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夏、殷以上，后妃之制，其文略矣。周禮王者立后，三夫人，九嬪，二十七世婦，八十一女御，以備內職焉。后正位宮闈，同體天王。夫人坐論婦禮，九嬪掌教四德，世婦主喪、祭、賓客，女御序于王之燕寢。頒官分務，各有典司。女史彤管，記功書過。居有保阿之訓，動有環佩之響。進賢才以輔佐君子，哀窈窕而不淫其色。所以能述宣陰化，修成內則，閨房肅雍，險謁不行也。故康王晚朝，關雎作諷；宣后晏起，姜氏請愆。及周室東遷，禮序凋缺。諸侯僭縱，軌制無章。齊桓有如夫人者六人，晉獻升戎女為元妃，終於五子作亂，冢嗣遘屯。爰逮戰國，風憲逾薄，適情任欲，顛倒衣裳，以至破國亡身，不可勝數。斯固輕禮弛防，先色後德者也。 |
| | The system of consorts for emperors during the Xia and Yin dynasties and earlier is only briefly recorded in historical texts. According to the Zhou Li (Rites of Zhou), a sovereign would establish a queen, three fu ren (ladies of high rank), nine pin (attendants of lower rank), twenty-seven shi fu (female attendants), and eighty-one nü yu (ladies-in-waiting) in order to fulfill the duties within the palace. The queen occupied a central position in the palace, sharing her status with the Son of Heaven (emperor). The fu ren presided over discussions on proper conduct for women, the nine pin were responsible for teaching the four virtues, the shi fu managed funeral rites, sacrificial ceremonies, and hospitality to guests, while the nü yu attended to the emperor's private quarters and leisure activities. Each official was assigned specific duties, with clear responsibilities and authorities. Female scribes (nv shi) used red brushes to record meritorious acts and transgressions. In their daily lives, they received guidance from nannies and educators; in their movements, the sound of jade pendants on their sashes marked each step. They recommended virtuous talents to assist the gentleman (emperor), and mourned for graceful women without indulging in lustful desires toward their beauty. This is why they were able to propagate moral influence, cultivate proper conduct within the palace, maintain a dignified and harmonious atmosphere in the inner quarters, and prevent improper visits or misconduct. Therefore, when King Kang was late to court, the poem "Guan Ju" served as a gentle satire; when Queen Xuan arose late in the morning, Jiang Shi requested censure for her offense. When the Zhou dynasty moved its capital eastward, the rites and order gradually declined and became incomplete. The feudal lords overstepped their bounds and acted recklessly, leaving established norms and systems without clear structure. Duke Huan of Qi had six "ru fu ren" (ladies ranked as fu ren), and Duke Xian of Jin elevated a woman from the Rong clan to the position of principal consort, which ultimately led to rebellion among his five sons and misfortune for the legitimate heir. By the Warring States period, moral standards and regulations had become even more lax. People indulged their desires without restraint, turned right-side-up into upside-down, and as a result, countless states were destroyed and individuals perished. This was indeed the consequence of undervaluing rites and neglecting precautions, placing beauty before virtue.
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秦并天下，多自驕大，宮備七國，爵列八品。漢興，因循其號，而婦制莫釐。高祖帷薄不修，孝文衽席無辯。然而選納尚簡，飾翫少華。自武、元之後，世增淫費，至乃掖庭三千，增級十四。妖倖毀政之符，外姻亂邦之跡，前史載之詳矣。 |
| | The Qin dynasty, having unified all under heaven, became arrogant and overbearing; its palace system incorporated the systems of seven states, with eight ranks of titles established. When the Han dynasty rose to power, it followed the Qin's system and retained its designations, but made no clear distinctions in the system for consorts. Emperor Gaozu did not maintain proper decorum within his palace, and Emperor Wendi failed to distinguish clearly between his concubines in terms of rank or status. Nevertheless, the selection and inclusion of consorts remained relatively simple, with little emphasis on elaborate adornments or frivolous displays. After the reigns of Emperor Wu and Emperor Yuan, successive generations increased indulgence and expenditure; by then, there were as many as three thousand women in the imperial harem, with fourteen ranks established. The omens of corrupt officials and favored concubines undermining governance, as well as the records of external relatives causing turmoil in the state, have been detailed at length by previous historians.
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及光武中興，斲彫為朴，六宮稱號，唯皇后、貴人。貴人金印紫綬，奉不過粟數十斛。又置美人、宮人、采女三等，並無爵秩，歲時賞賜充給而已。漢法常因八月筭人，遣中大夫與掖庭丞及相工，於洛陽鄉中閱視良家童女，年十三以上，二十已下，姿色端麗，合法相者，載還後宮，擇視可否，乃用登御。所以明慎聘納，詳求淑哲。明帝聿遵先旨，宮教頗修，登建嬪后，必先令德，內無出閫之言，權無私溺之授，可謂矯其敝矣。向使因設外戚之禁，編著甲令，改正后妃之制，貽厥方來，豈不休哉！雖御己有度，而防閒未篤，故孝章以下，漸用色授，恩隆好合，遂忘淄蠹。 |
| | When Emperor Guangwu revived the Han dynasty, he simplified and returned to simplicity; among the six palaces, only two titles were used: "Hou" (Queen) and "Guiren" (Lady of High Rank). A Guiren was granted a gold seal with purple tassels, but her stipend did not exceed several dozen hu of grain. In addition, three categories were established: Meiren (beautiful lady), Gongren (palace woman), and Cai nü (collected maiden). These ranks had no official titles or ranks; they merely received annual seasonal gifts and supplies. According to Han dynasty regulations, every August a census of people was conducted. The court would dispatch Zhongdafa (a mid-ranking official), together with the Yeting Cheng (Officer in Charge of the Harem) and Xianggong (physiognomist), to examine young girls from good families in Luoyang. These girls were between thirteen and twenty years old, had graceful appearances, and met the criteria for auspicious features. Those selected would be brought back to the imperial palace, where they would undergo further examination; only those deemed suitable would then be admitted into the emperor's harem. This was done in order to carefully and prudently select consorts, seeking out virtuous and wise women with great care. Emperor Ming strictly followed the precedents of his ancestors, and made great efforts to improve palace education. When selecting consorts or empresses, he always prioritized virtue first. There were no improper remarks from within the inner quarters, nor was power improperly granted based on personal favor—this can be said to have corrected past abuses. Had the dynasty then established a prohibition against powerful relatives of empresses and recorded it in official law, reformed the system for empresses and consorts, and passed these reforms on to future generations, would that not have been ideal! Although the emperor exercised self-discipline, precautions were not strict enough. Therefore, from Emperor Zhang onward, appointments increasingly relied on beauty and personal favor; as affection grew stronger between the emperor and his favorites, they gradually neglected the dangers of corruption and decay.
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自古雖主幼時艱，王家多釁，必委成冢宰，簡求忠賢，未有專任婦人，斷割重器。唯秦羋太后始攝政事，故穰侯權重於昭王，家富於嬴國。漢仍其謬，知患莫改。東京皇統屢絕，權歸女主，外立者四帝，臨朝者六后，莫不定策帷帟，委事父兄，貪孩童以久其政，抑明賢以專其威。任重道悠，利深禍速。身犯霧露於雲臺之上，家嬰縲絏於圄犴之下。湮滅連踵，傾輈繼路。而赴蹈不息，燋爛為期，終於陵夷大運，淪亡神寶。詩書所歎，略同一揆。故考列行跡，以為皇后本紀。雖成敗事異，而同居正號者，並列于篇。其以私恩追尊，非當時所奉者，則隨它事附出。親屬別事，各依列傳。其餘無所見，則係之此紀，以纘西京外戚云爾。 |
| | Since ancient times, even when the ruler was young and the state faced difficulties, the royal family often encountered troubles. In such cases, it was always entrusted to a prime minister or high official to select loyal and virtuous individuals for governance. There had never been an instance where power over crucial matters was solely entrusted to women, allowing them to make decisive decisions on major affairs. Only the Queen Dowager Mi of Qin first assumed regency, and thus Lord Ranghou held power greater than that of King Zhaoxiang, with a family wealth surpassing even that of the state of Ying. The Han dynasty followed this mistaken precedent and failed to correct its dangers. During the Later Han dynasty, the imperial line was frequently interrupted; power fell into the hands of female rulers. Four emperors were enthroned by outsiders, and six empress dowagers ruled in court. None failed to make decisions behind closed curtains, entrusting state affairs to their fathers or brothers. They exploited young children to prolong their own rule and suppressed virtuous officials to consolidate their authority. The responsibilities were great but the path was long; the benefits were deep, yet misfortunes came swiftly. Some individuals suffered exposure to mist and dew on the lofty Yuntai (Cloud Pavilion), while their families endured imprisonment in the dungeons below. Their downfall came one after another, with disasters following closely along the road. Yet people continued to rush forward without ceasing, eagerly awaiting their own destruction; ultimately, this led to the decline of great fortune and the loss of sacred treasures. What is lamented in poetry and historical records is essentially the same. Therefore, by examining their deeds and conduct, I have compiled this as the Annals of Empresses. Although their successes and failures differed, those who held the same official title are all included in this chapter. Those who were posthumously honored with titles based on private favor, rather than being officially recognized during their time, are included in the text under other relevant entries. Details about relatives and related matters are recorded separately according to their respective biographies. Those who have no other records are attached here, continuing the account of relatives from the Western Han dynasty as such.
