1
文帝元皇后文宣叱奴皇后孝閔帝元皇后明帝獨孤皇后武帝阿史那皇后武帝李皇后宣帝楊皇后宣帝朱皇后宣帝陳皇后宣帝元皇后宣帝尉遲皇后靜帝司馬皇后
Empress Yuan, consort of Emperor Wen Yuwen Tai; Empress Chinu, consort of Emperor Wen Yuwen Tai; Empress Yuan, consort of Emperor Min Yuwen Jue; Empress Dugu, consort of Emperor Ming Yuwen Yu; Empress Ashina, consort of Emperor Wu Yuwen Yong; Empress Li, consort of Emperor Wu Yuwen Yong; Empress Yang, consort of Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun; Empress Zhu, consort of Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun; Empress Chen, consort of Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun; Empress Yuan, consort of Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun; Empress Yuchi, consort of Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun; Empress Sima, consort of Emperor Jing Yuwen Chan
2
《書》紀有虞之德，載「厘降二女」； 《詩》述文王之美，稱「刑于寡妻」。 是知婚姻之道，男女之別，實有國有家者之所慎也。 自三代迄于魏晉，興衰之數，得失之迹，備乎傳記，故其詳可得聞焉。 若娉納以德，防閑以禮，大義正於宮闈，王化行於邦國，則坤儀式固，而鼎命惟永矣。 至於邪僻旣進，法度莫修，冶容迷其主心，私謁蠹其朝政，則風化淩替，而宗社不守矣。 夫然者，豈非皇王之龜鑑與。
The Book of Documents records the virtue of Yu Shun, stating "He descended and gave his two daughters [in marriage]"; The Book of Poetry describes the beauty of King Wen, praising "He took his example from his wife alone." Thus one knows that the way of marriage and the distinction between men and women are matters that rulers of states and households must carefully observe. From the Three Dynasties down to Wei and Jin, the cycles of rise and fall and the traces of success and failure are fully recorded, so the details may be known. If consorts are chosen by virtue and the inner quarters are guarded by ritual, if great principle holds within the palace and royal teaching spreads through the realm, then the queenly model stands firm and the dynastic mandate endures. When the wicked gain access and law and order fall into neglect, when seductive beauty confuses the ruler's mind and private audiences corrupt government, then custom collapses and the altars of state are lost. Is this not a mirror held up for emperors and kings?
3
周氏率由姬制，內職有序。 太祖創基，修衽席以儉約； 高祖嗣曆，節情欲於矯枉。 宮闈有貫魚之美，戚里無私溺之尤，可謂得人君體也。 宣皇外行其志，內逞其欲，溪壑難滿，采擇無厭。 恩之所加，莫限廝皂； 榮之所及，無隔險詖。 於是升蘭殿而正位，踐椒庭而齊體者，非一人焉； 階房帷而拖青紫，承恩幸而擁玉帛者，非一族焉。 雖辛、癸之荒淫，趙、李之傾惑，曾未足比其髣髴也。 民厭苛政，弊事實多，太祖之祚忽諸，特由於此。 故敘其事以為《皇后傳》云。
The Zhou house followed the Zhou institutional model, and the inner palaces were well ordered. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai laid the foundation and kept the inner quarters in frugal simplicity; High Ancestor Yuwen Yong succeeded to the throne and checked excess by restraining his passions. The inner palaces showed the ordered beauty of "the lined fish," and the imperial kindred knew no gross favoritism—this may be called understanding the ruler's proper bearing. Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun outwardly pursued his ambitions while inwardly indulging his desires; his appetite was insatiable, and his taking of consorts never ceased. Those whom his favor reached were not limited to the lowest servants; Those whom glory touched knew no barrier of distance or partiality. Thus those who ascended the Orchid Hall to take formal rank and shared the pepper courtyard as full equals were not one person alone; Those who in side chambers donned purple and crimson and, receiving favor, grasped jade and silk were not one clan alone. Even the debauchery of Kings Zhou and Li of old and the seductive sway of Zhao Feiyan and Lady Li of Han barely approach this in likeness. The people grew weary of harsh government, and abuses were many; the Zhou mandate established by Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai ended in a flash, largely for this reason. Therefore I narrate these affairs as the Biographies of Empresses.
