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The Queen who remained loved by the King: Crowned as Empress while the Emperor still lived.

Throughout history, there have been countless tales of beautiful women who captivated the hearts of kings and emperors. These women possessed not only physical beauty but also intelligence and cunning, using their wits to secure power and ensure the success of their offspring. One such remarkable woman was married to a king, yet her influence extended far beyond her role as a wife. She skillfully navigated the complex world of politics and intrigue and, through her clever tactics, managed to secure the throne for her son, who would later become a renowned emperor. Her abilities to captivate, strategize, and thrive in a male-dominated world set her apart from others. She truly was a force to be reckoned with, earning the adoration and favor of the king, as well as the respect and awe of those around her.

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9 March, 2024

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In feudal times, the chastity of women was highly valued. However, there is a recorded story of a beautiful woman who had multiple husbands and was greatly favored by the emperor, using her intelligence to elevate her children to become renowned emperors. In fact, she was even given the title of Empress while the emperor was still alive.

The Beauty Who Obeyed Her Parents, Abandoned Her Husband and Children to Enter the Palace

According to the regulations of the feudal period in ancient China, only those women who maintained their purity were eligible to enter the palace and serve the emperor and the concubines. If they were fortunate enough to be favored by the emperor, they would have the opportunity to change their lives and become a phoenix. However, there have been exceptions in Chinese history, where a beautiful woman who was already married and had children was chosen to be the empress.

Empress Xiaoxianchun (178 – 126 BC), also known as Empress Xiaoxian, was the second empress of Emperor Wen of Han, Liu Qi. She was the birth mother of Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, who was renowned in Chinese history and was a rare case of a woman who became empress despite already being married.

The hidden historical records by Tu Ma Xin mentioned that Empress Xiaoxianchun had the courtesy name “Xiangzhi”. The book “Han Vu Co Su” stated that she was called “Xu Nhi,” and the book “Tinh Thi Thu Bien Chung” mentioned her alias as “Chi” with the pseudonym “A Du.” This beauty hailed from Huu Phu Phong, Hoe Ly village (now in Hanoi, Vietnam). Her father was Vương Trọng, and her mother was Tạng Nhi, the granddaughter of King Yan, Tạng Đồ, during the Han Zhao period. Her parents had three children together, but after her father passed away, her mother remarried and had two more sons in Trường Lăng.

Vương Chí was later married to Kim Vương Tôn, who lived nearby, and gave birth to a daughter named Kim Tục. Kim Vương Tôn came from a normal family background, while the Vương family had a declining noble status. However, her mother still wanted her daughter to marry into a noble family.

One day, Vương Chí’s mother invited a fortune teller to read the family’s fortune. The fortune teller said that Vương Thị had a prosperous destiny, so her mother called her daughter back and requested a divorce from Kim Vương Tôn. The Kim family opposed and refused to go through the divorce process. Tạng Nhi secretly kept her daughter at home, hiding this marriage and allowing her to enter the palace to serve Crown Prince Liu Qi. Vương Chí was then honored as a beauty. She became famous for her beauty and charm, captivating anyone who glanced at her. With her beauty and talents, this beauty was favored and loved the most by Liu Qi.

In the seventh year of Emperor Wen of Han’s reign (157 BC), Emperor Wen of Han passed away. The following year (156 BC), Liu Qi ascended to the throne, becoming Emperor Wen, and his concubine Bạc was named empress. Vương Thị, who had given birth to three princesses, was honored as a noblewoman. Later, she gave birth to her 11th son, Liu Che, who would become her only son.

Passing the Throne, Ascending to the Position of Empress Dowager

Liu Che, upon being born, received more favor from Emperor Wen of Han compared to the other princes. In the fourth year of Emperor Wen of Han’s Tiền nguyên era (153 BC), Emperor Wen of Han appointed his son, Liu Ling, who was born to Consort Lich Cơ, as Crown Prince. In that same year, Emperor Wen of Han appointed the four-year-old Liu Che as Prince Giao Đông. According to the regulations of the Han Dynasty, the birth mother of the king’s vassals could only be appointed as empress dowager after the emperor’s death. However, the Vương consort was granted special permission by the emperor and was appointed as the Giao Đông Prince’s Empress Dowager.

