The grandmother's generation is called Empress Dowager, the mother's generation is called Empress, and the wife is referred to as the Queen; these are all traditional titles from the Han Dynasty. Emperor Wu of Jin referred to the systems of the Han Dynasty and Wei Dynasty and established three ranks: Noble Consort, Lady, and Concubine, collectively referred to as the Three Ladies, holding a status comparable to that of the Three Dukes. The ranks include Virtuous Concubine, Virtuous Lady, Virtuous Consort, Beautiful Splendor, Beautiful Grace, Beautiful Dignity, Lady of Auspicious Beauty, Lady of Graceful Splendor, and Lady of Exalted Beauty; these nine ranks are collectively called the Nine Concubines, with a status similar to that of the Nine Ministers. There are also Beauties, Talented Ladies, and Middle Talented Ladies, whose status is considerably lower, equivalent to low-ranking court officials. After the founding Emperor took the throne, he dismissed two Talented Ladies, and the remaining titles adhered to the Jin Dynasty's system. The title of Noble Consort was established by Emperor Wen of Wei; the title of Lady was established by Emperor Wu of Wei at the founding of the Wei state; the title of Concubine was established by Emperor Guangwu of Han; Virtuous Concubine was established by Emperor Ming of Wei; Virtuous Lady was established by Emperor Wen of Wei; Virtuous Consort and Beautiful Splendor were established by Emperor Wu of Jin; Beautiful Grace was established by Emperor Wen of Wei; Beautiful Dignity was established by Emperor Ming of Wei; Lady of Auspicious Beauty and Lady of Graceful Splendor were titles existing since the Western Han Dynasty; Lady of Exalted Beauty was established by Emperor Wu of Jin; and the title of Beauties was established by Emperor Guangwu of Han.
During the third year of Emperor Shizu during his reign, the ranks of Furen, Xiu Hua, and Xiu Rong were abolished, and the title of Guifei was established, holding a status comparable to that of a prime minister; the rank of Guiren was comparable to that of a Sanqi official, thus introducing a new set of three Furen. In addition, the ranks of Zhao Yi, Zhao Rong, and Zhao Hua were established to replace the original Xiu Hua, Xiu Yi, and Xiu Rong. The ranks of Zhong Cairen and Chong Yi were also established, regarded as lower-ranking officials. Zhao Yi was established by Emperor Yuan of Han; Zhao Rong was established by Emperor Shizu; Zhao Hua was established by Emperor Ming of Wei; Zhong Cairen was established by Emperor Wu of Jin; and Chong Yi existed since the Western Han Dynasty. In the first year of Emperor Taizong's reign, known as Taishi, the ranks of Shufei, Zhaohua, Zhong Cairen, and Chong Yi were abolished, and the titles of Xiu Hua, Xiu Yi, Xiu Rong, Cairen, and Liang Ren were reestablished. Three years later, the rank of Guiren was abolished, and the title of Guiji was introduced to complete the number of three Furen. Additionally, Zhao Hua was established, and the ranks of Shu Rong, Cheng Hui, and Lie Rong were added. Finally, the nine ranks of Shuyuan, Shuyi, Shurong, Zhaohua, Zhao Yi, Zhao Rong, Xiu Hua, Xiu Yi, and Xiu Rong were collectively known as the nine Furen. Jieyu, Ronghua, Chonghua, Chenghui, and Lierong, the five ranks, were subordinate to the nine Furen. Meiren, Zhong Cairen, and Cairen, the three ranks, with lower status, were considered scattered positions. Later, Emperor Taizong paid particular attention to the harem, mirroring the structure of court officials, and reorganized all the positions and ranks in the harem, listing these positions and ranks at the end. The head of the harem, akin to a chief official, managed the Zijihu and Guangxinghu departments. All these positions were first-rank officials (each position had only one person serving and were jointly managed by the six palaces). In the harem's position settings, the first was the "Harem Listing," equivalent to the Chief Secretary level, tasked with overseeing the concubines of the six palaces. The Zijizhong Jianyin, Guangxing Zhong Jianyin, and Xuanrong Hu Zhu were also responsible for managing the six palaces. One person was appointed as the Zijifang Shuai and Guangxing Fang Shuai, both second-level officials.
Next, the Palace Ceremonial Officer is equivalent to the Left Supervisor, responsible for selecting talents; the Palace Chief Minister is equivalent to the Right Supervisor, also responsible for selecting talents; the Palace Chief Minister is equivalent to the Imperial Household Grand Master, also responsible for selecting talents. The positions of the Central Palace Attendant, the Supervisor of the Imperial Study, the Master of the Arts, the Master of the Southern Chamber, the Female Keeper of the Central Treasury, the Keeper of the Records, and the Director of Music are all responsible for managing the six palaces. The Inner Guardian and the Sacrificial Official of the Imperial Academy are responsible for selecting talents. Each of the Commanders of the Zhao Yang Palace, Hui Yin Palace, and Xuan Rong Palace appoints one official, all being officials of the third rank.
Each of the two Palace Managers is equivalent to the Left and Right Ministers, with equivalent status to the Minister of Personnel, responsible for selecting talents; the Palace Interior Supervisor, the Palace Source Keeper, and the Palace Fabric Keeper are each appointed, equivalent to the Minister of Civil Administration, the Minister of Rites, and the Minister of Revenue, responsible for selecting talents. The Central Tutor is responsible for selecting talents; the Female Historian of the Central Palace Attendant, the Female Supervisor of the Purple Pole, and the Female Supervisor of the Bright Prosperity are each appointed, also responsible for selecting talents. The number of Counselors in the Purple Pole Palace and the Xuan Rong Palace is not fixed but is subject to a maximum limit, responsible for selecting talents. The Female Historian of the Central Palace Attendant, the Music Appreciation Female Historian, the Central Instructor Female Historian, and the Female Ritual Historian are each appointed, responsible for selecting talents. The Female Supervisor of the Purple Pole and the Female Supervisor of the Bright Prosperity are each appointed; the number of Music Commanders is not fixed but is subject to a maximum limit. The Chief of the Purple Pole Palace, the Chief of the Bright Prosperity Palace, and the Chief of the Xuan Rong Palace are each appointed, all officials of the fourth rank.
One Counselor is appointed for the entire Palace to oversee arrangements. Counselors in the Jing De Palace are not fixed and should be arranged according to the situation. Counselors in the Master of the Arts Palace are also appointed based on situational needs. The number of Counselors in the Southern Chamber is likewise not fixed and should be determined based on the actual situation. There is one Counselor for the Inner Chamber. Only one Female Historian is appointed for the Imperial Academy.
At the leadership level of the harem, two people are arranged. For the financial management of the harem, two people are arranged. For the material management of the harem, two people are also arranged. At the central platform, one person is arranged. For the leadership responsible for drafting memorials at the central platform, two people are arranged. For the leadership responsible for drafting edicts at the central platform, two people are also arranged. In the Si Nan Room, one person is arranged. In the Xuan Yu Room, one person is arranged. In the Jing De Room, one person is arranged. In the Cai Yi Room, one person is arranged. In the central storage, one person is arranged. In the inner courtyard, one person is arranged. In the South Room, one person is arranged. In the Outer Hua Room, one person is arranged. In the Zhao Qing Room, one person is arranged. The number of integrity officials in each room of the Zi Ji Palace is variable but capped. For the supervision of the Zi Ji Palace, one person is arranged. For the Zi Ji Palace, six people are arranged. For the Guang Xing Hall, four people are arranged. For the Hui Yin Monitoring, one person is arranged. For the Hui Zhang Monitoring, one person is arranged. In the Xuan Rong Bian Dian Monitoring, one person is arranged. The number of leaders in the Qing Shang is variable. The number of leaders in the Total Chapter is not fixed. The number of leaders in the Left West Chapter is not fixed. The number of leaders in the Right West Chapter is not fixed. One head chef, holding a fifth-grade official title, is assigned to manage cooking.
