Wow, who are all these people? Listing so many queens, empresses, and noble consorts at once feels like a roll call in the imperial harem. Empress Xuanmu Zhang, Empress Jinghuai Xiahou, Empress Jingxian Yang, Empress Wenming Wang, Empress Wuyuan Yang, and Empress Wudao Yang—these six are all empresses, each name more illustrious than the last, conveying a sense of noble status and high rank. The noble consorts on the side, Noble Consort Zuo, Noble Consort Hu, and Lady Zhuge, are likely of slightly lower status, but they are still significant figures in the harem. Next, there are Empress Huijia, Empress Huiyang, and Lady Xie, who are also important figures in the harem. Finally, as the Grand Empress Dowager and Grand Consort Dowager, their status is unquestionable—true leaders of the harem.
Looking at this list is dazzling, almost like the cast list of a historical harem drama. Just imagine all these women living together in one palace, scheming and deceiving each other; the scene must have been quite spectacular and complex. However, behind these names lie hidden stories, along with their own destinies and legends. "Empress Xuanmu Zhang," "Empress Jinghuai Xiahou," "Empress Jingxian Yang"... These names, when heard today, carry the weight of history, making one feel their past glory and struggles. Their lives may have been filled with riches and honors, or perhaps with hardships and sorrows, but they have all become ripples in the river of history, quietly sharing their stories.
"Noble Consort Zuo, Noble Consort Hu, Lady Zhuge" Although these consorts do not have the prominent status of an empress, they must also play important roles in the imperial harem. Their fates may be closely intertwined with those of the empresses, and they may have also experienced numerous twists and challenges. The names "Empress Huijia," "Empress Huiyang" (Lady Xie), "Empress Dowager Huaiwang," and "Consort Yuan Xiahou" represent chapters of history and legend. Their identities and positions destined their lives to be intertwined with power, the court, and history. Just thinking about it, the intrigue of the imperial harem is more captivating than any TV drama.
It is said that between heaven and earth, yin and yang merge, and husbands and wives should be of the same mind and heart, only differing in status. If one can become an empress, assist the emperor in governance, like the moon accompanying the sun, perfectly in harmony. From ancient times to the present, the position of empress has always been esteemed, often referred to as queen in later years. During the reign of Emperor Ku, there were four consorts, and during the reign of Emperor Shun, there were two. The system of the imperial harem before the Xia and Shang dynasties has few records, making it hard to provide details. By the Zhou dynasty, the emperor had one empress, three consorts, nine concubines, twenty-seven female attendants, and eighty-one imperial wives overseeing harem affairs. The "Book of Rites" states: "The emperor and empress are like the sun and moon, yin and yang." This shows the importance of the empress's position, which has been highly valued since ancient times. The empress can educate the realm, support the emperor, and embody virtues as steadfast as the earth, stabilizing the country, ensuring the ancestors will bless them, and harmonizing heaven and earth. Thus, wise rulers place great importance on the ceremony of appointing an empress, and poets have sung praises, as seen in works like "Ge Tan." The empress should embody dignity, poise, and lead by example.
If the queen is virtuous, upholds etiquette, cultivates herself, manages the household, educates those in the palace, and maintains a good reputation, then heaven will bless her, ensuring prosperity for her descendants and the eternal stability of the nation. Conversely, if the queen indulges in excess and does not observe proper conduct, it can lead to the decline of the nation and the fall of the dynasty. Since the Han Dynasty, some queens, such as Lady Zhen and Lady Wei, have risen to power due to their beauty; their glory and wealth were not derived from virtue. They indulged their desires and disregarded etiquette, resulting in a corrupt atmosphere in the palace and the erosion of good morals, all of which is documented in history. By the time of the Jin Dynasty, palace management became chaotic; although Emperor Xuan had great achievements, Empress Mu, despite doing a good deed, could not offset the detrimental effects of ten misdeeds. It was not until the reign of Emperor Wu that the selection of queens began to be taken seriously, but later emperors started to act out of self-interest, favoring sycophants, and the queens became envious, ultimately contributing to the nation's downfall. These historical lessons are recorded in history books; the rise and fall, as well as success and failure, all share the same causes. Therefore, I will document the stories of these consorts as a biography of imperial consorts. Empress Zhang, known as Chunhua, was originally from Pinggao in Henan. Her father, Mr. Wang, served as the magistrate of Suyi County in the Wei Kingdom; her mother, Lady Shan, was from Henan and was a cousin of Minister Tao. The empress exhibited noble character from a young age, surpassing others in intelligence, and gave birth to Emperor Jing, Emperor Wen, Prince Pingyuan Liu Gan, and Princess Nanyang.
Emperor Xuan initially refused the appointment from Emperor Wu of Wei, saying that he suffered from wind and rheumatism. Once, he braved a heavy rain to write a memorial, and as the rain poured heavily, he got up to collect the rainwater himself. Only one maid witnessed this incident, and the Empress, fearing that the matter would leak out and bring disaster, personally killed the maid to keep her quiet, and then cooked the meal herself. This made Emperor Xuan value her even more. Later, Lady Bai became favored, and the Empress rarely had the chance to see the Emperor. Once, when Emperor Xuan was bedridden, the Empress went to visit him. Emperor Xuan said, "Old woman, you’re so annoying! Why are you here again?" The Empress felt ashamed and angry, refused to eat, and felt suicidal; her children followed suit. Emperor Xuan was scared and quickly apologized, and the Empress finally relented. Emperor Xuan later told others, "The old woman is not worth pitying; I am worried that she will tire out my good sons!" In the eighth year of the Zhengshi era of Wei, the Empress died at the age of fifty-nine and was buried in Gaoyuan Mausoleum in Luoyang, posthumously granted the title of Lady of Guangping County. In the first year of the Xianxi era, she was posthumously titled as the Honorable Concubine Xuanmu. After Emperor Wu ascended the throne, he initially did not honor her posthumously.
Empress Xiahou, named Hui, styled Yuanrong, was from Qiao County, Pei State. Her father, Xiahou Shang, was the Grand General for Conquering the South of Wei, and her mother was Lady Cao, the Lady of Deyang Township in Wei. The Empress was very insightful and visionary, involved in planning every action the Emperor took. During the reign of Emperor Ming of Wei, Emperor Xuan held great power, and his sons were also talented. The Empress knew that Emperor Xuan was not a loyal minister of Wei, and she was the niece of the Wei family, which made Emperor Xuan wary. In the second year of Qinglong, the Empress was killed by poison at the age of twenty-four and was buried in Junping Mausoleum. When Emperor Wu ascended the throne, he initially did not honor her posthumously. Empress Hongxun pleaded for her several times, and it was not until the second year of Taishi that she was posthumously honored and given a posthumous title. The Empress had no sons; she only had five daughters.
Empress Yang Xian, originally named Huiyu, was from the southern city of Taishan. Her father was named Yao and served as the Governor of Shangdang. Her stepmother was Cai from Chenliu, the daughter of Cai Yong, a General of the Han Dynasty. Empress Yang Xian was smart and capable from an early age. After the death of Empress Jinghuai, Emperor Jing remarried the daughter of General Puyang Wu Zhi, but later divorced her and took back Empress Yang. They had no children. When Emperor Wu came to power, Empress Yang lived in the Hongxun Palace and was referred to as Empress Dowager Hongxun. In the ninth year of Taishi, Cai was posthumously granted the title of Lady of Jiyang County, with the posthumous name Mu. In the fourth year of Xianning, the Empress Dowager died at the age of sixty-five and was laid to rest in Junping Mausoleum.
