Chapter 2, The Queen

The two waiting doctors performed the traditional three kneels and nine kowtows to welcome the imperial decree, placing it in the designated Dragon Pavilion. They then left the palace and headed to the princess's residence for the conferral ceremony, which had been reviewed by the Empress, and bowed in gratitude towards the palace. The two doctors returned to the palace to report back. On the following day, the Emperor's grand wedding took place. At this time, the Weiyang Palace had been decorated to exude a festive atmosphere. The walls of the main hall were covered with a mixture of pepper and clay, symbolizing "the time of pepper chat, flourishing and thriving." The curtains were embroidered with a colorful thread depicting the image of a hundred sons and a thousand grandsons, with the bottom adorned with crimson crystal beads. The pomegranate quilt, featuring golden threads interwoven with dragon and phoenix designs, also conveyed auspicious wishes for many children and grandchildren. The Weiyang Palace was filled with joy and festivity, with the walls of the main hall covered in pepper and clay, symbolizing "the time of pepper chat, flourishing and thriving." The curtains were embroidered with a colorful thread depicting the image of a hundred sons and a thousand grandsons, with the bottom adorned with crimson crystal beads. The pomegranate quilt, featuring golden threads interwoven with dragon and phoenix designs, also conveyed auspicious wishes for many children and grandchildren. In front of the gilded dragon bed, towering candles shaped like dragons and phoenixes were smeared with honey. The aroma of the honey, when heated, combined with the fragrance of lilies exuded from the mouths of the bronze beasts in the hall, created a soft and languid atmosphere.

"Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your grace." I rose and stood beside the Empress, who, along with Princess Lu Yuan, seemed as if they had not seen each other for a year, sharing endless intimate conversations, clinging to their mother like taffy, unwilling to part. "It is time for the Empress to return to the palace." The Empress Dowager's authority made Yan'er tremble all over, and she immediately shrank away from her mother's embrace, looking fearfully at the Empress Dowager on the throne. I pulled her down to kneel, and we both took our leave. As I helped the Empress to her feet and turned to leave, I faintly heard the Empress Dowager reproaching Princess Lu Yuan: "Offspring is a major issue... Teach Yan'er well... Your position is at stake..." I turned my head to glance at the Empress; she seemed not to have heard, her only desire was to leave this place, walking hurriedly.

The historical texts provide scant records of Emperor Wen of Han's grand wedding. Here, the description of the wedding of Emperor Tongzhi, as depicted in Gao Yang's "Complete Biography of Empress Dowager Cixi," is used with slight modifications

Princess Lu Yuan said with a smile: "Looking at this child, I feel assured. With her attending to Yan'er, I can rest easy."

This is my first time meeting Zhang Yan. Although she is beautiful, she lacks the innocence typical of a child her age. The heavy false sideburns weigh her head down slightly, yet she must hold her neck upright. I cannot bear it, so I reach out to support the false sideburns. She turns her head and smiles sweetly, asking, "What is your name?" I smile gently and reply, "Your Majesty, I am Qing Yi." "Are you the granddaughter of Prime Minister Xiao?" I am taken aback; how does she know so much at such a young age? "Yes, Your Majesty, I am indeed." She laughs and playfully winks, saying, "I have heard of you; my mother says you are clever and beautiful. It is indeed true."

A trace of sorrow slipped through his dark eyes as he reached out with a tender hand, wanting to smooth my disheveled hair. I dared not move, standing upright. Suddenly, the burning candlelight felt blinding, and my heart was in a state of panic. I slightly lowered my head and bowed, while his long fingers seemed to falter in the air, pausing for a moment, as if unable to suppress the urge to raise his sleeve to cover his lips, coughing softly. The Emperor's affection might ensure my safety day and night, yet I feared the Empress Dowager even more. It is well known that many women favored by the Emperor meet untimely ends, and the Empress Dowager harbors jealousy towards enchanting women, with Lady Qi being the best example. He sighed, turned, and walked out of the palace door, his white robes fluttering, revealing a sense of desolation. The eunuchs waiting outside rose to greet him, their hushed voices trailing behind as he departed. I knelt on the ground, burying my head in my hands, and only stood up to dust off my sleeves after the sounds faded away. I walked to the palace door, gazing at the distant figure as it receded, the moonlight filtering through the lush branches, casting specks of silver light upon my face.

