong)姨(yi)父的姓“陳”。居蘇(su)州桃(tao)花塢。隸籍梨園,為吳中名優,戲(xi)曲家尤西堂少時“猶及見之”。
陳(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)色藝雙絕,名動(dong)江(jiang)(jiang)左。她(ta)自幼冰(bing)雪聰明(ming),艷驚鄉里。時(shi)逢江(jiang)(jiang)南年谷(gu)不登,重利輕義的姨夫將圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)賣給蘇州(zhou)梨園,善(shan)演弋(yi)陽(yang)腔戲劇(ju)。初登歌臺(tai),圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)扮演《西(xi)廂(xiang)記》中(zhong)的紅娘,人麗如花,似云出(chu)岫(xiu),鶯聲嚦嚦,六馬仰(yang)秣,臺(tai)下看客皆(jie)凝(ning)神屏氣,入迷著魔。陳(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)“容辭閑雅,額秀頤豐(feng)”,有名士大家風度(du),每一(yi)登場(chang)演出(chu),明(ming)艷出(chu)眾,獨冠當(dang)時(shi),“觀者為之魂(hun)斷”。
陳(chen)(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)作為梨園(yuan)女妓,難以(yi)擺(bai)脫以(yi)色事(shi)人(ren)的(de)命運。圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)曾屬意于吳江(jiang)(jiang)鄒樞,“常(chang)在予家演劇,留連不(bu)去”(《十(shi)(shi)美(mei)詞紀(ji)》)。據載,江(jiang)(jiang)陰貢(gong)修齡之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)子(zi)貢(gong)若甫曾以(yi)重金贖(shu)陳(chen)(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)為妾,然圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)不(bu)為正妻所容。而(er)貢(gong)若甫的(de)父親(qin)貢(gong)修齡,在 見到圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)后,非常(chang)吃驚,說(shuo):“此(ci)貴人(ren)!”“縱之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)去,不(bu)責贖(shu)金。”(李介立《天香(xiang)閣隨筆》)。陳(chen)(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)還與(yu)冒襄(xiang)有過一段情緣,崇(chong)禎(zhen)十(shi)(shi)四(si)年(1641)春,冒襄(xiang)省親(qin)衡岳,道經蘇(su)州,經友人(ren)引薦,得會陳(chen)(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan),并(bing)(bing)訂(ding)后會之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)期;當年八月(yue),冒襄(xiang)移舟蘇(su)州再會圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan),時圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)遭豪家劫奪(duo),幸(xing)脫身虎(hu)口,遂有許嫁冒襄(xiang)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)意,并(bing)(bing)冒兵(bing)火之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)險至冒襄(xiang)家所棲舟拜見冒襄(xiang)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)母。二人(ren)感情繾綣,申以(yi)盟誓。此(ci)后冒襄(xiang)因喪亂(luan)屢失約期,陳(chen)(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)不(bu)幸(xing)為外戚(qi)田弘(hong)遇劫奪(duo)入京。
崇(chong)禎十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)五年(nian)(nian)(1642)仲(zhong)春(chun),陳(chen)(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)被(bei)外戚(qi)田弘遇(yu)(yu)劫奪入京(jing)。圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)入京(jing)的時(shi)(shi)間,有(you)崇(chong)禎十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)四、十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)五、十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)六(liu)(liu)(liu)年(nian)(nian)三說,其中,胡介祉《茨村詠史(shi)新樂府》稱:“崇(chong)禎辛(xin)巳年(nian)(nian),田貴妃(fei)父宏(hong)遇(yu)(yu)進香普陀,道過金(jin)閶,漁獵聲妓(ji),遂(sui)挾沅(yuan)以歸。”