The Outer Biography of Empress Zhang of Han: Part One (including a postscript)

  This should be what was mentioned in the book review about Empress Zhang Huizhen's biography. It is indeed very beautiful, I also love it.

  It is said to have been made by people of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

  I once read the "Biography of Empress Zhang in the Book of Han" and suspected that its account was somewhat brief. The records in this biography are all about the affairs of Empress Lü. I then read the "Records of the Five Elements" which stated that the disaster of the weaving room and the imperial chamber in the fourth year of Emperor Hui's reign was a sign of Empress Zhang's loss of virtue and her eventual demotion and exile. However, I felt that this account was too forced and not credible.

  The disasters of the palace are common occurrences, yet to attribute them to Empress Zhang without reason is absurd. She entered the palace as a child and became a widow at a young age. As she did not participate in external affairs, nor even internal palace matters, which were all controlled by Empress Lü. The high officials, due to their resentment towards the Lü family, unfairly blamed Empress Zhang and exiled her to the North Palace.

  Historians, again, based on what they saw of her exile, added the accusation of loss of virtue. This is an injustice upon an injustice. I was deeply grieved by this and secretly investigated the various records and biographies in the "Records of the Grand Historian" and the "Book of Han", examining over 50 different types of historical accounts. I then wrote a biography, but did not dare to release it to the world.

  Recently, at the end of the Yongjia era, thieves broke into the Han imperial mausoleum and obtained the daily records of the inner palace from the reigns of Emperors Gaozu, Hui, Wen, and Jing. These were circulated in the Jiangnan region. I hastily sought them out and also obtained Xu Fu's "Classic of Physiognomy for Women" in three volumes, "Records of the Han Palace Ladies" in two volumes, as well as the "Genealogy of the Zhang Family of Guanzhong". After reading these together, I selected some passages to supplement my previous biography. The extraordinary virtues and appearance of Empress Zhang, as well as the reasons for her being wrongly accused and exiled, were finally revealed without any concealment.

  I do not dare to boast about my meticulous examination of ancient records, but rather humbly express my desire to redress the grievances of a wronged woman.

  Empress Xiaohui of Han, Zhang's name was Yan, also known as Menghui, with a nickname Shujun. She was the elder sister of Emperor Hui and the eldest daughter of Princess Yuan of Lu. When Emperor Gaozu was still a village chief, he married Empress Lü and had two children, a son and a daughter. The son became Emperor Hui, and the daughter became Princess Yuan of Lu.

  In the second year of Emperor Gao's reign, the Han army was defeated at Pengcheng, and Empress Lü was captured by the Chu state. Emperor Gao met Emperor Hui and Princess Yuan on his way and took them with him. When their horses were tired, they were about to abandon the two children, but Cheng Gong collected them and continued on.

  When they arrived at Xiaoyang, Emperor Gao established the capital there and appointed a crown prince. He ordered the sons of the vassals to serve as guards. Princess Yuan was very virtuous and gentle, and Emperor Gao loved her dearly. He said, "I will choose a good husband for her." Zhang Er's son, Ao, was serving in the Han army at that time, and he was fourteen years old with a handsome appearance.

  Xu Fu divined that Ao would become a king or a marquis and would have a daughter with exceptional beauty. Ao did not believe it. Emperor Gao loved Ao for his filial piety and arranged for him to marry Princess Yuan. In the fifth year of his reign, Ao married Princess Yuan in the fourth month of summer, and in the seventh month of autumn, he succeeded as King of Zhao.

  In the sixth year, on the third day of the third month, a daughter was born in Handan, with five-colored clouds covering the palace and faintly hearing celestial music. Ao named her Yan because she was born gentle and quiet. After several years, she became warm, quiet, chaste, and never showed her teeth or stepped out of the house.

  Zhang Ao once told Princess Yuan, "Yan is good at welcoming people with a gentle air, and her behavior is dignified and respectful. In the future, her fortune cannot be measured, but I fear that she may be too kind and gentle, which will lead to her being deceived by others." In the ninth year, Zhang Ao was deposed as King of Zhao and became Marquis of Xuanping.

  When Emperor Gao planned to marry Princess Yuan to the Xiongnu, Princess Yuan cried day and night in front of Zhang Ao, and Yan also cried while holding onto Princess Yuan's clothes. Emperor Gao heard about it and pitied them, so he stopped the plan.