Suddenly awakened, I stood up abruptly wanting to pay my respects, but he raised his hand to support me, gesturing for me to sit down beside him. He relaxed his wide sleeves, picked up a pen, and gently wrote: "Are you afraid of me?" I hesitated for a moment, took the pen, and neatly wrote the character for 'afraid.' He tugged at the corner of his mouth and wrote again. I looked up at him; at that moment, he did not resemble an emperor, but rather a gentle older brother in simple white clothing from the next door, the faint scent of medicine on him adding a touch of warmth. However, the faint melancholy in his bright eyes evoked a sense of compassion in me. I looked up at him; at that moment, he did not resemble an emperor, but rather a gentle older brother in simple white clothing from the next door, the faint scent of medicine on him adding a touch of warmth. However, the faint melancholy in his bright eyes evoked a sense of compassion in me.

Offspring, the dream and reliance of all the women in the imperial harem, are even more essential for the emperor, whose health is frail, to maintain his status and name. Currently, the emperor has few offspring, not only due to his own youth and weakness but also because of the empress dowager's influence. After a young and beautiful palace maid is favored, she is invariably presented with a bowl of contraceptive potion; occasionally, if any remains, the offspring often meet untimely deaths. Thus, to this day, the emperor has not had a single offspring reach maturity. The empress dowager originally believed that the esteemed empress could bear children, but due to her youth, she is unable to shoulder such a significant responsibility. It seems she will have to put in considerable effort to resolve this matter.

A black-clad eunuch, who had been guiding us, bent forward to lead the way. I assisted the Empress as we ascended the jade-carved steps, one step at a time

On the 10th day of the 9th month, the Empress Dowager circled the names of the officials Xu Rengui and Deng Tong in red ink, appointing them as the chief and deputy envoys for the tribute, in hopes of securing a favorable reputation for the esteemed grandson Tong.

I sang softly, stepping aside, casually letting down the curtain. That image of a hundred children is the result of our hard work over the past month. I wish the Emperor and Empress a hundred children and a thousand grandchildren. ... But the Empress is so small. ... As the night deepened and the wind calmed, the sound of the night watch echoed, bringing a chilling cold. Soon, soft murmurs from the little Emperor and the Empress drifted from the bed, likely exhausted from the day's activities. I hugged my shoulders tightly, sitting outside the curtain, with a red brush placed before me. This is a record of all the subtle details of the Emperor and Empress's union. I did not know how to begin writing, as there seemed to be nothing worth recording. Suddenly feeling warm, the large dragon-patterned robe enveloped me. Startled, I turned around to find a pale face, devoid of color, just inches away. Those brilliant, star-like eyes were fixed on me, and a faint, elegant smile curved at the corners of his lips. I stared at him in a daze, unable to speak. Suddenly feeling warm, the large dragon-patterned robe enveloped me. Startled, I turned around to find a pale face, devoid of color, just inches away. Those brilliant, star-like eyes were fixed on me, and a faint, elegant smile curved at the corners of his lips. I stared at him in a daze, unable to speak.

Princess Lu Yuan once had a handkerchief friendship with my mother, but after my mother's passing, there was no further contact. I imagine she sees me as I was many years ago; the current me cannot be described as beautiful. Years of toil have left me somewhat weathered, my hands are covered in calluses, and I am no longer that delicate woman. "Your Majesty, the Princess has given me undue praise," I humbly bowed. The inner palace is dark and terrifying; a slight misstep could lead to a fate worse than death. Although the Empress is small in stature, she cannot be overlooked; I am aware that accompanying a ruler is akin to accompanying a tiger. I looked up to see her regain her earlier dignified demeanor, as the Emperor had just finished a banquet with his ministers and was returning to the Weiyang Palace. The red-clad palace maids stepped forward to serve, and I grasped the Empress's wrist, giving it a gentle press; she understood and bowed to greet the Emperor, saying, "Yuan'er pays her respects to Uncle Emperor." I turned pale, wanting to cover up her inappropriate address. Holding the teacup, I quickly knelt before the Emperor. He cast a meaningful glance at me and smiled at the Empress, saying, "Yuan'er, rise. Let me see if you have grown taller." Yuan'er seemed to forget the heavy false hairpiece on her head, bouncing over to the Emperor and sitting in his lap, laughing, "I have grown taller; I am almost up to Uncle's chest." The Emperor rubbed her back and called me over to remove her false hairpiece. I hurried forward, taking the Empress to sit in front of the dressing mirror, carefully removing the false hairpiece strand by strand.