Empress Wang, whose original name was Yuan Ji, was from Tán County in the Donghai region. Her father, named Su, served as the Chief Commander of the State of Wei and the Lanling Marquis. At the age of eight, the Empress could recite the Book of Songs and the Analects, especially skilled in the rituals of mourning. She could memorize anything with just a glance. When she was nine, her mother fell ill, and she took care of her without leaving her side, not changing her clothes for several days. She always anticipated her mother's needs in advance, demonstrating remarkable attentiveness. As a result, her parents entrusted her with household management, and she managed everything in an orderly manner. Her grandfather, Lang, was very fond of her, saying, "This girl will surely bring prosperity to our family; what a pity she isn't a boy!" When she was twelve, her grandfather passed away, and the Empress was heartbroken and cried openly, which earned her even greater respect from her father. Upon reaching adulthood, she married Emperor Wen and bore Emperor Wu, along with Prince Sima Dingguo of Liaodong, Prince Sima You of Qixian, Prince Sima Zhao of Chengyang, Prince Sima Guangde of Guanghan, and Princess Jingzhao. The Empress was deeply respectful and dutiful to her in-laws, humble in character, and meticulous in her interactions with others. When her father passed away, she dressed very simply and wept inconsolably. At that time, Zhong Hui was being favored for his abilities, but the Empress frequently cautioned the Emperor, saying, "Zhong Hui is someone who prioritizes personal gain over loyalty, is fond of stirring up trouble, and once he gains favor, he will become arrogant and domineering. He should not be entrusted with significant duties." Later, Zhong Hui indeed rebelled.
After Emperor Wu ascended the throne, he bestowed upon her the title of Empress Dowager, and her palace was called Chonghua Palace. She initially established officials in the palace, strictly selecting talents, appointing Zhuge Xu as the Commander of the Imperial Guards, Liu Yuan as the Grand Marshal, and Cao Kai as the Minor Minister of the Imperial Clan. Although the Empress held a noble position, she did not forget her humble origins, personally spinning and weaving, wearing simple and plain clothes, washed old garments, and never being particular about her diet. She also placed great importance on family harmony, cared for the suffering of the common people, and was meticulous about etiquette in her speech and actions, subtly influencing those around her.
The Emperor felt that his stepmother, Lady Yang, had not yet been posthumously conferred a title, and this was a matter of concern. Therefore, in the third year of Taishi, he issued a decree stating: "Previously, Emperor Wen of Han posthumously honored his mother as 'Lingwen' Empress, and both Emperor Wu of Han and Emperor Xuan of Han also honored their mothers with the titles 'Pingyuan' and 'Boping' respectively, all to express respect and filial piety towards their elders. Therefore, my General Wei, Lady Yang of Lanling, is gentle, kind, and possesses abundant benevolence. She comes from a prestigious family and married the Emperor of our Jin dynasty. She has always upheld the virtues expected of a woman and has never strayed from proper etiquette. Unfortunately, her life has been filled with hardships, having lost several sons in succession, yet she still raised other children to adulthood and managed household affairs meticulously. The lessons she imparted to her sons benefited the whole family. She gave birth to a wise Emperor, allowing our country to prosper, yet she passed away young, not enjoying the wealth and honor she deserved. The Empress Dowager has always missed her, and this longing is endless. I also remember her teachings, reflecting on the past with a heavy heart. Therefore, I will honor her as a county lady and posthumously bestow a title upon her that reflects her virtues, with the details to follow established customs!" He then sent the envoy He Rong to posthumously title her as "Pingyang Jingjun."
Four years later, the queen passed away at the age of fifty-two and was buried alongside the emperor in Chongyangling. When it was time to move the queen's remains, the emperor personally composed a memorial, describing her virtues, and he had the historian write a eulogy that read:
"Clearly, in succession, the path of Jin is prosperous. With her radiant virtue and gentle inquiries, she supported the emperor. Her great moral influence was widely known, and the great enterprise was established, bringing blessings to the destitute and safeguarding the palace. May our resources be replenished, and may we enjoy everlasting peace. Suddenly ascending to the distant heavens, why did you have to leave us so soon? Deep sorrow cannot be put into words; how can it possibly reach the heavens? Alas!"
At first, the common people lived in peace and happiness, all thanks to the grace of heaven. The emperor also inherited the excellent virtues of the late emperor, caring for my late father. Heaven bestowed upon him a queen, my mother, who shone brightly. She governed the country, handled state affairs, and her kindness spread throughout the world without end. Unfortunately, I faced the pain of losing my father; heaven brought down this calamity. My father passed away in his prime, just as foretold in the "I Ching, Mingyi Hexagram," he passed away in his middle age. I am left utterly alone, forever heartbroken.
My mother has always regarded filial piety and harmonious relationships with elders as her guiding principles. She is diligent and frugal, never slacking off. Despite being born into a prestigious family, she carries the family's honor and has assisted the emperor in establishing a legacy. She is humble and gentle in her interactions, deeply loved by the people. She is skilled in managing the palace and attuned to the people's feelings, always maintaining honesty and trustworthiness; her virtues are widely recognized. She is hardworking and frugal, never extravagant, valuing simplicity and being indifferent to fame and fortune. Although she holds a noble position, she has never truly experienced much joy. Why does heaven treat her like this? Who should I turn to with my sorrow? I feel I am simply not good enough, and thus I suffer such great punishment. My father passed away just over three years ago, and now my mother has faced misfortune. I wanted to take care of her well, not letting her suffer anymore, but disasters keep piling up. What could we have possibly done to deserve such punishment from heaven? Alas, the grief!
After my mother's passing, we followed the rites and sent her off to the tomb. The carriage slowly drove away, never to return. Oh, my mother, forever sleeping in the light. I kneel before her spirit, holding a white flag for offerings, overcome with grief, unsure whom to turn to. I can only write these words to express my sorrow, hoping someone will hear my cries and understand the plight of this orphan. Alas, the grief!
Later, the emperor remembered the contributions of his mother and decreed, "My great-grandmother, who was the wife of the former Minister of Works Wang Lang, Lady Yang, my uncle, and my two maternal aunts Zheng and Liu, have all been very kind and harmonious. Their virtues are like the affection described in the 'Book of Songs · Xiaoya · Changdi,' which is unforgettable. I hereby posthumously title Lady Yang and my two maternal aunts as lords of the village, each with a fief of five hundred households." In the seventh year of Taikang, the emperor posthumously titled his grandmother Lady Xiahou as the village lord of Xingyang.
Empress Wuyuan Yang, originally named Yang Yan, styled Qiongzhi, was from Hongnong Huayin. Her father was Yang Wenzong; for more information, see the "Biographies of the Imperial Consorts." Her mother was Lady Zhao from Tianshui, who died young. Later, Yang Yan lived with her uncle's family, where her aunt treated her exceptionally well, personally caring for her while allowing others to look after her own children. As she grew older, she lived with her stepmother, Lady Duan. Yang Yan was intelligent and talented from a young age, skilled in calligraphy, beautiful, and adept at household chores. A fortune-teller once predicted great success for her, and upon hearing this, the Emperor appointed her as the consort of the Crown Prince. The Emperor held her in great favor, and she bore Pi Ling Daowang Sima Gui, Hui Emperor Sima Zhong, Qin Xianwang Sima Jian, and Princesses Pingyang, Xinfeng, and Yangping. After ascending the throne, the Emperor named her Empress. Some suggested following the old Han dynasty practice of granting the Empress and Crown Prince forty special fiefs each, but the Emperor believed this was inconsistent with tradition and thus did not agree.
Out of gratitude for her uncle's kindness, Empress Yang appointed Zhao Jun to a high official position and married Zhao Jun's sister, Lady Yu, to her son. Emperor Wu felt that the Crown Prince Sima Zhong lacked the ability to take on significant responsibilities, so he secretly mentioned this to the empress. The empress said, "The Crown Prince should be chosen according to the rule of primogeniture, not based on merit. How can this matter be easily changed?" At first, Jia Chong's wife, Lady Guo, tried to bribe the empress to make her daughter the Crown Princess. When it came time to discuss the Crown Prince's marriage, Emperor Wu actually wanted Wei Guan's daughter to be the Crown Princess. However, the empress later lauded Jia Chong's daughter for her virtuous character and secretly had the Crown Prince's tutor, Xun Yi, speak to the emperor, who then agreed to the marriage of Jia Chong's daughter. During the Taishi era, Emperor Wu conducted a large-scale selection of virtuous young women to expand the imperial harem. He first ordered a nationwide ban on marriages, then sent eunuchs in official carriages with cavalry and relay stations to quickly summon eligible women for the empress to choose from. The empress, naturally jealous, only selected those with fair skin and tall figures. Anyone who was attractive but didn't meet her standards was turned away. At that time, there was a daughter of the Bian clan who was very beautiful. Emperor Wu, fanning himself, said to the empress, "The daughter of the Bian family is quite good." The empress replied, "The Bian family is a three-generational wealthy clan. Their daughters should not have to settle for a lowly position." Upon hearing this, Emperor Wu dropped the matter.
