Volume 13 Biographies 1: Empresses and Consorts 1

魏神元皇后竇氏文帝皇后封氏桓皇后惟氏平文皇后王氏昭成皇后慕容氏獻明皇后賀氏道武皇后慕容氏道武宣穆皇后劉氏明元昭哀皇后姚氏明元密皇后杜氏太武皇后赫連氏太武敬哀皇后賀氏景穆恭皇后郁久閭氏文成文明皇后馮氏文成元皇后李氏獻文思皇后李氏孝文貞皇后林氏孝文廢皇后馮氏孝文幽皇后馮氏孝文文昭皇后高氏宣武順皇后于氏宣武皇后高氏宣武靈皇后胡氏孝明皇后胡氏孝武皇后高氏文帝文皇后乙弗氏文帝悼皇后郁久閭氏廢帝皇后宇文氏恭帝皇后若干氏孝靜皇后高氏

Empress Dowager Dou of Wei Shenyuan; Empress Feng of Wei Wendi; Empress Wei of Wei Huandi; Empress Wang of Wei Pingwen; Empress Murong of Wei Zhaocheng; Empress He of Wei Xianming; Empress Murong of Wei Daowu; Empress Liu, Xuanmu, of Wei Daowu; Empress Yao, Zhaoguai, of Wei Mingyuan; the secret empress Du of Wei Mingyuan; Empress Helian of Wei Taiwu; Empress He, Jing'ai, of Wei Taiwu; Empress Yujiulü, Gong, of Wei Jingmu; Empress Feng, Civilizing, of Wei Wencheng; Empress Li, Yuan, of Wei Wencheng; Empress Li, Si, of Wei Xianwen; Empress Lin, Zhen, of Wei Xiaowen; the deposed Empress Feng of Wei Xiaowen; Empress Feng, You, of Wei Xiaowen; Empress Gao, Wenzhao, of Wei Xiaowen; Empress Yu, Shun, of Wei Xuanwu; Empress Gao of Wei Xuanwu; Empress Hu, Ling, of Wei Xuanwu; Empress Hu of Wei Xiaoming; Empress Gao of Wei Xiaowu; Empress Yifu, Wen, of Wei Wendi; Empress Yujiulü, Dao, of Wei Wendi; Empress Yuwen of the deposed emperor; Empress Ruogan of Wei Gongdi; Empress Gao of Wei Xiaojing

漢因秦制，帝之祖母曰太皇太后，母曰皇太后，妃曰皇后，餘則多稱夫人，隨世增損，非如《周禮》有夫人、嬪婦、御妻之數焉。魏、晉相因，時有升降，前史言之具矣。

The Han followed Qin institutions: the emperor's grandmother was called grand empress dowager, his mother empress dowager, his consort empress; the rest were mostly called lady, increased or reduced with the times—not like the fixed numbers of ladies, consorts, wives, and attendants in the Zhou Rites. Wei and Jin followed one another, with titles rising and falling from time to time; earlier histories have stated this fully.

魏氏王業之兆，雖始於神元，然自昭成之前，未具言六宮之典；而章、平、思、昭、穆、惠、煬、烈八帝妃後無聞。道武追尊祖妣，皆從帝諡為皇后。始立中宮，餘妾或稱夫人，多少無限，然皆有品次。太武稍增左右昭儀及貴人、椒房等，後庭漸已多矣。又魏故事，將立皇后，必令手鑄金人，以成者為吉，不則不得立也。又太武、文成，保母劬勞之恩，並極尊崇之義，雖事乖典禮，而觀過知仁。孝文改定內官：左右昭儀位視大司馬，三夫人視三公，三嬪視三卿，六嬪視六卿，世婦視中大夫，御女視元士。後置女職，以典內司。內司視尚書令、僕。作司、大監、女侍中三官視二品。監、女尚書、美人，女史、女賢人、女書史、書女、小書女五官視三品。中才人、供人、中使、女生才人、恭使宮人視四品。青衣、女酒、女饗、女食、奚官女奴視五品。及齊神武、文襄，俱未踐尊極。神武嫡妻稱妃，其所娉蠕蠕女稱為蠕蠕公主。文襄既尚魏朝公主，故無別號。兩宮自余姬侍，並稱娘而已。文宣後庭雖有夫人、嬪、御之稱，然未具員數。孝昭內職甚少，唯楊嬪才貌兼美，復是貴家，襄城王母桑氏有德行，並蒙恩禮，其餘無聞焉。

Though the Wei royal enterprise began with Shenyuan, before Zhaocheng the regulations of the six palaces were not fully set forth; and of the eight emperors Zhang, Ping, Si, Zhao, Mu, Hui, Yang, and Lie, the consorts are not recorded. Daowu posthumously honored his ancestresses, all taking the emperor's posthumous title as empress. He first established the central palace; other concubines might be called lady, without limit in number, yet all had grades. Taiwu gradually added left and right zhaoyi, noble ladies, pepper chambers, and the like; the rear apartments grew numerous. Again, by Wei precedent, when about to establish an empress, she had to cast a golden figure by hand—success was auspicious, otherwise she could not be established. Again, for Taiwu and Wencheng, the toil of wet-nurses was honored to the utmost—though it deviated from ritual, one may know benevolence by observing excess. Xiaowen reformed inner offices: left and right zhaoyi ranked with the grand marshal; three ladies with the three dukes; three pin with the three ministers; six pin with the six ministers; world wives with chief grand masters; palace women with yuan shi. Later female offices were added to administer the inner bureau. The inner bureau ranked with the director and vice director of the Masters of Writing. Director of works, grand supervisor, and female attendant-in-chief—three offices ranked as second grade. Supervisor, female master of writing, beauties, female scribes, female worthies, female recorders, writing women, and junior writing women—five offices ranked as third grade. Middle talents, attendants, middle envoys, palace female talents, and respectful palace women ranked as fourth grade. Green robes, female wine, female feast, female food, and Xian official female slaves ranked as fifth grade. As for Qi Shenwu and Wenxiang, both had not yet reached the supreme throne. Shenwu's principal wife was called consort; the Rouran woman he married was called Princess Rouran. Wenxiang had married a Wei princess, hence no separate title. In both palaces, other concubines were all called niang only. Wenxuan's rear apartments had titles of lady, pin, and imperial attendant, but the quotas were not fixed. Xiaozhao's inner offices were very few; only Consort Yang, with talent and beauty together, was also of a noble house; Sang, mother of the Prince of Xiangcheng, had virtue and conduct—both received favor and courtesy; the rest are not recorded.

河清新令：內命婦依古制有三夫人、九嬪、二十七世婦、八十一御女。又准漢制置昭儀，有左右二人，比丞相。其弘德、正德、崇德為三夫人，比三公。光猷、昭訓、隆徽為上嬪，比三卿。宣徽、凝暉、宣明、順華、凝華、光訓為下嬪、比六卿。正華、令側、修訓、曜儀、明淑、芳華、敬婉、昭華、光正、昭甯、貞範、弘徽、和德、弘猷、茂光、明信、靜訓、曜德、廣訓、暉範、敬訓、芳猷、婉華、明範、豔儀、暉則、敬信為二十七世婦，比從三品。穆光、茂德、貞懿、曜光、貞凝、光範、令儀、內范、穆閨、婉德、明婉、豔婉、妙范、暉章、敬茂、靜肅、瓊章、穆華、慎儀、妙儀、明懿、崇明、麗則、婉儀、彭媛、修閑、修靜、弘慎、豔光、漪容、徽淑、秀儀、芳婉、貞慎、明豔、貞穆、修范、肅容、茂儀、英淑、弘豔、正信、凝婉、英範、懷順、修媛、良則、瑤章、訓成、潤儀、寧訓、淑懿、柔則、穆儀、修禮、昭慎、貞媛、肅閨、敬順、柔華、昭順、敬寧、明訓、弘儀、崇敬、修敬、承閑、昭容、麗儀、閑華、思柔、媛光、懷德、良媛、淑猗、茂範、良信、豔華、徽娥、肅儀、妙則為八十一御女，比正四品。武成好內，並具其員，自外又置才人，采女，以為散號。後王既立二後，昭儀以下皆倍其數。又置左右娥英，比左右丞相，降昭儀比二大夫。尋又置淑妃一人，比相國。周氏率由姬制，內職有序。文帝創基，修衽席以儉約；武皇嗣曆，節情欲於矯枉。宮闈有貫魚之美，戚裏無私溺之尤，可謂得君人之體也。宣皇外行其志，內逞其欲，溪壑難滿，采擇無厭；恩之所加，莫限廝皁；榮之所及，無隔險詖。於是升蘭殿以正位，踐椒庭而齊體者，非一人焉；階房帷而拖青紫，緣恩幸而擁玉帛，非一族焉。雖辛、癸之荒淫，趙、李之傾惑，曾未足比其仿佛也。人厭苛政，弊事實多，文帝之祀忽諸，特由於此。