4
文帝元皇后，魏孝武帝之妹。 初封平原公主，適開府張歡。 歡性貪殘，遇后無禮，又嘗殺后侍婢。 后怒，訴之於帝，帝乃執歡殺之。 改封后為馮翊公主，以配太祖，生孝閔帝。 大統七年，薨。 魏恭帝三年十二月，合葬成陵。 孝閔帝踐祚，追尊為王后。 武成初，又追尊為皇后。
Empress Yuan, consort of Emperor Wen Yuwen Tai, was a younger sister of Emperor Xiaowu of Wei. Initially enfeoffed as Princess of Pingyuan, she was given in marriage to Zhang Huan, opening-the-feudatory. Huan was greedy and cruel; he treated the empress without courtesy, and once even killed one of her serving maids. The empress in anger appealed to the emperor, and the emperor had Huan seized and executed. The empress was re-enfeoffed as Princess of Fengyi and given in marriage to Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai; she bore Emperor Min Yuwen Jue. In the seventh year of Datong she died. In the twelfth month of the third year of Emperor Gong of Wei, she was buried with him at Chengling. When Emperor Min Yuwen Jue ascended the throne, she was posthumously honored as queen. At the beginning of Wucheng, she was again posthumously honored as empress.
5
文宣叱奴皇后，代人也。 太祖為丞相，納后為姬，生高祖。 天和 （元） 年六月，尊為皇太后。 建德 （二） 年三月癸酉，崩。 四月丁巳，葬永固陵。
Empress Chinu, consort of Emperor Wen Yuwen Tai, was a native of Dai. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai was chief minister, he took her as consort; she bore High Ancestor Yuwen Yong. Tianhe (first) year, sixth month, she was honored as empress dowager. Jiande (second) year, third month, on guiyou day, she died. Fourth month, on dingsi day, she was buried at Yong Guling.
6
孝閔帝元皇后名胡摩，魏文帝第五女。 初封晉安公主。 帝之為略陽公也，尚焉。 及踐祚，立為王后。 帝被廢，后出俗為尼。 建德初，高祖誅晉國公護，上帝尊號為孝閔帝，以后為孝閔皇后，居崇義宮。 隋氏革命，后出居里第。 大業十二年，殂。
Empress Yuan, consort of Emperor Min Yuwen Jue, was named Hu Mo, the fifth daughter of Emperor Wen of Wei. Initially she was enfeoffed as Princess of Jin'an. When Emperor Min Yuwen Jue was Duke of Lueyang, she was married to him. When he ascended the throne, she was installed as queen. When the emperor was deposed, the empress left the lay life to become a nun. At the beginning of Jiande, High Ancestor Yuwen Yong executed Duke of Jin Guo Yuwen Hu and elevated the emperor's honorific title to Emperor Min; the empress was made Empress Min and resided at Chongyi Palace. When the Sui house revolutionized the dynasty, the empress moved out to a private residence. In the twelfth year of Daye she died.
7
明帝獨孤皇后，太保、衛國公信之長女。 帝之在藩也，納為夫人。 二年正月，立為王后。 四月，崩，葬昭陵。 武成初，追崇為皇后。 世宗崩，與后合葬。
Empress Dugu, consort of Emperor Ming Yuwen Yu, was the eldest daughter of Grand Guardian and Duke of Weiguo Dugu Xin. While Emperor Ming Yuwen Yu was still in his princely domain, she was taken as lady. Second year, first month, she was installed as queen. Fourth month, she died and was buried at Zhaoling. At the beginning of Wucheng, she was posthumously honored as empress. When Emperor Ming Yuwen Yu died, she was buried with him.