This article talks about the structure and number of officials in various positions in the palace. Firstly, staffing in the Central Attendant Department is quite variable, with an indefinite number of personnel. Under the Central Attendant, there are two officials in charge of the inner chambers, two officials in charge of the office, one official responsible for the Xuanrong Hall, and one official responsible for the Yongxiang. In the harem, there are two officials responsible for internal affairs, one official responsible for the palace buildings, one official responsible for the warehouses, two officials overseeing textiles, two officials overseeing supervision, one official responsible for law enforcement, two officials overseeing the records, two officials responsible for military affairs, and six officials in charge of emergency affairs. Both Ziji Hall and Guangxing Hall have one internal historian and one assistant each. The number of officials responsible for coloring, decorating, embroidery, and weaving is variable. The number of officials in Xuelin Hall, the palace chambers, and the church is also variable, with restrictions on the number of church officials. The number of officials in the departments of monitoring, archives, and medical care is also variable, and these officials hold a sixth-rank position. Each of Hetang and Yuqing has two officials and one official, respectively, and there is only one night supervisor. The number of guards in each palace is unspecified, with three guards assigned to three wing rooms. Each palace employs one chef, three officials of good standing in the central kitchen, and six people in charge of the inner chambers, with varying numbers in each inner hall. There is just one palace historian, who holds a seventh-rank position.
Each palace has its own staff, with two in the Central Treasury Office. Their ranks are equivalent to the fifth rank of an imperial official. The staff of the Purple Extreme Hall, Guangxing Hall, the artisans of the General Chapter, the support staff of the Imperial Guards, and the officials responsible for clothing have ranks equivalent to the fifth rank of the Second Guard and the sixth rank of an imperial official. There are twenty attendants on the left side of the Purple Extreme Hall and ten on the right side of Guangxing Hall. There are four people responsible for guarding the warehouse. The number of musicians is equal to that of the palace guards. The ranks of other staff are the same as those of royal officials. There are twenty attendants in the Purple Extreme Hall and ten in Guangxing Hall. The number of staff in the Hall of Ceremony varies, and their ranks are the same as those of officials. There are ten staff members in the three compartments of the Purple Extreme Hall, five in the main hall, and six in the palace chambers, with ranks equivalent to officials in each room.
Empress Zhao, known as An Zong, was from Xiaping. Her grandfather, Zhao Biao, styled Shifan, served as a Minister of the Imperial Secretariat; her father, Zhao Yi, styled Yanzhou, served as the Governor of Pingyuan. The Empress became an imperial concubine in the fourth year of Emperor Jin Mudi's Shengping era and gave birth to Emperor Song Gaozu on April 2nd of the first year of Emperor Jin Aidi's Xingning era. That day, the Empress died due to complications during childbirth, dying in her official residence in Dantu at just twenty-one. She was buried at Yushan in Lianbi Village, Dongxiang, Dantu County, now part of Jinling. In the early years of the Song Dynasty, she was posthumously granted the title of Empress, and her tomb became known as Xingning Mausoleum.
Many years later, in the second year of Yongchu, the relevant authorities reported: "Filial piety is the highest virtue one can show to their parents, which brings honor to one's ancestors. When one person gains favor, blessings can spread far and wide. Take a look at Lingwen and Shouzhang from the Han Dynasty; they were rewarded by the emperor for their filial piety. However, Zhao Yi, the Prefect of Pingyuan, and Xiao Zhuo, the former magistrate of Taoyang, both relatives of the empress, did not receive any rewards. In accordance with your wishes, we have reviewed past laws and regulations and suggest that Zhao Yi be posthumously appointed as Grand Master of Splendor and bestowed a golden seal and purple ribbon. Zhao Yi's daughter-in-law can be given the title of Lady of Jianchang County in Yuzhang; Xiao Zhuo's wife, Lady Zhao, can be titled as Lady of Shouchang County in Wu."
This Lady Sun hailed from Dongguan.
In the same year, the emperor issued a new decree: "Bestowing gifts on relatives like this is quite fitting. Since the Han and Wei Dynasties, emperors of all generations have done the same. Even though the empress's grandfather Zhao Guanglu and Xiao Guanglu held high titles and positions, they haven't had the chance to build their tombs yet, so they should be posthumously made Marquises of Kaiguo County, with a fief of five hundred households." Thus, Zhao Yi was made Marquis of Linhe County posthumously. Zhao Yi's eldest son, Zhao Xuanzhi, served as the magistrate of Jiangcheng but died without any sons, so his brother Zhao Sunzhi inherited his title. After Zhao Sunzhi's death, his son Zhao Zulian inherited the title. Later, during the usurpation by the Qi Dynasty, these titles were revoked. Zhao Xuanzhi's brother, Zhao Lunzhi, is documented separately.
Empress Xiao, born Wenshou, was from Lanling. Her grandfather was named Xiao Liang, with the courtesy name Baozuo, who served as a censor in the imperial court; her father was named Xiao Zhuo, with the courtesy name Zilue, who served as the governor of Taoyang County. After Empress Xiaomu passed away, Empress Xiao married the then Prince of Song, Liu Yu (later Emperor Wu of Song), and gave birth to Liu Daolian, the Prince of Jing of Changsha, and Liu Daogui, the Prince of Liewu of Linchuan. In the seventh year of the Yixi era, she was granted the title of Lady of Yuzhang. When Liu Yu became the Emperor of Song, her title was elevated to Empress Dowager. During Liu Yu's twelve-year northern expeditions, she stayed in Pengcheng and Shouyang multiple times, only returning to the capital in the second year of the Yuanxi era to accept the abdication and allow him to become the Emperor. During this time, Empress Xiao remained in the Eastern Palace. After Liu Yu became Emperor, the ministers submitted a memorial: "We have heard that those with profound virtues bestow blessings, and those with noble character have perfect manners. Therefore, noble status deserves respect, and an honorable title should be used to reflect her grandeur. The Empress Dowager is virtuous, teaches her descendants, and has made great contributions. Although both the spiritual and mortal realms are celebrating, the title is still not prestigious enough. Referring to past precedents, there are established standards of etiquette, which should be followed to meet everyone's expectations. We request to honor the Empress Dowager of Song as the Empress Dowager." Although the ministers still referred to her as Empress Dowager in their memorial.