Sima Li Yin, General Zhenjun Hu Fen, Chief Minister Zhuge Chong, Grand Minister of Ceremonies Zang Quan, Palace Attendant Feng Sun, Secretary Lang Zuo Si, and the daughters of several prominent families were all selected to enter the palace as three primary wives and nine secondary concubines. The families of the officials holding the rank of two thousand stones from the four provinces of Sizhou, Jizhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou were also selected for positions beneath those of the esteemed men. Many noble families, in order to avoid the selection of consorts, intentionally dressed their daughters in ragged clothing and styled them to appear haggard.
It is said that the Empress later fell ill. She knew that the Emperor favored Lady Hu especially and was worried that any child born to Lady Hu would become the Emperor, threatening the Crown Prince's position. On her deathbed, with her head resting on the Emperor's knee, she said, "The daughters of my uncle's family and the Jun family, they both possess good character and beauty. I hope Your Majesty can take them into the harem." As she spoke, tears began to flow, and the Emperor also shed tears in agreement. In the tenth year of the Taishi era, the Empress passed away in Mingguang Hall, lying on the Emperor's lap, at the age of thirty-seven.
The Emperor issued a decree stating: "The Empress served the late Emperor and me, always hoping to serve the ancestral temple for life. Who would have thought she would suddenly pass away? I am deeply saddened. She lost both parents at a young age and had a deep attachment to her family. She had always wished to move her parents' graves, but since I had previously promoted frugality, she said nothing until her final moments when she mentioned this to me. I also feel sorry for her. I will appoint General Jun and others to oversee the relocation of the graves. At that time, the appropriate departments must supply all that is needed for the funeral. I will posthumously confer the title of County Lady to the Empress's mother, the Zhao family, and the title of Township Lady to her stepmother, the Duan family. Did the ancients not say, 'Be cautious at the end and honor the past, so that the virtues of the people may flourish again'? Even if the deceased are aware, they would feel comforted." Thus, an auspicious day and time were selected for the burial, and he instructed the historian to compose a memorial to convey his grief. The memorial stated:
The heavens and earth are united, and couples are harmonious. Jiang Yuan supported Emperor Ku, and the two consorts founded the Gui lineage. I admire the ancients and hope to emulate them. Yet now, my hopes have been dashed; a promising fate was tragically cut short, alas, how sad! I inherited the imperial throne, leading the people of all directions, and the main palace's position is to be filled by concubines. This is a union ordained by heaven, and a favorable omen. The rivers and mountains bestow divine blessings, opening up the prosperity of our family, generations thriving in glory. I inherited the will of the late emperor, accepted this noble mission to assist the country, and uphold the law; this is what should be done. I diligently absorbed the late emperor's teachings, and my reputation for virtue grew widespread. My late mother, radiant and illustrious, I inherited her teachings and her good character. I was meant to uphold my late mother's legacy and carry it forward, but unexpectedly, I departed this world in my youth. Since then, no one has come to honor our ancestors; my passing has plunged the world into deep sorrow, alas, how sad!
The queen's funeral was completed, and she was to be moved to the capital of You. Early in the morning, the carriages and horses stood ready, and the queen was about to set off. The palace was silent, the steps and courtyards lay deserted. The sacrificial items had been arranged, ready to depart. The queen wore elegant mourning attire and rode in a beautifully decorated hearse. On the glistening golden road, the curtains of the hearse had yet to be fully drawn. The grand procession, with thousands of carriages and horses, appeared to hesitate. The banners on the hearse fluttered in the wind, and the willow branches swayed. A multitude of people followed the hearse, each with a look of sorrow. Who wouldn't miss the queen? This grief resonated with millions. The royal family performed divinations and sacrifices in accordance with tradition, preparing the queen's coffin. The earthenware and pottery were all done in accordance with established customs. She was posthumously honored with a title reflecting her character and accomplishments, and her reputation spread throughout the country. Though she was distant from the radiant palace, she was ultimately the emperor's aunt. Although she passed away, her virtues will be cherished for generations, and her achievements will be remembered by future generations. Oh, how tragic! Finally, she was laid to rest in Junyang Tomb. This is Empress Wudao Yang, named Yang Zhi, styled Jilan, nicknamed Nanyin, the sister of Empress Yuan. Her father, Yang Jun, is mentioned in other biographies. She was appointed empress in the second year of Xianning. She was gentle and virtuous, greatly favored by the emperor, and held a prominent position in the harem. She gave birth to the Crown Prince of Bohai, but he passed away in childhood, leaving her without heirs. In the ninth year of Taikang, the empress led the palace ladies and attendants to partake in mulberry picking in the western outskirts, and the emperor bestowed varying amounts of silk upon them.
Princess Consort Jia is jealous of the Empress, and the Emperor considers deposing her. The Empress advised the Emperor, saying, "Jia Gonglu has made significant contributions to the country; his merits should be remembered for generations. Jia Fei is his daughter; she is merely experiencing a moment of jealousy and should not be condemned for a minor mistake that overshadows her father's great merits." The Empress also advised Concubine Li several times, but Concubine Li failed to realize that the Empress was trying to help her, instead mistakenly thinking that the Empress was reporting to the Emperor, so she harbored growing resentment towards the Empress. After the Emperor's death, the Empress was honored as the Empress Dowager. Jia Hou was cruel and envious, particularly of the Empress's father, Yang Jun, who held power, so she falsely accused Yang Jun of rebellion and had Princes Sima Wei and Sima Yao carry out the execution of Yang Jun by imperial decree. The connections both inside and outside were severed, so the Empress wrote a letter on silk and shot it outside the city, which read, "Reward for saving the Grand Tutor." Jia Hou then publicly claimed that the Empress Dowager conspired with Yang Jun to instigate a rebellion. After Yang Jun's death, the Emperor ordered General Hou Jun to escort the Empress Dowager Yang back to Yongning Palace and specifically honored the wishes of the Empress Dowager Yang's mother, Lady Pang, to allow her to remain by the Empress Dowager's side to care for her. Jia Hou suggested to the court ministers and officials that they report: "The Empress Dowager is secretly orchestrating a conspiracy to endanger the state, even resorting to using flying arrows to send letters, recruit soldiers, collude with each other, and sever ties with the heavens. The ruler of the State of Lu abandoned Lady Wen, and the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' endorsed it; this was done to honor the ancestors and demonstrate justice to the realm. Although Your Majesty may still have feelings, we ministers cannot act against your wishes. We should convene a court meeting of the royal ministers to discuss this matter." The Emperor ordered, "This matter is of great importance and must be given careful consideration."
Officials again submitted a memorial saying, "Yang Jun, through his connections as a member of the imperial family, has taken on the significant power of prime minister. Your Majesty, you already had reservations about him, yet you still handed over such responsibilities to him. Consequently, he secretly conspired and built a personal faction. The Empress Dowager colluded with him in a treasonous plot; his crimes are egregious—defying imperial edicts, obstructing military operations, and betraying the populace, committing acts of violence within the palace, and distributing letters far and wide to recruit supporters to strengthen his power. This undermines the ancestral spirits and betrays the hopes of the people. In the past, Lady Wen was involved in a rebellion, and the Spring and Autumn Annals condemned her actions. Empress Lü rebelled, and Empress Gao was demoted, so the Empress Dowager should be stripped of her title and reduced to the status of a commoner in Jiuyang."
The Chief of the Imperial Secretariat Zhang Hua and others believed, "The Empress Dowager did not offend the late emperor. She is now only implicated because of her close relationship with Yang Jun, which is unjust in this sacred time. We should emulate Empress Zhao, mother of Emperor Xiaocheng, and honor her as Empress Wu, allowing her to reside in a secluded palace to safeguard her noble status and dignity in her later years." The Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Prince of Xiapi, and others believed, "The Empress Dowager and Yang Jun are conspiring in secret to jeopardize the state. She should not be permitted to continue her sacrifices at the ancestral shrine and sharing the late emperor's honors. Her title should be diminished, and she should be exiled to the city of Jinyang."