  Yan was five or six years old at that time, with a beautiful appearance unmatched in the world. Whenever she followed her mother into the palace, Emperor Gao would often ask Empress Qi to hold her and feed her fruit. He said to Empress Qi, "You are indeed elegant and unparalleled, but this girl will surpass you in ten years."

  When Emperor Hui was still a crown prince, he married a daughter of a meritorious official as his consort. The consort also often held Yan and played with her. After Emperor Hui ascended the throne, he did not appoint an empress within the three-year mourning period for his father.

  The consort died soon after, and Emperor Hui was moved by the change in human affairs. He indulged in wine and women to comfort himself. There were many beautiful women in the palace, and he favored a woman named Mei, who had been a servant girl. The emperor and Mei slept together, and she became his favorite.

  At that time, Emperor Hui was discussing appointing an empress and wanted to find a woman from a noble family with exceptional beauty and virtue. Empress Dowager Lü often pitied Zhang Ao for being deposed and wanted to make amends by marrying Yan to the emperor. She said to Emperor Hui, "Yan is a member of the imperial clan and a daughter of a king's household, truly unmatched in the world.

  I have been selecting women for several years, but none surpass this girl." Emperor Hui said, "But she is still young, and it would be inappropriate according to the order of generations." Empress Dowager Lü said, "Is it not that youth will gradually grow up? Moreover, a niece or nephew is not among the five relationships.

  Have you not heard about Duke Wen of Jin marrying Wen Jiang?" Emperor Hui then followed her advice and ordered his officials to discuss the rituals for appointing an empress.

  In the third spring, Empress Dowager sent Long Le Shao Fu and Zong Zheng to accept the emperor's proposal, using a bundle of silk and jade pendants, four horses, and also asked to see the girl. Eight ladies-in-waiting supported the girl, who was dressed in formal attire and stood facing south. She was only ten years old, but Empress Dowager feared that people would criticize her for being too young. So she ordered the girl to claim to be twelve years old, and all the rituals of asking her name and reporting to the ancestral temple were performed accordingly. However, the girl's physical appearance was already mature and dignified like a twelve or thirteen-year-old. Those who saw her were all amazed and speechless, thinking that she was a divine being. When they returned to report, they said that the daughter of Xuanping Hou had a gentle and elegant demeanor, was well-versed in etiquette and propriety, had the virtues of a mother, and was worthy of succeeding to the throne and serving the ancestral temple. The Chancellor, the Grand Commandant, the Imperial Secretary, and others used a grand ceremony to report to the ancestral temple, divining an auspicious month and day for the rituals of asking her name, accepting the auspicious signs, and requesting the date of the wedding. All these ceremonies were established by Taifu Sunshengtong. The betrothal gifts included twelve horses and two thousand taels of gold, which was unprecedented in history. From then on, whenever a Han emperor married, he would follow the precedent set by Emperor Hui's marriage to his empress. The girl's younger brother, Yan, was still young and saw the piles of gold in the hall. He rushed in and said, "Sister, the emperor has bought you!" But Ruyuan Gongzhu scolded him, saying, "Don't talk nonsense, child." Yan then pulled his sister's hand and said, "Why don't you go out and take a look?" The girl used kind words to dismiss him and hastily retreated into her room, closing the door behind her. According to Han custom, whenever an emperor married, he would send a female official skilled in physiognomy to examine the bride-to-be carefully. In the eighth month of autumn, Emperor Hui ordered Xun (a bird) Hou Xu Fu to go to Xuanping Hou's residence. Xu Fu was an old woman from Henan who had been enfeoffed as a marquis for her skill in physiognomy. She led the girl into a private room and gave her a bath. Then she carefully examined the girl's face, which was long and slightly round, with a clean and unblemished complexion, full cheeks, and a shape like a full moon. Her eyebrows were like a butterfly's wings, and her eyes were like a phoenix's. Her nose was straight, and her hair was like a cicada's shell. Her ears were large and drooping, and their whiteness was like that of her face. The back of her head was broad and round, shining brightly like a mirror. Her chest was full and flat, her shoulders were round and straight, her back was slightly thick, and her waist was slender and delicate. Her skin was smooth and clean, with no scars or blemishes, and she had no private diseases such as mouth sores or nosebleeds. Xu Fu recorded all these details in a book and urged the girl to thank Emperor Hui for his kindness. The girl blushed and did not respond, but after being persuaded several times, she finally bowed her head slightly and said in a low voice, "Long live the emperor!" Xu Fu secretly presented her report to Empress Dowager and Emperor Hui. The emperor read it with great joy and handed it over to the palace historian.