8
武帝阿史那皇后，突厥木扞可汗俟斤之女。 突厥滅茹茹之後，盡有塞表之地，控弦數十萬，志陵中夏。 太祖方與齊人爭衡，結以為援。 俟斤初欲以女配帝，旣而悔之。 高祖卽位，前後累遣使要結，乃許歸后於我。 保定五年二月，詔陳國公純、許國公宇文貴、神武公竇毅、南 （陽） 安公楊薦等，奉備皇后文物及行殿，幷六宮以下百二十人，至俟斤牙帳所，迎后。 俟斤又許齊人以婚，將有異志。 純等在彼累載，不得反命。 雖諭之以信義，俟斤不從。 會大雷風起，飄壞其穹廬等，旬日不止。 俟斤大懼，以為天譴，乃備禮送后。 （及） 純等設行殿，列羽儀，奉之以歸。 天和三年三月，后至，高祖行親迎之禮。 后有姿貌，善容止，高祖深敬焉。
Empress Ashina, consort of Emperor Wu Yuwen Yong, was the daughter of Irkin, khan of the Turks, Muhan Khan. After the Turks destroyed the Rouran, they held all the lands beyond the frontier and commanded several hundred thousand bowmen, with their ambition set on dominating China. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai was then contending with Northern Qi for supremacy and sought alliance with the Turks. Irkin at first wished to give his daughter to the Zhou emperor, but afterward changed his mind. When High Ancestor Yuwen Yong ascended the throne, envoys were repeatedly sent to renew the alliance, and Irkin finally agreed to send the empress to Zhou. Second month of the fifth year of Baoding, an edict ordered Duke of Chen Yuwen Chun, Duke of Xu Yuwen Gui, Duke of Shenwu Dou Yi, and Nan (Yang) An Duke Yang Jian and others, bearing the empress's regalia and traveling hall, together with one hundred twenty persons of the six palaces and below, went to Irkin's encampment to welcome the empress. Irkin again promised his daughter in marriage to Northern Qi, and was about to shift his allegiance. Yuwen Chun and the others remained there for years and could not return with their mission accomplished. Although they admonished him with faith and righteousness, Irkin would not comply. Then great thunder and wind arose, blowing down their felt tents and the like, and did not cease for ten days. Irkin was greatly frightened, taking it for heavenly punishment, and thereupon prepared full rites to send the empress off. (And) Yuwen Chun and the others set up the traveling hall, arrayed the guard of honor, and escorted her back. Third month of the third year of Tianhe, the empress arrived; High Ancestor Yuwen Yong performed the rite of greeting her in person. The empress had fine appearance and graceful bearing; High Ancestor Yuwen Yong deeply respected her.
9
宣帝卽位，尊為皇太后。 大象元年二月，改為天元皇太后。 二年二月，又尊為天元上皇太后。 册曰：「天元皇帝臣贇，奉璽綬册，謹上天元皇太后尊號曰天元上皇太后。 伏惟窮神盡智，含弘載物，道洽萬邦，儀刑四海。 聖慈訓誘，恩深明德，雖册徽號，未極尊嚴。 是用增奉鴻名，光縟常禮。 俾誠敬有展，歡慰在茲，福祉無疆，億兆斯賴。」 宣帝崩，靜帝尊為太皇太后。 隋開皇二年殂，年三十二。 隋文帝詔有司備禮册，祔葬於孝陵。
When Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun ascended the throne, she was honored as empress dowager. Second month of the first year of Daxiang, she was retitled Heavenly Primordial Empress Dowager. Second month of the second year, she was again honored as Heavenly Primordial Upper Empress Dowager. The edict of investiture stated: "The Heavenly Primordial Emperor, your subject Yun, reverently presents the seal and cord of investiture and respectfully bestows upon the Heavenly Primordial Empress Dowager the honorific title Heavenly Primordial Upper Empress Dowager. I consider that you exhaust the divine and exhaust wisdom, embrace and carry all things, your Way harmonizing with ten thousand states, your model governing the four seas. Your sage compassion instructs and guides; your grace is deep and your virtue bright—though an honorific title is conferred, it does not reach the full measure of your dignity. Therefore I add this great name and extend the constant rites. May sincerity and reverence be fully displayed, joy and comfort rest here, blessings without limit, and the hundred millions rely upon you." When Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun died, Emperor Jing Yuwen Chan honored her as grand empress dowager. In the second year of Kaihuang of Sui she died, aged thirty-two. Sui Emperor Wen Yang Jian ordered the officials to prepare rites of investiture and had her buried at Xiaoling.