Then the officials submitted a memorial saying, "Please adopt the opinions of Huang and his associates, strip the Empress Dowager of her title and reduce her to commoner status. Send envoys to offer sacrifices at the suburban temples with the finest sacrificial offerings, in accordance with ancestral wishes and to fulfill the expectations of all nations. As for other offerings, they should be as generous as possible." The emperor did not agree. The officials pleaded again, and the emperor finally agreed. The officials then submitted another memorial, saying, "Yang Jun rebelled; all his family members should be executed, but the decree spared his wife, Pang Shi, as a means to comfort the Empress Dowager. Now that the Empress Dowager has been deposed as a commoner, we request that Pang Shi be handed over to the court officials for execution." The emperor ordered, "Allow Pang Shi to be treated as a commoner." The officials speculated about the Empress Dowager's feelings, pleaded repeatedly, and the emperor finally agreed. As Pang Shi faced execution, the Empress Dowager held her, cried, cut her hair, bowed, and wrote to the Empress Dowager, referring to herself as a servant, requesting the preservation of her mother's life, but the Empress Dowager paid her no mind.
Initially, the Empress Dowager had over a dozen maids around her, but the Empress Dowager took them all from her. The Empress Dowager refused to eat or drink, and ultimately succumbed to grief and despair at the age of thirty-four, after reigning for fifteen years. The Empress Dowager was also superstitious, believing that the Empress Dowager would surely seek vengeance from the late emperor, so she hastily arranged for the Empress Dowager's burial and affixed curses and talismans to the coffin.
During the first year of Yongjia, the title of Empress Dowager was posthumously conferred, and a temple was built for her, but her spirit tablet was not placed in Emperor Wu's temple. In the seventh year of Xiankang of Emperor Cheng, the emperor issued a decree for both court officials and those outside to thoroughly discuss this matter. General Wei Yutan expressed his opinion, saying: "The founding Emperor unified the nation, and Empress Yuan should naturally share sacrifices with him. After Empress Yuan's death, the Empress Dowager succeeded to the throne, but later Yang Jun rebelled, implicating the Empress Dowager. Emperor Xiaohuai conferred her posthumous title and posthumous name. Isn't this akin to Dayu's efforts to control the waters, a matter of justice that cannot be altered? Furthermore, when I served as Zongzheng in the second year of Taining, the imperial family genealogy had been lost, rendering it impossible to verify. At that time, we consulted widely with seasoned officials to determine the order of the imperial family genealogy. I, along with the then General of the Cavalry Hua Heng, the Minister Xun Song, and the attendant Xun Sui, based on the old genealogy, discussed and established the hierarchy of posthumous titles without making any alterations. Now the emperor is filial and is conducting sacrifices seriously, asking the officials to determine the rituals of sacrifice. After careful consideration and consultation of Emperor Hui's "Daily Records" and the memorials of the courtiers, which recorded Yang Jun's rebellion and endangering the state, comparing it to the case of Lady Weng of the State of Lu and Empress Lv of the Han Dynasty. I believe that although Lady Weng was the mother of Duke Zhuang, she was actually an enemy who killed her father; Empress Lv favored her own relatives and nearly caused the Liu clan to fall. These two examples are different from the current situation. In the past, Empress Dou of Emperor Zhang killed the mother of Emperor He, and after Emperor He ascended the throne, he executed all the Dou family members. At that time, some people wanted to lower the status of Empress Dou, and after her death, they wanted to bury her without following the proper rites. However, because Emperor He had been filial to her for ten years, he believed that it should not be violated in terms of righteousness, and the moral duty of a subject should be to strive for generosity, kindness, and wisdom, leaving a good reputation in history. I also consulted the late Minister of Works Pei Wei's records on the life of the Empress Dowager, where he said that even if the stepmother was not the birth mother, the rituals regarding posthumous titles should remain unchanged. Therefore, Emperor Xiaohuai honored her posthumous title and posthumous name, and reburied her in Junling. In this way, the bond between mother and son was emphasized, and the previous mistakes were corrected. At that time, she was worshipped at Hongxun Palace, not yet placed in the ancestral temple. Since this matter had not been fully resolved, the proper rites were not observed. If the Empress Dowager's original status is to be restored, then she should share sacrifices with the founding emperor; if her status is not to be restored, then her posthumous title and title should be revoked, without having both titles and a separate temple elsewhere. If Emperor Xiaohuai established a temple for her solely out of favoritism to emphasize the mother-son bond, it would be detrimental to the state. In that case, it is clear that she cannot be worshipped alongside the founding emperor in the ancestral temple.
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King Yu of Kuaiji, Yu Bing, the Grand Secretary, He Chong, the Chief Minister, Zhuge Hui, the Minister of Personnel, Xie Guang, Luozhu Xun, Yin Rong of Danyang, General Feng Huai, and others all agreed with the opinion of Yu Tan, so the Empress Dowager finally worshipped together with Emperor Wu.
The Left Noble Consort, named Fen, is mentioned in other records. Fen had a passion for learning and writing from a young age, and her reputation is second only to her brother. When Emperor Wu heard about this, he brought her into the palace. In the eighth year of Taishi, she was granted the title of Xiu Yi.
The Emperor requested that she write a piece expressing her sorrows, so she wrote "A Lament on Parting": "I was born next to a humble thatched hut, with no opportunity to learn how to read and write. I have never encountered beautiful paintings, nor have I heard the teachings of the wise. I am uneducated and inexperienced, yet I find myself living in the palace. This is no place for me; I am constantly anxious and troubled. The yearning for my family overwhelms me with unbearable sorrow; a multitude of worries swirl in my mind. The weight of my sorrows makes it hard for me to breathe, yet I find no one to confide in. My heart is heavy with grief, with no outlet, and my longing only intensifies. I toss and turn at night, unable to sleep, anxiously awaiting dawn. The wind howls, and the courtyard is blanketed in frost and snow. The sunlight is dim during the day, and the cold is bone-chilling. Countless sorrows weigh on me, and tears flow uncontrollably."
In the past, Boyu was gentle and beautiful, often gathering clothing to honor her parents. Now, I feel as distant from my family as the stars in the sky are from the soil on the ground. The distance between us isn't really far—maybe just a few steps. However, the palace is heavily guarded, and I can't see them. I gaze at the clouds in the sky, silently crying, my tears soaking my clothes. I deeply resonate with Qu Yuan's sorrow and sense of separation, feeling an overwhelming sadness. Those who write poetry praising the city walls also use the sun to symbolize the moon. How much more so for blood relatives, now forever separated by the divide of life and death. My heart is filled with sorrow and pain; I look up at the heavens and cry without end.
The end of the poem states: "Close kin, now turned into strangers, have parted forever! Heartbroken, in dreams I return home and see the ones I miss. Upon waking, I cry out, feeling utterly distressed, tears streaming uncontrollably. I take up my pen to pour out my feelings, and the more I cry, the more tears fall as I write this poem."
Later, she was granted the title of noble consort. Though she was of average beauty and didn’t win the emperor's favor, she was respected for her talent and virtue. She was weak and often ill, living for many years in a simple palace. Whenever the emperor visited Hualing Garden, he would make a special effort to see her. Whenever it came to discussing literature and classics, her responses were always clear and articulate, filled with remarkable eloquence, and those around her couldn’t help but praise her.
When Empress Yuan Yang passed away, Fen presented a memorial, writing:
(This part should continue with the content of the memorial for Empress Yuan Yang, but the original text is not provided, so this section ends here.)