Liu Yu was very filial, respectful, and cautious towards the Empress Dowager. After ascending to the throne, despite her age, she would go to see the Empress Dowager every morning without fail, never wasting a moment. After the young emperor took the throne, her title was elevated to Empress Dowager. In the first year of the Jingping era, she passed away at the age of eighty-one in the Xianyang Hall. She left a final wish stating, "Emperor Xiaowu passed away over fifty years ago; there was no custom of joint burial in ancient times. Moreover, the tombs of Han Dynasty emperors and empresses are in different locations. Now, a new tomb can be built within the range of Emperor Xiaowu's tomb. Emperor Xiaowu's tomb originally followed a simple system, unlike the opulence of imperial tombs; this is a matter of women's etiquette, in line with old customs." A new tomb was then built and buried alongside the Xingning Mausoleum. Originally, when Liu Yu was still a poor young man, his family struggled financially. When Empress Xiao passed away, the funeral was quite modest; Liu Yu once stated in his will that the Empress need not be buried together a century later. Thus, this time, it was done in accordance with the Empress's wishes. Xiao Zhuo, the father of Xiao, was initially posthumously honored with the title of Jinsi Guanglu Dafu alongside Zhao Yi, and later also posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Fengyang. His wife, Lady Zhao of Xiapi, was bestowed the title of Lady of Shouchang County in Wu Commandery. Xiao Zhuo's son, Xiao Yuan, inherited the title, and the achievements of Xiao Yuan's life are documented in "Sihua Zhuan."
Empress Wu Jingzang, originally named Ai Qin, was from Dongguan. Her grandfather, Mr. Wang, styled Shanfu, served as a Minister; her father, Mr. Jun, styled Xuanyi, served as a county officer. The Empress married Song Gaozu, giving birth to Princess Huaiji Xuan and Prince Xing. Song Gaozu was frugal, upright, and led by example, and the Empress was equally dutiful and always adhered to his wishes. After the restoration of the Jin Dynasty, the Empress continued to dress simply and never sought official positions for her relatives or friends. On the Jiawu day in January of the fourth year of Yixi, the Empress passed away in the eastern city at the age of forty-eight. She was posthumously named Lady Yuzhang and buried in Dantu. Before his death, Song Gaozu decreed that she be buried in the capital city, so he sent people to receive the Empress's coffin with imperial honors and buried her alongside him in Chunling Mausoleum.
After the establishment of the Song Dynasty, the Empress's father, Jun, was posthumously honored as a grand official with the title of Jinzi Guanglu Dafu, and her mother, Lady Gaomi Shusun, was posthumously honored as the Lady of Qianling Yongping Township. Jun's son was named Tao, Tao's brother was named Xi, and Xi's son was named Zhi; their accomplishments are documented elsewhere.
Lady Zhang, the wife of Emperor Wu, had an unknown name and origin. In the early years of Yixi, she gained the favor of Song Gaozu and gave birth to the Young Emperor (Shaodi) and Princess Huiyuan of Yixing. In the first year of Yongchu, she was titled as Lady. After the Young Emperor was deposed, the officials submitted a petition, stating, "We have heard that filial piety must start from the roots and be sincere. Lady's virtues are like the earth, widely praised, bringing auspicious signs and allowing the birth of a wise ruler. Therefore, she should be given the highest title to conform to the rites. According to the saying 'a mother is honored by her son' in the Spring and Autumn Annals, and following the examples of honoring mothers in the Han and Jin Dynasties, we request that she be honored as Empress Dowager and name the palace Yongle Palace." After the Young Emperor was deposed, the Empress Dowager returned the seal and official attire and moved to Wuxian to reside. In the first year of Song Taizu Yuanjia, she was titled as the Empress Dowager of Yingyang. In the third year of Yuanjia, she passed away.
Empress Dowager Sima, also known as Mao Ying, was from Wen County in Henei. She was the daughter of Emperor Gong of Jin. Initially titled Princess Haiyan, she later became the consort of the Emperor. After the establishment of the Song Dynasty, she was appointed Crown Princess. Upon the Emperor's ascension to the throne, she was designated Empress. In the first year of the Yuanjia era, she was demoted to the Princess of Yingyang, and later became the Grand Consort of the Prince of Nanfeng. She passed away in the sixteenth year of the Yuanjia era at the age of forty-seven.
Hu Jieyu, the consort of Emperor Wu, whose name was Dao'an, was a native of Huainan. In the early years of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, she was taken as a consort by Liu Yu, the founding emperor, and bore Emperor Wen, Liu Yilong. Five years later, the Emperor ordered her execution at the age of forty-two. She was buried in Dantu. After Liu Yu ascended to the throne as Emperor, she was posthumously honored as Jieyu. When Emperor Liu Yilong took the throne, the relevant officials submitted a memorial stating, "It is believed that only those with noble virtues can receive high honors, and those with great achievements can reach the highest positions. Therefore, after the completion of the imperial palace, we will recite the merits of our ancestors; after the construction of the imperial tomb, we will remember the filial piety of our ancestors. The late Lady Hu was gentle, wise, and virtuous, shining brightly in the six palaces of the harem, with outstanding virtues, guiding the harem's concubines and consorts to set an example for the world. She was able to usher in a prosperous era, expanding the borders of the country to the four seas. Unfortunately, she passed away at a young age, and fate did not allow her to live long. We consulted historical records, including the Spring and Autumn Annals and the classics of the Han and Jin dynasties, and hereby honor her as Empress Dowager Zhang, naming her tomb Xining Tomb." A temple was subsequently erected in the capital in her honor.
Empress Dowager Zhang's brother Yuan Qing served as an official attending court audiences.
Empress Yuan, named Qi Yui, was a native of Yangxia, Chen County. She was the illegitimate daughter of the Left Minister of Guanglu, Jinggong Yuan Zhan. Her mother came from a humble background, and Empress Yuan was chosen at the age of only five or six. Later, she married Emperor Taizu Liu Yu and was initially granted the title of Princess of Yidu. She gave birth to a son, Liu Shao, and a daughter, Princess Liu Ying'e of Dongyang. Emperor Liu Yilong favored her greatly, but the Yuan family was impoverished, prompting the Empress to frequently request financial support from the Emperor. Emperor Liu Yilong was frugal and would give no more than a few tens of thousands of coins and a few dozen bolts of fabric each time. Later, Lady Pan Shufei rose to prominence and was said to be able to get anything she desired. When Empress Yuan heard about this, she decided to test this theory. She asked Lady Pan Shufei to request 300,000 coins from the Emperor to gauge his response, and to her surprise, she received it promptly. This incident filled her with anger and resentment, so she feigned illness to avoid the Emperor. Even when the Emperor tried to visit her, she would retreat. The Emperor tried to observe her secretly many times but could not find her. Even when Prince Liu Jun of Shixing and other princes tried to visit her, she refused to see them. The Empress ultimately succumbed to a serious illness brought on by sorrow and anger. In the seventeenth year of the Yuanjia era, as her condition worsened, the Emperor held her hand and tearfully asked if she had anything to say. The Empress gazed at the Emperor for a long moment before pulling the covers over her face. She passed away in the Xianyang Palace at the age of 36. The Emperor was profoundly saddened and commanded the former Yongjia Prefect, Yan Yanzhi, to compose a memorial, which was composed in an ornate style. The memorial stated: The dragon carriage was magnificent and beautifully adorned, and the Emperor personally paid respects to his ancestors with a solemn and dignified expression. The ceremony was grand, with melodious music, and an atmosphere of sorrow that permeated the entire scene. After the Emperor left and the offerings were removed, the ceremony concluded. The Emperor then ordered the historiographers to write a memorial to extol the virtues of the late Emperor and remember his benevolence.