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光武郭皇后諱聖通，真定槁人也。為郡著姓。父昌，讓田宅財產數百萬與異母弟，國人義之。仕郡功曹。娶真定恭王女，號郭主，生后及子況。昌早卒。郭主雖王家女，而好禮節儉，有母儀之德。更始二年春，光武擊王郎，至真定，因納后，有寵。及即位，以為貴人。 |
| | Empress Guo of Emperor Guangwu, whose personal name was Shengtong, was a native of Gao, Zhen Ding. She belonged to one of the prominent families in the commandery. Her father, Guo Chang, gave away hundreds of thousands of taels worth of farmland, houses, and property to his half-brother; the people in the region regarded this as an act of righteousness. He served as Gongcao (an official responsible for administrative affairs) in the commandery government. He married a daughter of Prince Gong of Zhen Ding, known as Guozhu, who bore him this empress and their son Kuang. Guo Chang died at an early age. Although Guozhu was a daughter of the royal family, she valued propriety and frugality, possessing the virtues befitting a mother figure. In spring of the second year of the Gengshi reign (24 AD), Emperor Guangwu attacked Wang Lang and arrived at Zhen Ding, where he married this empress and favored her greatly. After ascending the throne, he made her a Guiren (Lady of High Rank).
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建武元年，生皇子彊。帝善況小心謹慎，年始十六，拜黃門侍郎。二年，貴人立為皇后，彊為皇太子，封況綿蠻侯。以后弟貴重，賓客輻湊。況恭謙下士，頗得聲譽。十四年，遷城門校尉。其後，后以寵稍衰，數懷怨懟。十七年，遂廢為中山王太后，進后中子右翊公輔為中山王，以常山郡益中山國。徙封況大國，為陽安侯。后從兄竟，以騎都尉從征伐有功，封為新郪侯，官至東海相。竟弟匡為發干侯，官至太中大夫。后叔父梁，早終，無子。其婿南陽陳茂，以恩澤封南讀侯。 |
| | In the first year of the Jianwu reign (25 AD), she gave birth to Crown Prince Qiang. The emperor appreciated Guo Kuang's cautious and careful nature; at the age of only sixteen, he was appointed Huangmen Shilang (Attendant-in-Ordinary). In the second year of Jianwu reign, Guiren was elevated to empress, Qiang became Crown Prince, and Kuang was granted the title of Mianman Hou (Marquis of Mianman). Because this empress's younger brother held a high rank and great influence, his residence became crowded with guests. Kuang was respectful and humble toward scholars, earning considerable reputation. In the fourteenth year of Jianwu reign (38 AD), he was promoted to Chengmen Xiaowei (Commander of the City Gate Guards). After that, as her favor with the emperor gradually declined, she often harbored resentment and ill will. In the seventeenth year of Jianwu reign (41 AD), she was deposed and demoted to Taihou (Grand Dowager) of Zhongshan Wang, and her second son, Youying Gong Fu, was elevated from Right Yinggong to King of Zhongshan. The Changshan commandery was added to the territory of the Kingdom of Zhongshan as a reward. Kuang was then transferred and granted a larger fief, becoming Marquis of Yang'an (Yangan Hou). Jing, the nephew of this empress by her maternal uncle, was granted the title Xinqi Hou (Marquis of Xinqi) for his meritorious service as a Qiduwei (Commander of Horsemen) in military campaigns. He held official posts up to the position of governor of Donghai. Jing's younger brother Kuang was made FagAN Hou (Marquis of Fagan) and held office as a Tai Zhong Da Fu (Grand Court Attendant). The empress's uncle, Liang, died at an early age without any children. His son-in-law Nan Yang Chen Mao was granted the title Nandu Hou (Marquis of Nandu) out of imperial favor and grace.
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二十年，中山王輔復徙封沛王，后為沛太后。況遷大鴻臚。帝數幸其第，會公卿諸侯親家飲燕，賞賜金錢縑帛，豐盛莫比，京師號況家為金穴。二十六年，后母郭主薨，帝親臨喪送葬，百官大會，遣使者迎昌喪柩，與主合葬，追贈昌陽安侯印綬，謚曰思侯。二十八年，后薨，葬于北芒。 |
| | In the twentieth year of Jianwu reign (44 AD), King Fu of Zhongshan was transferred to become King of Pei, and this empress became Taihou of Pei. Kuang was promoted to Dahanlu (Grand Master of Ceremonies). The emperor frequently visited his residence, where he hosted banquets and drinking gatherings with high-ranking officials, marquises, and relatives. He bestowed generous gifts of gold, money, silk, and brocade; the wealth was unmatched anywhere else in the capital, and people in the imperial city referred to Kuang's family as "Jin Xue" (the golden mine). In the twenty-sixth year of Jianwu reign (50 AD), Guozhu, this empress's mother, passed away. The emperor personally attended her funeral and burial; officials at all levels gathered for a grand ceremony. He sent envoys to retrieve the remains of Guo Chang and had them buried together with his wife. Guo Chang was posthumously granted the seal and tassels of Yang'an Hou (Marquis of Yangan) and given the title "Si Hou" (Thoughtful Marquis). In the twenty-eighth year of Jianwu reign (52 AD), this empress passed away, and she was buried at Beimang.
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帝憐郭氏，詔況子璜尚淯陽公主，除璜為郎。顯宗即位，況與帝舅陰識、陰就並為特進，數授賞賜，恩寵俱渥。禮待陰、郭，每事必均。永平二年，況卒，贈賜甚厚，帝親自臨喪，謚曰節侯，子璜嗣。 |
| | The emperor felt sympathy for the Guo family and issued an edict that Kuang's son Huang should marry Princess Yuyang. Huang was appointed as a Lang (attendant official). When Emperor Xianzong ascended the throne, Kuang, along with his maternal uncle Yin Shi and Yin Jiu (the emperor's uncles), were all granted the special title Tejin. They frequently received rewards and gifts, enjoying great imperial favor. The treatment of the Yin and Guo families was always equal in every respect. In the second year of Yongping reign (59 AD), Kuang died. The emperor bestowed generous posthumous gifts and personally attended his funeral, granting him the title "Jie Hou" (Virtuous Marquis). His son Huang succeeded to the fief.
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元和三年，肅宗北巡狩，過真定，會諸郭，朝見上壽，引入倡飲甚歡。以太牢具上郭主冢，賜粟萬斛，錢五十萬。永元初，璜為長樂少府，子舉為侍中，兼射聲校尉。及大將軍竇憲被誅，舉以憲女婿謀逆，故父子俱下獄死，家屬徙合浦，宗族為郎吏者，悉免官。新郪侯竟初為騎將，從征伐有功，拜東海相。永平中卒，子嵩嗣；嵩卒，追坐染楚王英事，國廢。建初二年，章帝紹封嵩子勤為伊亭侯，勤無子，國除。發干侯匡，官至太中大夫，建武三十年卒，子勳嗣；勳卒，子駿嗣，永平十三年，亦坐楚王英事，失國。建初三年，復封駿為觀都侯，卒，無子，國除。郭氏侯者凡三人，皆絕國。 |
| | In the third year of Yuanhe reign (76 AD), Emperor Suzong conducted a northern inspection tour and passed through Zhen Ding, where he met with various members of the Guo family. They paid homage to him by offering wishes for longevity; the emperor invited them in for a banquet filled with music and great joy. He offered a grand sacrifice of "tai lao" (a ceremonial feast) at Guozhu's tomb, and bestowed ten thousand hu of grain and 500,000 coins as gifts. At the beginning of Yongyuan reign, Huang served as Shaofu (Minister) of Zhangye Palace. His son Ju was appointed Shizhong (Attendant-in-Ordinary), and also held the position of Shesheng Xiaowei (Commander in charge of archers). When the Grand General Dou Xian was executed, Ju was implicated in a plot of treason as his son-in-law. As a result, father and son were both imprisoned and put to death; their family members were exiled to Hepu, and all relatives who had served as officials or clerks were dismissed from office. Jing of Xinqi Hou initially served as a cavalry general, participated in military campaigns with meritorious service, and was appointed governor of Donghai. He died during the Yongping reign period; his son Song succeeded him. After Song's death, he was posthumously implicated in matters related to Prince Ying of Chu and thus the fief was abolished. In the second year of Jianshu reign (77 AD), Emperor Zhang posthumously regranted Song's son Qin as Yiting Hou (Marquis of Yiting). However, Qin had no sons, and thus his fief was terminated. Kuang of Fagan Hou held office up to the rank of Tai Zhong Da Fu, and died in the thirtieth year of Jianwu reign. His son Xun succeeded him; After Xun's death, his son Jun inherited the fief. In the thirteenth year of Yongping reign (70 AD), he was also implicated in matters related to Prince Ying and lost his title. In the third year of Jianshu reign, Jun was again granted the title Guandou Hou (Marquis of Guandou). After his death, he had no son and thus the fief was terminated. In total, three members of the Guo clan were granted marquis titles; all their fiefs eventually became extinct.
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論曰：物之興衰，情之起伏，理有固然矣。而崇替去來之甚者，必唯寵惑乎？當其接床笫，承恩色，雖險情贅行，莫不德焉。及至移意愛，析嬿私，雖惠心妍狀，愈獻醜焉。愛升，則天下不足容其高；歡隊，故九服無所逃其命。斯誠志士之所沈溺，君人之所抑揚，未或違之者也。郭后以衰離見貶，恚怨成尤，而猶恩加別館，增寵黨戚。至乎東海逡巡，去就以禮，使後世不見隆薄進退之隙，不亦光於古乎！ |
| | Commentary: The rise and decline of things, the ebb and flow of emotions—these are natural phenomena that follow inherent principles. Yet is it not precisely favoritism and infatuation that cause such extreme fluctuations in fortune? When they are by the emperor's bedside, receiving his favor and affection, even those with dangerous dispositions or improper conduct appear virtuous. But once the emperor's affections shift and intimacy is lost, even those with kind hearts and beautiful appearances become increasingly repulsive. When love rises, nothing in the world can contain its height; When joy departs, even within all nine regions of the empire there is nowhere to escape one's fate. This has indeed been a source of obsession for men of ambition and a matter of control or indulgence for rulers, none have ever escaped it. Empress Guo was demoted due to the waning of her favor and developed resentment, yet she still received special favors in a separate residence, while her relatives were further elevated. As for the case of Donghai, where matters were handled with caution and decisions made in accordance with propriety, so that later generations could not discern any gaps or inconsistencies between favor and disfavor—was this not a shining example from antiquity!