Your grandfather's loyalty in protecting the crown prince has always been remembered by me, the Empress Dowager. It is just that the late emperor, in his fury, could not grant clemency, and thus your grandfather could not be saved. You may accept this favor. The Empress Dowager spoke gently. My heart ached sharply; my entire family, over a hundred souls, were either exiled or forced into prostitution. The bitterness in my eyes culminated in nothing more than a single act of grace. The royal family treats human life as if it were worthless, which is chilling, yet they present this grand gesture as if it were a great favor bestowed upon me. Gritting my teeth, I bowed and expressed my gratitude, "Your Majesty's grace, this servant will never forget." "Rise, as long as you serve Yan'er diligently, it can be considered that I have not rewarded you in vain," the Empress Dowager instructed calmly, waving her hand for me to withdraw. My heart ached sharply; my entire family, over a hundred souls, were either exiled or forced into prostitution. The bitterness in my eyes culminated in nothing more than a single act of grace. The royal family treats human life as if it were worthless, which is chilling, yet they present this grand gesture as if it were a great favor bestowed upon me. Gritting my teeth, I bowed and expressed my gratitude, "Your Majesty's grace, this servant will never forget." "Rise, as long as you serve Yan'er diligently, it can be considered that I have not rewarded you in vain," the Empress Dowager instructed calmly, waving her hand for me to withdraw.

Because this is the first imperial wedding since the founding of the Han Dynasty, the preparations are exceptionally meticulous. Although the grand ceremony is set for the first day of the tenth month, various princes have already arrived in Chang'an on the first day of the ninth month to celebrate this rare centennial event

Originally, the marriage process required six ceremonies: the proposal, inquiry of names, acceptance of auspicious signs, acceptance of tributes, setting the date, and the welcoming of the bride. However, due to Zhang Yan's unique status and familiarity with the royal family, the first three ceremonies were omitted, starting directly with the acceptance of tributes. This day marked the presentation of the betrothal gifts, the amount of which was not specified. The Empress Dowager generously bestowed a grand favor upon Princess Lu Yuan. One hundred thousand taels of gold were all crafted into ingots weighing fifty taels each, adorned with auspicious dragon and phoenix designs, their golden sheen dazzling to the eye. Twenty pure white steeds were prepared in accordance with the Zhou rites for the emperor's chariot, known as "chun si," along with books, all of identical size and even matching saddles. The horses were trained by the Horse Training Department to be exceptionally obedient, marching in unison to the rhythm of drums and music. Additionally, gifts for the prince consort and princess were also sent along with the two officials escorting the betrothal gifts. On the morning of September 28, the Empress's bridal procession entered the palace, consisting of a total of nine hundred and ninety carts, which continued for three days. The citizens of Chang'an flocked to the streets, eager to witness the winding red dragon of the procession. On the morning of September 30, at the emperor's court, he personally reviewed the imperial edict, issuing the decree to confer the title of Empress upon her. The document was cast in gold letters and affixed to a jade tablet, utilizing one thousand taels of gold. The Empress's seal was also crafted from red gold, standing four inches and four tenths high, and measuring one inch and two tenths square, featuring a dragon knob, also made from one thousand taels of gold.

Clearly, Yan was unaware of the Emperor's departure last night. She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and looked back, only to find the Emperor was not there. She asked, "Where is Uncle the Emperor?" I quickly replied with a smile, "In response to Your Majesty, the Emperor has gone to court. Now that Your Majesty is awake, shall I have someone come in to attend to you?"

I first approached the palace gate to report, and then assisted the Empress down from the carriage. Stepping through the main entrance, I was greeted by the majestic sight of nine grand halls. The main hall, Zhaoyang, stood prominently, while to the left, a side hall was connected by a corridor leading to the Lingxiao Hall. Beneath the corridor lay a clear pool of water, the Taiye Pool, personally constructed by Emperor Gaozu. The pool's azure waves shimmered, with mist rising gently, and the autumn breeze brought a refreshing chill, creating an invigorating atmosphere.

1. Ren Zhi: Zhi [zhì], refers to a pig. Ren Zhi denotes a form of torture that transforms a person into a pig. This involves amputating the limbs, severing the nose, extracting the eyes, injecting copper into the ears to induce deafness, administering a dark potion into the throat while cutting off the tongue, and damaging the vocal cords to render the individual unable to speak. Subsequently, the victim is discarded into a toilet

Princess Lu Yuan, in her twenties, had a dignified and graceful appearance. She wore simple clothing, adorned with a pattern of auspicious flowers commonly chosen by noblewomen. Her hair was casually styled in a hibiscus bun, with a gold phoenix hairpin set with pearls casually inserted. It seemed quite ordinary for her to enter the palace to see her mother and daughter, without the need for any elaborate formalities. "Do you know why I let you out?" The Empress Dowager asked, as if inquiring about the weather. "The Empress Dowager is benevolent and loves the people, and with the recent wedding of the Emperor and Empress, I have received immense grace," came the reply, which safely evaded the question I had long been eager to know. "She is indeed more articulate than her grandfather," the Empress Dowager remarked to Princess Lu Yuan. The princess lowered her gaze and smiled, nodding in agreement.