In the autumn of the year 274 AD, on the seventh day of the seventh month, Empress Yang of the Jin Dynasty passed away. Ah, what a pity! In ancient times, there were Shenshi who married into the Yin Dynasty and Jiang Si who married into the Zhou Dynasty; their virtuous conduct in the harem is still well-known and praised today. "In ancient times, Shenshi wed the Yin, and Jiang Si returned to the Zhou, their virtues shining through the ages." Fan Ji and Wei Ji assisted the Qi and Chu states; Empress Ma and Empress Deng also assisted the emperors of the Han Dynasty. "Fan and Wei, supporting Qi and Chu; Ma and Deng, assisting the Han rulers." Our Empress of the Jin Dynasty shone brightly in the Jin palace, "The majestic Empress, illuminating the Jin palace." Her love for the Emperor was deep, comparable to those virtuous couples throughout history. "The holy couple, compared to those of ancient times." Sadly, fate was unkind to her talent, and she passed away young, leaving this world. "Life is not eternal, facing the sun and turning to shadow." The concubines in the harem wept, and the entire nation mourned profoundly. "The six palaces wail, the four seas mourn." As a humble concubine, I deeply cherished the Empress's kindness. "I, a lowly concubine, bear the deep grace." In remembrance of such a virtuous person as the Empress, I would willingly sacrifice myself for her. "Admiring the three virtues, willingly sinking oneself." What more is there to long for? I will never forget the Empress's kindness. "Why remember? Do not forget her virtues." What else is there to record? I express my grief in this memorial. "Why record? Entrust it to the Hanlin." Thus, I have written this memorial:
Empress Jin Yuan, born into the prestigious Yang family, "The illustrious empress hails from the Yang clan." The family lineage is illustrious for generations, shining like brilliant sunlight, "Generations of red wheels shine like brilliant sunlight." She is majestic and auspicious like a mountain, "Only the mountain receives the divine, revealing this auspicious omen." She was born beautiful and virtuous, possessing noble virtues, "Dedicated to nurturing talents, radiating gentle brilliance." She is talented and different from ordinary women, "Possessing spiritual wisdom, she stands apart from ordinary women." Her character is gentle like a spring day, warm and decisive like autumn frost, "Gentle like spring, strict like autumn frost." She is diligent and practices the path of benevolence and righteousness, "Quick to accomplish tasks, steadfast in righteousness." She follows the four teachings of how to behave towards others diligently, without slack, "Following the four teachings diligently, without slack." She respects her parents and harmonizes with her relatives, spreading her good reputation far and wide, "Kind to her relatives, her reputation resounds." Her good reputation spreads throughout the capital city, "What makes her so renowned? The imperial household holds her in high esteem." She was chosen to serve the revered emperor, "She was chosen to serve the revered emperor." She sits dignified in the palace, guided solely by virtue, "Seated dignified in the inner chambers, guided solely by virtue." She is graceful in demeanor and articulate in speech, "Her movements are graceful, and her words are eloquent." She reads extensively, diligent in her studies, "Gazing up at the collection of books and down at the scrolls." She humbly learns from female historians and consults ancient texts, "Consulting female historians and studying bamboo and silk scrolls." Devoted to the empress dowager, she serves her with respect day and night, "Devoted to the empress dowager, she serves her with respect day and night." She manages the affairs of the palace meticulously and responsibly, "Managing palace affairs with precision and integrity."
Speaking of this queen, she is serious and diligent in her work, meticulous about etiquette, and dedicated to her duties. Although she is of saintly caliber, she strives to improve herself every day, constantly perfecting her abilities. "Though called a saint, she renews her virtue daily," she is just that kind of person. Where does her remarkable progress lie? It is in her continuous expansion of compassion, "to cultivate and promote benevolence!" She treats others gently and kindly, being considerate in every detail; even the emperor's sister is as close to her as a sister. She manages the six palaces, handling all affairs in an orderly manner, "managing the six palaces, nothing is beyond her control," there is nothing she cannot accomplish! The concubines in the palace all admire her like the North Star, "the concubines only look up to her, like the North Star."
Spring has arrived, "the azure sun rises, heralded by the mourning dove," the queen personally goes to the fields to pick mulberries, leading the palace maids in labor. They diligently raise silkworms, harvest cocoons, spin thread, and weave fabric. "Completing the silkworm house, sorting cocoons and managing the silk," she is hands-on in everything. She also carefully inspects the female workers' tasks, personally overseeing the garments for sacrificial offerings. "The female workers' tasks are to be inspected, and the sacrificial garments are to be overseen," she treats every detail with seriousness. She serves the ancestral temple with devotion, always honoring her ancestors, "sincerely serving the ancestral temple, forever cherishing filial thoughts." In short, she embodies the six virtues of women, "in those six virtues, she embodies them all." She assists Emperor Shun like the Tushan clan and aids Emperor Yu like the Tushan clan, "the imperial excellence supports Shun, Tushan aids Yu," virtuously assisting the monarch and achieving great accomplishments. She also assists the hegemons Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin, akin to the rulers of Wei and Fan, "only Wei and Fan, the two hegemons are assisted," showcasing her talent and influence.
Our queen, like the wise queens of the past, follows the same standards: "Clearly I am the queen, but I adhere to the same standards as others." She is not only virtuous but also far-sighted and insightful; even amidst chaos, she strategizes for the nation's welfare: "Even in chaos, she plans for the welfare of the nation." She promotes moral education in the palace and assists the king in court: "Internally fostering moral education, externally promoting enlightenment." She diligently organizes affairs, tirelessly working day and night for the state: "Diligently organizing affairs, tirelessly working day and night." Her grace flows like a gentle breeze, and her blessings nourish like rain: "Her grace flows like a gentle breeze, her blessings nourish like rain." Therefore, the entire country has received blessings, and people sing praises of her virtues: "Blessings abound from all corners, with praises sung far and wide."
May heaven bless her with true fortune, ensuring prosperity and growth: "Heaven blesses her with true fortune, ensuring prosperity and growth." Therefore, the country can thrive, and talents emerge: "Then there will be great rejoicing, nurturing both the sacred and the wise." Her teachings surpass those of ancient queens like Rensui and Jiang Yuan: "Her teachings surpass those of ancient queens like Rensui and Jiang Yuan." Her son, the esteemed crown prince, is the pillar of the nation: "The esteemed crown prince, the pillar of the nation." The thriving vassal states of Nanyang serve as both shield and protector: "The thriving vassal states of Nanyang serve as both shield and protector." The royal lineage flourishes, casting blessings across the four seas: "The royal lineage flourishes, casting blessings across the four seas." Without this great queen, how could the nation have achieved such prosperity? "Without this great queen, how could the nation have achieved such prosperity?" She is revered for her wisdom and integrity, known as Qian Gai Cong and Sheng Yun Cheng: "Revered for her wisdom and integrity, known as Qian Gai Cong and Sheng Yun Cheng." She accumulates merits and does good deeds, so she enjoys the five blessings: "In the hall of accumulated virtues, where the five blessings converge." She deserves to enjoy a long, peaceful old age, free from decline: "She deserves to enjoy a long, peaceful old age, free from decline," like Pengzu with his longevity, like Laozi with his wisdom: "Like Pengzu with his longevity, like Laozi with his wisdom."
But fate is cruel; how could misfortune happen? "Why does misfortune not arise?" She lay bedridden and restless, unable to find peace in either sleep or wakefulness. The imperial physicians exhausted all methods, but to no avail, "sorcery and incantations, invoking magpies and composing remedies." Prayers went unanswered, and the medicine proved ineffective. Her body grew weaker, and her mind became increasingly clouded, "her body and spirit were on the verge of separation, lost in confusion." Ultimately, she suddenly passed away, her essence extinguished. The heartbroken Crown Prince of Nanyang was devastated, unable to sleep all night, crying out and pounding his chest, "clinging to wakefulness, pounding his chest and wailing in grief." "Alas!" The entire palace was engulfed in sorrow, sending shockwaves throughout the realm. People hurried to pay their respects, a sea of people at the palace gates, "those rushing filled the streets, while others packed the courtyard," with cries echoing to the heavens and tears pouring down like rain, "grief roared like thunder, and tears poured down like rain." People were devastated, as if they had lost their own kin, "sobbing uncontrollably, as if mourning the loss of their own kin."
Speaking of the Emperor and Empress, in those years they were deeply in love, their affection profound. "Soaring together like birds in a white house, flying high in a purple pavilion," what a beautiful memory! Unfortunately, the Empress's untimely death in her prime left everyone heartbroken. Just the thought of it brings tears to my eyes.