10
武帝李皇后名娥姿，楚人也。 于謹平江陵，后家被籍沒。 至長安，太祖以后賜高祖，後稍得親幸。 大象元年二月，改為天元帝太后。 七月，又尊為天皇太后。 二年，尊為天元聖皇太后。 冊曰：「天元皇帝臣贇，奉璽綬冊，謹上天皇太后尊號曰天元聖皇太后。 伏惟月精効祉，坤靈表貺，瑞肇丹陵，慶流華渚。 雖率由令典，夙奉徽號，而因心盡敬，未極尊名。 是用思弘稱首，上昭聖德，敢竭誠敬，永綏福履。 顯揚慈訓，貽厥孫謀。」 宣帝崩，靜帝尊為太帝太后。 隋開皇元年三月，出俗為尼，改名常悲。 八年殂，年五十三，以尼禮葬于京城南。
Empress Li, consort of Emperor Wu Yuwen Yong, was named Ezi; she was a native of Chu. When Yu Jin captured Jiangling, the empress's family was confiscated and registered. Reaching Chang'an, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai bestowed the empress upon High Ancestor Yuwen Yong; afterward she gradually gained his favor. Second month of the first year of Daxiang, she was retitled Empress Dowager of the Heavenly Primordial Emperor. Seventh month, she was again honored as Heavenly Sovereign Empress Dowager. Second year, she was honored as Heavenly Primordial Sage Empress Dowager. The edict of investiture stated: "The Heavenly Primordial Emperor, your subject Yun, reverently presents the seal and cord of investiture and respectfully bestows upon the Heavenly Sovereign Empress Dowager the honorific title Heavenly Primordial Sage Empress Dowager. I consider that the essence of the moon brings blessings, the spirit of earth displays favor, auspicious signs arose at Red Mound, and celebration flowed upon the Flower Ford. Though following established statutes and long bearing honorific titles, heartfelt reverence has not yet reached the full measure of exalted title. Therefore I intend to expand this foremost title, manifest your sage virtue above, dare to exhaust sincerity and reverence, and forever secure blessings. May your compassionate instruction shine forth and your counsel be bequeathed to descendants." When Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun died, Emperor Jing Yuwen Chan honored her as Grand Imperial Empress Dowager. Third month of the first year of Kaihuang of Sui, she left the lay life to become a nun, changing her name to Changbei (Ever Grieved). In the eighth year she died, aged fifty-three; she was buried south of the capital by rites for nuns.
11
宣帝楊皇后名麗華，隋文帝長女。 帝在東宮，高祖為帝納后為皇太子妃。 宣政元年閏六月，立為皇后。 帝后自稱天元皇帝，號后為天元皇后。 尋又立天皇后及左右皇后，與后為四皇后焉。 二年，詔曰：「帝降二女，后德所以儷君； 天列四星，妃象於焉垂耀。 朕取法上玄，稽諸令典，爰命四后，內正六宮，庶弘贊柔德，廣修粢盛。 比殊禮雖降，稱謂曷宜，其因天之象，增錫嘉名。」 於是后與三皇后並加 （太） 大焉。 帝遣使持節册后為天元大皇后曰：「咨爾含章載德，體順居貞，肅恭享祀，儀刑邦國，是用嘉茲顯號，式暢徽音。 爾其敬踐厥猷，寅荅靈命，對揚休烈，可不慎歟。」 尋又立 （為） 天中大皇后，與后為五皇后。
Empress Yang, consort of Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun, named Lihua, was the eldest daughter of Sui Emperor Wen Yang Jian. While Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun was in the Eastern Palace, High Ancestor Yuwen Yong had her taken as crown prince consort for him. Intercalary sixth month of the first year of Xuanzheng, she was installed as empress. Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun and the empress styled themselves Heavenly Primordial Emperor and Heavenly Primordial Empress. Soon afterward Heavenly Empress and the Left and Right Empresses were also installed, making four empresses together with her. Second year, an edict stated: "The emperor descended his two daughters; the empress's virtue therefore matches the ruler; Heaven arrayed four stars; the consort's image there sheds its radiance. We take the Way of High Heaven as model and examine the present statutes; we therefore appoint four empresses to govern the six palaces within, that they may broadly assist in gentle virtue and widely maintain the sacrificial grain. Although special rites were reduced, how could the titles be fitting? Let them follow Heaven's image and be granted enhanced honorable names." Thereupon the empress and the three empresses were all additionally given (Grand) Great titles. The emperor dispatched an envoy bearing credentials to invest the empress as Heavenly Primordial Grand Empress, stating: "You who embrace virtue and bear emblem, embody compliance and hold to rectitude, reverently perform sacrifice and serve as model to the realm—for this we grant this illustrious title and extend this fine renown. Reverently carry out your charge, respectfully answer the sacred mandate, and respond to this glorious enterprise—can you not be careful?" Soon afterward she was also installed (as) Heavenly Central Grand Empress, making five empresses together with her.