Jianzhang Palace, with its grand and imposing atmosphere, is surrounded by towering palace walls adorned with flying eaves and mythical beasts. The square blue stone bricks, each measuring over one zhang, are arranged in perfect order, seemingly endless. This magnificent presence makes one feel diminutive when standing atop it. The palace gate features ninety-nine large, rounded copper nails, visible from a distance.

The Han Empress's palace is also known as the Pepper Chamber

I remember hearing about you when I was still the crown prince. Everyone says that the granddaughter of Minister Xiao is exceptionally talented, able to compose at three and write poetry at five. Today, I finally have the chance to meet you. Would you perform a piece that suits the occasion? He held the paper up to me, his gaunt face shining with anticipation. I took the paper and quietly wrote: My talents are limited and my learning shallow, especially since I have not held a brush for five years; I have even forgotten how to write my own name.

As the Empress stepped into the hall, she did not dare to raise her head. The Empress performed a grand salute, saying: "Grandson pays respects to the Empress Dowager, ... ... " Before she could finish, Mama Qi, who was in charge beside the Empress Dowager, had already supported the Empress. "Yan'er, come here, let me have a look," a gentle voice came from the left, revealing that Princess Lu Yuan was also present. The Empress followed the proper etiquette to pay her respects and threw herself into her mother's arms, acting spoiled. I hurriedly bent down to kneel and pay my respects to the Empress Dowager and Princess Lu Yuan, but after a long time, there was no response. I did not dare to rise and could only support myself on the ground. The soft camel hair carpet, with its long and dense fibers, brushed lightly against my face with each breath, making it unbearably itchy. "Xiao Qingyi, raise your head so I can see you," a deep and resonant voice came from above. I obeyed and lifted my head. The Empress Dowager was younger than I had imagined, only in her forties, with thick gray hair styled in a Fu Shou bun. Although she only wore four red gold hairpins adorned with coral, her elegance was undiminished. Her sharp gaze instilled fear, and the tightly pressed corners of her mouth seemed to affirm her resolute and unyielding nature. Only someone with such a character could have endured the hardships of captivity in Xiang Yu's camp. The Empress Dowager scrutinized me for a long time, then nodded: "Not bad, still quite beautiful and intelligent. Xiao Qing has a good granddaughter."

The Empress was carried in on a phoenix sedan chair, first arriving at the Fengxian Hall to offer thanks to Heaven, receiving the homage of the officials, and was subsequently carried to the Weiyang Palace

After the Empress Dowager turned Lady Qi into a human pig, the Emperor, fearing that the Empress Dowager would strike again, took great care to protect the life of Lady Qi's son, Liu Ruyi, by ensuring that Ruyi accompanied him in and out every day, carefully avoiding giving the Empress Dowager any opportunity. However, during one hunting trip, Ruyi, being young and fond of sleeping in, was indulged by the Emperor, who went alone. Upon returning, he found that Ruyi had already consumed the poisoned wine bestowed by the Empress Dowager and had died. Ruyi's underage stature, along with his wide-open eyes and blood-spattered mouth, caused the Emperor to suffer a sudden surge of blood to the heart, leading to numerous health issues from that point on, with medicine never leaving his side. The Emperor, unable to protect what he desired, including women and his brother, faced the harsh reality of loss. As dawn broke, the sun shone warmly, casting a shimmering light through the diamond-patterned windows onto the blue bricks of the great hall. I stretched and walked into the inner chamber, lifting the curtain to hang it on the nearby white jade hook, softly calling to the Empress: "Your Highness, it is time to rise; the Empress Dowager is waiting for the morning audience."

I felt the Emperor's gaze fixed upon me, a burning intensity that made me uncomfortable all over. Stealing a glance, I saw him reclining on the couch, smiling as he looked this way, making it impossible to discern whether he was focused on Yan'er or me. This year, the Emperor is in his early twenties, and despite his frail physique, his complexion is as fair as jade. My grandfather often said that although the Emperor does not possess the demeanor of the late Emperor, he is a cultured and refined gentleman. Yet today, the probing look in his eyes makes it hard for me to believe such words. I tidied the Empress's hair and prepared to take my leave. "You stay to serve," he said, his tone leaving no room for doubt. My grandfather often said that although the Emperor does not possess the demeanor of the late Emperor, he is a cultured and refined gentleman. Yet today, the probing look in his eyes makes it hard for me to believe such words. I tidied the Empress's hair and prepared to take my leave. "You stay to serve," he said, his tone leaving no room for doubt