Heqing new statutes: inner titled ladies followed antiquity with three ladies, nine pin, twenty-seven world wives, and eighty-one palace women. Again following Han institutions, zhaoyi were established, left and right, two persons, ranking with the chancellor. Hongde, Zhengde, and Chongde were the three ladies, ranking with the three dukes. Guangyou, Zhaoxun, and Longhui were upper pin, ranking with the three ministers. Xuanhui, Ninghui, Xuanming, Shunhua, Ninghua, and Guangxun were lower pin, ranking with the six ministers. Zhenghua, Lingce, Xiuxun, Yaoyi, Mingshu, Fanghua, Jingwan, Zhaohua, Guangzheng, Zhaoning, Zhenfan, Honghui, Hede, Hongyou, Maoguang, Mingxin, Jingxun, Yaode, Guangxun, Huifan, Jingxun, Fangyou, Wanhua, Mingfan, Yanyi, Huize, and Jingxin were twenty-seven world wives, ranking with sub-third grade. Muguang, Maode, Zhenyi, Yaoguang, Zhenning, Guangfan, Lingyi, Neifan, Mugui, Wande, Mingwan, Yanwan, Miaofan, Huizhang, Jingmao, Jingsu, Qiongzhang, Muhua, Shenyi, Miaoyi, Mingyi, Chongming, Lizhe, Wanyi, Pengyuan, Xiuxian, Xiujing, Hongshen, Yanguang, Yirong, Huishu, Xiuyi, Fangwan, Zhenshen, Mingyan, Zhenmu, Xiufan, Surong, Maoyi, Yingshu, Hongyan, Zhengxin, Ningwan, Yingfan, Huaishun, Xiuyuan, Liangze, Yaozhang, Xuncheng, Runyi, Ningxun, Shuyi, Rouze, Muyi, Xiuli, Zhaoshen, Zhenyuan, Suxiu, Jingshun, Rouhua, Zhaoshun, Jingning, Mingxun, Hongyi, Chongjing, Xiujing, Chengxian, Zhaorong, Liyi, Xianhua, Sirou, Yuanguang, Huaide, Liangyuan, Shuyi, Maofan, Liangxin, Yanhua, Huie, Suyi, and Miaozhe were eighty-one palace women, ranking with regular fourth grade. Wucheng loved the inner quarters and filled all quotas; besides these he also set talents and caicai as loose titles. Later, when the king established two empresses, below zhaoyi all numbers were doubled. Left and right Eying were also added, ranking with left and right chancellors; zhaoyi was lowered to rank with second grand masters. Soon a shufei was added, one person, ranking with the prime minister. The Zhou followed the Ji institutions; inner offices were orderly. Wendi in founding the state kept bed and mat frugal; Wuhuang succeeding the throne restrained passion in correcting excess. The palace had the beauty of strung fish; the imperial kin had no fault of private favoritism—this may be called grasping the ruler's substance. Xuanhuang outwardly pursued his aims, inwardly indulged his desires; ravines and gullies could not be filled, selection without end; where favor reached, none was limited to menials; where glory extended, none was barred by danger or flattery. Thus those who ascended the orchid hall for the principal place and trod the pepper courtyard as equals were not one; those who by the curtain dragged blue and purple and by favor clutched jade and silk were not one clan. Though the debauchery of Xin and Gui and the ruin wrought by Zhao and Li scarcely suffice to compare in likeness. Men weary of harsh government; abuses were many—Wendi's sacrifices suddenly ended, especially for this reason.

隋文思革前弊，大矯其違，唯皇后當室，傍無私寵；婦官位號，未詳備焉。開皇二年著內官之式，略依《周禮》，省減其數。嬪三員，掌教四德，視正三品；世婦九員，掌賓客祭祀，視正五品；女御三十八員，掌女功絲枲，視正七品。又采漢、晉舊儀，置六尚、六司、六典，遞相統攝，以掌宮掖之政。一曰尚宮，掌導引皇后及閨閣稟賜。管司令三人，掌圖籍法式，糾察宣奏；典琮三人，掌琮璽器玩。二曰尚儀，掌禮儀教學。管司樂三人，掌音律之事；典贊三人，掌導引內外命婦朝見。三曰尚服，掌服章寶藏。管司飾三人，掌簪珥花嚴；典櫛三人，掌巾櫛膏沐。四曰尚食，掌進膳先嘗。管司醫三人，掌方藥卜筮；典器三人，掌樽彝器皿。五曰尚寢，掌帷帳床褥。管司筵三人，掌鋪設灑掃；典執三人，掌扇傘燈燭。六曰尚工，掌營造百役。管司制三人，掌衣服裁縫；典會三人，掌財帛出入。六尚各三員視從九品，六司視勳品，六典視流外二品。

Sui Wendi wished to reform former abuses and greatly correct their violations; only the empress held the house, with no private favorites at her side; women's offices and titles were not yet fully detailed. In the second year of Kaihuang the form of inner offices was set, roughly following the Zhou Rites, reducing their number. Three pin, teaching the four virtues, ranked regular third grade; nine world wives, managing guests and sacrifices, ranked regular fifth grade; thirty-eight palace women, managing women's work and silk, ranked regular seventh grade. Again adopting Han and Jin old rites, six Shang, six Si, and six Dian were set, each supervising the next, to govern palace affairs. First, Shang Palace, guiding the empress and inner gates' grants. It oversaw three Ling Si, managing registers and laws, investigating and memorializing; three Dian Cong, managing seals and ritual vessels. Second, Shang Ceremonial, managing ritual and instruction. It oversaw three Si Yue, managing music; three Dian Zan, guiding inner and outer titled ladies in audience. Third, Shang Robes, managing garments and treasures. It oversaw three Si Shi, managing hairpins, earrings, flowers, and adornment; three Dian Ji, managing towels, combs, and bathing. Fourth, Shang Food, managing presentation and tasting first. It oversaw three Si Yi, managing prescriptions, medicine, and divination; three Dian Qi, managing goblets and vessels. Fifth, Shang Quarters, managing curtains, bedding, and mats. It oversaw three Si Yan, managing spreading, sprinkling, and sweeping; three Dian Zhi, managing fans, umbrellas, lamps, and candles. Sixth, Shang Works, managing construction and the hundred tasks. It oversaw three Si Zhi, managing clothes and cutting; three Dian Hui, managing wealth in and out. Each of the six Shang had three posts ranked sub-ninth grade; six Si ranked merit grades; six Dian ranked outer-flow second grade.

初，文獻皇后功參曆試，外預朝政，內擅宮闈；懷嫉妒之心，虛嬪妾之位；不設三妃，防其上逼。自嬪以下，置六十員。加又抑損服章，降其品秩。至文獻崩後，始置貴人三員，增嬪至九員，世婦二十七員，御女八十一員。貴人等關掌宮闈之務，六尚以下皆分泰焉。

At first, Empress Dowager Wenxian's merit joined in founding trials; outwardly she took part in court government, inwardly she monopolized the palace; bearing a jealous heart, she left pin and concubine posts empty; she did not set the three consorts, guarding against their pressing from above. From pin downward, sixty posts were set. She further reduced and restrained insignia, lowering their ranks. After Wenxian's death, three noble ladies were first set; pin increased to nine, world wives twenty-seven, palace women eighty-one. Noble ladies and the like oversaw palace affairs; below the six Shang all were divided among them.

煬帝時，后妃嬪御無厘婦職，唯端容麗飾，陪從宴遊而已。帝又參詳典故，自製嘉名，著之於令。貴妃、淑妃、德妃是為三夫人，品正第一。順儀、順容、順華、修儀、修容、修華、充儀、充容、充華，是為九嬪，品正第二。婕妤一十二員，品正第三。美人、才人一十五員，品正第四，是為世婦。寶林二十員，品正第五。御女二十四員，品正第六。采女三十七員，品正第七，是為女御，總一百二十，以敘於宴寢。又有承衣刀人，皆趨侍左右，並無員數，視六品以下。時又增置女官，准尚書省，以六局管二十四司。一曰尚宮局，管司言，掌宣傳奏啟；司簿，掌名錄計度；司正，掌格式推罰；司闈，掌門閣管籥。二曰尚儀局，管司籍，掌經史教學，紙筆几案；司樂，掌音律；司賓，掌賓客；司贊，掌禮儀贊相導引。三曰尚服局，管司璽，掌琮璽符節；司衣，掌衣服；司飾，掌湯沐巾櫛玩弄；司仗，掌仗衛戎器。四曰尚食局，管司膳，掌膳羞；司醖，掌酒醴晗益醢；司藥，掌醫巫藥劑；司饎，掌廩餼柴炭。五曰尚寢局，管司設，掌床席帷帳，鋪設灑掃；司輿，掌輿輦傘扇，執持羽儀；司苑，掌園御種植，蔬菜瓜果；司燈，掌火燭。六曰尚工局，管司制，掌營造裁縫；司寶，掌金玉珠璣錢貨；司彩，掌繒帛；司織，掌織染。六尚二十二司，員各二人，唯司樂、司膳員各四人。每司又置典及掌，以貳其職。六尚十人，品從第五。司二十八人，品從第六。典二十八人，品從第七。掌二十八人，品從第九。女史流外，量局閑劇，多者十人以下，無定員數。聯事分職，各有司存焉。

Under Yangdi, empresses, pin, and attendants had no clear women's duties—only proper bearing and fine adornment, accompanying banquets and tours. The emperor also examined precedents, devised fine names himself, and set them in edicts. Guifei, shufei, and defei were the three ladies, rank first positive. Shunyi, shunrong, shunhua, xiuyi, xiurong, xiuhua, chongyi, chongrong, and chonghua were the nine pin, rank second positive. Jieyu, twelve posts, rank third positive. Meiren and cairen, fifteen posts, rank fourth positive—these were world wives. Baolin, twenty posts, rank fifth positive. Palace women, twenty-four posts, rank sixth positive. Cainü, thirty-seven posts, rank seventh positive—these were nüyu; in all one hundred twenty, ordered for the feast-bed chamber. There were also chengyi and daoren, all attending left and right, without fixed number, regarded as sixth grade and below. At the time female offices were further added, modeled on the Masters of Writing, with six bureaus governing twenty-four offices. First, Shang Palace Bureau, overseeing Si Yan, managing proclamation and memorials; Si Bu, managing registers and accounts; Si Zheng, managing forms and punishments; Si Wei, managing gates and keys. Second, Shang Ceremonial Bureau, overseeing Si Ji, managing classics, history, teaching, paper, brush, and tables; Si Yue, managing pitch and law; Si Bin, managing guests; Si Zan, managing ritual and assisting guidance. Third, Shang Robes Bureau, overseeing Si Xi, managing seals and tallies; Si Yi, managing clothes; Si Shi, managing bathing towels, combs, and playthings; Si Zhang, managing arms and guards. Fourth, Shang Food Bureau, overseeing Si Shan, managing delicacies; Si Yun, managing wine, pickles, and sauces; Si Yao, managing physicians, shamans, and drugs; Si Chi, managing grain rations and fuel. Fifth, Shang Quarters Bureau, overseeing Si She, managing beds, curtains, spreading, and sweeping; Si Yu, managing carriages, umbrellas, fans, and holding insignia; Si Yuan, managing gardens, planting, vegetables, and fruit; Si Deng, managing lamps and fire. Sixth, Shang Works Bureau, overseeing Si Zhi, managing construction and cutting; Si Bao, managing gold, jade, pearls, and money; Si Cai, managing silks; Si Zhi, managing weaving and dyeing. The six Shang's twenty-two offices each had two posts; only Si Yue and Si Shan had four each. Each office also had dian and zhang as deputies. Ten Shang, rank fifth sub-grade. Twenty-eight Si, rank sixth sub-grade. Twenty-eight dian, rank seventh sub-grade. Twenty-eight zhang, rank ninth sub-grade. Female scribes were outer-flow; according to each bureau's busyness, at most ten or fewer, without fixed quota. Linked duties divided offices, each with its charge.