The merits and status of the late emperor shine as brightly as the sun and moon; his presence is traceable and dependable. The late emperor's talents shine like a newborn sun, and his character is as pure as freshly solidified ice. The late emperor came from a prestigious family, blessed with deep fortune and wealth. He inherited the excellent traditions of his ancestors, bringing glory to his ancestors and country. During his reign, the country prospered and flourished; he ruled with propriety, cultivated the people through poetry, and followed the will of the people. From a young age, he showed extraordinary talent and gained widespread fame. He diligently governed and cared for the people, achieving remarkable feats. His virtue was as pure as white silk, radiant and brilliant. He dressed in magnificent court attire, serving as a model for posterity, elevating the moral fabric of the nation, and benefiting the palace concubines. His virtue was like a mountain stream, far-reaching and profound; his reputation spread throughout the south, leaving a lasting legacy. Once unknown, his merits are now revealed. Through exceptional talent and insight into divine will, he eventually ascended to the throne and resided in the Forbidden City. He honored his empress, emulated the virtues of the sages, honored his parents, respected his ancestors, was knowledgeable in history, composed poetry and prose, and his actions were recorded in history. He governed the country efficiently, harmonized life in the palace, and ensured the prosperity and stability of the nation, shining like starlight. His virtue and achievements were profound and far-reaching, resonating like a cataclysmic event, and his character was as noble as the heavens. He governed the country with the principles of Dao and compassion, benefiting the people with his virtuous rule, achievements unmatched by anyone.
The late emperor's achievements have reached their zenith, the calamities have passed, the world is peaceful, and a prosperous age is upon us. The imperial palace is peaceful and harmonious, and the once heavily guarded palace walls have lowered their defenses. However, tragically, the late emperor has departed this world; the autumn winds are biting, and a chill fills the air. At night, people sing in sorrow, the moon rises, and the desolate scene is heart-wrenching. It appears that deities from all corners are also stirred, and the royal procession has come to a halt. The crown prince ascends to the throne, and the courtiers are engulfed in grief. Tears stain the jade steps, wails resonate within the crimson walls, and people fondly remember the late emperor, expressing their grief. Sadly, the late emperor's coffin is taken to a mountain retreat beyond the national gates; the attendants are engulfed in grief, and the horses lower their heads, as if in mourning for the late emperor. The purple canopy of the carriage is dull, and the white hearse is enveloped in an aura of sorrow. The imperial palace has lost its former splendor, and the late emperor's tomb has been erected. The entire nation is steeped in mourning, and people mourn the late emperor in droves. The late emperor's virtues deserve commendation, but we can no longer behold him, which is a profound loss. What a deep sorrow this is! The memorial has been composed, and the emperor personally inscribed the words "comforting the living, mourning the dead, feeling the present, remembering the past" to convey his sentiments. The appropriate officials petitioned to bestow the title of "Xuan Empress" upon her, and the emperor issued a special edict to confer the title of "Yuan."
At first, when the queen had just given birth to Prince Zhao Hong, the emperor took a careful look at the child and rushed to inform the founding emperor, "This child has an unusual appearance; he will surely bring disaster to the nation and the family in the future, we cannot keep him!" At that moment, he intended to have the prince killed. The founding emperor hurried to the back hall, pulled aside the curtain, and stopped him, and only then did he relent. After the queen passed away, small supernatural occurrences frequently happened. Shen Meiren was the favored concubine of the founding emperor and was once punished for a small mistake, facing the death penalty. She passed by the Huiyin Hall, which has five rooms and has remained closed since the queen's death. Shen Meiren walked to the front of the hall, weeping loudly, "I am innocent today; if the queen's spirit is in heaven, she will surely know!" The windows in the hall suddenly swung open with a loud crash. The guards hurried to report to the founding emperor, who, surprised, hurried to see what was happening, and Shen Meiren was then pardoned. In the fifth year of the Ming Dynasty, the emperor decreed, "In the past, Empress Dowager Dou of the Han Dynasty was virtuous and gained great reputation, and Empress Xuanmu of the Wei Dynasty was noble and left a model for future generations, all because they upheld virtue in their hearts and followed the rules and regulations. My maternal grandmother, the virtuous and wise Princess Consort of Roudeshufan, assisted the inner court, managed the harem, and her dignity was known throughout the palace. I will always remember her kindness and honor her contributions, following the example set by our wise ancestors, and posthumously grant her a noble title." Thus, she was posthumously granted the title of Lady of Pingle Township in Xingan County, Yuzhang Commandery. He also decreed, "The tombs of the Zhaos, Xiaos, Zang Guanglu, Yuan Jinggong, and the Lady of Pingle County have not been assigned tomb management personnel in the past. A long time has passed, and the descendants have fallen into decline; the tombs of the imperial relatives must not be neglected. Each family should be assigned three households of commoners to manage the cleaning and perform sacrifices." The queen's father, Zhan, is also recorded in another biography.
It is said that this virtuous lady, named Huinan, is from Jiankang, Danyang. Because of her beauty, she was honored with the title of "virtuous lady" after giving birth to Emperor Xiaowu. As she aged and lost favor, she often accompanied Emperor Shizu on his expeditions to the border areas. One time when Emperor Shizu went to suppress rebels, the virtuous lady remained in Xunyang.
When Emperor Xiaowu ascended the throne, he sent Prince Hong of Jianping to welcome her. Court officials stated, "It is said that dynasties prosper because of the wise and virtuous teachings of mothers to their descendants, leading to national prosperity and the emergence of talent. In ancient times, emperors whose families prospered and descendants flourished all laid a solid foundation due to their mothers' teachings, allowing them to become wise rulers. You, virtuous lady, are gentle and wise, radiating inner brilliance and dignified outer appearance. The palace concubines respect your teachings; your teachings to the royal relatives bring blessings to the country. The people enjoy peace and prosperity, and heaven bestows blessings upon you, enabling you to bear such a wise emperor, continuing the dynasty and bringing prosperity to the country. Your merits are great, and your reputation is widespread, and according to tradition, you should be honored with the title of Empress Dowager, and the palace was named Chongxian Palace." As a result, the Empress Dowager took residence in Xianyang Hall.
However, Emperor Xiaowu was somewhat disrespectful to the Empress Dowager in the palace. Sometimes, he would stay in the Empress Dowager's palace after visiting his concubines, which gave rise to some unfavorable gossip among the people. Palace affairs were shrouded in secrecy, and no one could clearly explain what was going on. In the second year of the Xiaojian era, the Empress Dowager's father, Xing, was posthumously appointed as a cavalier attendant, and the Empress Dowager's mother, Lady Xu, was posthumously honored as the Lady of Guangchang in Yuhang County. In the fourth year of Daming, the Empress Dowager's nephew, Qiong, who was then serving as a military officer, submitted a memorial requesting posthumous honors for his late father, Daoqing, in accordance with the court's grace, hoping to console his spirit in the afterlife. The Emperor issued an edict directing the Ministry of Personnel to handle the matter. The relevant officials petitioned to posthumously honor Daoqing with an official title. Qiong and his brothers, Xiuzhi and Maozhi, were also promoted. The Empress Dowager often participated in court affairs, rewarding Qiong and his family with many riches, suddenly making them wealthy, allowing them to live a lifestyle comparable to that of the princes.
Qiong's house was next to that of Prince Taichang Wang Sengda. Once, Qiong put on a grand show and took a large entourage to visit Wang Sengda, but Wang Sengda completely ignored him. Qiong then went to the Empress Dowager to complain. Furious, the Empress Dowager told the Emperor, "I am still alive, yet someone dares to bully my family. If I were gone, would they not be reduced to begging!" The Empress Dowager wanted to punish Wang Sengda. However, the Emperor replied, "Qiong is still young and shouldn't have made such a show when visiting others. Wang Sengda hails from a noble family, so how can we punish him for this?"