The Empress was so intelligent and virtuous during her lifetime, well-versed in the ways of life, leading a simple and frugal life, and even her funeral rites were more elaborate than those of previous empresses. Her burial goods contained no treasures, nor bright moons, only a simple coffin, forever shrouded from sunlight and brightness. We, her servants, were heartbroken, our cries shaking the heavens, the palace fell into silence, and the chamber felt even more ominous. The empty drapes and bare bedding deepened our sorrow. Some say that the fate of the soul after death is elusive, “the essence is ethereal, neither floating nor sinking,” we can only hope that in the lavish offerings, the Empress’s soul might return to take a look. However, we heard no response from her.
Thus, we set about selecting the tomb's location, and after repeated inspections, we finally selected a site with auspicious feng shui. We consulted the oracle, and the results were favorable. “We have determined the burial site, and it will become a mysterious chamber.” After selecting an auspicious day and time, on a clear autumn morning, just as the morning star began to rise, the sky was dotted with stars, and the hearse was already prepared. What did the hearse look like? It was made of gold and exquisite jade; and the horses that pulled it? Two camels and two yellow steeds. “What is the carriage like? A golden base and a jade box. What are the steeds like? Two camels and two yellow steeds.” The hearse moved slowly forward, with officials dressed in bright red ceremonial robes, the procession was magnificent and imposing, with banners waving proudly.
The magnificent wheels gleam in the fields, and the white canopies cover the plains. The honor guard stands tall, with flags fluttering and the mourners chanting mournful songs, as the white horse pulls the hearse, making their way towards the towering mountains. The roadsides are crowded with mourners, men and women of all ages, their cries filling the air, tears streaming down their faces. Thousands of honor guards march alongside the procession to the foot of the mountain. This mountain rises into the clouds, its terrain steep and perilous, strategically located with the Luo River at its back and facing the Yellow River, the royal tomb of the Empress on the left and the Emperor's family tomb on the right, making it an ideal resting place for the Empress. The Empress's aunts, sisters, concubines, and ladies-in-waiting follow behind the hearse, their wails deafeningly resounding through the streets. Nobles and ministers, civil and military officials, fill the streets, countless white canopies blotting out the sun, their cries and laments persisting through the night until dawn breaks. The officials honor the Empress's coffin and see to her burial. Officials from both the inner and outer courts come to mourn, overwhelmed with grief, their cries like a downpour, tears streaming like springs. "Tears like a flowing cloud, tears like morning dew." The Empress's tomb is finally sealed, becoming a realm of darkness, "with night but no day, what good is its light?" There are no markers at the tomb, no trees to be seen, as it blends seamlessly into the hillside.
Oh, my mother-in-law passed away, and that big fire turned the western sky red. In the blink of an eye, the harsh winter has come and gone, and the scorching summer has faded away; now it is already the beginning of autumn. Since she passed away, time has flown by, and a year has gone by in the blink of an eye. It's time to change out of mourning clothes, feeling as though my heart has been struck. But the court's ceremonial system has so many complicated rules, making me even more worried. Taking off this plain white mourning attire, my heart still aches for Lingqiu (referring to my mother-in-law's tomb). Life has a beginning and an end; this is the way of nature; aside from the sun, moon, and stars, who can escape the fate of death? We can only strive to carry on her noble virtues and honor her with a portrait. This is something that the sages have always been proud of.
My mother-in-law was gentle and virtuous; she was benevolent to the people during her lifetime, nurturing them, and her kindness reached everyone. The love she left behind will forever be remembered, and her reputation will endure like the sun and moon. Alas, as a daughter-in-law, I miss her all year round, and thinking of her makes me unable to hold back my tears.
In the second year of Xianning, I was ordered to write a eulogy for the late matriarch (referring to my mother-in-law):
The towering Huashan, majestic and serene. The great spirits lead the flow; the river is the channel. My mother-in-law is as noble as the towering Huashan, as great as the Yellow River; her family has been illustrious for generations, nurturing such a wise figure like her. She was born intelligent, displaying exceptional talent from a young age, fragrant as an orchid, pure as jade. Even in her youth, she showed extraordinary virtues, and her reputation spread far and wide. Her character was noble, akin to the virtuous queens of old, and the royal family hosted a grand wedding in her honor. On a propitious day, officials welcomed her into the palace. Much like King Xuan of Zhou marrying Lady Han, poets sang her praises.
After my mother-in-law ascended the throne, the ceremonial procession was magnificent and spectacular. She governed from the Purple Palace, and her virtues became increasingly evident. The people rejoiced, celebrating throughout all corners of the world. The emperor was wise and insightful, compassionate and kind, empathetic to the suffering of the people, and extended his kindness far and wide. He granted a general amnesty, bestowing grace upon all directions. After my mother-in-law took the throne, the prisons were cleared. All nations celebrated together, and the world thrived. The earth gods danced joyfully, and heavenly beings rejoiced. Auspicious omens were everywhere, and the sun and moon shone brightly. The climate was mild, and the winds and rains were favorable; the emperor even prayed for generous rains from above. Dark clouds gathered, and sweet rain fell abundantly, soaking the land. A bountiful harvest was in sight, and the country was peaceful and secure. The Princess of Ten Thousand Years had passed away, and the emperor was deeply saddened, ordering Lu Ji to compose a memorial. Lu Ji's memorial was particularly ornate. The emperor greatly admired Lu Ji's literary talent, and whenever he came across rare treasures, he would ask him to compose poems, so Lu Ji often earned the emperor's favor. He wrote many poems, letters, and essays for his brother, and these works have been passed down through the ages.
Hu Guifei, named Fang, was the daughter of Hu Fen, as noted in another biography. In the ninth year of the Taishi era, the emperor chose many virtuous women to fill the harem, personally picking the beautiful ones and tying red silk around their arms. After Fang was chosen, she wept in the lower hall. Those nearby advised her, saying, "The emperor has heard your cries." Fang replied, "I’m not afraid of death; why should I fear the emperor?" The emperor then sent the magistrate Sima Zhao of Luoyang to appoint Fang as Guifei. Whenever the emperor asked her something, she was always straightforward in her answers, and her demeanor was very proper. At that time, the emperor had many favored concubines. After pacifying the state of Wu, he brought in several thousand from Sun Hao's palace, resulting in a harem of nearly ten thousand, with many enjoying the emperor's favor simultaneously. The emperor often didn’t know whom to visit, riding in a sheep-drawn carriage, casually drifting between various palaces and resting in them when tired. The palace attendants would use bamboo leaves to mark the doors and sprinkle salt water on the ground to guide the emperor's carriage. However, Fang was the emperor's most beloved, enjoying almost exclusive favor in her own quarters, and her attire was second only to that of the empress. One time, the emperor and Fang played dice and competed in archery, which resulted in him injuring his finger. The emperor exclaimed in anger, "You are a daughter of the tiger gate!" Fang responded, "Conquering Gongsun Yuan in the north and resisting Zhuge Liang in the west—if I’m not a daughter of the tiger gate, how could I have accomplished that?" The emperor felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. Fang later gave birth to Princess Wuan.
Lady Zhuge, whose name is Wan, hails from Yangdu in Langye. Her father, Zhuge Chong, styled Maochang, held the position of Minister of Justice. In the ninth year of the Taishi era, in the spring, she entered the palace with the Emperor present and was conferred the title of Lady by the Luoyang envoy Sima Zhao. Her brother, Zhuge Quan, styled Delin, served as a Cavalier In Regular Attendance. Zhuge Quan's younger brother, Zhuge Mei, styled Renlin, served as a Palace Attendant and Deputy Imperial Secretary. Zhuge Mei's brother-in-law, Zhou Mu, was the maternal uncle of the Prince of Qinghe, Sima Tan. In the early years of Yongjia, Zhou Mu and Zhuge Mei persuaded the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue, to depose Emperor Huai and enthrone Sima Tan, but Sima Yue refused. After several attempts to persuade him, Sima Yue became angry and executed Zhuge Mei and Zhou Mu. Before their execution, Zhuge Mei asked Zhou Mu, "What did I say to you?" Zhou Mu replied, "Is there anything left to say today?" It was then known that the treasonous plot originated from Zhou Mu, not Zhuge Mei's intention.