北朝魏

Northern Wei

魏神元皇后竇氏，沒鹿回部大人賓之女也。賓臨終，誡其二子速侯、回題，令善事帝。及賓卒，速侯等欲因帝會喪為變。語泄，帝聞之，晨起以佩刀殺后。馳使告速侯等，言后暴崩。速侯等來赴，因執殺之。文帝皇后封氏，生桓、穆二帝，早崩。桓帝立，乃葬焉。文成初，穿天泉池，獲一石銘，稱桓帝葬母氏，遠近赴會二十餘萬。有司以聞，命藏之太廟。次妃蘭氏，是生思帝。

Wei Shenyuan Empress Dowager Dou was daughter of Bin, a great man of the Moluohui tribe. At his end Bin admonished his two sons Suhou and Huiti to serve the emperor well. When Bin died, Suhou and the rest wished to take advantage of the emperor's attendance at the funeral to make trouble. Word leaked; the emperor heard of it and rose early to kill the empress with his belt knife. He sent a messenger at full speed to tell Suhou and the rest that the empress had died suddenly. Suhou and the rest came to attend; he seized and killed them. Wendi's Empress Feng bore Huandi and Mudi and died early. When Huandi was established, she was buried. At the beginning of Wencheng, digging the Tianquan Pool, a stone inscription was found saying Huandi buried his mother; from far and near more than two hundred thousand came to the gathering. The authorities reported; he ordered it stored in the Grand Temple. The secondary consort Lady Lan was Sidi's mother.

桓皇后惟氏，生三子，長曰普根，次惠帝，次煬帝。平文崩。后攝國事，時人謂之曰「女國」。后性猛忌，平文之崩，后所為也。

Huandi's Empress Wei bore three sons: the eldest Pugen, next Huidi, next Yangdi. Pingwen died. The empress held state affairs; men of the time called it the "women's state." The empress was fierce and jealous; Pingwen's death was her doing.

平文皇后王氏，廣寧人也。年十三，因事入宮，得幸于平文，生昭成帝。平文崩，昭成在繈褓，時國有內難，將害帝子。后匿帝於褲中，咒曰：「若天祚未終者，汝無聲。」遂良久不啼，得免於難。昭成初欲定都於氵壘源川，築城郭，起宮室，議不決。后聞之曰：「國自上世，遷徙為業。今事難之後，基業未固，若郭而居，一旦寇來，難卒遷動。」乃止。烈帝之崩，國祚殆危；興復大業，后之力也。崩，葬雲中金陵。道武即位，配饗太廟。

Pingwen's Empress Wang was a man of Guangning. At thirteen, through circumstances she entered the palace and won Pingwen's favor, bearing Zhaocheng. When Pingwen died, Zhaocheng was in swaddling clothes; the state had internal troubles and would harm the imperial child. The empress hid the emperor in her trousers, praying, "If Heaven's mandate is not ended, be silent. For a long while he did not cry and escaped danger. At the beginning of Zhaocheng, wishing to fix the capital at Leiyuan River, he built walls and raised palaces; deliberation was unresolved. The empress heard and said, "Our state from upper generations made migration its business. Now after difficulties the foundation is not firm; if we dwell within walls, once bandits come, we cannot move in haste. He stopped. When Liedi died, the royal line was nearly lost; restoring the great enterprise was the empress's strength. She died and was buried at Jinling in Yunzhong. When Daowu took the throne, she was paired in sacrifice at the Grand Temple.

獻明皇后賀氏，東部大人野幹女也。少以容儀選入東宮，生道武。苻洛之內侮也，后與道武及故臣吏避難北徙。俄而高車來抄掠，后乘車避賊而南，中路失道，乃仰天曰：「國家胤胄豈正爾絕滅也！惟神靈扶助。」遂馳，輪正不傾。行百餘里，至七個山南而免難。

Xianming Empress He was daughter of Yegan, a great man of the eastern tribes. In youth, for bearing and appearance she was chosen into the eastern palace and bore Daowu. When Fu Luo encroached within, the empress with Daowu and former ministers fled north. Soon the Gaoche came raiding; the empress rode south to avoid bandits; on the road she lost the way and looked up to Heaven, "Can the state's heir truly be cut off! Only let spirits assist. She galloped; the wheel ran straight without tilting. After more than a hundred li she reached the south of Seven Peaks Mountain and escaped danger.

道武皇后慕容氏，寶之季女也。中山平，入充掖庭，得幸。左丞相、衛王儀等奏請立皇后。帝從儀，令后鑄金人成，乃立之。封后母孟為漂陽君。后崩。

Daowu's Empress Murong was Bao's youngest daughter. When Zhongshan was pacified she entered the rear apartments and won favor. Left chancellor Prince of Wei Yi and others memorialized to establish the empress. The emperor followed Yi; he had the empress cast a golden figure—when it succeeded, she was established. The empress's mother Meng was enfeoffed as Lady of Piaoyang. The empress died.

道武宣穆皇后劉氏，劉眷女也。登國初，納為夫人，生華陰公主，后生明元。后專理內事，寵待有加，以鑄金人不成，故不登后位。魏故事，後宮產子，將為儲貳，其母皆賜死。道武末年，后以舊法薨。明元即位，追遵諡位，配饗太廟。自此後，宮人為帝母，皆正配饗焉。

Daowu Xuanmu Empress Liu was Liu Juan's daughter. At the beginning of Dengguo she was taken as lady; she bore the Princess of Huayin, later Mingyuan. The empress managed inner affairs alone; favor was added, but because casting the golden figure failed, she did not ascend the empress seat. By Wei precedent, when the rear palace bore a son who would be heir, the mother was ordered to die. In Daowu's last years the empress died by the old law. When Mingyuan took the throne, he followed and granted posthumous title and paired sacrifice at the Grand Temple. From this onward, palace women who were the emperor's mother were all properly paired in sacrifice.

明元昭哀皇后姚氏，姚興女西平長公主也。明元以后納之，後為夫人。后以鑄金人不成，未升尊位，然帝寵禮如后。是後猶欲正位，后謙不當。泰常五年，薨。帝追恨之，贈皇后璽綬而加諡焉。葬雲中金陵。

Mingyuan Zhaoguai Empress Yao was Yao Xing's daughter, Princess of Xiping. Mingyuan later took her in; she became lady. Because casting the golden figure failed, she did not rise to supreme rank, yet the emperor favored and treated her as empress. Afterward he still wished to set her in the principal place; the empress declined as unfitting. In the fifth year of Taichang she died. The emperor pursued regret, bestowing empress seals and cords and adding posthumous title. She was buried at Jinling in Yunzhong.

明元密皇后杜氏，魏郡鄴人，陽平王超之妹也。初以良家子選入太子宮，有寵，生太武。及明元即位，拜貴嬪。泰常五年，薨，諡曰貴嬪，葬雲中金陵。太武即位，追尊號諡，配饗太廟。又立廟于鄴，刺史四時薦祀。以魏郡，太后所生之邑，復其調役。後甘露降於廟庭。文成時，相州刺史高閭表修后廟，詔曰：「婦人外成，理無獨祀；陰必配陽，以成天地，未聞有莘之國立大姒之饗。此乃先皇所立，一時之至感，非經世之遠制，便可罷祀。」先是，太武保母竇氏，初以夫家坐事誅，與二女俱入宮；操行純備，進退以禮，明元命為太武保母。性仁慈，帝感其恩訓，奉養不異所生。及即位，尊為皇太后，封其弟漏頭為遼東王。太后訓厘內外，甚有聲稱。性恬素寡欲，喜怒不形於色，好揚人之善，隱人之過。帝征涼州，蠕蠕吳堤入寇，太后命諸將擊走之。真君元年，崩。詔天下大臨三日，太保盧魯元監護喪事，諡曰惠。葬崞山，從后意也。初，后嘗登崞山，顧謂左右曰：「吾母養帝躬，敬神而愛人，若死而不滅，必不為賤鬼。然於先朝，本無位次，不可違禮以從園陵。此山之上，可以終托。」故葬焉。別立后寢廟於崞山，建碑頌德。

Mingyuan's secret Empress Du was a man of Ye in Wei commandery, younger sister of Prince of Yangping Chao. At first, as a good-family daughter she was chosen into the crown prince's palace, won favor, and bore Taiwu. When Mingyuan took the throne, she was made noble consort. In the fifth year of Taichang she died; posthumous title Noble Consort; buried at Jinling in Yunzhong. When Taiwu took the throne, he posthumously raised title and posthumous name and paired sacrifice at the Grand Temple. A temple was also set up at Ye; the prefect presented seasonal sacrifices four times. Because Wei commandery was the town where the empress dowager was born, its levies were remitted. Later sweet dew fell in the temple courtyard. Under Wencheng, inspector of Xiangzhou Gao Lü memorialized to repair the empress's temple; the edict said, "Women achieve outwardly; by principle they are not sacrificed alone; yin must pair with yang to complete Heaven and Earth—I have not heard of the state of Youxin establishing great sacrifices to Da Si. This was set up by the former emperor as a moment's utmost feeling, not a far-reaching institution for generations—sacrifice may be stopped. Earlier, Taiwu's wet-nurse Lady Dou, at first because her husband's family was condemned, entered the palace with two daughters; conduct pure and complete, advancing and retreating by ritual—Mingyuan made her Taiwu's wet-nurse. Kind and humane, the emperor felt her gracious teaching and supported her no differently from his birth mother. When he took the throne, she was honored as empress dowager; her younger brother Loutou was enfeoffed Prince of Liaodong. The empress dowager instructed inside and outside with great reputation. Plain and of few desires, joy and anger did not show on her face; she liked to praise others' good and hide others' faults. When the emperor campaigned to Liangzhou, Rouran Wuti invaded; the empress dowager ordered generals to drive them off. In the first year of Zhenjun she died. An edict ordered great mourning throughout the realm for three days; Grand Guardian Lu Luyuan oversaw the funeral; posthumous title Hui. Buried at Guo Mountain, following the empress dowager's wish. Earlier the empress dowager had climbed Guo Mountain and said to attendants, "My mother raised the emperor's person, revering spirits and loving men—if after death she is not extinguished, she will surely not be a base ghost. Yet toward the former court she had no place in rank—one cannot violate ritual to follow the imperial tombs. On this mountain above, one may be finally entrusted. Therefore she was buried there. A separate rear-chamber temple was built at Guo Mountain; a stele was erected praising virtue.

太武皇后赫連氏，屈丐女也。太武平統萬，納后及二妹，俱為貴人，後立為皇后。文成初，崩，祔葬金陵。

Taiwu's Empress Helian was Qu Gui's daughter. When Taiwu pacified Tongwan he took the empress and two younger sisters, all as noble ladies; later she was established empress. At the beginning of Wencheng she died and was buried attached at Jinling.