12
后性柔婉，不妒忌，四皇后及嬪禦等咸愛而仰之。 帝後昏暴滋甚，喜怒乖度。 嘗譴后，欲加之罪，后進止詳閑，辭色不撓。 帝大怒，遂賜后死，逼令引訣。 后母獨孤氏聞之，詣閤陳謝，叩頭流血，然後得免。 帝崩，靜帝尊後為皇太后，居弘聖宮。
The empress was gentle and compliant by nature and free of jealousy; the four empresses and the consorts and imperial ladies all loved and looked up to her. Afterward Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun grew ever more benighted and violent, and joy and anger departed from measure. Once he rebuked the empress and wished to charge her with a crime; the empress in her movements was composed and detailed, and her words and expression did not waver. The emperor was greatly enraged and thereupon ordered the empress to die, forcing her to take farewell. When the empress's mother, Lady Dugu, heard of it, she came to the gate to offer apology, knocking her head until blood flowed, and only then was the empress spared. When Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun died, Emperor Jing Yuwen Chan honored her as empress dowager, and she resided at Hongsheng Palace.
13
初，宣帝不豫，詔后父入禁中侍疾。 及大漸，劉昉、鄭譯等因矯詔以后父受遺輔政。 后初雖不預謀，然以嗣主幼沖，恐權在他族，不利於己，聞昉、譯已行此詔，心甚悅之。 後知其父有異圖，意頗不平，形於言色。 及行禪代，憤惋逾甚。 隋文帝旣不能譴責，內甚愧之。 開皇六年，封后為樂平公主。 后又議奪其志，后誓不許，乃止。 大業五年，從煬帝幸張掖，殂於河西，年四十九。 煬帝還京，詔有司備禮，祔葬后於定陵。
Initially, when Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun fell ill, an edict ordered the empress's father to enter the inner palace to attend him. When he was near death, Liu Fang, Zheng Yi, and others used a forged edict so that the empress's father received the dying charge and assisted in government. The empress at first had not taken part in the plot, but because the successor ruler was young and she feared power would fall to another clan to her own detriment, when she heard Liu Fang and Zheng Yi had already carried out this edict her heart was greatly pleased. Later, when she learned her father had other designs, she was somewhat displeased and showed it in her words and expression. When the abdication and dynastic change took place, her indignation and resentment grew ever greater. Sui Emperor Wen Yang Jian could not bring himself to reprimand her; inwardly he felt deeply ashamed toward her. In the sixth year of Kaihuang, the empress was enfeoffed as Princess of Leping. Others again proposed that she abandon her resolve; the empress vowed she would not consent, and the matter stopped. In the fifth year of Daye, accompanying Sui Emperor Yang on a visit to Zhangye, she died in Hexi, aged forty-nine. When Sui Emperor Yang returned to the capital, an edict ordered the responsible offices to prepare rites and had her buried by joint interment at Dingling.
14
宣帝朱皇后名滿月，吳人也。 其家坐事，沒入東宮。 帝之為太子，后被選掌帝衣服。 帝年少，召而幸之，遂生靜帝。 大象元年，立為天元帝后，尋改為天皇后。 二年，又改為天大皇后。 册曰：「咨爾彌宣四德，訓范六宮，軒庭列序，堯門表慶，嘉稱旣降，盛典宜膺。 爾其飾性履道，無愆禮正，永固休祉，可不慎歟。」 后本非良家子，又年長於帝十餘歲，疎賤無寵。 以靜帝故，特尊崇之，班亞楊皇后焉。 宣帝崩，靜帝尊為帝太 （皇） 后。 隋開皇元年，出俗為尼，名法淨。 六年殂，年四十，以尼禮葬京城。
Empress Zhu, consort of Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun, was named Manyue; she was a native of Wu. Her family was implicated in a crime and confiscated into the Eastern Palace. While Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun was crown prince, she was selected to manage his clothing. The emperor was young; he summoned and favored her, and she bore Emperor Jing Yuwen Chan. First year of Daxiang, she was installed as empress of the Heavenly Primordial Emperor; soon after she was retitled Heavenly Empress. Second year, she was again retitled Grand Heavenly Empress. The edict of investiture stated: "I address you thus: You have fully displayed the four virtues and set the pattern for the six palaces; the court ranks in proper order, and the Gate of Yao proclaims celebration. Worthy acclaim has descended; the grand ceremony is fittingly yours to receive. Adorn your nature and walk the Way, without fault in ritual propriety; may blessed fortune endure forever—can you not be careful?" The empress was not originally from a good family; she was also more than ten years older than the emperor, distant and lowly, and without favor. Because of Emperor Jing Yuwen Chan, she was specially honored and ranked just below Empress Yang. When Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun died, Emperor Jing Yuwen Chan honored her as Imperial (Empress) Empress Dowager. In the first year of Kaihuang of Sui, she left the lay life to become a nun, taking the name Fajing. In the sixth year she died, aged forty; she was buried in the capital by rites for nuns.