持十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)四年(nian)(nian)說;葉(xie)夢珠《閱世編》稱:“十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)六(liu)(liu)(liu)年(nian)(nian)春(chun),戚(qi)畹田宏(hong)遇(yu)(yu)南游吳(wu)閶,聞歌妓(ji)陳(chen)(chen)沅(yuan)、顧(gu)(gu)壽。名震一時(shi)(shi),宏(hong)遇(yu)(yu)使(shi)人購得顧(gu)(gu)壽,而沅(yuan)尤靚麗絕世,客有(you)私于宏(hong)遇(yu)(yu)者,以八百金(jin)市沅(yuan)進之,宏(hong)遇(yu)(yu)載以還京(jing)。”持十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)六(liu)(liu)(liu)年(nian)(nian)說。然(ran)據冒襄《影梅庵(an)憶語(yu)》載,冒襄與陳(chen)(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)私訂盟約在崇(chong)禎十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)四年(nian)(nian)秋,此后冒襄因家事(shi)牽累,未能赴圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)約會。其間圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)屢次寄書冒襄,促其踐約,冒襄皆(jie)不(bu)及回(hui)復。崇(chong)禎十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)五年(nian)(nian)仲(zhong)春(chun),冒襄至(zhi)蘇州會圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan),不(bu)意圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)已于十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)日前(qian)被(bei)劫入京(jing)。由于冒襄所記為(wei)自己親歷之事(shi),故陳(chen)(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)入京(jing)時(shi)(shi)間當為(wei)崇(chong)禎十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)五年(nian)(nian)仲(zhong)春(chun)。
至(zhi)于劫奪(duo)圓(yuan)圓(yuan)之(zhi)(zhi)人(ren),有崇禎帝田妃(fei)之(zhi)(zhi)父(fu)田宏遇、崇禎帝周(zhou)后(hou)之(zhi)(zhi)父(fu)周(zhou)奎(kui)兩說(shuo)。持(chi)前說(shuo)者以鄒樞(shu)、劉健、尤侗(dong)、李介立、葉夢(meng)珠、陸(lu)次云等人(ren)代(dai)表,由于他們為(wei)陳圓(yuan)圓(yuan)同時代(dai)人(ren),較可憑信。持(chi)后(hou)說(shuo)者僅有姓名難以稽考的“之(zhi)(zhi)江抱(bao)陽(yang)生”之(zhi)(zhi)記載及(ji)鈕琇的轉述。之(zhi)(zhi)江抱(bao)陽(yang)生《甲申(shen)朝事小紀》稱:“外戚(qi)周(zhou)嘉定采辦江南,聞其美,厚縑得(de)之(zhi)(zhi)。攜歸京師(shi)。”孤(gu)證單說(shuo),似不可靠。
陳(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)入京(jing)后(hou),成(cheng)為(wei)(wei)田弘(hong)(hong)遇(yu)家樂(le)演員。田弘(hong)(hong)遇(yu)因貴(gui)妃去世,日漸失勢,為(wei)(wei)了鞏(gong)固(gu)自(zi)己的(de)地位(wei)以(yi)及在亂世中找到倚靠,有(you)意(yi)結(jie)交當時聲望甚(shen)隆且握有(you)重兵的(de)吳(wu)(wu)三(san)(san)桂(gui)(gui)。田弘(hong)(hong)遇(yu)曾(ceng)盛邀吳(wu)(wu)三(san)(san)桂(gui)(gui)赴其家宴,“出群姬(ji)調(diao)絲竹,皆(jie)殊秀。一(yi)淡妝(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)者,統諸美而(er)先眾音,情艷意(yi)嬌。”而(er)這位(wei)淡妝(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)麗質的(de)歌(ge)姬(ji),就是(shi)陳(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)。吳(wu)(wu)三(san)(san)桂(gui)(gui)驚(jing)詫于(yu)陳(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)的(de)美艷,“不(bu)覺(jue)其神(shen)移心蕩也(ye)”(陸次云《圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)傳》)。