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光烈陰皇后諱麗華，南陽新野人。初，光武適新野，聞后美，心悅之。後至長安，見執金吾車騎甚盛，因歎曰：「仕宦當作執金吾，娶妻當得陰麗華。」更始元年六月，遂納后於宛當成里，時年十九。及光武為司隸校尉，方西之洛陽，令后歸新野。及鄧奉起兵，后兄識為之將，后隨家屬徙淯陽，止於奉舍。 |
| | Empress Yin Guanglie, whose personal name was Lihua, was a native of Xinye, Nanyang. Initially, when Emperor Guangwu visited Xinye, he heard about this woman's beauty and was pleased with her in his heart. Later, when he arrived at Chang'an and saw the grandeur of the Zhijinwu's chariots and horsemen, he sighed and said: "If I must pursue an official career, it should be as a Zhijinwu; if I must marry, it should be to Yin Lihua." In the first year of Gengshi reign, on the sixth month (June 24, 18 AD), he married her in Wancheng Li, Wan, when she was nineteen years old. When Emperor Guangwu became the Sili Jiao Wei and was heading west to Luoyang, he ordered her to return to Xinye. When Deng Feng raised an army, the empress's elder brother Yin Shi became one of his generals. The empress followed her family and moved to Yuyang, staying at Deng Feng's residence.
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光武即位，令侍中傅俊迎后，與胡陽、寧平主諸宮人俱到洛陽，以后為貴人。帝以后雅性寬仁，欲崇以尊位，后固辭，以郭氏有子，終不肯當，故遂立郭皇后。建武四年，從征彭寵，生顯宗於元氏。九年，有盜劫殺后母鄧氏及弟訢，帝甚傷之，乃詔大司空曰：「吾微賤之時，娶於陰氏，因將兵征伐，遂各別離。幸得安全，俱脫虎口。以貴人有母儀之美，宜立為后，而固辭弗敢當，列於媵妾。朕嘉其義讓，許封諸弟。未及爵土，而遭患逢禍，母子同命，愍傷于懷。小雅曰：『將恐將懼，惟予與汝。將安將樂，汝轉棄予。』風人之戒，可不慎乎？其追爵謚貴人父陸為宣恩哀侯，弟訢為宣義恭侯，以弟就嗣哀侯後。及尸柩在堂，使太中大夫拜授印綬，如在國列侯禮。魂而有靈，嘉其寵榮！」 |
| | After Emperor Guangwu ascended the throne, he ordered Shizhong Fu Jun to welcome her back. She arrived in Luoyang together with consorts from Huyang and Ningping palaces, and was honored as a guiren (honored lady). The emperor wished to bestow a high rank upon her because of her naturally kind and benevolent character, but she firmly declined. She argued that the Guo family had sons and thus should hold the position, so ultimately Empress Guo was installed as empress. In the fourth year of Jianwu reign (38 AD), she accompanied an expedition against Peng Chong and gave birth to Emperor Xianzong in Yuanshi. In the ninth year of Jianwu reign, bandits robbed and killed her mother Deng Shi and her younger brother Yin Xin. The emperor was greatly grieved by this and issued an edict to the Da Sikong saying: "When I was in humble circumstances, I married a woman from the Yin family; as I led troops on military campaigns, we were thus separated. Fortunately, we both escaped safely and survived the jaws of the tiger." Because this guiren possesses the virtues befitting a mother to the empire, she should be made empress; yet she firmly declined and dared not accept it, placing herself among the attendants and concubines. I admire her virtue in yielding honor, so I have permitted the enfeoffment of her brothers." Before their fates could be sealed with titles and lands, they encountered misfortune and calamity; mother and son shared the same fate, which deeply grieves me. The Minor Odes says: "With fear and anxiety, I am with you alone." "With peace and joy, you turn away from me." This warning from the poet is something one cannot be careless about! Therefore, posthumously bestow the title and honor of Yuen En Ai Hou (the Mourning Graceful Marquis) upon Guiren's father Yin Lu; her younger brother Yin Xin shall be honored as Xuanyi Gonghou (the Honorable Righteousness Marquis), with her younger brother Yin Jiu succeeding him as the heir to the Ai Hou title. When their coffins were in the hall, he sent Taizhong Dafu to bestow seals and sashes upon them according to the rites for marquises within the realm. "If their spirits are aware, they will surely be pleased by this honor!"
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十七年，廢皇后郭氏而立貴人。制詔三公曰：「皇后懷執怨懟，數違教令，不能撫循它子，訓長異室。宮闈之內，若見鷹鸇。既無關雎之德，而有呂、霍之風，豈可託以幼孤，恭承明祀。今遣大司徒涉、宗正吉持節，其上皇后璽綬。陰貴人鄉里良家，歸自微賤。『自我不見，于今三年。』宜奉宗廟，為天下母。主者詳案舊典，時上尊號。異常之事，非國休福，不得上壽稱慶。」后在位恭儉，少嗜玩，不喜笑謔。性仁孝，多矜慈。七歲失父，雖已數十年，言及未曾不流涕。帝見，常歎息。 |
| | In the seventeenth year of Jianwu reign (41 AD), Empress Guo was deposed and the guiren was installed as empress. An edict was issued to the Three Excellencies saying: "The empress harbored resentment and anger, repeatedly defied instructions and commands, and failed to nurture other children or properly educate those from different quarters. Within the palace walls, she was like a hawk or kite—fierce and menacing." She lacked the virtue of "Guan Ju" (a poem symbolizing harmonious love) and instead displayed the style of Lu and Huo, how could she be entrusted with young orphans to properly uphold sacred rites? Now I have dispatched Da Situ She and Zongzheng Ji, both bearing the imperial seal, to receive the empress's jade seal and sash. Empress Yin was from a virtuous family in her native village, who had married into the imperial household when she herself was of humble status. "Since I last saw you, it has been three years now." She is fit to serve the ancestral temples and be the mother of all under heaven. The responsible officials should carefully examine past precedents and promptly bestow her with a respectful title. "Unusual events are not blessings for the state, so no longevity wishes or celebrations may be offered." While in her position as empress, she was respectful and frugal, with few desires for luxury or amusement; she did not enjoy joking or playful behavior. She had a kind and filial nature, often showing compassion and tenderness. At the age of seven she lost her father; though many decades have passed since then, whenever she spoke of him, tears would inevitably flow. The emperor, upon seeing this, often sighed with emotion.
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顯宗即位，尊后為皇太后。永平三年冬，帝從太后幸章陵，置酒舊宅，會陰、鄧故人諸家子孫，並受賞賜。七年，崩，在位二十四年，年六十，合葬原陵。 |
| | When Emperor Xianzong ascended the throne, she was honored as empress dowager. In the winter of the third year of Yongping reign (60 AD), Emperor Xianzong accompanied his empress dowager to visit Zhangling, held a banquet at her old home, and gathered descendants from Yin and Deng families who were former associates. All received rewards and gifts. In the seventh year of Yongping reign (54 AD), she passed away, having reigned for twenty-four years; she was sixty years old and buried together with Emperor Guangwu in Yuanling.
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明帝性孝愛。追慕無已。十七年正月，當謁原陵，夜夢先帝、太后如平生歡。既寤，悲不能寐，即案歷，明旦日吉，遂率百官及故客上陵。其日，降甘露於陵樹，帝令百官采取以薦。會畢，帝從席前伏御床，視太后鏡奩中物，感動悲涕，令易脂澤裝具。左右皆泣，莫能仰視焉。 |
| | Emperor Ming had a naturally filial and affectionate nature. He continued to deeply mourn her without end. In the first month of the seventeenth year (74 AD), when he was about to pay homage at Yuanling, he dreamed that night of his late emperor father and empress dowager as if they were alive and joyful. After waking, he was so grief-stricken that he could not sleep again; immediately consulting the calendar, he found a favorable day for the following morning and thus led his officials and former guests to visit the tomb. On that day, sweet dew fell upon the trees at the tomb; the emperor ordered all officials to collect it and present it as an offering. After the ceremony, the emperor knelt before his seat at the imperial bed, looked into the mirror casket of the empress dowager, and was deeply moved to tears. He then ordered new cosmetics and toiletries to be prepared for her. Those around him wept as well, none daring to look up.
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明德馬皇后諱某，伏波將軍援之小女也。少喪父母。兄客卿敏惠早夭，母藺夫人悲傷發疾慌惚。后時年十歲，幹理家事，敕制僮御，內外諮稟，事同成人。初，諸家莫知者，後聞之，咸歎異焉。后嘗久疾，太夫人令筮之，筮者曰：「此女雖有患狀而當大貴，兆不可言也。」後又呼相者使占諸女，見后，大驚曰：「我必為此女稱臣。然貴而少子，若養它子者得力，乃當踰於所生。」 |
| | Empress Ma Mingde, whose personal name is unknown, was the youngest daughter of General Fu Bo Ma Yuan. She lost her parents at a young age. Her elder brother Keqing, who was kind and intelligent, died young; their mother Lady Lin, overwhelmed by grief, fell ill and became delirious. At the age of ten, she managed household affairs with competence, disciplined servants and attendants, and made decisions on internal and external matters as if she were an adult. Initially, no one in the family was aware of this; when they later learned about it, all expressed admiration and surprise. When the young girl once suffered from a prolonged illness, her grandmother had divination performed. The diviner said: "Although this girl shows signs of affliction, she will become greatly honored; it is an omen beyond words." Later, the grandmother summoned a physiognomist to examine her daughters. When he saw this girl, he was greatly startled and said: "I must surely serve as a subject of this woman." "Yet she will be honored but have few children. If someone who raises another's child is capable, that child may surpass her own."