In the fifth year of Daming, the Empress Dowager accompanied the Emperor on a tour of Nanyuzhou, with the palace concubines in tow. Later, the Emperor was overthrown, and the Empress Dowager was bestowed the title of Grand Empress Dowager.
After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he bestowed upon her the title of Empress Dowager Chongxian. Initially, Emperor Taizong lost his birth mother when he was young, and it was the Empress Dowager who raised him. Emperor Taizong showed great filial piety towards the Empress Dowager, and she also loved him dearly. When Emperor Taizong became emperor, his rituals and offerings to the Empress Dowager remained unchanged. Some officials suggested the following: "The Empress Dowager has noble virtues and should have corresponding ceremonial systems; her grace has spread throughout the realm, and she should have a more prestigious title. The Empress Dowager is extremely wise and virtuous, with noble virtues and widespread blessings. Since the emperor ascended the throne, all rituals should be changed, and the Empress Dowager should use her previous title and live in a palace outside the imperial palace." The emperor decreed, "I have experienced hardships since childhood, endured poverty, and relied on the teachings and care of Empress Dowager Chongxian. When I was in the fiefdoms before, she often personally cooked medicine and food for me, always protecting me in times of danger. Now that the world is at peace, I can finally repay her for her nurturing. I want to serve her day and night, let her enjoy a life of comfort in the palace, and cannot do as you have requested." Not long after, the Empress Dowager passed away at the age of fifty-five. She was interred in the Eastern Palace, and the entrance was named Zongxian Palace. The emperor then decreed, "I have received the teachings of the Empress Dowager since childhood, enabling me to achieve great accomplishments. Her grace and blessings are felt throughout the world, and I always remember them. According to the rites, I should observe mourning for three months to express my grief." She was posthumously honored as Empress Dowager Zhaohuang and buried in the southeast of the Tomb of Emperor Taizong, which was named Xiuning Tomb.
The issue regarding Prince Jin'an, Sima You, was still unresolved, and some sorcerers proposed opening Empress Dowager Zhao's tomb to ward off evil spirits. The rushed renovation of the tomb completely disregarded proper procedures. The emperor was already wary of such superstitions and feared that it might bring misfortune.
In the fourth year of Taishi, during the summer, the emperor ordered the relevant departments, stating: "The location of the Empress Dowager Zhao's tomb was chosen during the Ming Dynasty and had been chosen after divination. In the past two years, there have been uprisings by some minority ethnic groups, so the ceremonies were simplified for the time being. The construction was rushed at that time, and there was no time for proper renovation. Furthermore, the mountainous area where the tomb is located is low-lying and rudimentary, and in recent years it has become more and more dilapidated. Despite spending money on repairs, there is no sustainable solution. Moreover, upon careful examination of the terrain, the feng shui of this location is also unfavorable. I have been favored by the Empress Dowager since my youth, and it is only right for me to show filial piety. I want everything concerning the Empress Dowager's legacy to be in order, so that her merits and reputation will be passed down to future generations. I want the historians to explore the nearby mountains and rocky areas for a new auspicious site. They must carefully calculate the auspicious and inauspicious days, follow the old rules, and establish new systems. Although the court is currently stable, the enemies on the borders have not been subdued, so the construction of the tomb must be simple. Just thinking about these things pains me."
Then the relevant departments reported: "The northern border has not yet been pacified, and military action is the top priority. The simplicity or complexity of the funeral should be based on the circumstances at that time. After discussing, we believe that the damaged parts of the underground palace of the Ningling Tomb should be repaired, temporarily using the Oil Hall as a stand-in, temporarily moving the coffin out, and burying it back after the matter is completed, which seems more appropriate." The emperor agreed.
Qiong served as the Interior Minister of Hengyang and subsequently passed away. During the reign of the ousted Emperor Jinghe, the court appointed Lu Xiuzhi as the Yellow Gate Attendant, and Lu Maozhi as the Left Army General; both were granted the title of Marquis of Kaiguo with a fief of one thousand households. Later, Lu Xing was posthumously honored with the title Xiaohou; Lu Daoqing was posthumously appointed as the Cavalry Attendant, Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, and Governor of the Three Offices, posthumously honored with the title Jinghou. Lu Daoqing's daughter was also appointed Empress, and Lu Xiuzhi was appointed as the Attendant, while Lu Maozhi was appointed as a Yellow Gate Attendant.
After Emperor Taizong deposed the young ruler, he wanted to counsel the Empress Dowager, so he issued a decree, the original text of which was: "The Empress Dowager has always shown great favor and deep affection towards you, treating you like her own relatives. Lu Xiuzhi, the former military advisor, and Lu Maozhi, the former magistrate of Danyang, are relatives of the imperial family who have long enjoyed imperial favor and contributed to the court; they should be given special rewards. Xiuzhi can serve as the Minister of the Interior and concurrently hold the position of Colonel of Infantry; Maozhi can serve as the Minister of the Palace Library." Note that this decree was issued before Taizong ascended the throne. Later, Lu Maozhi was promoted to the position of an official in the Ministry of Works, while Lu Xiuzhi served as an advisor in the north at the residence of Prince Xiufan of Guiyang. Because Taizong had killed several sons of the previous emperor, Lu Xiuzhi and others were implicated, but their sons were all pardoned.
Empress Xiaowu Wenmu, whose name was Xianyuan, was from Linyi, Langya. In the twentieth year of Yuanjia, she was conferred the title of Princess of Wuling. She gave birth to the deposed emperor, Prince Shang of Yuzhang, Princess Chuyu of Shanyin, Princess Kuai of Linhuai, Princess Xiu of the imperial family, and Princess Xiuming of Kangle. When the previous emperor was still in his fiefdom, the empress enjoyed great favor. Later, when the emperor went on expeditions to suppress rebels, the empress stayed in Xunyang and returned to the capital with the Empress Dowager, where she was made empress.
In the fourth year of Daming, the empress led the palace ladies to hold a silkworm ceremony at the western suburbs, which was also attended by the Empress Dowager. At that time, the court issued a proclamation, the original text of which was: "Based on auspicious signs, we have chosen an auspicious day to hold the silkworm ceremony. We hereby decree that the concubines of the six palaces attend the ceremony in person. The Empress Dowager shall also attend in person. The ceremony is ready, proceeding smoothly, and the concubines participated according to the rituals. Rewards may be increased at the discretion of the principal concubines and below." After the deposed emperor ascended the throne, he honored the Empress Dowager with the title of Empress Dowager, and her palace was named Yongxun Palace. In the same year, the Empress Dowager died at Hanzhang Hall at the age of thirty-eight and was buried at Jingning Mausoleum.
Hou Yan, style name Ziyou, was the great-grandson of Dao, the Prime Minister of the Jin Dynasty, and the son of Minister Gu. His mother was Princess Poyang, the daughter of Jin's Emperor Xiaowu. After the establishment of the Song Dynasty, he was granted the title of Lord Yongcheng. Hou Yan married the second daughter of Gaozu, Princess Wuxing Chang, whose name was Rongnan. He held many prominent official positions when he was young, such as Chamberlain for the Yellow Gates, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and Palace Attendant. In the later years of the Song Yuanjia reign, he became the Cavalier in Regular Attendance and the Right Guard General. After Emperor Shizu of Song ascended to the throne, he was granted the official position of Golden Purple Adornment Grand Master due to his royal connections and also served as the teacher of Prince Yiyang, while retaining his roles as attendant and teacher. Later, he was promoted to Right Adornment Grand Master, but his roles as attendant and teacher remained the same. Hou Yan was modest and cautious, never letting worldly matters bother him. In the second year of Xiaojian, he passed away at fifty-four. He was posthumously appointed as the Supervisor to the Right of the Imperial Secretariat, with his official position unchanged, and was posthumously honored with the title Duke Gong.