Jia Nanfeng, a native of Pingyang, nicknamed Shi. Her father, Jia Chong, is documented in a separate biography. Initially, Emperor Wu wanted the Crown Prince to marry the daughter of Wei Guan, but the Empress at that time heeded the advice of relatives from the Jia family and wanted the Crown Prince to marry a daughter of the Jia family. Emperor Wu said, "The Wei family's daughter possesses five admirable qualities, whereas the Jia family's daughter has five undesirable traits. The Wei family is virtuous, has many offspring, is beautiful and tall; the Jia family is jealous, has few children, and is ugly and short." The Empress insisted on the match with the Jia family daughter, and Xun Yi and Xun Xu also praised Jia Chong's daughter as virtuous, which sealed the marriage agreement. Originally, they wanted to marry Jia Nanfeng's younger sister, Jia Wu, who was just twelve at that time, one year younger than the Crown Prince, thin and small, and couldn't even find clothes that fit. Eventually, the fifteen-year-old Jia Nanfeng was married off, two years her senior to the Crown Prince. On the Xinmao day in the second month of the eighth year of the Taishi era, Jia Nanfeng was appointed as the Crown Prince's consort.
Jia Nanfeng is extremely jealous and full of cunning schemes. The Crown Prince feels both fear and confusion towards her, and only a handful of palace concubines can win the Crown Prince's favor. The Emperor has always felt that the Crown Prince is incompetent himself, and court officials have repeatedly brought this issue to the Emperor's attention. As a result, the Emperor decided to test the Crown Prince. He summoned all the officials in the Eastern Palace and hosted a banquet for them, then gave the Crown Prince several difficult questions to answer in secret. Jia Nanfeng was quite anxious, so she discreetly sought help to write the answers. The answers provided by those people cited numerous ancient allusions. Zhang Hong, a censor, said, "The Crown Prince is incompetent himself, yet the answers quote allusions. The Emperor will definitely investigate who helped him write them, and both the Crown Prince and the helper will be punished. It would be better to answer in your own words." Jia Nanfeng was thrilled to hear this and said to Zhang Hong, "Help me craft a great answer, and we can share in the glory and riches to come!" Zhang Hong, who was already somewhat clever, quickly wrote a good answer and had the Crown Prince copy it. The Emperor was quite pleased with the answer. He even showed the answer to the Crown Prince's tutor, Wei Guan, who turned pale with fear. It dawned on everyone that Wei Guan had previously spoken ill of Jia Nanfeng, and the courtiers erupted in cheers. Jia Chong whispered to Jia Nanfeng, "That old Wei Guan nearly brought your family to ruin!"
Jia Nanfeng was cruel by nature and had personally killed several people. Once, she even threw a halberd at a pregnant concubine, resulting in the child's death on the spot, who fell to the ground. The emperor was very angry when he heard about it and nearly decided to depose her. Jia Chong's relative Zhao Can calmly said, "Jia Fei is still young; jealousy is a common flaw among women, and she will naturally be better when she gets older. I hope Your Majesty can be understanding toward her." Later, Yang Yao also interceded for Jia Nanfeng, saying, "Does Your Majesty forget about Jia Gonglu?" Xun Xu also pleaded for her, so Jia Nanfeng was not deposed. After Emperor Hui ascended the throne, Jia Nanfeng was elevated to empress and bore Princess Hedong, Princess Linhai, Princess Shiping, and Princess Aixian.
Empress Jia became more and more arrogant and utterly unchecked, completely out of control. At that time, the attendant Jia Mo (Empress Jia's cousin) and the Right Guard Guo Zhang (Empress Jia's uncle) leveraged their talents and influence to secure important positions, controlling the court with Prince Chu Sima Wei and General Ma Yao of Dong'an. Empress Jia's mother Guangcheng Jun and her adopted grandson Jia Mi also intervened in court affairs; their power rivaled that of the emperor. Sima Wei secretly wanted to depose Empress Jia, and the Jia family was deeply fearful of him. Later, Grand Preceptor Zhang Hua, Wei Guan, and others memorialized the court, requesting to transfer Sima Wei to a remote area and strip Prince Chu Sima Wei of his guard position. Empress Jia knew that Sima Wei was holding a grudge because of this, so she secretly issued an edict to order Sima Wei to kill Wei Guan and Zhang Hua, as an act of revenge for past grievances. Jia Mo saw Empress Jia's cruelty and brutality; fearing for his safety, he conferred with Pei Wei and Wang Yan about deposing Empress Jia, but Wang Yan later had second thoughts and sought to suppress the matter.
Jia Hou became even more hedonistic, having wild affairs with the imperial physician Cheng Ju and others, behaving outrageously. In Luonan, there was a beautiful young official who worked for a thief. Originally only doing manual labor, he suddenly put on very luxurious clothes, which made everyone suspect he was up to no good. The county magistrate interrogated him. When Jia Hou caught wind of this, she was curious to see what he had stolen, so she personally went to listen to the interrogation. The young official recounted, "I met an old woman before who said someone in her family was sick. A fortune teller said a young man from the south of the city was needed to ward off evil spirits. She asked for my help, promising a big reward. I followed her, got into a carriage, and once the curtain was drawn, they put me in a box. We traveled more than ten miles, passed through six or seven gates, and when they opened the box, I was stunned to see tall buildings and beautiful houses! I asked where we were, and she replied, 'This is heaven.' Then she bathed me in fragrant water, dressed me in fine clothes, and treated me to delicious food and drink. I saw a woman there, around thirty-five or thirty-six years old, short in stature, dark-skinned, with a scar behind her eyebrows. I spent a few days there, sleeping, eating, and enjoying myself with her. When I left, she gave me these things." As soon as the listeners heard this description, they realized it was Jia Hou and couldn’t help but laugh in embarrassment. The county magistrate also understood. Most of those who had gone to see Jia Hou back then had died; only this young official made it out alive because Jia Hou took a liking to him. Later, when Princess Hedong fell ill, the sorcerer advised that a policy of clemency be put into effect, so a decree was issued in the emperor's name, granting amnesty to everyone.
At first, the queen pretended to be pregnant and secretly sought out items to fake as baby supplies. Then she called her brother-in-law Han Shou, saying it was to take care of the child, to cover up the fact that she was not pregnant, thus keeping the matter private. She then plotted to dispose of the crown prince and install her own child in his place. At that time, a rumor circulated in Luoyang City: "The strong south wind blows yellow sand, looking at the lush and towering Lu country from afar, arriving in March to destroy your family." The queen's mother, Lady Guangcheng, as she had no sons, held the crown prince in high regard and cared for him deeply, often advising the queen to love the crown prince more. Jia Mi, leveraging his power, acted arrogantly and refused to back the crown prince, and Lady Guangcheng always sternly rebuked him. Later, Lady Guangcheng fell gravely ill, and a fortune teller advised against her retaining the title of Lady Guangcheng, so she was renamed Lady Yicheng. The queen cared for her during her illness for over ten days, and the crown prince often visited Lady Yicheng's mansion, accompanying the royal physician in and out, demonstrating profound respect and courtesy. When Lady Yicheng was dying, she held the queen's hand and asked her to treat the crown prince well, speaking very earnestly, and said, "Zhao Can and Jia Wu will definitely harm you. After I die, do not let them enter the palace again, remember my words!" The queen ignored her advice, ultimately seizing power and instilling fear in both the court and the populace. Previously, the queen decisively orchestrated the executions of Yang Jun, Prince Runan Liang, Grand Guardian Wei Guan, Prince Chu Wei, and others. Eunuch Dong Meng was also involved in these events. Dong Meng, who held the position of supervisor of the temple during Emperor Wu's reign, had served in the Eastern Palace and earned the queen's trust, participated in the killing of Yang Jun, and was named Marquis Wuan'an. His three brothers were also granted the title of Marquis Ting, and the people harbored resentment towards them.
The crown prince was deposed, and Zhao Wang Lun and Sun Xiu conspired to depose the empress due to the rising public outrage. The empress sent palace maids disguised as commoners several times to gather information, but their plans were leaked. The empress was very scared, so she had the crown prince killed to extinguish everyone’s hopes.