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初，援征五溪蠻，卒於師，虎賁中郎將梁松、黃門侍郎竇固等因譖之，由是家益失埶，又數為權貴所侵侮。后從兄嚴不勝憂憤，白太夫人絕竇氏婚，求進女掖庭。乃上書曰：「臣叔父援孤恩不報，而妻子特獲恩全，戴仰陛下，為天為父。人情既得不死，便欲求福。竊聞太子、諸王妃匹未備，援有三女，大者十五，次者十四，小者十三，儀狀髮膚，上中以上。皆孝順小心，婉靜有禮。願下相工，簡其可否。如有萬一，援不朽於黃泉矣。又援姑姊妹並為成帝婕妤。葬於延陵。臣嚴幸得蒙恩更生，冀因緣先姑，當充後宮。」由是選后入太子宮。時年十三。奉承陰后，傍接同列，禮則脩備，上下安之。遂見寵異，常居後堂。 |
| | Initially, Ma Yuan was on a campaign against the Wuxi barbarians when he died in the field. Hu 贲 Zhonglangjiang Liang Song and Huangmen Shilang Dou Gu then slandered him; as a result, his family lost more influence and was repeatedly harassed by powerful aristocrats. The empress's cousin Yan could not bear the worry and anger, so he informed his grandmother to break off the marriage with the Dou family and requested that their daughter be presented into the palace. He then submitted a memorial stating: "My uncle Yuan received singular kindness but was unable to repay it, yet his wife and children have uniquely benefited from the emperor's grace. We look up to Your Majesty as we do to heaven itself, as father and benefactor. Once human nature has secured survival, it naturally seeks blessings. I have secretly heard that the empress consort and consorts of the crown prince and other princes are not yet complete. Yuan has three daughters, the eldest fifteen, the second fourteen, and the youngest thirteen; their appearances, figures, and complexions are all above average. They are all filial, obedient, cautious, and gentle, with quiet and courteous dispositions. I humbly request that the emperor order physiognomists to examine them and determine their suitability. If even one of them is chosen, Yuan will be immortalized in the netherworld. Moreover, Ma Yuan's aunts and sisters were all Jieyu (ladies-in-waiting) to Emperor Cheng. They are buried in Yaling. I, Yan, am fortunate to have been granted grace and a second life; I hope that through the merit of my late aunt, I may serve in the imperial harem." Thus, she was selected to enter the crown prince's palace. She was thirteen years old at that time. She served Empress Yin with respect, interacted properly with her peers, observed all rites and etiquette meticulously, and thus brought harmony to the hierarchy. Thus she gained special favor and often resided in the inner palace quarters.
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顯宗即位，以后為貴人。時后前母姊女賈氏亦以選入，生肅宗。帝以后無子，命令養之。謂曰：「人未必當自生子，但患愛養不至耳。」后於是盡心撫育，勞悴過於所生。肅宗亦孝性淳篤，恩性天至，母子慈愛，始終無纖介之閒。后常以皇嗣未廣，每懷憂歎，薦達左右，若恐不及。後宮有進見者，每加慰納。若數所寵引，輒增隆遇。永平三年春，有司奏立長秋宮，帝未有所言。皇太后曰：「馬貴人德冠後宮，即其人也。」遂立為皇后。 |
| | When Emperor Xianzong became emperor, he honored her as a guiren (honored concubine). At that time, the daughter of her stepmother's elder sister, Jia Shi, was also selected into the palace and gave birth to Emperor Su. The emperor, as she had no children, ordered that she raise him. He said: "A person does not necessarily have to bear a child themselves; the problem is merely whether they love and nurture them enough." From then on, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to raising him, with more exhaustion than if he had been her own child. Emperor Su also possessed a sincere and filial nature; his affection for her was natural and heartfelt. The mother-son bond of love and care remained unbroken, without the slightest rift from beginning to end. The empress often worried about the lack of imperial heirs and frequently expressed her concerns, recommending suitable candidates on all sides as if fearing she might be too late. Whenever concubines in the palace came to pay homage or present themselves, she always comforted and received them kindly. If someone was repeatedly favored by the emperor, she would increase their honors and treatment accordingly. In spring of the third year of Yongping (60 AD), officials submitted a proposal to appoint an empress, but the emperor had not yet given his opinion. The Empress Dowager said: "Empress Ma's virtue surpasses all in the harem; she is the one." She was thus installed as empress.
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先是數日，夢有小飛蟲無數赴著身，又入皮膚中而復飛出。既正位宮闈，愈自謙肅。身長七尺二寸，方口，美髮。能誦易，好讀春秋、楚辭，尤善周官、董仲舒書。常衣大練，裙不加緣。朔望諸姬主朝請，望見后袍衣疏麤，反以為綺縠，就視，乃笑。后辭曰：「此繒特宜染色，故用之耳。」六宮莫不歎息。帝嘗幸苑囿離宮，后輒以風邪露霧為戒，辭意款備，多見詳擇。帝幸濯龍中，並召諸才人，下邳王已下皆在側，請呼皇后。帝笑曰：「是家志不好樂，雖來無歡。」是以遊娛之事希嘗從焉。 |
| | Several days before this, she had a dream in which countless tiny flying insects flew toward her body and entered into her skin, only to fly out again. After assuming the position of empress, she became even more humble and solemn in conduct. She was seven feet two inches tall, had a square mouth, and beautiful hair. She could recite the Yi Jing (Book of Changes), enjoyed reading Chunqiu (Spring and Autumn Annals) and Chu Ci (Songs of Chu), and was especially proficient in Zhou Guan (Rites of Zhou) and the works of Dong Zhongshu. She often wore plain, undecorated silk robes, with skirts that had no embroidered borders. On the first and fifteenth days of each month, when other consorts and princesses came to pay homage, they saw that Empress Ma's robes were coarse and plain. Mistaking them for fine silk, they approached to look more closely, only then realizing it was not so and laughed. The empress replied: "This fabric is particularly suitable for dyeing, which is why I use it." All in the six palaces sighed with admiration. When the emperor once visited a garden or an outlying palace, she always warned him about the dangers of wind and dampness from the mist, her words sincere and well-prepared; he often carefully considered her advice. When the emperor visited Zhuolong Palace, he summoned various ladies-in-waiting; princes such as Prince of Xiapi and those below him were present on the side and requested to summon the empress. The emperor smiled and said: "This woman has no interest in music; even if she comes, there will be no joy." Therefore, matters of leisurely entertainment were rarely attended to by her.
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十五年，帝案地圖，將封皇子，悉半諸國。后見而言曰：「諸子裁食數縣，於制不已儉乎？」帝曰：「我子豈宜與先帝子等乎？歲給二千萬足矣。」時楚獄連年不斷，囚相證引，坐繫者甚眾。后慮其多濫，乘閒言及，惻然。帝感悟之，夜起仿偟，為思所納，卒多有所降宥。時諸將奏事及公卿較議難平者，帝數以試后。后輒分解趣理，各得其情。每於侍執之際，輒言及政事，多所毗補，而未嘗以家私干。欲寵敬日隆，始終無衰。 |
| | In the fifteenth year (72 AD), the emperor examined maps and planned to bestow fiefs upon his sons, granting them half of each state. The empress saw this and said: "Each son is given food revenues from only a few counties; isn't that already frugal according to the system?" The emperor said, "Should my sons be treated equally with those of the previous emperor?" "Providing them with two million per year would be sufficient." At that time, the legal cases in Chu had continued for many years without resolution; prisoners cited each other as evidence, and a large number of people were imprisoned. The empress was concerned about the excessive nature of these cases and took the opportunity to mention them in passing, expressing her sympathy. The emperor was moved by her words and, troubled at night, pondered what she had said; in the end, he pardoned many of those involved. At that time, when generals submitted reports or high officials debated difficult matters, the emperor often consulted her for advice. She would always analyze and resolve them promptly, uncovering the truth in each case. Whenever she was attending to her duties at court, she often brought up matters of state, offering many helpful suggestions, yet never involved herself in private family affairs. Her favor and respect continued to grow, remaining strong from beginning to end.
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及帝崩，肅宗即位，尊后曰皇太后。諸貴人當徙居南宮，太后感析別之懷，各賜王赤綬，加安車駟馬，白越三千端，雜帛二千匹，黃金十斤。自撰顯宗起居注，削去兄防參醫藥事。帝請曰：「黃門舅旦夕供養且一年，即無褒異，又不錄勤勞，無乃過乎！」太后曰：「吾不欲令後世聞先帝數親後宮之家，故不著也。」 |
| | After the emperor's death, Emperor Suong took the throne and honored her as Empress Dowager. When the various consorts were to be moved to Nan Palace, Empress Dowager Ma felt a sense of sorrow at their parting and so granted each of them a crimson sash for a marquis, an ornate carriage with four horses, 3000 bolts of white silk, 2000 pieces of various silks, and ten catties of gold. She personally compiled the biography of Emperor Xianzong (Emperor Ming), omitting records about her elder brother Ma Fang's involvement in medical matters. The emperor requested: "My maternal uncle, the Yellow Gate Official, has been providing care day and night for nearly a year. If he is not given special recognition or his diligence recorded, would that not be excessive?" Empress Dowager said: "I do not wish for future generations to hear of the late emperor's frequent closeness to my family, so I have omitted it."