太武敬哀皇后賀氏，代人也。初為夫人，生景穆。神蒨元年，薨，追贈貴嬪，葬雲中金陵。後追號尊諡，配饗太廟。

Taiwu Jing'ai Empress He was a man of Dai. At first she was lady; she bore Jingmu. In the first year of Shenqi she died; posthumously made noble consort; buried at Jinling in Yunzhong. Later posthumous title and honorific were raised; paired sacrifice at the Grand Temple.

景穆恭皇后郁久閭氏，河東王毗妹也。少以才，選入東宮。有寵，生文成皇帝而薨。文成即位，追尊號諡，葬雲中金陵，配饗太廟。

Jingmu Gong Empress Yujiulü was younger sister of Prince of Hedong Pi. In youth for talent she was chosen into the eastern palace. She won favor, bore Wencheng, and died. When Wencheng took the throne, posthumous title and honorific were raised; buried at Jinling in Yunzhong; paired sacrifice at the Grand Temple.

又文成乳母常氏，本遼西人，因事入宮，乳帝，有劬勞保護之功。文成即位，尊為保太后，尋尊為皇太后，告于郊廟。和平元年，崩。詔天下大臨三日，諡曰昭。葬于廣寧磨笄山，俗謂之鳴雞山，太后遺志也。依惠太后故事，別立寢廟，置守陵二百家，樹碑頌德。

Also Wencheng's wet-nurse Lady Chang, originally of Liaoxi, entered the palace through circumstances, nursed the emperor, and had toil in protecting him. When Wencheng took the throne, she was honored as Protecting Empress Dowager, soon Grand Empress Dowager, announced at suburban temples. In the first year of Heping she died. An edict ordered great mourning throughout the realm for three days; posthumous title Zhao. Buried at Mojishan in Guangning—commonly called Cock-crow Mountain—the empress dowager's last wish. Following Empress Dowager Hui's precedent, a separate sleeping temple was set up; two hundred families guarded the tomb; a stele praised virtue.

文成文明皇后馮氏，長樂信都人也。父朗，秦、雍二州刺史、西城郡公。母樂浪王氏。後生于長安，有神光之異。朗坐事誅，后遂入宮。太武左昭儀，后之姑也，雅有母德撫養教訓。年十四，文成踐極，以選為貴人，后立為皇后。文成崩，故事國有大喪，三日後御服器物一以燒焚，百官及中宮皆號泣而臨之。后悲叫自投火，左右救之，良久乃蘇。獻文即位，尊為皇太后。丞相乙渾謀逆，獻文年十二，居於諒闇，太后密定大策，誅渾，遂臨朝聽政。及孝文生，太后躬親撫養。是後罷令不聽政事。太后行不正，內寵李弈，獻文因事誅之。太后不得意，遂害帝。承明元年，尊曰太皇太后，復臨朝聽政。后性聰達。自入宮掖，粗學書計；及登尊極，省決萬機。孝文詔罷鷹師曹，以其地為太后立報德佛寺。太后與孝文游于方山，顧川阜有終焉之志。因謂群臣曰：「舜葬蒼梧，二妃不從，豈必遠祔山陵，然後為貴哉？吾百歲後，神其安此。」孝文乃詔有司營建壽陵于方山，又起永固石室，將終為清廟焉。太和五年起作，八年而成，刊石立碑，頌太后功德。

Wencheng Civilizing Empress Feng was a man of Xindu in Changle. Father Lang, inspector of Qin and Yong provinces, Duke of Xicheng. Mother Lady Wang of Lelang. The empress was born at Chang'an; there was a divine light anomaly. Lang was condemned and executed; the empress then entered the palace. Taiwu's left zhaoyi, the empress's aunt, had motherly virtue in nurturing and instruction. At fourteen Wencheng took the throne; by selection she became noble lady; later established empress. When Wencheng died, by precedent on great state mourning, after three days rear-garment utensils were all burned; officials and inner palace all wept and attended. The empress wailed and threw herself into the fire; attendants saved her; after a long while she revived. When Xianwen took the throne, she was honored grand empress dowager. Chancellor Yi Hun plotted rebellion; Xianwen was twelve, in the mourning hut; the empress dowager secretly fixed the great plan, executed Hun, and then held court and heard government. When Xiaowen was born, the empress dowager personally nurtured him. Afterward she ceased orders and did not hear government. The empress dowager's conduct was improper; she favored Li Yi inwardly; Xianwen because of the affair executed him. The empress dowager was displeased and then harmed the emperor. In the first year of Chengming she was honored supreme empress dowager and again held court and heard government. The empress dowager was intelligent and penetrating. From entering the palace she roughly learned writing and reckoning; on reaching supreme rank she decided the myriad tasks. Xiaowen ordered the hawk-master corps abolished; its land was made Repaying Virtue Buddha Temple for the empress dowager. The empress dowager with Xiaowen toured Fangshan; looking at the river hills she had a will to end there. She told the ministers, "Shun was buried at Cangwu; the two consorts did not follow—must one attach far tombs to be honored? After my hundred years, let my spirit rest here. Xiaowen then ordered authorities to build the longevity tomb at Fangshan; also the Yonggu stone chamber, to be finally a pure temple. In the fifth year of Taihe construction began; in the eighth year it was completed; stone was carved and a stele set praising the empress dowager's merit.

太后以帝富於春秋，乃作《勸戒歌》三百餘章，又作《皇誥》十八篇，文多不載。太后立文宣王廟于長安，又立思燕佛圖于龍城，皆刊石立碑。太后又制，內屬五廟之孫、外戚六親緦麻，皆受復除。性儉素，不好華飾，躬御縵繪而已。宰人上膳，案裁徑尺，羞膳滋味，減於故事十分之八。太后嘗以體不安，服庵閭子，宰人昏而進粥，有蜒在焉，后舉匕得之。帝時侍側，大怒，將加極罰，太后笑而釋之。

The empress dowager, because the emperor was in spring years, composed more than three hundred chapters of Admonition Songs, also eighteen chapters of Imperial Admonitions—most texts are not recorded. The empress dowager set up Prince Wenxuan's temple at Chang'an; also the Siyan Buddha image at Longcheng—both carved stone and set steles. The empress dowager also decreed: inner five-temple grandsons and outer six-kin in mourning dress all received mourning leave. Frugal and plain, she did not love ornament; she personally wore only coarse silk. When stewards presented food, the tray was only a foot across; delicacies were reduced to eight-tenths of precedent. The empress dowager once was unwell and took anluzi; the steward at dusk brought porridge—there was a maggot in it; the empress raised her spoon and got it. The emperor was then attending; greatly angered, he would impose extreme punishment; the empress dowager smiled and released him.

自太后臨朝專政，孝文雅性孝謹，不欲參決；事無巨細，一稟于太后。太后多智，猜忍，能行大事；殺戮賞罰，決之俄頃，多有不關帝者。是以威福兼作，震動內外。故杞道德、王遇、張祐、苻承祖等拔自微閹，歲中而至王公。王睿出入臥內，數年便為宰輔。賞齎千萬億計，金書鐵券，許以不死之詔。李沖以器能受任，亦由見寵幃幄，密加錫齎，不可勝數。后性嚴明，假有寵侍，亦無所縱。左右纖介之愆，動加棰楚，多至百餘，少亦數十。然性不宿憾，尋亦待之如初；或因此更加富貴，是以人人懷於利欲，至死而不思退。

From the empress dowager's holding court and monopolizing government, Xiaowen by nature was filial and cautious and did not wish to join in decisions; great or small, all was reported to the empress dowager. The empress dowager was very clever, suspicious and cruel, able to do great deeds; killing, rewarding, and punishing were decided in a moment, many not involving the emperor. Thus might and favor together shook inside and outside. Therefore Qi Daode, Wang Yu, Zhang You, Fu Chengzu and others were raised from humble eunuchs; within the year they reached kings and dukes. Wang Rui went in and out of the sleeping quarters; in several years he was chief minister. Rewards of tens of millions and billions, gold writ on iron tallies, a decree promising deathlessness. Li Chong for capacity received office, also from favor in the curtain; secretly bestowed gifts beyond counting. The empress dowager was strict and bright; even if there were favored attendants, she did not indulge them. Attendants' minute faults were beaten with the rod—often more than a hundred, at least several tens. Yet she did not harbor old resentment; soon she treated them again as at first; or because of this they gained greater wealth—thus everyone clung to profit's desire and to death did not think of retreat.

太后曾與孝文幸靈泉池，宴群臣及蕃國使人、諸方渠帥，各令為其方舞。孝文上壽，太后忻然作歌，帝亦和歌，遂命群臣各言其志，於是和歌者九十人。太后外禮人望，元丕、遊明根等頒賜金帛輿馬；每至褒美睿等，皆引丕參之，以示無私。又自以過失，懼人議己，小有疑忌，便見誅戮。迄后之崩，孝文不知所生。至如李䐶、李惠之徒，猜嫌覆滅者十餘家，死者數百人，率多枉濫，天下冤之。

The empress dowager once with Xiaowen visited Lingquan Pool, feasting ministers and foreign envoys and chieftains of all regions, each ordered to dance his region's dance. Xiaowen offered longevity; the empress dowager gladly made song; the emperor also harmonized; then ordered ministers each to speak his aim—in all ninety harmonized. Outwardly the empress dowager treated men of renown; Yuan Pi, You Minggen and others received gold, silk, carriages, and horses; whenever she praised Rui and the rest she brought in Pi to show no partiality. Also from her own faults, fearing others' criticism, at slight suspicion she saw execution. Until the empress dowager's death, Xiaowen did not know who bore him. As for Li Yi, Li Hui and the like, more than ten houses were destroyed by suspicion; the dead numbered several hundred—mostly wrongful; the realm resented it.