  On the tenth day of the tenth month, Renzi, Emperor Xian of Han issued an edict to summon Zhang Heng, the Marquis of Wuyang, and Yao, the Grand Master of Remonstrance, to welcome Empress Zhang into the palace. The empress wore a ceremonial robe with a crimson top and a purple bottom, a deep collar and wide sleeves, a belt with a jade buckle, and a long skirt that trailed on the ground, hiding her feet. On her head, she wore a dragon and phoenix crown adorned with pearls and gold, which sparkled as she moved. She bowed to the ancestors at the temple of the Zhang family.

  When it was time for her to put on makeup, according to custom, she should have used false hair, but Empress Zhang's own hair was so luxuriant that it resembled clouds, and she did not need any additional adornment. Zhang Heng carried his daughter into the carriage, announcing the imperial procession as they entered the front hall of the Weiyang Palace.

  The emperor sat on the throne, surrounded by officials. The empress faced north and listened to the reading of the edict. She performed the ritual of six bows, three kneels, and three prostrations. A palace maid led her before the emperor, where she thanked him for his favor. The empress bowed deeply, but remained silent for a long time.

  A palace maid whispered instructions in her ear, and finally, the empress spoke up, saying, "Your humble servant Zhang Heng wishes you ten thousand years of life." Her voice was as gentle as a soft breeze rustling through bamboo, or like the sweet song of a young oriole. The emperor was deeply moved, and the empress rose to her feet.

  The Grand Commandant Bo presented the imperial seal and ribbon, which were received by the eunuch Tai, who then handed them over to a palace maid. The maid tied the ribbon around the empress's waist, and she bowed again, saying, "Your humble servant thanks you for your favor." This marked the end of the ceremony, and all the officials took their places and performed the ritual.

  The empress rode in a soft carriage into the inner palace, where the walls were painted with gold, and the air was filled with the scent of incense. The windows were adorned with pearls, and the bed was made of fragrant wood, inlaid with coral and jade. The curtains were made of red silk, embroidered with kingfisher feathers, and the coverlet was woven with golden dragons and phoenixes.

  The other furnishings and treasures were dazzlingly bright, beyond description. The emperor and empress performed the ritual of sharing a cup of wine together. The empress followed the instructions of the palace maid, presenting a cup to the emperor and saying, "Your humble servant Zhang Heng wishes you ten thousand years of life." The emperor smiled and said, "You still use your old title?" He also presented her with a golden cup.

  The empress blushed and declined, unable to drink. She finally managed to finish one cup. In the evening, she sat upright on the bed. The emperor held a candle and gazed at her, seeing that her hair was adorned with two braids, and her face shone with a radiant complexion, like a work of art.

  He said, "The empress's skin is as white as jade, and her lips are as red as cherries." He also called her "Zhang Gongzi" (Master Zhang) in jest. Whenever the emperor was about to arrive, the palace maid would present him with a golden spittoon and a cup of fragrant tea, which he would use to rinse his mouth.

  The emperor often held the empress on his lap and counted her teeth, which were as white as jade, forty in all. He also used vermilion to paint her lips, which shone like cherries. One day, when the emperor visited the empress's palace, she was just changing her clothes, and two palace maids were washing her feet.

  The emperor sat facing them, laughing, and said, "Ah, Zhang Heng is young, but her feet are long, almost as long as mine!" He also said to the palace maid, "The empress's heels and toes are round and white, and delicate. Who among you can compare with her?"