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建初元年，欲封爵諸舅，太后不聽。明年夏，大旱，言事者以為不封外戚之故，有司因此上奏，宜依舊典。太后詔曰：「凡言事者皆欲媚朕以要福耳。昔王氏五侯同日俱封，其時黃霧四塞，不聞澍雨之應。又田蚡、竇嬰，寵貴橫恣，傾覆之禍，為世所傳。故先帝防慎舅氏，不令在樞機之位。諸子之封，裁令半楚、淮陽諸國，常謂『我子不當與先帝子等』。今有司柰何欲以馬氏比陰氏乎！吾為天下母，而身服大練，食不求甘，左右但著帛布，無香薰之飾者，欲身率下也。以為外親見之，當傷心自敕，但笑言太后素好儉。前過濯龍門上，見外家問起居者，車如流水，馬如游龍，倉頭衣綠恳，領袖正白，顧視御者，不及遠矣。故不加譴怒，但絕歲用而已，冀以默愧其心，而猶懈怠，無憂國忘家之慮。知臣莫若君，況親屬乎？吾豈可上負先帝之旨，下虧先人之德，重襲西京敗亡之禍哉！」固不許。 |
| | In the first year of Jianchu (76 AD), she wished to bestow titles on her uncles, but Empress Dowager Ma refused. The following summer, a great drought occurred; those who commented on state affairs claimed it was due to the failure to bestow titles upon relatives by marriage. Officials therefore submitted a memorial suggesting that they should follow precedent and proceed accordingly. Empress Dowager issued an edict: "All those who speak on such matters merely wish to flatter me in order to seek blessings." "In the past, when five Wang clan marquises were all enfeoffed on the same day, there was a thick yellow haze covering the land, and no timely rain followed." "Moreover, Tian Fen and Dou Ying were favored and powerful to the point of arrogance; their downfall became a well-known disaster in later generations." "Therefore, the late emperor was cautious about relatives by marriage and did not allow them to hold positions of critical authority." "The fiefs granted to my sons were only half the size of those in Chuyu and Huaiyang; I often said, 'My sons should not be equal to those of the late emperor.'" "Now, how can officials wish to compare the Ma clan with the Yin clan!" "As the mother of the empire, I personally wear plain silk, eat without seeking delicacies, and have my attendants dressed only in cloth or hemp, with no perfumed ornaments—this is to set an example for those below me." "I believe that relatives by marriage seeing this will feel ashamed and restrain themselves, but they merely smile and say the empress dowager has always favored frugality." "Earlier, when I passed Zhuolong Gate, I saw relatives from my family visiting to inquire about my well-being; their carriages flowed like water and their horses moved like dragons. Their servants wore green robes with clean collars and white sleeves. Looking at the imperial attendants, they were far less impressive." "Therefore, I did not punish or scold them but merely cut off their annual stipends. I hoped this would silently shame them into reflection, yet they remain lax and show no concern for the state over family." "No one knows a subject better than his sovereign; how much more so with relatives?" "How could I possibly betray the late emperor's will above, or damage my ancestors' virtue below, and repeat the calamity of downfall from the Western Han dynasty!" She firmly refused.
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帝省詔悲歎，復重請曰：「漢興，舅氏之封侯，猶皇子之為王也。太后誠存謙虛，柰何令臣獨不加恩三舅乎？且衛尉年尊，兩校尉有大病，如令不諱，使臣長抱刻骨之恨。宜及吉時，不可稽留。」 |
| | The emperor read the edict and sighed with sorrow, then made another earnest request: "Since the Han dynasty began, enfeoffing uncles by marriage as marquises has been as natural as making sons kings." "Empress Dowager is truly modest, but how can you make me the only one to withhold kindness from my three maternal uncles?" "Moreover, Uncle Weiyi is of advanced age, and the two other uncles suffer from serious illnesses. If they were to pass away without receiving this favor, I would carry a deep lifelong regret." "It is appropriate to act while there is still time; we must not delay any further."
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太后報曰：「吾反覆念之，思令兩善。豈徒欲獲謙讓之名，而使帝受不外施之嫌哉！昔竇太后欲封王皇后之兄，丞相條侯言受高祖約，無軍功，非劉氏不侯。今馬氏無功於國，豈得與陰、郭中興之后等邪？常觀富貴之家，祿位重疊，猶再實之木，其根必傷。且人所以願封侯者，欲上奉祭祀，下求溫飽耳。今祭祀則受四方之珍，衣食則蒙御府餘資，斯豈不足，而必當得一縣乎？吾計之孰矣，勿有疑也。夫至孝之行，安親為上。今數遭變異，穀價數倍，憂惶晝夜，不安坐臥，而欲先營外封，違慈母之拳拳乎！吾素剛急，有匈中氣，不可不順也。若陰陽調和，邊境清靜，然後行子之志。吾但當含飴弄孫，不能復關政矣。」 |
| | Empress Dowager replied: "I have considered this matter repeatedly, hoping for a solution that benefits all parties." "How could I merely seek the reputation of humility and restraint while causing the emperor to be suspected of not showing kindness to his relatives!" "In the past, Empress Dowager Dou wished to enfeoff her nephew-in-law, the brother of Empress Wang. Chancellor Tiao Hou cited an oath made by Emperor Gaozu: without military merit, no one outside the Liu clan could be granted a marquisate." "Now, the Ma family has rendered no service to the state; how can they possibly be compared with the Yin and Guo clans, who were instrumental in the dynasty's revival?" "I have often observed wealthy and noble families; when positions and honors are piled up, it is like a tree bearing fruit twice in one season—its roots must be harmed." "Moreover, the reason people desire to be enfeoffed as marquises is simply to offer sacrifices to their ancestors above and seek a life of warmth and food below." "Now, for sacrifices they receive rare treasures from all directions; for clothing and food, they are given the leftovers of the imperial workshops. Is this not sufficient? Why must they necessarily be granted a county?" "I have considered it thoroughly—do not doubt." "The highest expression of filial piety is to ensure the well-being and peace of one's parents." "Now, we have repeatedly encountered calamities and misfortunes; grain prices have risen many times over. I am anxious day and night, unable to sit or lie at ease, yet you wish first to seek an external fief—would this not go against my mother's earnest wishes!" "I have always been strong-willed and impatient, with a fiery temper; it is essential to be considerate of this." "Only when the yin and yang are in harmony and the borders peaceful can I then fulfill your wishes." "I shall only suckle my grandchild and play with him, no longer involved in state affairs."
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時新平主家御者失火，延及北閣後殿。太后以為己過，起居不歡。時當謁原陵，自引守備不慎，慚見陵園，遂不行。初，太夫人葬，起墳微高，太后以為言，兄廖等即時減削。其外親有謙素義行者，輒假借溫言，賞以財位。如有纖介，則先見嚴恪之色，然後加譴。其美車服不軌法度者，便絕屬籍，遣歸田里。廣平、鉅鹿、樂成王車騎朴素，無金銀之飾，帝以白太后，太后即賜錢各五百萬。於是內外從化，被服如一，諸家惶恐，倍於永平時。乃置織室，蠶於濯龍中，數往觀視，以為娛樂。常與帝旦夕言道政事，及教授諸小王，論議經書，述敘平生，雍和終日。 |
| | At that time, a servant from the Princess Xinping's household accidentally started a fire, which spread to the northern pavilion and the rear palace. Empress Dowager blamed herself for it and became unhappy in her daily life. At the time, she was scheduled to visit Yuanling Mausoleum but, citing her failure in supervision and preparedness as a reason for shame upon seeing the ancestral tomb, she decided not to go. Initially, when her grandmother was buried and the mound of earth for the grave was slightly too high, Empress Dowager expressed disapproval. Her elder brother Liao and others immediately reduced its height. For relatives by marriage who displayed humility, simplicity, or virtuous conduct, she would often use kind words and reward them with wealth or official positions. If anyone committed even a minor offense, she first showed a stern expression before imposing punishment. Those who used luxurious carriages or clothing that violated the established laws and regulations were immediately removed from the family register and sent back to their hometowns. The marquises of Guangping, Julu, and Lecheng rode in plain carriages without gold or silver decorations. The emperor reported this to Empress Dowager, who immediately granted each 500,000 coins as a reward. Thus, both the court and the outside world followed her example, dressing in simplicity; all families were filled with anxiety, more so than during the Yongping era. She then established a weaving workshop and raised silkworms in Zhuolong Palace, visiting frequently to observe them as a form of entertainment. She often discussed state affairs with the emperor in the morning and evening, taught the younger princes, debated classical texts, recounted her life experiences, and thus spent harmonious days together.
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四年，天下豐稔，方垂無事，帝遂封三舅廖、防、光為列侯。並辭讓，願就關內侯。太后聞之，曰：「聖人設教，各有其方，知人情性莫能齊也。吾少壯時，但慕竹帛，志不顧命。今雖已老，而復『戒之在得』，故日夜惕厲，思自降損。居不求安，食不念飽。冀乘此道，不負先帝。所以化導兄弟，共同斯志，欲令瞑目之日，無所復恨。何意老志復不從哉？萬年之日長恨矣！」廖等不得已，受封爵而退位歸第焉。 |
| | In the fourth year (80 AD), when the empire enjoyed a bountiful harvest and peace prevailed, the emperor finally enfeoffed her three maternal uncles—Liao, Fang, and Guang—as marquises. They all declined the titles, expressing a wish to accept only the lesser rank of Guannei Hou (Marquis within the Passes). When Empress Dowager heard this, she said: "Sages established teachings with different approaches; understanding human nature and emotions is not something that can be uniform." "When I was young and strong, I only aspired to fame in history, with ambitions beyond my life's limits." "Now that I am old, I still heed the warning 'Beware of desire,' so day and night I remain vigilant, constantly seeking to humble myself and reduce my influence." "I do not seek comfort in where I live, nor think about being full when eating." "I hope by following this path, I will not betray the late emperor." "This is how I have guided and instructed my brothers to share in these aspirations; I wish that on the day of my death, there will be nothing left for me to regret." "How could it be that our old resolve is no longer followed?" "On the day of a thousand years, I shall have endless regrets!" Liao and others had no choice but to accept the titles before resigning their positions and returning home.