十四年，崩於太和殿，年四十九。其日有雄雉集于太華殿。帝酌飲不入口五日，毀慕過禮。諡曰文明太皇太后。葬于永固陵，日中而反，虞于鑒玄殿。詔曰：

In the fourteenth year she died in Taihe Hall, age forty-nine. That day a male pheasant perched on Taihua Hall. The emperor drank but did not put food in his mouth for five days; mourning exceeded ritual. Posthumous title Civilizing Grand Empress Dowager. Buried at Yonggu Tomb; at noon she returned; yu at Jianxuan Hall. The edict said:

尊旨從儉，不申罔極之痛；稱情允禮，仰損儉訓之德；進退思惟，倍用崩感。又山陵之節，亦有成命；內則方丈，外裁奄坎。脫於孝子之心有所不盡者，室中可二丈，墳不得過三十步。今以陵萬世所仰，復廣為六十步。孤負遺旨，益以痛絕！其幽房大小，棺槨質約，不設明器。至於素帳縵茵瓷瓦之物，亦皆不置。此則遵先志，從冊令。俱奉遺事，而有從有違，未達者或以致怪。梓宮之裏，玄堂之內，聖靈所憑，已一一奉遵，仰昭儉德。其餘外事，有所不從，以盡痛慕之情。其宣示遠近，著告群司，上明儉誨之美，下彰違命之失。

Honoring the will for frugality, not extending unbounded grief; according with feeling and permitting ritual, upward reducing frugal instruction's virtue; advancing and retreating in thought, doubly using collapse's feeling. Also the mountain tomb's regulations had a fixed command; inside one zhang square, outside cut to a cubit. If the filial son's heart has what is not fully done, the chamber may be two zhang; the mound must not exceed thirty paces. Now because the tomb is looked to for ten thousand generations, it is again broadened to sixty paces. Alone I have failed the last will—grief increases to cutting off! The inner chamber's size, coffin and inner coffin's plain quality—no bright vessels set. As for plain curtains, coarse mats, and ceramic tiles, these too are not placed. This follows the former will and obeys the book's command. All following the last affairs, some followed and some violated—those who did not reach may have been startled. Within the inner coffin, the dark hall—where the sage spirit rests—each has been followed and obeyed, showing frugal virtue upward. The rest, outer affairs not followed, to exhaust painful longing's feeling. Proclaim far and near, set forth to all offices, above showing frugal instruction's beauty, below showing disobedience to command's fault.

及卒哭，孝文服衰，近臣從服。三司以下外臣衰服者，變服就練；七品以下，盡除即吉。設附祭於太和殿，公卿以下始親公事。帝毀瘠，絕酒肉不御者三年。

At end of weeping, Xiaowen wore mourning; close ministers followed in dress. Three ministers and below, outer ministers in mourning dress changed to practice dress; seventh grade and below removed all and returned to auspicious. Attached sacrifice was set at Taihe Hall; dukes and below began to attend to public affairs. The emperor wasted away; he abstained from wine and meat for three years.

初，帝孝于太后，乃于永固陵東北里餘營壽宮，遂有終焉瞻望之志。及遷洛陽，乃自表瀍西以為山園之所，而方山虛宮號曰萬年堂云。

At first the emperor was filial toward the empress dowager; east of Yonggu Tomb more than a li he built a longevity palace and had a will to gaze finally. When he moved the capital to Luoyang, he himself memorialized west of the Chan for the mountain garden's place; the Fangshan empty palace was called Wannian Hall.

文成元皇后李氏，梁國蒙縣人，頓丘王峻之妹也。后之生也，有異于常。父方叔，恆言此女當大貴。及長，姿質美麗。太武南征，永昌王仁出壽春，軍至后宅，因得后。及仁鎮長安，遇事誅，后與其家人送平城宮。高祖登白樓望見，美之。乃下臺，后得幸於齋庫中，遂有娠。常太后後問后，知之，時守庫者亦私書於壁記之，別加驗問，皆符同。及生獻文，拜貴人。太安二年，太后令依故事。令后具條記在南兄弟，及引所結宗兄洪之，悉以付託。臨決，每一稱兄弟，拊胸慟泣，遂薨。后諡曰元皇后，葬金陵，配饗太廟。

Wencheng Yuan Empress Li was a man of Meng in Liang. At the empress's birth there was something unusual. Father Fangshu always said this girl would be greatly honored. When grown, bearing and quality were beautiful. When Taiwu campaigned south, Prince of Yongchang Ren went out to Shouchun; the army reached the empress's home and thus obtained the empress. When Ren guarded Chang'an, because of an affair he was executed; the empress with her family was sent to Pingcheng Palace. Gaozu ascended the White Tower and saw her—he admired her beauty. He descended the tower; the empress won favor in the fasting storehouse and became pregnant. Empress Dowager Chang later questioned the empress and knew it; the storekeeper also privately wrote on the wall and recorded it; separate added interrogation—all matched. When she bore Xianwen, she was made noble lady. In the second year of Tai'an, the empress dowager ordered according to precedent. She had the empress fully list brothers in the south and the sworn clan brother Hong she had joined—all were entrusted. At the parting, each time she named a brother she beat her breast and wept bitterly; then she died. Posthumous title Yuan Empress; buried at Jinling; paired sacrifice at the Grand Temple.

獻文思皇后李氏，中山安喜人，南郡王惠之女也。姿德婉淑，年十八。以選入東宮。獻文即位，為夫人，生孝文帝。皇興三年，薨，葬金陵。承明元年，追崇號諡，配饗太廟。

Xianwen Si Empress Li was a man of Anxi in Zhongshan, daughter of Prince of Nanjun Hui. Bearing and virtue gentle and fine, age eighteen. By selection she entered the eastern palace. When Xianwen took the throne, she was lady; she bore Xiaowen. In the third year of Huangxing she died; buried at Jinling. In the first year of Chengming posthumous title and honorific were raised; paired sacrifice at the Grand Temple.

孝文貞皇后林氏，平涼人也。父勝，位平涼太守。叔父金閭，起自閹官。獻文初，為定州刺史，為乙渾所誅，及勝兄弟皆死。勝無子，有二女入掖庭。后容色美麗，得幸于孝文，生皇子恂。以恂將為儲貳，太和七年，后依舊制薨。帝仁恕不欲襲前事，而稟文明太后意，故不果行。諡曰貞皇后，葬金陵。及恂以罪賜死，有司奏追廢后為庶人。

Xiaowen Zhen Empress Lin was a man of Pingliang. Father Sheng, post Pingliang prefect. Uncle Jinlü rose from eunuch office. At the beginning of Xianwen he was inspector of Dingzhou; executed by Yi Hun; Sheng and brothers all died. Sheng had no sons; two daughters entered the rear apartments. The empress's bearing was beautiful; she won Xiaowen's favor and bore the prince Xun. Because Xun would be heir, in the seventh year of Taihe the empress died by the old system. The emperor was humane and did not wish to follow the former affair, but followed Civilizing Empress Dowager's intent—thus it was not carried out. Posthumous title Zhen Empress; buried at Jinling. When Xun was ordered to die for crime, the authorities memorialized to posthumously depose the empress as commoner.

孝文廢皇后馮氏，太師熙之女也。太和十七年，孝文既終喪，太尉元丕等表以長秋未建，六宮無主，請正內位。孝文從之，立后為皇后，恩遇甚厚。孝文后重引后姊昭儀至洛，稍有寵，后禮愛漸衰。昭儀自以年長，且前入宮掖，素見待念，輕后而不率妾禮。后雖性不妒忌，時有愧恨之色。照儀規為內主，譖構百端，尋廢后為庶人。后貞謹有德操，遂為練行尼，後終於瑤光佛寺。

Xiaowen's deposed Empress Feng was daughter of Grand Tutor Xi. In the seventeenth year of Taihe, when Xiaowen had ended mourning, Grand Marshal Yuan Pi and others memorialized that the chief autumn was not yet set and the six palaces had no master—please rectify the inner place. Xiaowen followed; he established the empress; favor was very thick. Xiaowen later brought the empress's elder sister zhaoyi to Luoyang; she gradually won some favor; the empress's loving courtesy gradually declined. The zhaoyi, because she was older and had earlier entered the palace, was always treated with thought; she slighted the empress and did not follow concubine ritual. Though the empress was not jealous by nature, at times she had a look of shame and resentment. The zhaoyi schemed to be inner mistress; slander in a hundred ways—soon the empress was deposed as commoner. The empress was chaste, careful, and of moral conduct; she became a practicing nun at Yaoguang Buddhist Temple and ended there.

孝文幽皇后亦馮熙女。母曰常氏。本賤微，得幸於熙，熙元妃公主薨後，遂主家事。生后與北平公夙。文明太皇太后欲家世貴寵，乃簡熙二女，俱入掖庭，時年十四。其一早卒。后有姿媚，偏見愛幸。未幾，疾病。太后乃遣還家為尼，帝猶留念焉。歲余而太后崩，帝服終，頗存訪之。又聞后素疹痊除，遣閹官雙三念璽書勞問，遂迎赴洛陽。及至，寵愛過本初。當夕，宮人稀復進見。拜為左昭儀，後立為皇后。

Xiaowen You Empress was also Feng Xi's daughter. Mother was Lady Chang. Originally base and slight, she won Xi's favor; after the primary consort princess died, she then managed the household. She bore the empress and Prince of Beiping Su. Civilizing Grand Empress Dowager wished the clan honored; she chose two of Xi's daughters; both entered the rear apartments, age fourteen then. One died early. The empress had charm and was especially loved. Before long, illness. The empress dowager sent her home to be a nun; the emperor still kept her in mind. After more than a year the empress dowager died; when the emperor ended mourning, he greatly sought her. Also hearing the empress's chronic rash was cured, he sent eunuch Shuang Sannian with imperial writ to comfort and ask; then welcomed her to Luoyang. When she arrived, favor exceeded the first time. That evening palace people rarely again entered audience. She was made left zhaoyi; later established empress.

帝頻歲南征，后遂與中官高菩薩私亂。及帝在汝南不豫，后便公然醜恣，中常侍雙蒙等為其心腹。是時彭城公主，宋王劉昶子婦也，年少嫠居。北平公馮夙，后之周母弟也。后求婚于孝文，孝文許之。公主志不願，后欲強之，婚有日矣。公主密與侍婢及僮從十餘人，乘輕車，冒霖雨，赴懸瓠，奉謁孝文，自陳本意。因言后與菩薩亂狀。帝聞，因駭愕，未之信，而秘匿之。此後后漸憂懼。與母常氏求托女巫，禱厭孝文疾不起；一旦得如文明太后輔少主稱命者，賞報不貲。又取三牲，宮中祆祠，假言祈福，專為左道。母常或自詣宮中，或遣侍婢與相報答。

The emperor campaigned south year after year; the empress then privately disordered with palace eunuch Gao Pusa. When the emperor was unwell at Ruyang, afterward she openly was shameless; Palace Regular Attendant Shuang Meng and others were her intimate confidants. At the time Princess of Pengcheng, daughter-in-law of Song Prince Liu Chang, was young and widowed. Prince of Beiping Feng Su was the empress's younger uterine brother. The empress asked marriage of Xiaowen; Xiaowen assented. The princess's will was unwilling; the empress wished to force it—the wedding had a day. The princess secretly with maidservants and bond servants more than ten persons took a light carriage, braved pouring rain, went to Xuanhuai, paid homage to Xiaowen, and stated her original intent. She also spoke of the empress's disorder with Pusa. The emperor heard and was startled, did not yet believe, but kept it secret. After this the empress gradually grew fearful. With mother Chang she sought a witch, praying Xiaowen's illness would not recover; if one day she could like Civilizing Empress Dowager assist the young lord and hold command, reward would be beyond price. Also she took three sacrificial beasts for palace Hu worship, falsely saying to pray for blessing, devoted to heterodox ways. Mother Chang sometimes went herself to the palace, or sent maidservants to answer back and forth.