  ……

  In the seventh year of spring, Emperor Hui went hunting in Shangyuan. He had Empress Jia and other beauties ride with him, all dressed as men, wearing robes of various colors such as crimson, yellow, or green. The empress wore a white fox fur coat, deep blue clothing, and pure yellow skirt, with a red brocade cloak draped over her shoulders, and a red silk cloth tied around her forehead. They galloped back and forth, amidst the blooming flowers and lush grass, all looking like handsome young men, so that onlookers did not recognize them as imperial consorts. The empress was especially stunning, but then she suddenly dismounted to relieve herself in a secluded spot, when a wild boar suddenly charged at her, tearing her lower garments and causing minor injury to her buttocks. The emperor was shocked and at a loss for what to do, but the empress drew her sword and killed the boar, and all the beauties congratulated her. As her lower garments were torn apart, she inadvertently exposed herself without realizing it, and the emperor laughed and pointed at her, saying, "How white and plump you are!" The empress was shocked and embarrassed, and hastily called for a servant girl to bring her lower garments, her face flushing red, and she remained silent for half a day. In the fourth month of summer, Empress Jia personally tended to silkworms, wearing formal attire and looking majestic as she emerged from the palace, riding in a carriage with a canopy, driven by four horses, with a green feathered canopy and nine dragon flags. The wife of the Grand Marshal followed in her carriage, while the wife of the Minister of War preceded her on foot, accompanied by the Mayor of Chang'an, who held a golden tablet and a yellow pennant, with drums beating and horns blowing, and tiger warriors and imperial guards riding ahead. The empress personally picked mulberry leaves at the silkworm palace, fed the silkworms three times at the cocoon hall, and then returned to the palace after the ceremony was over. On that day, the crowds of onlookers in Chang'an were like a wall, and all the wives of high officials sighed in admiration, saying, "The daughter of Zhang Hui is so fortunate, but unfortunately we cannot catch a glimpse of her face."

  The Empress He was favored by the Emperor's mother, the Empress Dowager. The Emperor heard about it and became angry with the Marquis of Puyang, throwing him into prison and intending to kill him. Later, he released him. The Empress Dowager was ashamed and angry, and since the Emperor had no children, while the beautiful women in the palace were having many sons, she became even more displeased. She then proposed to expel all of the beautiful women from the palace, hoping that the Empress would be able to gain favor with the Emperor. The Emperor was worried and did not know what to do, so he begged the Empress to help him. The Empress, who was kind and gentle by nature, did not know how to be jealous, and she had always been favored by the Empress Dowager. She cried and spoke on behalf of the beautiful women, saying that they were innocent and that she herself was thin and weak and could not bear children. The Empress Dowager then stopped her plan.

  In May, the Empress Dowager heard that one of the beautiful women in the palace was pregnant, and she became angry again and intended to kill her. The Empress begged her to spare the woman's life, but the Empress Dowager suddenly came up with a plan. She told the Empress to pretend to be pregnant for several months, and when the beautiful woman gave birth to a son, they would claim that he was the Empress's own child and make him the crown prince. The Empress had no choice but to agree.

  She then spoke to her mother, Lady Ru Yuan, saying: "I am ashamed of this deceitful plan, but if I do not have any children, the Empress Dowager will never be pleased, and all of the Emperor's sons will be in danger. The Emperor will become even more depressed and ill. Therefore, I am doing this to please the Empress Dowager, to protect the Emperor's sons, and to bring peace between the two palaces."

  The Empress Dowager then issued an edict stating that since the Empress was pregnant, she would be excused from attending court ceremonies for a month. The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  In August, the Emperor became ill. The Empress Dowager then issued an edict stating that since the Empress was pregnant, she would be excused from attending court ceremonies for a month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  In August, the Emperor became ill. The Empress Dowager then issued an edict stating that since the Empress was pregnant, she would be excused from attending court ceremonies for a month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects to the Emperor. The king's mother had been a beautiful woman in the household of Zhang Yi, who had presented her to the Emperor Gaozu and she had given birth to the king. Therefore, she was very close to the Empress.

  The king asked the Emperor for permission to visit the Empress, but the Emperor said: "Your sister-in-law is still young and shy, like a little girl. Is it necessary for you to see her?" The king insisted on seeing her, so the Emperor agreed.

  The king bowed and paid his respects to the Empress, who answered him from behind a curtain. The sound of her jewelry was clear and melodious. She stood up and said: "My ninth brother is well." Then she sat down and did not say another word, nor did she look up at him.

  After the king left, he told others: "My sister-in-law is the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in all of history."

  The Empress was dressed in mourning clothes, her hair disheveled, and her face pale. She looked like a goddess who had descended from heaven. The officials were all shocked and saddened by her appearance.

  The Emperor became ill again, and the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that the Empress would be excused from attending court ceremonies for another month.

  The Emperor also did not visit the palace for several months, and the Empress stayed in her quarters, practicing quiet and solitude.

  One of the maidservants was clever and whispered to another maid: "The Empress is supposed to give birth to the crown prince, but why isn't her belly big?"

  In June, the beautiful woman gave birth to a son. The Empress Dowager took the child away, wrapped him in fine cloth, and sent him to the palace to be raised as the Empress's own child. On the same day, she ordered one of the palace women to teach the Empress how to pretend to have abdominal pain, and soon after, a baby was placed in her arms.