His eldest son, Zao, reached the position of Prefect of Dongyang. He married the sixth daughter of Emperor Taizu of Song, Princess Lincuan Chang, whose name was Yingyuan. This princess had a jealous temperament, while Zao had feelings for another person named Wu Chongzu. During the reign of Emperor Jinge of the former Song Dynasty, the princess maliciously slandered Zao to the emperor, leading to Zao being imprisoned and executed, and she was divorced from the Wang family. During the Taishi period, the princess was married to the Prefect of Yuzhang, Yu Chongyuan, but before the marriage could take place, Yu Chongyuan passed away.
The princesses of the Song Dynasty were all quite something, each one particularly jealous. Emperor Taizong of Song especially disliked such behavior. Once, the wife of the County Magistrate of Hushu, Yuan Tao, was executed out of jealousy, and Taizong even had his courtier Yu Tongzhi write a document titled "Records of a Jealous Woman." Later, when the grandson of the Left Adornment Grand Master Jiang Zhan wanted to marry the daughter of Emperor Shizu of Song, the emperor had someone draft a marriage refusal letter for the grandson, stating:
By following the imperial decree, Princess Linru should be relegated to a concubine, bestowed with an official title, and granted additional favor. Considering the obstacles and difficulties, I am filled with worry and fear. Coming from a humble family background and with modest appearance, divided by social status, it is hard to find a suitable match. Although I come from a humble background, with few possessions, reaching the age of adulthood, I already have a household of my own, and with hairpins and simple skirts, I am prepared to fulfill the marriage rites. I have not pursued this, yet have been unable to find a suitable match, as my family does not inquire. I am only concerned about the family's honor, being attached to Princess Linru, receiving the grace of heaven, even until the end. Filled with worry, I fear I cannot escape the fate imposed by the imperial decree. Though the family may be honored, it brings no fortune to me. I depend on the grace of the divine, despite my foolishness.
Since the Jin Dynasty, women married into the royal family, even those who are from prestigious backgrounds and exceptional talents, face a harsh fate of strict control. For example, even Wang Dun, a formidable figure, had to restrain his demeanor in front of the royal family; Huan Wen, a powerful figure, also had to obediently comply; Zhen Chang feigned ignorance to evade blame; Zi Jing even resorted to burning his feet with moxibustion to resist the decree; Wang Yan, lacking the talent of Zhong Du, was humiliated on the northern steps; He Yu, lacking the talent of Long Gong, ended up jumping into a well; Xie Zhuang nearly became an ordinary person; Yin Chong almost forced himself to commit suicide. These individuals were not devoid of talent and ambition, but due to their low status, they could only endure their grievances in silence, with no avenue for appeal.
They are subjected to stricter restrictions than those imposed on servants and more severe than those on maids. Their normal comings and goings, as well as interactions with others, are strictly limited. They cannot visit friends freely; even peeking out the door is forbidden. Banquets can be interrupted at any moment, and opportunities for socializing are taken away. Not only have friendships grown distant, but even sibling relationships have become indifferent. They can only accept gifts of food and drink, and their movements are restricted. When accepting money and gifts, they must also be cautious with their words. Those old women and maids compare themselves to one another, competing to appear strict; those old women and maids praise each other, competing to appear diligent. They insist that these women be ordinary and mediocre, and the maids who watch over them are ignorant country folk. They judge their mistresses' actions and words, unable to tell truth from lies. Those old women leverage their seniority to sow discord; those old women think they are knowledgeable, but they only meddle in others' affairs.
They even have to answer greetings, engage in divination, and are even held accountable for leftovers. They are blamed for their old clothes. The rules for entering and leaving are complicated and difficult to follow. Sometimes they can't see anyone when they want to go in, and sometimes they can't get out when they want to. If they don't go in, people think they are deliberately distant; if they want to come out, people suspect they have ulterior motives. Those summoned must arrive before three in the afternoon, and those sent away must leave before sunrise. They can't see the moon at night or the stars in the morning. Most of their lives are spent in this state of strict surveillance. Any noise will have little maids running around; if their sleeve touches the mat, a group of elderly women will gather around. The attendants will suspect favoritism based on their movements and will be blamed; guests who are not dressed neatly will be rebuked because of their appearance. Even though there is a system of concubines and established rituals, they still face unfair treatment. Moreover, now that their relationship with their husband's family has broken down, they are very loyal to their husbands, but any of their actions will be deemed improper, and any of their words will be seen as frivolous. I also heard that those ladies always gather together to talk about the family tree of their husbands. They imitate each other, encourage each other, maintain their consistent thoughts, are never forgiving, and always seek excuses. They either say your behavior is improper or that you are being laughed at. Even in household matters, they speak as if they are issuing decrees, much like Wang Xian. Although Wang Zao is strong and well-read, because of some jokes, he became a victim of slander; Chu Ai died early due to grief. These absurd and unreasonable things are really hard to explain one by one.
It is said that locusts reproduce in large numbers because they know how to live in harmony. In contrast, jealous families often have no successors and may even face ruin from different conflicts. Coming from humble origins, I find it hard to endure such calamities. If my family were to suffer decline, it wouldn't be solely my fault. Similar incidents have occurred before, involving many people, but since they occurred long ago and involved the royal family, no one dared to speak out. Now that the emperor is wise and just, enforcing the law impartially and governing with virtue, I now dare to boldly bring these hidden truths to light.
My family has received the emperor's grace for generations, enjoying wealth and privilege. We should have kept to our own business, but due to some marriage issues, some honest officials and even royal relatives have become entangled in these disputes. Therefore, I risk reporting the truth, not just for myself, but to prevent more families from suffering the same misfortune. I sincerely implore the emperor for mercy, pardon this issue, and allow these insignificant families to live peacefully and prosper. If it's hard to obtain the imperial decree and my request is denied, I would rather disfigure myself and flee far away to make amends to the world.
Emperor Taizong distributed memorials for review to all the princes and princesses. At this time, Princess Linqing also submitted a memorial, saying: "Due to my bad fate, I divorced from the royal family, and constant quarrels at home ultimately led to my separation from my son. Now I am alone, suffering from illness, facing an uncertain future; all my hopes rest on this child. My son and I have experienced too much hardship and endured too much pain; our fate, whether in honor or disgrace, depends on this child. I sincerely hope to mend the rift between my son and me. For various reasons, I have never had the chance to express my grievances to the emperor. The late emperor was compassionate and understood my true feelings. If the emperor can grant me permission to reunite with my child and allow him to come home and visit me, I can fulfill my filial duty. The situation is urgent now, and I cannot concern myself with etiquette at this urgent moment; I take the liberty of bringing this matter to the emperor's attention and beg for permission to return to the royal family to raise my child, even if it costs me my life, I would willingly accept it." The emperor ultimately granted the Princess's request.
The Princess's brother, Zao, held a prominent position in the late Ming Dynasty. Zao's younger brother, You, once served as the Grand Master of the Palace, died young, and was posthumously honored as a Chamberlain. Another brother, Zhen, also held a prominent position in the late Ming Dynasty.