帝至洛，執問菩薩、雙蒙等，具得情狀。帝以疾臥含溫室，夜引后，並列菩薩等於戶外。后臨入，令搜衣中，稱有寸刃便斬。后頓首泣謝，乃賜坐東楹，去御筵二丈餘。孝文令菩薩等陳狀，又讓后曰：「汝有妖術，可具言之。」后乞屏左右，有所密狀。孝文敕中常侍悉出，唯令長秋卿白整在側，取衛直刀拄之。后猶不言。孝文乃以綿堅塞整耳，自小語再三呼整，無所應，乃令后言。事隱，人莫知之。高祖乃喚彭城、北海二王令入坐，言：「昔是汝嫂，今便他人，但入勿避。」又曰：「此老嫗欲白刃插我肋上，可窮問本未，勿有所難。」又云：「馮家女不能復相廢逐，且使在宮中空坐，有心乃能自死，汝等勿謂吾猶有情也。」帝素至孝，猶以文明太后故，未行廢。二王出，乃賜后辭死訣，再拜稽首涕泣。及入宮後，帝命中官有問於后，后罵曰：「我天子婦，當面對，豈令汝傳也！」帝怒，敕后母常入，示與后狀，常撻之百餘乃止。

When the emperor reached Luo, he interrogated Pusa, Shuang Meng and others; the full circumstances were obtained. The emperor lay ill in the Warm Chamber; at night he summoned the empress and lined up Pusa and others outside the door. As the empress entered, he ordered search in her clothes—if there was an inch blade, cut at once. The empress knocked head and wept in apology; then she was granted seat on the east pillar, more than two zhang from the imperial mat. Xiaowen ordered Pusa and the rest to state the case; again he reproached the empress, "You have witchcraft—state it fully. The empress begged to screen attendants—there was a secret report. Xiaowen ordered all palace attendants out; only Chief of Autumn Bai Zheng at the side, taking guard straight blade to lean on it. The empress still did not speak. Gaozu then stuffed Zheng's ears with cotton firmly, himself calling Zheng softly three times—no response—then ordered the empress to speak. The affair was hidden; men did not know it. Gaozu then summoned Princes of Pengcheng and Beihai to enter and sit, saying, "Formerly she was your sister-in-law; now she is another's—only enter, do not avoid. Also he said, "This old woman wished to insert a white blade in my ribs—exhaustively ask the root; do not have difficulty." Also he said, "The Feng family's daughter cannot again be deposed and driven off; let her sit empty in the palace—if she has heart she can die herself—you must not think I still have feeling." The emperor by nature was utmost filial; still because of Civilizing Empress Dowager he did not carry out deposition. The two princes left; then he granted the empress words of farewell to death; again bowing head and weeping. After entering the palace the emperor ordered palace attendants to question the empress; the empress cursed, "I am the Son of Heaven's wife—I should face him—how can I let you transmit! The emperor was angry; he ordered the empress's mother Chang in; showed her the empress's case; Chang flogged her more than a hundred strokes then stopped.

帝尋南伐，且留京師。雖以罪失寵，而夫人嬪妾奉之如法。唯令世宗在東宮，無朝謁之事。帝疾甚，謂彭城王勰曰：「後宮久乖陰德，自絕於天，吾死後可賜自盡別宮，葬以后禮，庶掩馮門之大過。」帝崩，梓宮達魯陽，乃行遺詔。北海王詳奉宣遺旨，長秋卿白整等入授后藥。后走呼，不肯引決，曰：「官豈有此也！是此諸王輩殺我耳。」整等執持強之，乃含椒而盡。梓宮次洛南，咸陽王禧等知審死，相視曰：「若無遺詔，我兄弟亦當作計去之。豈可令失行婦人宰製天下，殺我輩也？」諡曰幽皇后，葬長陵塋內。

The emperor soon campaigned south and stayed at the capital. Though she lost favor for crime, ladies and pin still served her by law. Only Shizong in the eastern palace had no court audience affairs. The emperor was very ill and told Prince of Pengcheng Xie, "The rear palace long lacked yin virtue and cut itself off from Heaven—after my death grant her to end herself in a separate palace; bury with empress ritual—perhaps to cover the Feng gate's great fault. When the emperor died, the coffin reached Luyang; then the last edict was carried out. Prince of Beihai Xiang received and proclaimed the last will; Chief of Autumn Bai Zheng and others entered and gave the empress the drug. The empress ran shouting, refusing to take resolution, saying, "How can the ruler have this! These kings killed me. Zheng and the rest held and forced her; then she took pepper and died. When the coffin next reached south of Luo, Prince of Xianyang Xi and others knew the true death and looked at each other, "Without the last edict, we brothers would also have made a plan to remove her. How could we let a woman of lost conduct rule the realm and kill us? Posthumous title You Empress; buried within Changling mound.

其後有司奏請加號，諡曰文昭貴人。孝文從之。宣武踐阼，追尊配饗。后先葬在長陵東南，陵制卑局，因就起山陵，號終寧陵。置邑戶五百家。明帝時，更上尊號太后，以同漢、晉之典，正姑婦之禮，廟號如舊文昭。遷靈櫬於長陵兆內西北六十步。初，開終寧陵數丈，于梓宮上獲大蛇，長丈餘，黑色，頭有王字，蟄而不動；靈櫬既遷，還置蛇舊處。

Later the authorities memorialized to add title; posthumous title Wenzhao noble lady. Xuanwu followed it. When Xuanwu took the throne, he posthumously honored paired sacrifice. The empress was first buried southeast of Changling; the tomb system was low and cramped; therefore a mountain tomb was raised nearby, called Zhongning Tomb. Five hundred settlement households were set. Under Mingdi, the superior title empress dowager was further raised, like Han and Jin institutions, rectifying aunt and daughter-in-law ritual; temple title as before Wenzhao. The spirit coffin was moved within Changling's precinct northwest sixty paces. At first, opening Zhongning Tomb several zhang, on the inner coffin a great serpent more than a zhang, black, head bearing the character wang, coiled without moving; when the spirit coffin was moved, the serpent was returned to its old place.

宣武順皇后于氏，太尉烈弟勁之女也。宣武始親政事，烈時為領軍，總心膂之任。以嬪御未備，左右諷諭，稱后有容德，帝乃迎入為貴人。時年十四，甚見寵愛，立為皇后。后靜默寬容，性不妒忌。生皇子，三歲夭沒。其後暴崩，宮禁事秘，莫能知悉，而世議歸咎于高夫人。葬永泰陵，諡曰順皇后。

Xuanwu Shun Empress Yu was daughter of Lie's younger brother Jin. When Xuanwu first personally handled government, Lie was then commander-in-chief, holding the heart-and-liver charge. Because pin and attendants were not complete, attendants admonished, saying the empress had bearing and virtue—the emperor then welcomed her as noble lady. Age fourteen; she was greatly favored and established empress. The empress was silent, tolerant, and by nature not jealous. She bore a prince; at three years he died young. Afterward she died suddenly; palace affairs were secret—none could know fully; worldly opinion blamed Lady Gao. Buried at Yongtai Tomb; posthumous title Shun Empress.

宣武皇后高氏，文昭皇后弟偃之女也。宣武納為貴嬪，生皇子，早夭；又生建德公主。後拜為皇后，甚見禮重。性妒忌，宮人希得進御。及明帝即位，上尊號曰皇太后。尋為尼，居瑤光寺。非大節慶不入宮中。建德公主始五六歲，靈太后出覲母武邑君，時天文有變，靈太后欲以當禍，是夜暴崩，天下冤之。喪還瑤光佛寺，殯皆以尼禮。

Xuanwu Empress Gao was daughter of Wenzhao Empress's younger brother Yan. Xuanwu took her as noble consort; she bore a prince who died young; also bore Princess of Jiande. Later she was made empress; greatly honored in ritual. Jealous by nature; palace women rarely won access. When Mingdi took the throne, she was honored empress dowager. Soon she became a nun at Yaoguang Temple. Except great festivals she did not enter the palace. Princess of Jiande was only five or six; Empress Dowager Ling went out to visit her mother Lady of Wuyi; at the time astronomy had a change; the empress dowager wished to use it as calamity—that night she died suddenly; the realm resented it. The coffin returned to Yaoguang Buddhist Temple; burial all used nun ritual.

初，孝文幽后之寵也，欲專其愛，後宮接御，多見阻遏。孝文時言於近臣，稱婦人妒防，雖王者亦不能免，況士庶乎。宣武高后悍忌，嬪御有至帝崩不蒙侍接者。由是在洛二十餘年，皇子全育者唯明帝而已。

At first when Xiaowen You Empress was favored, he wished to monopolize her love; rear-palace access was much blocked. Xiaowen spoke to close ministers, saying women's jealousy and guard—even kings cannot avoid it, how much more gentlemen and commoners. Xuanwu's Empress Gao was fierce and jealous; pin and attendants often to the emperor's death did not receive attendance. Therefore at Luo for more than twenty years, among princes fully reared there was only Mingdi.