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太后其年寢疾，不信巫祝小醫，數敕絕禱祀。至六月，崩。在位二十三年，年四十餘。合葬顯節陵。 |
| | In that year, Empress Dowager fell ill and did not believe in witchcraft or minor physicians; she repeatedly ordered the cessation of prayers and sacrifices. By the sixth month, she passed away. She reigned for twenty-three years and was over forty years old. She was buried together with Emperor Ming in Xianjie Mausoleum.
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賈貴人，南陽人。建武末選入太子宮，中元二年生肅宗，而顯宗以為貴人。帝既為太后所養，專以馬氏為外家，故貴人不登極位，賈氏親族無受寵榮者。及太后崩，乃策書加貴人王赤綬，安車一駟，永巷宮人二百，御府雜帛二萬匹，大司農黃金千斤，錢二千萬。諸史並闕後事，故不知所終。 |
| | Jia Guiren was a native of Nanyang. At the end of Jianwu era, she was selected to enter the palace of the crown prince; in the second year of Zhongyuan (57 AD), she gave birth to Emperor Suong and was honored as a "guiren" by Emperor Ming. Since the emperor had been raised by Empress Dowager Ma, he regarded her family as his maternal relatives. Therefore, Jia Guiren did not attain a high rank, and none of her relatives received special favor or honors. After Empress Dowager's death, an imperial decree was issued to bestow a crimson sash of marquis rank upon Jia Guiren, one ornate carriage with four horses; 200 palace attendants from Yongxiang Palace; 20,000 pieces of silk and brocade from the imperial workshop; 1,000 catties of gold from the Grand Granary Office; and two million coins. The official histories are silent on her later life, so her eventual fate is unknown.
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章德竇皇后諱某，扶風平陵人，大司徒融之曾孫也。祖穆，父勳，坐事死，事在竇融傳。勳尚東海恭王彊女沘陽公主，后其長女也。家既廢壞，數呼相工問息耗，見后者皆言當大尊貴，非臣妾容貌。年六歲能書，親家皆奇之。建初二年，后與女弟俱以選例入見長樂宮，進止有序，風容甚盛。肅宗先聞后有才色，數以訊諸姬傅。及見，雅以為美，馬太后亦異焉，因入掖庭，見於北宮章德殿。后性敏給，傾心承接，稱譽日聞。明年，遂立為皇后，妹為貴人。七年，追爵謚后父勳為安成思侯。后寵幸殊特，專固後宮。 |
| | Empress Dou of Zhangde, whose personal name was not recorded, was a native of Pingling, Fufeng. She was the great-granddaughter of Da Siku Tu Rong. Her grandfather was Mu and her father Xun; both were executed for crimes, as recorded in the biography of Dou Rong. Xun had married Princess Biyang, daughter of Prince Gong of Donghai; the empress was their eldest daughter. After her family had fallen into ruin, she frequently summoned fortune-tellers to inquire about her future. All who saw her said that she would attain great honor and status, not the appearance of a common servant or concubine. At six years old, she could already read and write; her relatives were all amazed by her talent. In the second year of Jianchu (77 AD), she and her younger sister were selected according to imperial decree to be presented at Changle Palace. Her manner was graceful, with proper conduct and dignified bearing. Emperor Suong had previously heard of her talent and beauty and often inquired about her from his consorts and attendants. When he saw her, he found her especially beautiful; Empress Dowager Ma also regarded her as extraordinary. Thus she was admitted to the palace and presented in the Zhangde Hall of Beigong Palace. The empress was naturally quick-witted and attentive, wholeheartedly serving with grace; her reputation grew day by day. The following year, she was made empress, and her sister became a "guiren." In the seventh year (83 AD), he posthumously enfeoffed and bestowed the title of Sihou ("Thoughtful Marquis") on her father Xun, with the name Ancheng. The empress enjoyed special favor and was uniquely prominent in the palace.
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初，宋貴人生皇太子慶，梁貴人生和帝。后既無子，並疾忌之，數閒於帝，漸致疏嫌。因誣宋貴人挾邪媚道，遂自殺，廢慶為清河王，語在慶傳。 |
| | Initially, Consort Song gave birth to Crown Prince Qing, while Consort Liang gave birth to Emperor He. Since the empress had no children of her own, she became jealous and resentful toward them both; she frequently sowed discord with the emperor, gradually causing estrangement and suspicion. She then falsely accused Consort Song of practicing occult arts to seduce the emperor, leading to her suicide. Qing was deposed and made Prince of Qinghe; details are recorded in his biography.
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梁貴人者，褒親愍侯梁竦之女也。少失母，為伯母舞陰長公主所養。年十六，亦以建初二年與中姊俱選入掖庭為貴人。四年，生和帝。后養為己子。欲專名外家而忌梁氏。八年，乃作飛書以陷竦，竦坐誅，貴人姊妹以憂卒。自是宮房惵息，后愛日隆。 |
| | Consort Liang was the daughter of Lian Song, Marquis of Baoshen Minhou. She lost her mother at a young age and was raised by her paternal aunt, Princess Wuyin Changgong. At sixteen years old, she also entered the palace in the second year of Jianchu along with her elder sister and was appointed a "guiren." In the fourth year (79 AD), she gave birth to Emperor He. The empress raised him as her own son. She wished to monopolize the emperor's favor for her own family and thus resented the Liang clan. In the eighth year (84 AD), she fabricated an anonymous letter to frame Lian Song; as a result, he was executed. Consort Liang and her sister died of grief. From then on, the palace remained quiet and subdued, while the empress's favor with the emperor grew ever stronger.
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及帝崩，和帝即位，尊后為皇太后。皇太后臨朝，尊母沘陽公主為長公主，益湯沐邑三千戶，兄憲，弟篤、景，並顯貴，擅威權，後遂密謀不軌，永元四年，發覺被誅。 |
| | After the emperor died, Emperor He ascended the throne and honored her as Empress Dowager. Empress Dowager He took power in court and honored her mother, Princess Biyang, as Grand Princess, increasing the number of households under her fief to 3,000. Her brother Xian and brothers Du and Jing all became prominent and powerful, wielding great authority. Later, they secretly plotted treason; in the fourth year of Yongyuan (92 AD), their plot was discovered and they were executed.
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九年，太后崩，未及葬，而梁貴人姊确上書陳貴人枉歿之狀。太尉張酺、司徒劉方、司空張奮上奏，依光武黜呂太后故事，貶太后尊號，不宜合葬先帝。百官亦多上言者。帝手詔曰：「竇氏雖不遵法度，而太后常自減損。朕奉事十年，深惟大義，禮，臣子無貶尊上之文。恩不忍離，義不忍虧。案前世上官太后亦無降黜，其勿復議。」於是合葬敬陵。在位十八年。 |
| | In the ninth year (97 AD), the empress dowager died; before her funeral could take place, Consort Liang's elder sister Que submitted a memorial to the throne detailing how Consort Liang had been wrongfully executed. Grand Commandant Zhang Pu, Grand Tutor Liu Fang, and Grand Works Minister Zhang Fen submitted a memorial stating that following the precedent of Emperor Guangwu's demotion of Empress Dowager Lu, the empress dowager should be stripped of her title and not buried with the late emperor. Many officials also submitted memorials supporting this view. The emperor issued a handwritten decree: "Although the Dou clan did not abide by laws and regulations, the empress dowager often voluntarily reduced her own privileges. For ten years I have honored and served her; deeply considering the great principles of propriety, the rites do not include any provision for subjects or children to denigrate their superiors. I cannot bear to separate from her in affection, nor can I allow justice to be compromised. In previous generations, Grand Empress Dowager Shangguan was also not demoted; therefore, this matter should no longer be discussed." Thus she was buried together with the late emperor in Jingling. She reigned for eighteen years.
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帝以貴人酷歿，斂葬禮闕，乃改殯於承光宮，上尊謚曰恭懷皇后，追服喪制，百官縞素，與姊大貴人俱葬西陵，儀比敬園。 |
| | The emperor, moved by the cruel death of Consort Liang and the lack of proper funeral rites for her, posthumously reburied her in Chengguang Palace. He bestowed on her the honored title "Empress Gonghuai" and ordered mourning rites to be observed as if she were an empress. All officials wore plain white mourning attire; she was buried at Xiling along with her elder sister, Grand Consort Da, with ceremonies equal to those of Jingyuan Mausoleum.
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和帝陰皇后諱某，光烈皇后兄執金吾識之曾孫也。后少聰慧，善書蓺。永元四年，選入掖庭，以先后近屬，故得為貴人。有殊寵。八年，遂立為皇后。 |
| | Empress Yin of Emperor He, whose personal name is not recorded, was the great-grandson of Yin Shi, the "Zhi Jinwu" (a military official) and elder brother of Empress Guanglie. The empress was intelligent from a young age and skilled in writing and calligraphy. In the fourth year of Yongyuan, she was selected into the palace; because her family was closely related to the empress dowager, she became a "guiren." She enjoyed special favor. In the eighth year of Yongyuan, (96 AD) she was made empress.