It is said that Empress He Lingwan of the deposed emperor was originally from Lin County in Lujiang Prefecture. In the third year of Xiaojian, she was appointed as the Crown Princess. In the fifth year of the Ming Dynasty, at the age of seventeen, she unfortunately passed away in the East Palace's Huiguang Hall. She was buried in... (text missing in the original), posthumously honored with the title of Dedicated Consort. The emperor also selected two palace attendants for the crown prince, one named Baolin and the other Liangdi. He appointed Yang Zhan's daughter, the Chief Clerk of the Southern Middle Palace, as Liangdi, and the daughter of Yuan Senghui, the Prefect of Yidu County, as Baolin. After the deposed emperor took the throne, he posthumously honored He Lingwan as the Dedicated Empress. Later, Emperor Taizong had Empress He and the deposed emperor buried together on the northern side of Longshan.
He Yu, the father of Emperor He, styled Zhiyu, was the great-grandson of He Cheng, who served as the Left Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel in the Jin Dynasty. His grandfather was He Rong, who held the position of Grand Minister of Agriculture. He Yu married the daughter of the founding emperor, Princess He Xinnan of Kang, Yuzhang. This princess had previously been married to Xu Qiao and was known for her exceptional beauty, intelligence, and wisdom. She received special favor during the reign of the founding emperor. He Yu was quite wealthy at the time and enjoyed showing off, similar to Meng Lingxiu from Pingchang and He Xu from Donghai, who also flaunted their luxurious horses and carriages. The princess and He Yu shared a close bond, and their family and friends enjoyed the benefits of their status. He Yu held a high official position, becoming the General of the Guards. In the eighth year of the Daming era, the princess passed away, and when He Yu was making funeral arrangements, her tomb was discovered. Later, Emperor Shizu posthumously honored him with the title of Jinzi Guanglu Dafu and appointed him as a Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary.
He Mai, the son of Empress He, married Princess He Yingmei, the tenth daughter of Emperor Taizu. He Mai grew up in a noble family and became a high-ranking official. He enjoyed raising dogs, riding horses for hunting, and surrounded himself with talented people. He had a villa near Jiangcheng County, only thirty miles away from the capital. Towards the end of the Ming Dynasty, he served as a military adviser under Prince Yuzhang and was appointed General of Ning Shuo and Prefect of Nanjiyin. Later, the deposed emperor summoned Princess He Yingmei to the palace, publicly announced her death, killed a palace maid, and sent the princess's body back to He Mai's house, pretending she had died and arranging a funeral. The deposed emperor always suspected He Mai of rebellion, since he had indeed gathered a group of people plotting to overthrow the emperor during his inspection tours. When the plot was uncovered, the deposed emperor personally led troops to confront He Mai and had him killed. After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he posthumously granted He Mai the title of Marquis of Jianning County, with a fief consisting of five hundred households. His son, He Manqian, inherited the title, but it was eventually revoked after the establishment of the Qi Dynasty.
Yu's elder brother Ziliang, during the Xiaojian era, became the Governor of Guiyang. Wang Yixuan, the Prime Minister of Nanjun, rebelled and sent the military officer Wang Shishou to block the road to Guiyang in order to prevent Zong Que, the Inspector of Guangzhou, from advancing. Ziliang arrested Wang Shishou and killed him. Later, he became the Governor of Xin'an. Yu's younger brother Hui, during the reign of Emperor Yuanhui, was appointed as the Inspector of Guangzhou. Before he could take office, he was dismissed from the position because he did not report for duty during the period of national mourning. He was later reappointed as the Chief Minister of the Capital, but unfortunately died before he could assume his duties. Hui's younger brother Dan served as the Right Chief Historian under the Minister of Works. Dan's younger brother Yan was the most renowned, though he had a rather impulsive personality. In the early days of Emperor Taizong's reign, he served as the Cavalry Officer Attendant to Prince Jian'an Xiu Ren and was also appointed as a Yellow Gate Attendant. Before officially taking up his role, he requested a transfer to the Minister of Works. After a few days in the role of Right Rate to the Prince, he requested to be a Court Attendant. For more than ten days, he continuously requested promotions. Failing to secure the position of Court Attendant, he was ultimately executed for his insolent remarks.
Emperor Wen's Concubine Shen Jieyu, whose origin was unknown, was brought into the palace and became known for her beauty. She gave birth to Emperor Ming and was granted the title of Jieyu. She passed away in the thirtieth year of Yuanjia, at the age of forty years. She was buried at the Mo Fu Mountain in Jiankang. After Emperor Shizu's ascension, she was posthumously honored as the Grand Concubine of Xiangdong. After Emperor Taizong's ascension, a report from the relevant authorities stated: "In the past, Bendu mourned the late king, the capital expressed grief, and remembered the late king's virtues and righteousness, reverently serving the late king's tomb. The late Grand Concubine exhibited dignity and elegance, shining with moral glory. Her demeanor illuminated the court, her teachings resonated throughout the harem, nurturing the emperor to adulthood, but she left this world far too soon. In accordance with the Han Dynasty classics and Jin Dynasty rituals, we hereby bestow upon her the title of Empress Dowager." Then the ceremonial officials deliberated on her posthumous title, which was conferred as Empress Xuan, and her tomb was named Chongning.
Because the Empress Dowager was from the Shen clan, her younger brother Daoqing was appointed as a censor, and he passed away in the third year of Taishi. He was posthumously honored as a Cavalier and granted the title of Marquis of Xian. Furthermore, the Empress Dowager's father was also honored posthumously as a Cavalier, and her mother, Lady Wang, was honored as Lady of Chengle.
The Empress Minggong, whose name was Zhenfeng, was a native of Langya Linyi. In the year 448 AD, she was conferred the title of Princess Consort of Huaiyang, and later Emperor Taizong changed her title to Princess Consort of Xiangdong. She gave birth to Princess Liubosi and Princess Liuboyuan. After Emperor Taizong ascended to the throne, she was made Empress.
Once, the Emperor held a grand gathering in the palace, and her sister-in-law was also present, enjoying the festivities. Everyone was laughing and having a good time, but the Empress covered her face with a fan and remained silent. The Emperor became angry and said, "Your sister-in-law's family is poor, but now everyone is happy together. Why are you the only one not enjoying yourself?" The Empress replied, "There are many ways to be happy. Why should your sister-in-law and sisters have to behave like your sister-in-law to be considered happy when they gather together? Their way of happiness is completely different from the happiness of us royals." The Emperor became even angrier and ordered the Empress to withdraw. Later, the Empress's brother, Liu Jingwen, the Inspector of Yangzhou, told his uncle Chenjun Xie Wei about the incident, saying, "My sister used to be a delicate woman at home, but now she has become so upright and strong."
After the emperor ascended to the throne, she was honored as the Empress Dowager, and her palace was called Hongxun Palace. The emperor behaved inappropriately, and the Empress Dowager often admonished him. At first, the emperor pretended to listen, but gradually became more and more unruly and impatient with the Empress Dowager's advice. On May 5th, 465 AD, the Empress Dowager gave the emperor a jade-handled feather fan. The emperor disliked the plain feathers on the handle and even contemplated poisoning the Empress Dowager, instructing the court physician to prepare poison. His attendants hurriedly advised, "If you really do this, all the subjects will have to pretend to be filial; how will you be able to manipulate them in the future?" The emperor thought they made sense and abandoned the idea.