Zhao Wang Lun then led troops into the palace and sent the military officer Qi Wang Jiong to depose the empress. The empress had a grudge against Jiong's mother, which was why Lun sent him. The empress exclaimed in surprise, "What are you doing?" Jiong replied, "I am here to depose you by imperial decree." The empress retorted, "Imperial decrees should come from me; where's yours coming from?" When the empress reached the upper chamber, she called out to the emperor from a distance, saying, "Your Majesty has a wife, yet allows someone to depose her; isn't that the same as deposing yourself?" She then asked Jiong, "Who initiated this rebellion?" Jiong replied, "Liang Wang and Zhao Wang." The empress said, "When you catch a dog, you grab it by the neck, not by the tail. How can it be like this?" Upon reaching the west of the palace and seeing the crown prince's corpse, the empress cried again, but after a while, she stopped. Zhao Wang Lun forged an imperial decree and sent the official Liu Hong, along with others, wielding a ceremonial staff and carrying poisoned wine to execute the empress. The empress had been in power for eleven years. Zhao Can, Jia Wu, Han Shou, Dong Meng, and others were all executed.
Queen Huiyang, whose name was Xianrong, was a native of the southern city of Taishan. Her grandfather, Jin, and father, Xuanzhi, are mentioned in the "Biographies of the Imperial Consorts." After Empress Jia was deposed, Sun Xiu discussed the selection of a new empress. The empress's maternal grandfather, Sun Qi, and Sun Xiu were of the same clan, and her sons were friends with Sun Xiu, so in the first year of Tai'an, she was made empress. When she was about to enter the palace, her garments caught fire.
Prince Ying of Chengdu fought against Prince Yi of Changsha, claiming it was to avenge Xuanzhi, and Prince Yi was defeated. Prince Ying then sought to depose the empress, reduce her to commoner status, and imprison her in Jinyong City.
Later, Chen Zhen and his allies rebelled against Prince Ying, and the court issued a general amnesty. The empress was once again reinstated as empress. However, this period of stability was short-lived. After Zhang Fang entered Luoyang, he deposed the empress again. Zhang Fang also forced the emperor to move the capital to Chang'an, and upon the emperor's arrival in Chang'an, the empress was reinstated once more.
At the beginning of the Yongxing period, Zhang Fang fraudulently issued an imperial decree, and the empress became a pawn manipulated repeatedly by those villains. They dispatched the Minister of Personnel, Tian Shu, to Jinyong City to carry out her execution.
After receiving several edicts to kill the queen, the Prefect of Justice Liu Lun, the Minister of Rites Xun Fan, and the Governor of Henan Zhou Fu hastily submitted a memorial saying, "We were filled with trepidation upon reading your edict. We have consulted ancient and modern texts and found that the downfall of nations and the ruin of families stem from ignoring the will of the people. Your Majesty, after you moved the capital, Luoyang has become desolate, leaving the people with no one to turn to. Everyone is looking forward to your return, hoping that you can lay down your weapons and let everyone live in peace. But now, there is continuous warfare everywhere; is this not because the rulers are not doing well, resulting in a loss of public support? Now, Shangguan Si has rebelled and set fire to the palace, and the people are very scared; the unrest must be quelled swiftly. But you sent people to kill the queen, causing a great uproar both within and outside the court; everyone does not believe this is your intention. The queen currently resides in the crumbling Jinyang City, heavily guarded and completely isolated from the outside world; it is inconceivable for her to conspire with those traitors. Whether common people or officials, they all feel that the queen should not be killed; now suddenly wanting to kill her, the accusations lack sufficient credibility to convince the public, and this could easily incite a rebellion. If killing a person can make everyone in the world happy, it is a good thing for the country. But now killing someone who is already destitute and downtrodden causes everyone in the world to be sad and sorrowful; I am worried that the bad people will take advantage of the situation. We are responsible for the public security in the capital, observing the unrest of the people, and are very worried, so we earnestly request Your Majesty to reconsider, do not let the people doubt your intentions and bring shame upon yourself."
King Yong of Hejian was furious upon reading the memorial, so he sent Chen Yan and Lv Lang to arrest Liu Lun. Liu Lun escaped to Qingzhou, and the queen's life was spared. Later, the emperor returned to Luoyang, and the queen was reinstated once again. However, the Luoyang Prefect, He Qiao, deposed the queen once more. When Zhang Fang came to Luoyang again, the queen was reinstated once again.
After the emperor died, the empress was worried that after the crown prince ascended the throne, she would become the crown prince's sister-in-law and could no longer be called the empress dowager. So, she quickly called for the former crown prince, King Qingshan of Qin, hoping to establish him as the emperor, but her efforts were in vain. Once Emperor Huai took the throne, he bestowed the title of Empress Hui upon her and let her reside in Hongxun Palace. After Luoyang fell, Liu Yao captured her. Liu Yao seized the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, making her his empress. Liu Yao then asked her, "How do I stack up against those young Sima guys?" The empress replied, "How can you even compare them? Your Majesty is a wise ruler who has built a legacy, while the Sima family are a bunch of fools who lost their country! They can't even protect their own wives and children, and as emperors, their wives are humiliated by ordinary people. Back then, I really didn’t want to go on, but I never expected to have such a fate today. I was born into a well-off family and thought all men were alike. Since serving you, I've realized there are truly great men like you out there!" Liu Yao was quite taken with her, and after she bore him two sons, she passed away and was later honored posthumously as Empress Xianwen.
Madam Xie, named Jiu, came from a very poor family; her father earned a living as a sheep butcher. Xie Jiu was strikingly beautiful and of good character, and she was chosen to enter the palace as a talented lady. When Emperor Hui was still in the Eastern Palace, he was preparing to marry a consort. Emperor Wu felt that the Crown Prince was still young and did not understand matters between men and women, so he sent Xie Jiu to the Eastern Palace to serve him, which led to Xie Jiu gaining favor and becoming pregnant. Empress Jia grew jealous of her, so Xie Jiu requested to return to the Western Palace, where she later gave birth to Crown Prince Minhuai. When Crown Prince Minhuai was three or four years old, Emperor Hui did not know that he was his own son. One day in court, Emperor Hui saw Crown Prince Minhuai playing with other princes and took his hand. Emperor Wu said, "This is your son." After Crown Prince Minhuai was established as the Crown Prince, Xie Jiu was appointed as a virtuous lady. Empress Jia did not allow the Crown Prince to meet Xie Jiu and locked her in a room. Later, Crown Prince Minhuai was tragically killed, and Xie Jiu met the same fate. In the early years of Yongkang, the court ordered the reburial of Crown Prince Minhuai and posthumously conferred the title of Lady Xie Jiu with a seal and sash, burying her at Xianping Tomb.
Empress Dowager Huaiwang, named Yuanji, has an unknown background. When she first entered Emperor Wu's palace, she was appointed as a mid-ranking lady, but she died young. After Emperor Huai ascended the throne, she was posthumously honored as Empress Dowager.
Consort Xiahou, originally known as Guangji, was from Qiao County, Pei State. Her grandfather Xiahou Wei served as the Governor of Yanzhou. Her father Xiahou Zhuang, styled Zhongrong, served as the Administrator of Huainan and also held the title of Marquis of Qingmingting. Consort Xiahou came from a noble family and was bright and intelligent from a young age. She was married to Prince Wuling of Langye when he was still the Crown Prince, and later gave birth to Emperor Yuan. After Prince Gong passed away, Emperor Yuan succeeded to the throne, and she became the Dowager Consort. In the first year of Yongjia, she died in Jiangdong and was laid to rest in Langye. A prophecy foretold, "the bronze horse will enter the sea and establish the capital at Ye." She was nicknamed Tonghuan, and Emperor Yuan eventually flourished in Jiangdong, thus fulfilling the prophecy!
This story is about Empress Dowager Xiahou, whose given name was Guangji. Her hometown was in Qiao County, Pei. She came from a prestigious family; her grandfather was the Inspector of Yanzhou, her father was the Administrator of Huainan, and she held the title of marquis. She was exceptionally intelligent and capable from a young age. When Prince Wu of Langye was the crown prince, he married her, and they later had Emperor Yuan. After Prince Gong's death, Emperor Yuan ascended the throne, and she became Empress Dowager. In the first year of Yongjia, she passed away in the south and was laid to rest in Langye. A prophecy stated, "The bronze horse will enter the sea and establish the capital of Ye." The Empress Dowager was nicknamed Bronze Ring, and later, Emperor Yuan established his power in the south, thus fulfilling the prophecy!