宣武靈皇后胡氏，安定臨涇人，司徒國珍女也。母皇甫氏，產后之日，赤光四照。京兆山北縣有趙胡者，善於卜相，國珍問之，胡云：「賢女有大貴之表，方為天地母，生天地主，勿過三人知也。」后姑為尼，頗能講道。宣武初，入講禁中。積歲，諷左右稱后有姿行。帝聞之，乃召入掖庭，為充華世婦。而椒庭之中，以國舊制，相與祈祝，皆願生諸王、公主，不願生太子。唯后每稱：「夫人等言，何緣畏一身之死而令皇家不育塚嫡也？」明帝在孕，同列猶以故事相恐，勸為諸計。后固意確然，幽夜獨誓，但使所懷是男，次第當長子，子生，身死不辭。既誕明帝，進為充華嬪。先是，宣武頻喪皇子，自以年長，深加慎護，為擇乳保，皆取良家宜子者，養于別宮，皇后及充華皆莫得而撫視焉。

Xuanwu Ling Empress Hu was a man of Linjing in Anding, daughter of Minister of State Guozhen. Mother Lady Huangfu; on the day the empress was born, red light shone on four sides. In Shanyang county north of the capital was Zhao Hu, skilled at divination; Guozhen asked him; Hu said, "The worthy daughter has great honor's signs—she will be Heaven and Earth's mother, bear Heaven and Earth's lord—do not let more than three know. The empress's aunt was a nun and could expound the Way. At the beginning of Xuanwu she entered to lecture in the forbidden inner palace. After years attendants admonished, saying the empress had bearing and conduct. The emperor heard and summoned her into the rear apartments as chonghua world wife. In the pepper chambers by state old system they prayed together, all wishing to bear kings and princesses, not wishing to bear the crown prince. Only the empress each time said, "Ladies say—why fear one body's death and make the royal house bear no tomb heir? When Mingdi was in the womb, her peers still by precedent frightened her and urged various schemes. The empress's intent was firm; in dark night she alone vowed—only let what she bore be male; in order he should be eldest son; when the son was born, she would not refuse death. When Mingdi was born, she was advanced to chonghua pin. Earlier Xuanwu repeatedly lost princes; himself thinking he was advanced in years, he deeply added careful guard; wet-nurses were chosen from good families with fit sons, reared in a separate palace—empress and chonghua all could not nurture and view.

及明帝踐阼，尊后為皇太妃，后尊為皇太后。臨朝聽政，猶曰殿下，下令行事。后改令稱詔，群臣上書曰陛下，自稱曰朕。太后以明帝沖幼，未堪親祭，欲傍《周禮》夫人與君交獻之義，代行祭禮。禮官博議以為不可，而太后欲以幃幔自鄣，觀三公行事。重問侍中崔光，光便據漢和熹鄧后薦祭故事。太后大悅，遂攝行初祀。太后性聰悟，多才藝，姑既為尼，幼相依託，略得佛經大義。親覽萬機，手筆斷決。幸西林園法流堂，命侍臣射，不能者罰之。又自射針孔，中之，大悅，賜左右布帛有差。先是，太后敕造申訟車，時御焉。出自雲龍大司馬門，從宮西北，入自千秋門，以納冤訟。又親策孝、秀、州郡計吏於朝堂。太后與明帝幸華林園，宴群臣於都亭曲水，令王公以下賦七言詩。太后詩曰：「化光造物含氣貞。」明帝詩曰：「恭己無為賴慈英。」王公以下賜帛有差。太后父薨，百僚表請公除，太后不許。尋幸永寧寺，觀建刹於九級之基，僧尼士女赴者數萬人。及改葬文昭高后，太后不欲令明帝主事，乃自為喪主。出至終寧陵，親奠遣事，還哭於太極殿，至於訖事，皆自主焉。后幸嵩高山，夫人、九嬪、公主以下從者數百人，升於頂中。廢諸淫祀，而胡天神不在其例。尋幸闕口溫水，登雞頭山，自射象牙簪，一發中之，敕示文武。

When Mingdi took the throne, the empress was honored grand imperial consort; the empress dowager was honored empress dowager. She held court and heard government, still saying Hall Below; orders were issued as commands. The empress dowager changed orders to edicts; ministers' memorials said Your Majesty; she called herself zhen. The empress dowager, because Mingdi was young and could not personally sacrifice, wished beside Zhou Rites' lady and lord mutual presenting meaning to substitute in performing sacrifice. Ritual officers broadly debated it as impossible; yet the empress dowager wished to screen herself with curtains and observe the three dukes' conduct. She again asked Attendant-in-Chief Cui Guang; Guang then cited Han Emperor He and Empress Dowager Deng's presenting sacrifice precedent. The empress dowager greatly rejoiced and then held the first sacrifice in proxy. The empress dowager was intelligent and comprehending, with many talents and arts; her aunt had been a nun; from youth depending on her, she roughly grasped Buddhist scriptures' great meaning. She personally viewed the myriad tasks and decided with her own hand. Visiting Xilin Garden's Faliu Hall, she ordered attendants to shoot; those who could not were punished. Also she herself shot at a needle's hole—hit it; greatly pleased, she bestowed left and right cloth and silk in grades. Earlier the empress dowager ordered built the appeal carriage; at the time she rode it. Out from Yunlong Grand Marshal Gate, from the palace's northwest, entering by Qianqiu Gate, to receive wrongful suits. Also she personally examined filial and excellent prefectural and commandery clerks in the court hall. The empress dowager with Mingdi visited Hualin Garden, feasting ministers at Duting's winding water, ordering kings and dukes and below to compose seven-character poems. The empress dowager's poem said, "Transforming light creating things, containing qi and upright. Mingdi's poem said, "Respectfully oneself without action, relying on kind excellence." Kings and dukes and below received cloth and silk in grades. The empress dowager's father died; the hundred officials memorialized requesting public mourning leave; the empress dowager did not permit. Soon she visited Yongning Temple, viewing a stupa built on a nine-tier foundation; monks, nuns, gentlemen and ladies who came numbered tens of thousands. When re-burying Wenzhao Empress Gao, the empress dowager did not wish Mingdi to preside; she herself was mourning chief. Going out to Zhongning Tomb, she personally offered the sending-off; returning to weep at Taiji Hall—until the affair ended, all was self-directed. The empress dowager visited Song Mountain; ladies, nine pin, princesses and below who followed numbered several hundred; they ascended the summit. Profligate shrines were abolished; the Hu Heaven god was not in that category. Soon she visited Quekou hot springs, ascended Cock-head Mountain, herself shot an ivory hairpin—one shot hit it; edict shown to civil and military.

時太后逼幸清河王懌，淫亂肆情，為天下所惡。領軍元叉、長秋卿劉騰等奉明帝于顯陽殿，幽太后于北宮，於禁中殺懌。其後太后從子都統僧敬與備身左右張車渠等數十人謀殺叉，復奉太后臨朝。事不克，僧敬坐徙邊，車渠等死，胡氏多免黜。後明帝朝太后于西林園，宴文武侍臣，飲至日夕，叉乃起至太后前自陳，外雲太后欲害己及騰。太后答云：「無此語。」遂至於極昏。太后乃起執明帝手下堂，言：「母子不聚久，今暮共一宿，諸大臣送我入。」太后與帝向東北小閣，左衛將軍奚康生謀殺叉不果。

At the time the empress dowager forced favor on Prince of Qinghe Yi; wanton disorder and passion unrestrained—hated by the realm. Commander-in-Chief Yuan Cha and Chief of Autumn Liu Teng and others presented Mingdi at Xianyang Hall; the empress dowager was confined in the North Palace; Yi was killed in the forbidden inner palace. Later the empress dowager's sister's son commander-in-chief Sengjing with bodyguard Zhang Chequ and others several tens plotted to kill Cha and again present the empress dowager to hold court. The affair did not succeed; Sengjing was condemned to frontier exile; Chequ and the rest died; many of the Hu clan were dismissed. Later Mingdi attended the empress dowager at Xilin Garden, feasting civil and military attendants; drinking until evening; Cha then rose before the empress dowager and stated himself—outside it was said the empress dowager wished to harm him and Teng. The empress dowager answered, "There is no such word. It reached extreme drunkenness. The empress dowager then rose, took Mingdi's hand off the hall, saying, "Mother and son cannot long gather—this evening share one night—great ministers send me in. The empress dowager and emperor went to the northeast small pavilion; Left Guard General Xi Kangsheng plotted to kill Cha without success.

自劉騰死，叉又寬怠，太后與明帝及高陽王雍為計，解叉領軍。太后復臨朝，大赦改元。自是朝政疏緩，威恩不立，天下牧守，所在貪婪。鄭儼汙亂宮掖，勢傾海內；李神軌、徐紇並見親侍，一二年中，位總禁要。手握王爵，輕重在心，宣淫於朝，為四方之所穢。文武解體，所在亂逆，土崩魚爛，由於此矣。僧敬又因聚集親族，遂涕泣諫曰：「陛下母儀海內，豈宜輕脫如此！」太后大怒，自是不召僧敬。內為朋黨，防弊耳目，明帝所親幸者，太后多以事害焉。有蜜多道人，能胡語，帝置於左右。太后慮其傳致消息，三月三日，于城南大巷中殺之，方懸賞募賊。又於禁中殺領左右、鴻臚少卿穀會、紹達，並帝所親也。母子之間，嫌隙屢起。鄭儼慮禍，乃與太后計，因潘嬪生女，妄言皇子，便大赦，為武泰元年，復陰行鴆毒。其年二月，明帝暴崩，乃奉潘嬪女，言太子即位。經數日，見人心已安，始言潘嬪本實生女，今宜更擇嗣君，遂立臨洮王子釗為主，年始二、三歲，天下愕然。

From Liu Teng's death, Cha again grew lax; the empress dowager with Mingdi and Prince of Gaoyang Yong made a plan and removed Cha from command. The empress dowager again held court; great amnesty and changed the era name. From this court government grew slack; might and favor were not established; prefects and shepherds everywhere were greedy. Zheng Yan defiled the palace; power tilted over the seas; Li Shengui and Xu He were both intimately attended; within one or two years posts held all critical keys. Holding royal ranks in hand, weight and light in heart; wantonness in court—filthied by the four quarters. Civil and military dissolved; everywhere rebellion; earth collapsed and fish rotted—from this it came. Sengjing again at a clan gathering wept and admonished, "Your Majesty mother-model over the seas—how can you lightly cast off thus! The empress dowager greatly angered; from then she did not summon Sengjing. Inwardly forming factions, guarding against and blocking ears and eyes—those Mingdi favored, the empress dowager mostly harmed by affairs. There was the monk Miduo, able in Hu language; the emperor placed him at his side. The empress dowager feared he would transmit news; on the third day of the third month, in the great lane south of the city she killed him—just as a reward for catching thieves was posted. Also in the forbidden palace she killed Director of Attendants and Chamberlain for Dependencies Gu Hui and Shao Da—also those the emperor favored. Between mother and son, rifts arose repeatedly. Zheng Yan feared disaster; then with the empress dowager schemed—because Consort Pan bore a girl, falsely saying a prince, then great amnesty, Wutai first year, again secretly administered poison. That year in the second month Mingdi died suddenly; then they presented Consort Pan's girl, saying the crown prince took the throne. After several days, seeing men's hearts were settled, they then said Consort Pan had truly borne a girl—now one should choose another heir; then they established Prince of Linzi Zhaozhu as lord, age only two or three—the realm was startled.