15
宣帝陳皇后名月儀，自云潁川人，大將軍山提第八女也。 大象元年六月，以選入宮，拜為德妃。 月餘，立為天左皇后。 二年二月，改天左大皇后。 册曰：「咨爾儀範柔閑，操履凝潔，淑問彰於遠近，令則冠於宮闈。 是用申彼寵章，加茲徽號。 爾其復禮問詩，披圖顧史，永隆嘉命，可不慎歟。」 三月，又詔曰：「正內之重，風化之基，嘉耦之制，代多殊典。 軒、嚳繼軌，次妃並四； 虞舜受命，厥娶猶三。 禮非相襲，隨時不無。 朕祗承寶圖，載弘徽號，自我改作，超革先古。 曰天元居極，五帝所以仰崇； 王者稱尊，列後於焉上儷。 且坤儀比德，土數惟五，旣縟恒典，宜取斯儀。 四大皇后外，可增置天中大皇后一人。 天中大皇后爰主粢盛，徽音日躋，肇建嘉名，宜膺顯册。」 於是以后為天中大皇后。 帝崩，后出家為尼，改名華光。
Empress Chen, consort of Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun, was named Yueyi; she claimed to be from Yingchuan, the eighth daughter of Grand General Shanti. Sixth month of the first year of Daxiang, selected to enter the palace, she was appointed Virtuous Consort. After a month and more, she was installed as Heavenly Left Empress. Second month of the second year, she was retitled Grand Heavenly Left Empress. The edict of investiture stated: "I address you thus: Your bearing is gentle and serene, your conduct pure and unstained; your fine reputation shines near and far, and your exemplary rule crowns the inner palace. Therefore I extend this favor and bestow this honored title. Return to rites and to the Book of Odes, unfold the charts and consult the histories; may this honored mandate flourish forever—can you not be careful?" Third month, another edict stated: "The weight of the inner court is the foundation of transformation by custom; the institution of worthy marriage differs in each age with many distinct precedents. Xuan and Ku continued the precedent, and secondary consorts numbered four together; when Shun of Yu received the mandate, his marriages still numbered three. Rites are not simply inherited; in keeping with the times there is always change. We reverently receive the sacred chart, bearing forth grand titles; from now we remake them, surpassing and reforming antiquity. Thus the Heavenly Primordial occupies the apex, and the Five Emperors were therefore revered on high; when the king is called exalted, the ranked consorts stand paired with him above. Moreover the queenly figure matches virtue, and the earth's number is five; since the constant rites are already elaborate, this measure should be taken. Beyond the four great empresses, one Heavenly Central Grand Empress may additionally be established. The Heavenly Central Grand Empress shall preside over the sacrificial grain; her fine renown daily ascends; this auspicious title is newly established and fittingly receives the manifest proclamation." Thereupon the empress was made Heavenly Central Grand Empress. When Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun died, the empress left home to become a nun, changing her name to Huaguang.