  The Emperor then announced that the Empress had given birth to a son and made him the crown prince. The officials all congratulated them.

  Three days later, the Empress sent gifts of medicine, silk, and gold to the beautiful woman who had given birth to the child. Someone said that the Empress Dowager had already killed her, and the Empress was shocked and saddened, tears streaming down her face. She secretly told the Emperor: "I endured this humiliation in order to save this woman's life. Now she has been killed, is it not fate?"

  At that time, the Emperor already had six sons with his concubines, but the child who was claimed to be the Empress's own son was the youngest of all. The Empress treated him as if he were her own child and took care of his mother.

  That year, the Emperor's younger brother, the King of Huainan, came to pay his respects

  The Crown Prince ascended to the throne, and Empress Dowager took control of the government from within the palace. She was later known as Empress Xiaohui, and still resided in the Zhong Palace's椒房 (a type of imperial residence). Every day, she would pay respects to the Empress Dowager, who wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to eliminate all the meritorious officials. However, the Empress dissuaded her from doing so.

  At that time, a high-ranking official named Zhang Ying was in charge of affairs and often entered the inner chambers of the palace. The Empress would pay respects to the Empress Dowager every day, and Zhang Ying would catch glimpses of her. She was gentle and demure like a young maiden, never speaking unless spoken to, and not daring to sit down unless ordered to do so. Her speech was soft and melodious, with a hint of a Zhao accent.

  Zhang Ying spoke about this to others, saying that it was as if she had stepped out of a painting. He also said, "If you want to know what the Empress is like, just look at her younger brother Zhang Yan - he's already 10-15% of what she is." The Empress was only 15 years old when Princess Yuan of Lu passed away, and the Empress Dowager ordered her to return home to mourn her mother.

  The Empress was young and weak, living in widowhood, and was filled with sorrow and longing. She composed a poem, which read:

  "I was a child when I entered the palace,

  Silently waiting for the years to pass, far from my ancestors.

  My fate was not auspicious, and my husband passed away,

  Leaving me to hold onto his memory, guarding an empty bed.

  The night is long and dark, like a vast expanse of water,

  I gaze up at the moon, feeling melancholy and sorrowful.

  I sigh at the fleeting nature of wealth and honor,

  It's not worth enjoying, compared to the simple pleasures of life.

  The long night stretches on, when will it dawn?

  My weak body is reflected in the bright moonlight.

  I lean against the railing, thinking of the past,

  As if my husband were by my side;

  But then I'm startled awake by the wind,

  And my heart feels as though it's lost something.

  I wipe away my tears and get up,

  Feeling dazed and confused.

  The chickens are singing in unison, announcing the dawn,

  I think of my husband, and my heart is torn apart;

  I hope that after I die, we can be buried together,

  And meet again in the underworld, where all is clear and bright."

  Thereupon, the Empress Dowager ordered Wei Yang to serve as the Right Chancellor, overseeing the Un央 Palace, residing within the palace to attend to the Empress Dowager. All matters within the palace, great or small, were under his jurisdiction.

  Wei Yang harbored resentment towards Emperor Hui, and in his dealings with Empress Xiaohui, he was strict and frugal, cutting back on her expenses by more than half. Moreover, since the Empress was young and weak, Wei Yang wanted to use this opportunity to avenge Emperor Hui's death. He bribed one of the Empress's attendants to ask about her private affairs.

  One attendant said, "I have served the Empress for the longest time, and I know her quite well. The Empress is upright and dignified, never leaning on anything when she stands or sits. Her daily routine is regular, and her movements are deliberate and measured. Her appetite is moderate, and her preferences in clothing and accessories are different from those of the common people.

  Whenever she coughs up phlegm, it's always fragrant like the scent of lan flowers. Even in the sweltering heat, she doesn't sweat much, and her stool doesn't have a strong odor. When she sleeps, she doesn't snore, and when she interacts with us attendants, she is dignified and gentle, never raising her voice to scold us. However, if we make any jokes or playful remarks, she will reprimand us sternly."

  ……

  The postscript says: The Outer Biography of Empress Xiaohui has two chapters, this is the first one. It was obtained from a collection of biographies, but the author's surname and name are not transmitted. However, it is known to have been written by someone during the Eastern Jin dynasty. After extensive searching and collecting materials, it reverses the verdict on Ban Gu and clears the injustice for Ah Yan. With thousands of words, it presents a grand view. When combined with the second chapter, it seems to be written by one person, so they can be read together.