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自和熹鄧后入宮，愛寵稍衰，數有恚恨。后外祖母鄧朱出入宮掖。十四年夏，有言后與朱共挾巫蠱道，事發覺，帝遂使中常侍張慎與尚書陳褒於掖庭獄雜考案之。朱及二子奉、毅與后弟軼、輔、敞辭語相連及，以為祠祭祝詛，大逆無道。奉、毅、輔考死獄中。帝使司徒魯恭持節賜后策，上璽綬，遷于桐宮，以憂死。立七年，葬臨平亭部。父特進綱自殺，軼、敞及朱家屬徙日南比景縣，宗親外內昆弟皆免官還田里。永初四年，鄧太后詔赦陰氏諸徙者悉歸故郡，還其資財五百餘萬。 |
| | After Empress Deng Hexi entered the palace, her favor gradually declined, and she often felt resentment and anger. The empress's maternal grandmother, Deng Zhu, frequently came in and out of the palace quarters. In the summer of the fourteenth year (102 AD), it was reported that the empress and Deng Zhu had conspired to practice witchcraft. When this matter came to light, the emperor ordered Zhongchangshi Zhang Shen and Shangshu Chen Bao to investigate her in the Yeting Prison. Deng Zhu and her two sons, Feng and Yi, along with the empress's brothers Yi, Fu, and Chang, were implicated in each other's testimony. They were accused of conducting rituals to curse others, an act considered a grave betrayal against imperial authority and moral order. Feng, Yi, and Fu died in prison under interrogation. The emperor sent Grand Tutor Lu Gong with a ceremonial staff to bestow the empress with an imperial decree, returning her seals and sashes. She was moved to Tonggong Palace and died of grief. She reigned as empress for seven years and was buried in the Linpingtingbu area. Her father, Tejin Gang, committed suicide; her brothers Yi and Chang, along with Deng Zhu's family members, were exiled to Bijing Xian in Rinnan. All of their relatives, both close and distant, were dismissed from office and sent back to their hometowns. In the fourth year of Yongchu (108 AD), Empress Dowager Deng issued an edict pardoning all members of the Yin clan who had been exiled, allowing them to return to their original prefectures and restoring 5 million in assets.
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和熹鄧皇后諱綏，太傅禹之孫也。父訓，護羌校尉；母陰氏，光烈皇后從弟女也。后年五歲，太傅夫人愛之，自為翦髮。夫人年高目冥，誤傷后額，忍痛不言。左右見者怪而問之，后曰：「非不痛也，太夫人哀憐為斷髮，難傷老人意。故忍之耳。」六歲能史書，十二通詩、論語。諸兄每讀經傳，輒下意難問。志在典籍，不問居家之事。母常非之，曰：「汝不習女工以供衣服，乃更務學，寧當舉博士邪？」后重違母言，晝修婦業，暮誦經典，家人號曰「諸生」。父訓異之，事無大小，輒與詳議。 |
| | Empress Deng Hexi, whose personal name was Sui, was the granddaughter of Tai Fu Yu. Her father, Xun, served as Huqiang Jiao Wei (Commander for Pacifying the Qiang). Her mother, Lady Yin, was the daughter of a cousin of Empress Guanglie. When the empress was five years old, Lady Tai Fu loved her dearly and personally cut her hair for her. Lady Tai Fu, who was elderly with poor eyesight, accidentally injured the empress's forehead; she endured the pain in silence without speaking of it. Those around her who saw this were surprised and asked about it, to which the empress replied: "It is not that I do not feel pain. It is out of pity for my grandmother's affection in cutting my hair; I could not bear to wound an old person's feelings." "That is why I endured it." At six, she could read historical records; by twelve, she had mastered the Classic of Poetry and Analects of Confucius. Whenever her elder brothers studied classical texts, she would listen attentively and ask difficult questions to challenge them. Her aspirations lay in the study of classics; she paid no attention to domestic affairs. Her mother often criticized her, saying: "You do not learn women's work to provide clothing for the family but instead pursue study. Are you going to become a doctor of classics?" The empress greatly valued her mother's words, so she practiced domestic skills during the day and recited classics at night. Her family nicknamed her "Scholar." Her father Xun was amazed by her, and for matters of any size, he would consult with her in detail.
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永元四年，當以選入，會訓卒，后晝夜號泣，終三年不食鹽菜，憔悴毀容，親人不識之。后嘗夢捫天，蕩蕩正青，若有鍾乳狀，乃仰嗽飲之。以訊諸占夢，言堯夢攀天而上，湯夢及天而咶之，斯皆聖王之前占，吉不可言。又相者見后驚曰：「此成湯之法也。」家人竊喜而不敢宣。后叔父陔言：「常聞活千人者，子孫有封。兄訓為謁者，使修石臼河，歲活數千人。天道可信，家必蒙福。」初，太傅禹歎曰：「吾將百萬之眾，未嘗妄殺一人，其後世必有興者。」 |
| | In the fourth year of Yongyua (92 AD), she was to be selected into the palace, but at that time her father Xun died. The empress wept day and night; for three years she did not eat salt or vegetables, becoming so thin and disfigured that even relatives could hardly recognize her. The empress once dreamed of touching the sky, which was vast and a deep blue color, as if there were hanging stalactites. She then looked up and coughed, drinking from them. When she consulted diviners about the dream, they said that Emperor Yao had dreamed of climbing up to heaven and Emperor Tang had dreamed of reaching it and drinking from it. These were considered auspicious omens foretelling the coming of a sage ruler; such signs could not be described as anything but extremely fortunate. A physiognomist who saw her was startled and said, "This is the pattern of Emperor Tang!" Her family secretly rejoiced but dared not announce it publicly. The empress's uncle Gai said: "I have often heard that those who save a thousand lives will see their descendants receive enfeoffment. Her elder brother Xun served as Yezhe, and was sent to oversee the repair of Shijiu River, saving thousands of lives each year. "The way of heaven is trustworthy; our family must surely be blessed." Initially, Tai Fu Yu sighed and said: "I commanded a hundred thousand troops but never unjustly killed anyone. There must surely be someone in my descendants who will rise to prominence."
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七年，后復與諸家子俱選入宮。后長七尺二寸，姿顏姝麗，絕異於眾，左右皆驚。八年冬，入掖庭為貴人，時年十六。恭肅小心，動有法度。承事陰后，夙夜戰兢。接撫同列，常克己以下之，雖宮人隸役，皆加恩借。帝深嘉愛焉。及后有疾，特令后母兄弟入視醫藥，不限以日數。后言於帝曰：「宮禁至重，而使外舍久在內省，上令陛下有幸私之譏，下使賤妾獲不知足之謗。上下交損，誠不願也。」帝曰：「人皆以數入為榮，貴人反以為憂，深自抑損，誠難及也。」每有讌會，諸姬貴人競自修整，簪珥光采，褂裳鮮明，而后獨著素，裝服無飾。其衣有與陰后同色者，即時解易。若並時進見，則不敢正坐離立，行則僂身自卑。帝每有所問，常逡巡後對，不敢先陰后言。帝知后勞心曲體，歎曰：「修德之勞，乃如是乎！」後陰后漸疏，每當御見，輒辭以疾。時帝數失皇子，后憂繼嗣不廣，恆垂涕歎息，數選進才人，以博帝意。 |
| | In the seventh year of Yongyuan (89 AD), she once again entered the palace along with daughters from other families. The empress was seven feet and two inches tall, possessed a beautiful appearance, and stood out among the others in an extraordinary way; those around her were all astonished. In winter of the eighth year (96 AD), she entered Yeting Palace as a "guiren," at the age of sixteen. She was respectful, cautious, and careful in her conduct, always acting within proper decorum and rules. In serving Empress Yin, she remained vigilant day and night with a sense of awe and reverence. She treated her fellow consorts kindly, always restraining herself to be humble toward them; even palace attendants and servants were shown kindness and compassion. The emperor greatly admired and loved her. When the empress fell ill, the emperor specially allowed her mother's brothers to enter the palace to attend to her medical care without restricting them by time. The empress said to the emperor: "Palace security is of utmost importance, yet allowing outsiders to remain for a long time in the inner quarters will invite criticism from above that Your Majesty has private favorites and will lead to accusations below that I am ungrateful and insatiable. "This harms both high and low, which is truly something I do not wish for." The emperor said: "Everyone considers frequent visits to the palace as an honor, yet you regard it as a source of worry. Your deep self-restraint and humility are truly admirable." Whenever there were banquets or gatherings, the other consorts and guiren vied to dress up beautifully, adorning themselves with sparkling hairpins and earrings, wearing bright and colorful robes. Yet the empress alone dressed simply, without any embellishment on her attire. If she happened to wear clothing of a color matching Empress Yin's, she would immediately remove and change it. When they were summoned for an audience at the same time, she dared not sit upright or stand apart but would bow her body in humility while walking. Whenever the emperor asked something, she always hesitated before answering and dared not speak before Empress Yin did. The emperor knew of the empress's painstaking efforts to restrain herself and sighed, saying: "Is cultivating virtue truly so arduous!" Later, as Empress Yin gradually lost favor, whenever summoned for an audience with the emperor, she would always feign illness to decline. At that time, the emperor had lost many sons and was unable to produce heirs. The empress worried about the lack of successors and often wept and sighed; she repeatedly selected and presented talented concubines in an effort to please him.