16
后父山提本高氏之隸。 仕齊，官至特進、開府、東兗州刺史、謝陽王。 高祖平齊，拜大將軍，封 （浙） 〔淅〕陽郡公。 大象元年，以后父超授上柱國，進封鄅國公，除大宗伯。 宣帝元皇后名樂尚，河南洛陽人也。 開府晟之第二女。 年十五，被選入宮，拜為貴妃。 大象元年七月，立為天右皇后。 二年二月，改為天右大皇后。 冊曰：「咨爾資靈姜水，載德塗山，懿淑內融，徽音潛暢。 是用加茲寵數，式光踐禮。 爾其聿修儀範，肅膺顯冊，祗承休命，可不慎歟。」 帝崩，后出俗為尼，改名華勝。 初，后與陳后同時被選入宮，俱拜為妃，及升后位，又同日受冊，帝寵遇二后，禮數均等，年齒復同，特相親愛。 及為尼後，李、朱及尉遲后等並相繼殞沒，而二后于今尚存。 后父晟，少以元氏宗室，拜開府。 大象 （末） 〔元〕年七月，以后父進位上柱國，封翼國公。
The empress's father Shanti was originally a bondservant of the Gao clan. Serving Qi, he rose to Superintendent of Forecourt Honors, opening-the-feudatory, regional inspector of Eastern Yanzhou, and Prince of Xieyang. When High Ancestor Yuwen Yong pacified Qi, he appointed him Grand General and enfeoffed him as Duke of (Zhe) Xiyang Commandery. First year of Daxiang, as father of the empress he was exceptionally granted Senior Pillar of State, advanced to Duke of Yu State, and appointed Grand Director of Ceremonial. Empress Yuan, consort of Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun, was named Yue Shang, a native of Luoyang in Henan. She was the second daughter of opening-the-feudatory Sheng. At age fifteen she was selected to enter the palace and appointed Noble Consort. Seventh month of the first year of Daxiang, she was installed as Heavenly Right Empress. Second month of the second year, she was retitled Grand Heavenly Right Empress. The edict of investiture stated: "I address you thus: Your endowment draws upon the spiritual waters of Jiang, your virtue is borne upon Mount Tu; gentle grace inwardly suffuses, and fine renown quietly flows. Therefore I add this measure of favor and extend the splendor of your investiture. Adorn your bearing and walk the model, reverently receive the manifest investiture, respectfully accept this blessed mandate—can you not be careful?" When the emperor died, the empress left the lay life to become a nun, changing her name to Huasheng (Floral Victory). Initially the empress and Empress Chen were selected together to enter the palace, both appointed as consorts; when elevated to empress rank they received investiture on the same day. The emperor favored both empresses equally in ceremonial treatment; their ages were likewise the same, and they were especially close. After becoming nuns, Empresses Li, Zhu, and Yuchi and others all died in succession, but the two empresses remain alive to this day. The empress's father Sheng, in youth on account of his status in the Yuan imperial clan, was appointed opening-the-feudatory. Daxiang (end) first year, seventh month, as father of the empress he was advanced to Senior Pillar of State and enfeoffed as Duke of Yi State.
17
宣帝尉遲皇后名熾繁，蜀國公迥之孫女。 有美色。 初適杞國公亮子西陽公溫，以宗婦例入朝，帝逼而幸之。 及亮謀逆，帝誅溫，進後入宮，拜為長貴妃。 大象二年三月，立為天左大皇后。 册曰：「咨爾門膺積善，躬表靈貺，徽音茂德，朕實嘉之。 是用弘茲盛典，申彼寵章。 爾其克慎厥猷，寅荅景命，永承休烈，可不慎歟。」 帝崩，后出俗為尼，改名華首。 隋開皇十五年，殂，年三十。
Empress Yuchi, consort of Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun, was named Chifan, granddaughter of Duke of Shu Yuchi Jiong. She had beautiful features. Initially she married Wen, Duke of Xiyang, son of Liang, Duke of Qi State; entering court by the precedent for consorts of the imperial clan, Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun forced and favored her. When Liang plotted rebellion, the emperor executed Wen and had her enter the palace, appointing her Senior Noble Consort. Third month of the second year of Daxiang, she was installed as Grand Heavenly Left Empress. The edict of investiture stated: "I address you thus: Your house has received accumulated merit; your person displays heaven's favor; your fine renown and abundant virtue—I truly commend them. Therefore I extend this grand ceremony and convey this favor. Diligently heed your course, reverently answer heaven's mandate, and forever inherit glorious fortune—can you not be careful?" When Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun died, the empress left the lay life to become a nun, changing her name to Huashou. In the fifteenth year of Kaihuang of Sui, she died, aged thirty.