田弘(hong)(hong)遇(yu)遂(sui)因三(san)(san)桂(gui)(gui)之請(qing),將(jiang)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)贈送(song)吳(wu)(wu)三(san)(san)桂(gui)(gui),并置辦豐厚的(de)妝(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)奩,送(song)至吳(wu)(wu)府。李自(zi)成(cheng)農(nong)民軍攻(gong)占北京(jing)后(hou),圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)為(wei)(wei)劉宗(zong)敏所奪(duo)。吳(wu)(wu)三(san)(san)桂(gui)(gui)本欲投降(jiang)農(nong)民軍,但得知圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)遭劫后(hou),沖冠一(yi)怒,憤而(er)降(jiang)清。《明史·流寇》稱:“初,三(san)(san)桂(gui)(gui)奉詔(zhao)入援(yuan)至山(shan)海(hai)(hai)關,京(jing)師陷(xian),猶豫不(bu)進。自(zi)成(cheng)劫其父襄,作書招之,三(san)(san)桂(gui)(gui)欲降(jiang),至灤州,聞(wen)愛(ai)姬(ji)陳(chen)沅被(bei)劉宗(zong)敏掠(lve)去,憤甚(shen),疾歸(gui)山(shan)海(hai)(hai),襲破(po)賊將(jiang)。自(zi)成(cheng)怒,親部賊十余萬,執吳(wu)(wu)襄于(yu)軍,東攻(gong)山(shan)海(hai)(hai)關,以(yi)別將(jiang)從一(yi)片石越(yue)關外。三(san)(san)桂(gui)(gui)懼(ju),乞降(jiang)于(yu)我(wo)。”
在(zai)吳三(san)(san)桂(gui)(gui)所部和(he)清(qing)軍的(de)聯(lian)系夾擊下,李自成農民軍遭受(shou)重創,倉皇逃離北京,盡棄所掠輜重、婦女于道。吳三(san)(san)桂(gui)(gui)在(zai)兵火中(zhong)找到了(le)陳(chen)圓圓,軍營團圓。此后陳(chen)圓圓一直跟隨(sui)吳三(san)(san)桂(gui)(gui)輾轉征戰。吳三(san)(san)桂(gui)(gui)平定(ding)云南后,圓圓進入了(le)吳三(san)(san)桂(gui)(gui)的(de)平西王府,一度“寵冠(guan)后宮”(《十美詞紀》)。
吳三桂(gui)獨霸(ba)云南后,陰懷異志(zhi),窮奢侈欲,歌舞征(zheng)逐。構建(jian)園林安阜園,“采買吳伶之年十五(wu)者(zhe),共(gong)四(si)十人為(wei)一隊”(《甲申朝事小紀(ji)》),“園囿聲伎之盛,僭侈逾(yu)禁中”(王(wang)澐(yun)《漫游紀(ji)略》)。陳圓(yuan)圓(yuan)因年老色(se)衰,加之與(yu)吳三桂(gui)正(zheng)妻不(bu)諧,且(qie)吳三桂(gui)另有寵姬數人,于是日漸失寵,遂辭宮(gong)入道(dao),“布(bu)衣蔬食,禮(li)佛以畢此生”(《天香(xiang)閣隨筆》)。一代紅(hong)妝(zhuang)從此豪華落盡,歸于寂(ji)寞。
陳(chen)圓(yuan)圓(yuan),雖遠不(bu)如梁(liang)紅玉英(ying)姿颯爽(shuang),但她(ta)以她(ta)的美貌(mao)傾倒(dao)了(le)(le)吳三(san)桂,傾倒(dao)了(le)(le)劉宗敏,傾倒(dao)了(le)(le)大(da)順王朝,也(ye)傾倒(dao)了(le)(le)許(xu)多年(nian)后(hou)的無數的男人(ren)。即便(bian)李自(zi)成不(bu)敵悍(han)滿,但吳三(san)桂若不(bu)投(tou)降多爾袞,滿人(ren)最少要晚(wan)入(ru)(ru)關幾十年(nian)。所以說,陳(chen)圓(yuan)圓(yuan)以她(ta)個人(ren)魅力的影響著別人(ren)而改變了(le)(le)歷史。在(zai)隨后(hou)的日(ri)子里,身負(fu)國(guo)賊之名(ming)的吳三(san)桂以陳(chen)圓(yuan)圓(yuan)作為(wei)精神支柱,自(zi)山西(xi),渡黃河、入(ru)(ru)潼關、克西(xi)安、平(ping)李闖、定云南、驅(qu)永歷,可謂風(feng)塵(chen)仆仆,東征西(xi)伐,為(wei)清廷統一中國(guo)立下了(le)(le)汗馬(ma)功勞(lao)。 ?
陸(lu)次云(yun)稱贊曰:“聲甲天(tian)下之聲,色甲天(tian)下之色。”(《陳(chen)圓(yuan)(yuan)圓(yuan)(yuan)傳(chuan)》)
吳三桂曰(yue)﹕“大丈夫不能(neng)保一(yi)女子(zi),何面目見人耶(ye)!”(劉建《庭聞錄》)
冒辟疆曾說:“婦人以資(zi)質為主,色次之(zhi),碌碌雙鬢,難其選也。慧心紈質,淡秀天(tian)然,平生所見,則(ze)獨(du)有圓(yuan)圓(yuan)爾。”(《影梅庵憶語》)
冒襄稱“其人澹而(er)韻,盈(ying)盈(ying)冉(ran)冉(ran),衣椒繭,時背顧湘(xiang)裙,真如(ru)孤鸞之在(zai)煙霧”,觀(guan)看陳圓圓演弋(yi)陽腔《紅梅(mei)記》,為其演技(ji)所(suo)迷醉:“是曰演弋(yi)腔《紅梅(mei)》,以燕俗之劇,咿呀啁哳之調,乃出之陳姬(ji)身口,如(ru)云出岫(xiu),如(ru)珠大盤,令人欲仙(xian)欲死。”(《影梅(mei)庵憶語》)
鄒樞稱她(ta)“演《西(xi)廂》,扮貼旦、紅娘(niang)腳色,體態傾(qing)靡,說白便(bian)巧,曲(qu)盡蕭(xiao)寺(si)當年情緒。”(《十美詞紀》“陳圓”)