The fact that Empress Dowager Vương helped her son Liu Che ascend the throne was widely spread through the famous story in the book “Han Vu Co Su.” At that time, Consort Quán Đào, the mother of Emperor Wen of Han, wanted to marry her daughter, Lưu Phiếu, to the Crown Prince Liu Ling. However, Consort Lich Cơ rudely rejected the proposal. This angered the princess, so she turned to the Empress Dowager Giao Đông for a marriage alliance. Vương Thị, who was looking for support, agreed to the marriage proposal and entered into a marriage alliance with the princess. Naturally, the princess supported her future son-in-law to replace the crown prince, so that her daughter could become the crown princess and later the Empress Dowager of the Great Han Dynasty.

Consort Quán Đào often praised Liu Che in front of Emperor Wen, making Emperor Wen love Liu Che even more. Consort Lich Cơ, who was favored and had a son as the Crown Prince, became arrogant. Princess Quán Đào took the opportunity to make a sarcastic comment: “Lich Cơ, together with other noble ladies, often gathers around other favored consorts. Behind their backs, they often send palace maids to use cursed magic.” Emperor Wen heard this and was not pleased, but because of his love for Consort Lich Cơ, he forgave Lich Cơ.

Later, the princess and Empress Dowager Giao Đông instigated the grand minister to present a petition to Emperor Wen to appoint Consort Lich Cơ as empress. The grand minister, Đại Hành, followed their instructions and made this request to Emperor Wen. Emperor Wen, who was already unhappy with Lich Cơ and believed that Đại Hành was instigated by Lich Cơ, became angry and ordered Đại Hành’s execution. At the same time, Emperor Wen issued an imperial edict to depose Crown Prince Liu Ling and demote him to Prince Lâm Giang. Consort Lich Cơ died in great resentment. In the fourth month, on the day of Ất Tỵ, the Queen Mother was ordered to be established. On the day of Đinh Tỵ, Liu Che, with the status of the deceased’s son, was appointed as the Crown Prince. In 141 BC, in the first lunar month, Emperor Wen of Han passed away, and Liu Che ascended the throne, becoming Emperor Wu of Han. Empress Vương was honored as the Empress Dowager.

Frequently asked questions

Empress Xiaoxianchun was already married and had children, which was an exception to the feudal regulations that only allowed women who maintained their purity to enter the palace. She was also from a declining noble family, yet became an empress.

Empress Xiaoxianchun, or Vương Thị, was born in Huu Phu Phong, Hoe Ly village (now in Hanoi, Vietnam). Her father was Vương Trọng, and her mother was Tạng Nhi, the granddaughter of King Yan during the Han Zhao period. She had two siblings from her father and two half-brothers from her mother’s second marriage.

Vương Thị was married to Kim Vương Tôn, a man from a normal family background. They had a daughter named Kim Tục.

Vương Thị’s mother invited a fortune teller who predicted a prosperous destiny for her. So, her mother called her back home and forced a divorce from Kim Vương Tôn. Tạng Nhi secretly kept her daughter at home, allowing her to enter the palace and serve Crown Prince Liu Qi, who later became Emperor Wen of Han.

Vương Thị, now known as Vương Consort, gave birth to three princesses and later her only son, Liu Che. Liu Che received favor from Emperor Wen and was appointed as the Crown Prince. According to Han Dynasty regulations, the birth mother of a king’s vassal could only become an empress dowager after the emperor’s death. However, Emperor Wen granted special permission, and Vương Consort was appointed as the Giao Đông Prince’s Empress Dowager during his reign.

Empress Dowager Vương formed a marriage alliance with Princess Quán Đào, the mother of Emperor Wen, by agreeing to marry her daughter to the Crown Prince Liu Ling. This angered Consort Lich Cơ, who was the mother of Liu Ling. Princess Quán Đào and Empress Dowager Vương instigated a petition to appoint Consort Lich Cơ as empress, but this backfired as Emperor Wen was already unhappy with Lich Cơ. He ordered the execution of the grand minister who presented the petition and deposed Crown Prince Liu Ling. Vương Thị’s son, Liu Che, then became the new Crown Prince and later ascended the throne as Emperor Wu of Han, with Empress Vương honored as the Empress Dowager.