18
靜帝司馬皇后名令姬，柱國、滎陽公消難之女。 大象元年二月，宣帝傳位於帝，七月，為帝納為皇后。 冊曰：「坤道成形，厚德於焉載物； 陰精迭運，重光所以麗天。 在昔皇王，膺乾御曆，內政為助，昭被圖篆。 惟爾門積慶靈，家韜休烈，徽音令範，無背一時。 是用命爾，作儷皇極。 爾其克勵婉心，肅膺盛典，追皇、英之逸軌，庶任、姒之芳塵，褘翟有光，粢盛無怠，雖休勿休，以隆嘉祚。」 二年九月，隋文帝以后父擁眾奔陳，廢后為庶人。 後嫁為隋司 （州） 〔隸〕刺史李丹妻，于今尚存。
Empress Sima, consort of Emperor Jing Yuwen Chan, was named Lingji, daughter of Pillar of State and Duke of Xingyang Xiaonan. Second month of the first year of Daxiang, Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun transferred the throne to Emperor Jing; seventh month, she was taken in marriage for the emperor as empress. The edict of investiture stated: "The way of earth takes form; thick virtue therein bears all things; the essence of yin cycles in succession; double glory thereby adorns heaven. In former ages emperors and kings received heaven's mandate to govern the calendar; inner governance assisted, manifest upon the imperial registers. Your clan has accumulated blessed spirit, your house harbors glorious merit, fine renown and worthy example without peer in the age. Therefore I command you to be consort at the imperial apex. Diligently cultivate a gentle heart, reverently undertake the grand ceremony; follow the exalted tracks of Huangdi and Yingdi, approach the fragrant traces of Ren and Si; may your ceremonial robes shine, sacrificial grain never neglected—though at rest, do not rest, to elevate blessed fortune." Ninth month of the second year, because the empress's father rallied troops and fled to Chen, Sui Emperor Wen Yang Jian deposed the empress to commoner status. Later she married as wife of Sui's (Zhou) Sili Inspector Li Dan; she remains alive to this day.
19
史臣曰：孔子稱「夷狄之有君，不如諸夏之亡也」。 是以周納狄后，富辰謂之禍階； 晉升戎女，卜人以為不吉。 斯固非謬焉。 自周氏受命，逮乎高祖，年踰三紀，世歷四君。 業非草昧之辰，事殊權宜之日，乃弃同卽異，以夷亂華。 捐婚姻之彝序，求豺狼之外利。 旣而報者倦矣，施者無厭，向之所謂和親，未幾已成讐敵。 奇正之道，有異於斯。 于時高祖雖受制於人，未親庶政，而謀士韞奇，直臣鉗口。 過矣哉！
The historian writes: Confucius said, "The barbarians may have their rulers, but they cannot compare with the Central States when they lack them." Hence when Zhou accepted the Di empress, Fuchen called it the steps to disaster; when Jin elevated a Rong woman, the diviners considered it inauspicious. This was certainly not mistaken. From when the Zhou house received the mandate until High Ancestor Yuwen Yong, more than three decades passed and four rulers succeeded one another. The enterprise was no longer in its founding period; affairs differed from days of expedient measure—yet they abandoned kin for outsiders and used barbarians to disorder the Chinese. They cast aside the canonical order of marriage and sought external profit from wolves. Before long those who repaid grew weary and those who bestowed were insatiable; what had been called harmony-through-kinship before, in no time had become sworn enemies. The way of the orthodox and the unorthodox differs from this. At that time, although High Ancestor Yuwen Yong was controlled by others and did not personally attend to general government, yet strategists hoarded their plans and upright ministers were silenced. An error indeed!
20
歷觀前載，以外戚而居宰輔者多矣。 申、呂則曠代無聞，呂、霍則與時俱盛。 傾漢室者王族，喪周祚者楊氏。 何滅亡之禍，合若符契焉。 斯魏文所以發一槩之詔也已。
Reviewing former records, many have occupied the chief minister's post as maternal kin. Shen and Lü went unmentioned for ages; Lü and Huo flourished together with their times. The Wang clan overturned the Han house; the Yang clan ended Zhou's fortune. How the calamity of extinction matched like tally and seal! This is precisely why Emperor Wen of Wei issued his edict on uniform policy.