Cheng Hong, wife of Li Keqiang, a low-profile scholar

Like many who lived through the Cultural Revolution, Cheng Hong felt she'd had enough excitement to last a lifetime. It was in 1995, while she was a visiting scholar in the United States at Brown University, Rhode Island, that these thoughts crystallised.

Cheng, wife of premier-in-waiting Li Keqiang , revealed how she developed her interest in writings on nature and ecology during her stay in New England in her book Tranquillity Is Beyond Price, published a decade later.

It perhaps helps explain why Cheng, a professor of English at the Capital University of Economics and Business in Beijing, remains little known among ordinary Chinese. Even among the generally low-profile wives of China's elite, Cheng stands out as something of a recluse.

"Cheng comes back to our university on an extremely rare basis, and most our staff members are not in contact with her," said a professor from the same English department. "She was still teaching English and American literature for postgraduate students when her husband was the top leader of Liaoning province. But ever since Li Keqiang assumed his role inside the central Politburo, she has given up any course workloads."

Three professors from the department confirmed that Cheng had rarely been seen on campus since the early 2000s. The university, established in 1956, is considered to be among the second tier of higher-education institutes in the capital, ranking behind more famous universities.

It has become almost routine for relatives of top leaders to become very wealthy during their family members' leadership. But people interviewed by the Post say Cheng is a serious scholar with no business interests.

One professor said Cheng was once put forward by university officials to become dean of the department, but she refused. "Cheng is a dedicated scholar who prefers to concentrate on her work. She treats others with sincerity and courtesy," said the professor, who also teaches English literature in the department.