及爾硃榮稱兵度河，太后盡召明帝六宮，皆令入道，太后亦自落發。榮遣騎拘送太后及幼主于河陰。太后對榮多所陳說，榮拂衣而起。太后及幼主並沈於河。太后妹馮翊君收瘞於雙靈寺。武帝時，始葬以后禮，而追加諡曰靈。

When Erzhu Rong raised troops crossing the river, the empress dowager summoned all Mingdi's six palaces to enter the Way; the empress dowager also shaved her head. Rong sent riders to seize and send the empress dowager and the young lord to Heyin. The empress dowager to Rong made many explanations; Rong brushed his robe and rose. The empress dowager and young lord were both sunk in the river. The empress dowager's younger sister Lady of Fengyi collected burial at Shuangling Temple. Under Wudi, she was first buried with empress ritual; posthumous title Ling was added.

孝明皇后胡氏，靈太后從兄冀州刺史盛之女。靈太后欲榮重門族，故立為皇后。明帝頗有酒德，專嬖充華潘氏，后及嬪御並無過寵。太后為帝選納，抑屈人流。時博陵崔孝芬、范陽盧道約、隴西李瓚等女，俱為世婦。諸人訴訟，咸見忿責。武泰初，后既入道，遂居於瑤光寺。

Xiaoming Empress Hu was daughter of the empress dowager's cousin, inspector of Jizhou Sheng. The empress dowager wished to honor the clan's weight; therefore she was established empress. Mingdi had much wine virtue; he exclusively favored chonghua Pan; the empress and pin and attendants all had no excess favor. The empress dowager chose and accepted matches for the emperor, suppressing and bending the flow of men. At the time Boling Cui Xiaofen, Fanyang Lu Daoyue, Longxi Li Zan and other daughters were all world wives. All who sued were angrily reproached. At the beginning of Wutai the empress had entered the Way; then she dwelt at Yaoguang Temple.

孝武皇后高氏，齊神武長女也。帝見立，乃納為后。及帝西幸關中，降為彭城王韶妃。

Xiaowu Empress Gao was Qi Shenwu's eldest daughter. When the emperor was established, she was taken as empress. When the emperor went west to Guanzhong, she was demoted to consort of Prince of Pengcheng Shao.

文帝文皇后乙弗氏，河南洛陽人也。其先世為吐谷渾渠帥，居青海，號青海王。涼州平，后之高祖莫瑰擁部落入附，拜定州刺史，封西平公。自莫瑰後，三世尚公主，女乃多為王妃，甚見貴重。父瑗，儀同三司、兗州刺史。母淮陽長公主，孝文之第四女也。后美容儀，少言笑，年數歲，父母異之，指示諸親曰：「生女何妨也。若此者，實勝男。」年十六，文帝納為妃。及帝即位，以大統元年冊為皇后。后性好節儉，蔬食故衣，珠玉羅綺絕於服玩。又仁恕不為嫉妒之心，帝益重之。生男女十二人，多早夭，唯太子及武都王戊存焉。時新都關中，務欲東討，蠕蠕寇邊，未遑北伐，故帝結婚以撫之。於是更納悼后，命后遜居別宮，出家為尼。悼后猶懷猜忌，復徙后居秦州，依子秦州刺史武都王。帝雖限大計，恩好不忘，後密令養髮，有追還之意。然事秘禁，外無知者。六年春，蠕蠕舉國度河，前驅已過夏，頗有言虜為悼后之故興比役。帝曰：「豈有百萬之眾為一女子舉也？雖然，致此物論，朕亦何顏以見將帥邪！」乃遣中常侍曹寵齎手敕令后自盡。后奉敕，揮淚謂寵曰：「願至尊享千萬歲，天下康寧，死無恨也。」因命武都王前，與之決。遺語皇太子，辭皆悽愴，因慟哭久之。侍御咸垂涕失聲，莫能仰視。召僧設供，令侍婢數十人出家，手中落發。事畢，乃入室，引被自覆而崩，年三十一。鑿麥積崖為龕而葬，神柩將入，有二叢雲先入龕中，頃之一滅一出，后號寂陵。及文帝山陵畢，手書雲，萬歲後欲令兵配饗。公卿乃議追諡曰文皇后，祔于太廟。廢帝時，合葬於永陵。

Wendi Wen Empress Yifu was a man of Luoyang in Henan. Her ancestors for generations were Tuyuhun chieftains, dwelling at Qinghai, titled King of Qinghai. When Liangzhou was pacified, the empress's great-grandfather Mogui led his tribe to submit; appointed inspector of Dingzhou, enfeoffed Duke of Xiping. From Mogui onward, three generations married princesses; daughters mostly became kings' consorts—greatly honored. Father Yuan, acting three excellencies, inspector of Yanzhou. Mother Princess of Huaiyang, Xiaowen's fourth daughter. The empress had beautiful bearing; in youth little speech or laughter; her parents thought her unusual and showed relatives, "Bearing a daughter—what harm? If like this one, she truly surpasses a son. At sixteen Wendi took her as consort. When the emperor took the throne, in the first year of Datong she was enfeoffed empress. The empress by nature loved frugality—vegetarian food and old clothes; pearls, jade, silk, and brocade were absent from dress and play. Also humane and forgiving without a jealous heart—the emperor further valued her. She bore sons and daughters twelve; most died young—only the crown prince and Prince of Wudu Wu survived. At the time the new capital was in Guanzhong; eager to campaign east, Rouran raided the border—northern campaign was not yet possible; therefore the emperor made marriage to soothe them. Then he further took in the Dao empress; he ordered the empress to yield dwelling in a separate palace and leave home as a nun. The Dao empress still harbored suspicion; again moved the empress to dwell in Qinzhou, relying on her son, inspector of Qinzhou Prince of Wudu. Though the emperor was bound by the great plan, fondness was not forgotten; afterward he secretly ordered her hair nurtured—there was intent to recall. Yet the affair was secret and forbidden; outwardly none knew. In the sixth year spring, Rouran led the state across the river; the vanguard had already passed Xia; many said the barbarians rose this campaign because of the Dao empress. The emperor said, "How could a million host be raised for one woman? Even so, to produce this talk—what face have I to see the generals! Then he sent Palace Attendant Cao Chong with hand edict ordering the empress to end herself. The empress received the edict, brushed tears and told Chong, "May the Supreme Ultimate enjoy ten thousand years, the realm peaceful and secure—I die without regret. She then ordered Prince of Wudu forward to part with him. She left words for the crown prince—words all mournful; she wept bitterly long. Attendees all shed tears and lost voice; none could look up. She summoned monks to set offerings; ordered several tens of maidservants to leave home; hair fell from their hands. When the affair was done, she entered the chamber, pulled the coverlet over herself and died, age thirty-one. Maijiji Cliff was carved for a niche and burial; as the spirit coffin entered, two cloud clusters first entered the niche—soon one vanished and one emerged; her mound title was Jiling. When Wendi's mountain tomb was finished, a hand writ said: after ten thousand years wish military paired sacrifice. Dukes and ministers then debated posthumous title Wen Empress, attached at the Grand Temple. Under the Deposed Emperor, joint burial at Yong Tomb.

文帝悼皇后郁久閭氏，蠕蠕主阿那瑰之長女也。容貌端嚴，夙有成智。大統初，蠕蠕屢犯北邊，文帝乃與約，通好結婚，扶風王孚受使奉迎。蠕蠕俗以東為貴，后之來，營幕戶席，一皆東向。車七百乘，馬萬匹，駝千頭。到黑鹽池，魏朝鹵簿文物始至。孚奏請正南面，后曰：「我未見魏主，故蠕蠕女也。魏仗向南，我自東面。」孚無以辭。

Wendi Dao Empress Yujiulü was eldest daughter of Rouran lord Anagui. Bearing and appearance proper and stern; from youth had mature wisdom. At the beginning of Datong, Rouran repeatedly encroached the northern border; Wendi then made treaty, friendly marriage; Prince of Fufeng Fu received commission to welcome. By Rouran custom the east was honored; when the empress came, camp tents and mats all faced east. Seven hundred carts, ten thousand horses, a thousand camels. At Black Salt Pool, Wei court insignia and regalia first arrived. Fu memorialized requesting to face south; the empress said, "I have not seen the Wei lord—thus I am still a Rouran woman. Wei arms face south—I myself face east. Fu had no words.

四年正月，至京師，立為皇后，時年十四。六年，后懷孕將產，居於瑤華殿，聞上有狗吠聲，心甚惡之。又見婦人盛飾來至后所，后謂左右：「此為何人？」醫巫傍侍，悉無見者，時以為文后之靈。產訖而崩，年十六，葬于少陵原。十七年，合葬永陵。當會橫橋北，后梓宮先至鹿苑，帝巉輬後來，將就次所，軌折不進。

In the first month of the fourth year she reached the capital; established empress, age fourteen. In the sixth year the empress was pregnant and about to bear; she dwelt at Yaohua Hall; hearing dogs bark above, her heart greatly hated it. Also she saw a woman in full adornment come to the empress's place; the empress asked attendants, "Who is this person? Physicians and shamans at the side—all none saw; at the time it was thought Wen Empress's spirit. When bearing was finished she died, age sixteen; buried at Shaoling Plain. In the seventeenth year, joint burial at Yong Tomb. When meeting at Heng Bridge north, the empress's inner coffin first reached Deer Park; the emperor's hearse came after; about to reach the resting place—the shaft broke and would not advance.

恭帝皇后若干氏，司空長樂正公惠之女也。有容色，恭帝納之為妃。及即位，立為皇后。後出家為尼，在佛寺薨，竟無諡。

Gongdi Empress Ruogan was daughter of Minister of Works Duke of Changle Zheng Hui. She had bearing and color; Gongdi took her as consort. When he took the throne, she was established empress. Later she left home as a nun; she died in a Buddhist temple—ultimately no posthumous title.

孝靜皇后高氏，齊神武之第二女也。天平四年，詔娉以為皇后，神武前後固辭，帝不許。興和初，詔司徒孫騰、司空襄城王昶等奉詔致禮，以后駕迎于晉陽之丞相第。五月，立為皇后，大赦。齊受禪，降為中山王妃。后降于尚書左僕射楊遵彥。

Xiaojing Empress Gao was Qi Shenwu's second daughter. In the fourth year of Tianping an edict betrothed her as empress; Shenwu before and after firmly declined—the emperor did not permit. At the beginning of Xinghe, edict ordered Minister of State Sun Teng, Minister of Works Prince of Xiangcheng Chang and others to bear edict and perform ritual; the empress was welcomed by carriage from the chancellor's residence at Jinyang. In the fifth month she was established empress; great amnesty. When Qi received the mandate, she was demoted to consort of Prince of Zhongshan. The empress married Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing Yang Zunyan.

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