After Emperor Song Shundi ascended the throne, the Prince of Qi wielded significant power, and members of the royal family such as Liu Huang, Liu Chuo, and Bu Boxing had disloyal intentions. The Empress Dowager had some connections with them. After Shundi abdicated, the Empress Dowager and Shundi moved to the eastern residence, and later to Danyang Palace, where she was granted the title of Ruyin King's Consort. After Shundi passed away in Danyang, she built another mansion in the capital. In 477 AD, she passed away at the mansion at the age of forty-four. The court posthumously conferred honors upon her and buried her with the rites of a Song Dynasty Empress. For details about her father Seng Lang, refer to "Jingwen Biography."
Noble Consort Chen of the Ming Dynasty, named Miaodeng, was from Jiankang, Danyang, and her family was in the pig butchering business. The emperor frequently dispatched officials to seek out beautiful women from the common folk. Noble Consort's family was very poor, with only two or three thatched cottages in Jiankang County. When the emperor traveled, he asked the officials, "Why are there such thatched cottages on the imperial road? They must be living in poverty." So he rewarded them with thirty thousand coins to build tiled houses. The officials hand-delivered the money, but the only person home was the twelve or thirteen-year-old Miaodeng. Upon seeing her beauty, the official reported to the emperor, who then brought her into the palace.
She lived in the Empress Dowager's palace for two or three years, and the emperor never called for her. The Empress Dowager informed the emperor that she had given Miaodeng to Crown Prince Zhu Gaoxu (Taizong). After that, she began to receive favor, but about a year later, it waned. She asked the emperor to grant her to Li Dao'er. Not long after, she was summoned back to the palace and gave birth to the Deposed Emperor Zhu Zhanji. Therefore, the common people referred to the Deposed Emperor as "Li's son." When the Deposed Emperor grew up, he often called himself "General Li" or "Li Tong."
After Emperor Taizong took the throne, Miaodeng was appointed Noble Consort, receiving the same status as the Crown Prince's consort. After the Deposed Emperor Zhu Zhanji ascended to the throne, officials reported, "It is said that the rising of the dragon in the Yellow River heralds the arrival of a sage ruler, with wisdom reaching both the people and the deities; the lightning outside the city heralds the emperor's rise, with auspicious signs illuminating the heavens and the earth. Therefore, the revered rituals should adhere to ancient traditions; the noble ceremonies should continue the ancestors' rules. We pray that the Noble Consort will be as warm and gentle as the sun, as dignified and bright as the North Star, with a beautiful reputation lasting for generations, her gentle light shining across the world, her fame shining in the palace, her demeanor dignified like a celestial maiden, her brilliance illuminating the emperor's sage rule, blessing the emperor's mandate. However, the noble title and ceremonies have yet to be officially established. In line with the practices of past emperors, we should adhere to the highest standards. After deliberation, we respectfully propose that the Noble Consort be titled Empress Dowager. Her chariots, horses, and attire should be the same as Empress Dowager of Emperor Xiaowu of Jin. A steward will be appointed. The other consorts of various countries shall be renamed as consorts (fei is pronounced as yi). The palace will be named Honghua Palace." Simultaneously, her father was posthumously honored as Jinbaosanqi Chamberlain, and her mother Wang was posthumously appointed as Lady of Chengle Township in Yongshi County. In the early years of the Xuande era, Miaodeng was demoted to the title of Empress Dowager of Cangwu.
Her uncle, Chen Zhaozong, was an official in the Ministry of Personnel; her uncle, Chen Fonian, was an infantry captain; her brother, Chen Jingyuan, was a Tongzhilang and the governor of Nanlu County. Chen Fonian was corrupt and caused turmoil in court affairs, and was sentenced to death in the early years of the Xuande reign.
It is said that the Empress of the deposed emperor, named Jiang Jianhui, was from Jiyang Kaocheng and was the granddaughter of the Northern Commandant Zhixuan. In the fifth year of the Taishi era, Emperor Taizong wanted to choose a consort for the crown prince, but many of the noble ladies were found to be unsuitable. Jiang Jianhui was of average background and had no prominent family connections, but she was said to have the best fate, so she was chosen as the crown prince's consort.
At that time, the emperor also instructed court and local officials to present gifts, with the most generous gifts valued at around a hundred gold coins! One official named Sun Fengbo, who was the Prefect of Shixing, only gave a musical instrument and books, and nothing else. The emperor was furious and ordered him to be executed by poison, but later pardoned him. When the crown prince became emperor, Jiang Jianhui became the empress. However, after the emperor's deposition, she was demoted to the Princess of Cangwu. The accounts of Zhixuan's deeds are documented elsewhere.
As for the Empress Dowager Chen Farong, she was from Jiankang in Danyang. In the later years of Emperor Taizong's reign, when his health deteriorated and he could not visit his concubines, if any of his brothers or palace maids became pregnant, they were brought into the palace. If they gave birth to a boy, the mother would be executed, and the child would be raised by the favored concubine of the emperor. Shundi, the son of the Prince of Guiyang, Xiu Fan, was the son of Chen Farong. Following Emperor Ming's death, Chen Farong was made the Grand Queen Dowager of Ancheng, and after Shundi ascended the throne, she was promoted to Empress Dowager. However, after Shundi's abdication, she lost her title of Empress Dowager.
Emperor Shun's last empress was Xie Fanjing, who hailed from Yangxia in Chenjun and was the granddaughter of Zhuang, the Right Grand Master of Guanglu. In the second year of the Shengming era, she was made empress. After Emperor Shun abdicated, she was later demoted to the title of Queen of Ruyin. Separate records exist regarding Zhuang's accomplishments.
Historians say: indulgence in food, drink, entertainment, and romantic relationships are the greatest desires of people. Therefore, the sage established a system that aligned with the people's sentiments, establishing six tiers of palace chambers within the imperial palace, as well as different levels for officials' homes, all with management personnel and defense measures. The ceremonial system was also quite comprehensive. A harmonious harem could have a profound impact on the entire nation. Wise ancient kings used this method to govern the country.
Favoring one concubine was due to her noble character rather than mere beauty. The purpose was to let the king's favor be widely distributed, not biased towards one person, to maintain the harem's chastity and safeguard it from malevolent influences. Regarding the lower-ranking concubines, despite their differing ranks, each could fulfill their roles, cooperate with each other, harmonize the delicate balance of the harem, and assist the king in perfecting his character. The Song family utilized the Jin dynasty's system for selecting concubines, which included regulations for selecting both concubines and consorts, and those who married the emperor were undoubtedly from prestigious families.
Although Empress Song held a position of immense esteem, she eventually aged and succumbed to illness, losing her favor and leaving the palace forever. Thus, the empress's tragic death in sorrow and indignation was not without cause. Starting from the Yuanjia period, the harem system became increasingly cumbersome, featuring opulent palaces, countless palace maids, and an endless array of bizarre decorations and attire, surpassing the opulence of the Han dynasty's Zhaoyang Palace and the splendor of the Wei dynasty's Jiuhua Palace. Concubines were now selected solely from military camps, even from among servants, in stark contrast to the broader selection practices of the Jin dynasty.
If they only loved each other within the harem and power did not extend beyond it, and the rewards consisted of little more than food and drink each year, then it would be fine. However, when Taizu became infatuated with Lady Pan, bringing women into the picture; the Ming Emperor was obsessed with Lady Yin, to the extent that he neglected both the empress and his legitimate wife, which led to chaos that began in the harem and ultimately resulted in fratricide, not to mention other consequences. This shows that the downfall of the Xia, Shang, Zhou dynasties, and the Han Dynasty was entirely due to the debauchery within the harem, and this was no coincidence.