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陰后見后德稱日盛，不知所為，遂造祝詛，欲以為害。帝嘗寢病危甚，陰后密言：「我得意，不令鄧氏復有遺類！」后聞，乃對左右流涕言曰：「我竭誠盡心以事皇后，竟不為所祐，而當獲罪於天。婦人雖無從死之義，然周公身請武王之命，越姬心誓必死之分，上以報帝之恩，中以解宗族之禍，下不令陰氏有人豕之譏。」即欲飲藥，宮人趙玉者固禁之，因詐言屬有使來，上疾已愈。后信以為然，乃止。明日，帝果瘳。 |
| | Empress Yin, seeing the empress's virtue and reputation grow daily, did not know how to respond; she then fabricated curses in an attempt to harm her. Once, when the emperor fell seriously ill and was near death, Empress Yin secretly said: "If I gain power, I will not allow any descendants of the Deng clan to remain!" When the empress heard this, she wept before her attendants and said: "I have devoted my utmost sincerity in serving the empress, yet I am not protected by her. Instead, I must be punished by heaven." "Although women are not bound by the obligation to die with their lords, Gong Zhi was personally entrusted with King Wu's command, and Yue Ji vowed in her heart to die for her duty. To do so would repay the emperor's kindness above, avert disaster from my family below, and prevent the Yin clan from mocking us as mere cattle or pigs." She was about to drink poison, but a palace attendant named Zhao Yu strongly prevented her and falsely claimed that an imperial messenger had arrived saying the emperor's illness had already improved. The empress believed this and stopped. The next day, the emperor indeed recovered from his illness.
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十四年夏，陰后以巫蠱事廢，后請救不能得，帝便屬意焉。后愈稱疾篤，深自閉絕。會有司奏建長秋宮，帝曰：「皇后之尊，與朕同體，承宗廟，母天下，豈易哉！唯鄧貴人德冠後庭，乃可當之。」至冬，立為皇后。辭讓者三，然後即位。手書表謝，深陳德薄，不足以充小君之選。是時，方國貢獻，競求珍麗之物，自后即位，悉令禁絕，歲時但供紙墨而已。帝每欲官爵鄧氏，后輒哀請謙讓，故兄騭終帝世不過虎賁中郎將。 |
| | In summer of the fourteenth year of Yongyuan (102 AD), Empress Yin was deposed due to accusations of witchcraft. The empress requested her rescue but failed, and the emperor then began to favor her. The empress became even more insistent in feigning serious illness, isolating herself completely. At this time, the officials submitted a proposal to establish the Chángqiū Palace (the residence of the empress). The emperor said: "The position of empress is one that shares in my dignity. She upholds the ancestral temple and serves as mother to all under heaven—how difficult it is to find such a person!" "Only Consort Deng, whose virtue surpasses that of the entire harem, can be worthy of this position." By winter, she was made empress. She declined the position three times before finally accepting it. She personally wrote a memorial to express her thanks, earnestly stating that her virtue was shallow and insufficient for the selection of an empress. At that time, vassal states were competing to present rare and luxurious gifts. After the empress ascended her position, she ordered a complete ban on such offerings, allowing only paper and ink for seasonal ceremonies. Whenever the emperor wanted to bestow official positions or titles on members of the Deng family, the empress would always humbly plead and decline. Therefore, her elder brother Deng Zhi never held a position higher than that of Hu Bin Zhonglangjiang (a mid-ranking military officer) during the emperor's reign.
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元興元年，帝崩，長子平原王有疾，而諸皇子夭沒，前後十數，後生者輒隱秘養於人閒。殤帝生始百日，后乃迎立之。尊后為皇太后，太后臨朝。和帝葬後，宮人並歸園，太后賜周、馮貴人策曰：「朕與貴人託配後庭，共歡等列，十有餘年。不獲福祐，先帝早棄天下，孤心煢煢，靡所瞻仰，夙夜永懷，感愴發中。今當以舊典分歸外園，慘結增歎，燕燕之詩，曷能喻焉？其賜貴人王青蓋車，采飾輅，驂馬各一駟，黃金三十斤，雜帛三千匹，白越四千端。」又賜馮貴人王赤綬，以未有頭上步搖、環珮，加賜各一具。 |
| | In the first year of Yuanxing (125 AD), the emperor died. His eldest son, Prince Pingyuan, was ill, and many other imperial sons had died young—over a dozen in total—and those who were born later were secretly raised among common people. When the infant 殇 Emperor was only 100 days old, the empress brought him forth and placed him on the throne. The empress was honored as Empress Dowager, and she assumed power to rule in place of the young emperor. After Emperor He's funeral, the palace attendants were all sent back to their hometowns. Empress Dowager granted Zhou and Consort Feng a decree saying: "I and you, honored concubine, were united in the imperial harem for over ten years." We did not receive divine blessings, and the late emperor passed away prematurely. My heart is lonely and desolate, with no one to look up to; day and night I deeply miss him, feeling sorrow deep within my soul. Now you must return to your ancestral homes according to the old customs, and this sad parting fills me with sorrow. Even the poem "Yanyan" cannot adequately express my feelings! Therefore, you shall be granted a noble carriage with green canopies and colorful decorations, four horses for each side of the carriage, thirty catties of gold, three thousand bolts of silk, and four thousand pieces of white cloth." The empress dowager also granted Consort Feng the red sash of a marquise. Since she did not yet possess hair ornaments or jade pendants, additional gifts were given for each item.
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是時新遭大憂，法禁未設。宮中亡大珠一篋，太后念，欲考問，必有不辜。乃親閱宮人，觀察顏色，即時首服。又和帝幸人吉成，御者共枉吉成以巫蠱事，遂下掖庭考訊，辭證明白。太后以先帝左右，待之有恩，平日尚無惡言，今反若此，不合人情，更自呼見實覈，果御者所為。莫不歎服，以為聖明。常以鬼神難徵，淫祀無福，乃詔有司罷諸祠官不合典禮者。又詔赦除建武以來諸犯妖惡，及馬、竇家屬所被禁錮者，皆復之為平人。減大官、導官、尚方、內者服御珍膳靡麗難成之物，自非供陵廟，稻梁米得導擇，朝夕一肉飯而已。舊大官湯官經用歲且二萬萬，太后敕止，曰殺省珍費，自是裁數千萬。及郡國所貢，皆減其過半。悉斥賣上林鷹犬。其蜀、漢釦器九帶佩刀，並不復調。止畫工三十九種。又御府、尚方、織室錦繡、冰紈、綺縠、金銀、珠玉、犀象、玳瑁、彫鏤翫弄之物，皆絕不作。離宮別館儲峙米糒薪炭，悉令省之。又詔諸園貴人，其宮人有宗室同族若羸老不任使者，令園監實覈上名，自御北宮增喜觀閱問之，恣其去留，即日免遣者五六百人。 |
| | At that time, the court had just experienced a great mourning period and legal restrictions had not yet been established. When a large pearl case was lost in the palace, Empress Dowager thought about it and decided against interrogating anyone, fearing that innocent people might be wrongly punished. She personally examined the palace attendants, observing their expressions, and immediately confessed to the crime. Also, Ji Cheng, a favorite of Emperor He, was falsely accused by the eunuchs of being involved in witchcraft. He was then taken to the Yeting Office for interrogation and his confession and evidence were clear. Empress Dowager considered that Ji Cheng had been a close attendant of the late emperor and had received her kindness. On ordinary days, he had never spoken ill; now to be falsely accused in this way was against human nature. She personally summoned him for an investigation and found out it was indeed done by the eunuchs. Everyone expressed admiration, regarding her as wise and enlightened. She often believed that ghosts and spirits were difficult to verify, and excessive worship brought no blessings; thus she issued an edict ordering the officials to abolish all shrine officers whose practices did not conform to established rituals. She also issued an edict pardoning and releasing all those who had committed superstitious or evil crimes since the reign of Emperor Guangwu, as well as relatives of the Ma and Dou families who had been banned or imprisoned; they were all restored to common status. She reduced the lavish and extravagant delicacies prepared by the Grand Steward, the Food Office, the Imperial Workshop, and the Inner Attendants. Unless for ancestral temple sacrifices, only selected rice could be used, with just one meat dish per meal in the morning and evening. Previously, the Grand Steward and Soup Office spent nearly two hundred million coins annually. Empress Dowager ordered a stop to this, saying that excessive spending on rare delicacies should be reduced; from then on, expenditures were cut to only tens of millions. As for the tributes submitted by commanderies and states, she also reduced them by more than half. She ordered all falcons and hunting dogs in Shanglin Park to be sold off completely. Items such as the nine-belted ceremonial daggers from Shu and Han, and other ornate utensils, were no longer ordered or collected. She also stopped employing thirty-nine types of painters and artisans. In addition, the Imperial Workshops, the Imperial Workshop Office, and the Weaving Bureau ceased producing embroidered silks, ice-white satin, fine gauze, gold and silver ornaments, pearls and jade, ivory and rhinoceros horn items, tortoiseshell, and carved trinkets for amusement. She ordered the storage of rice, dried food, firewood, and coal at all secondary palaces and pavilions to be reduced. She also issued an order to the noble ladies in charge of the imperial gardens: if any palace attendants had relatives from the imperial clan or were too weak and old to serve, the garden supervisors should verify their identities and submit a list. She then personally reviewed them at Beigong Palace's Zengxi Pavilion, allowing each person to choose whether to stay or leave. On that day alone, several hundred people were released.
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及殤帝崩，太后定策立安帝，猶臨朝政。以連遭大憂，百姓苦役，殤帝康陵方中祕藏，及諸工作，事事減約，十分居一。 |
| | After the death of the 殇 Emperor, Empress Dowager decided to place Emperor An on the throne and continued to rule from behind the curtain. Because of repeated great mourning periods and the people's suffering from heavy labor, for the Kangling Mausoleum of the 殇 Emperor and all related construction projects, she reduced expenditures in every aspect to only one-tenth of what was originally planned.
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詔告司隸校尉、河南尹、南陽太守曰：「每覽前 |
| | She issued an edict addressed to the Sili Jiao Wei, the governor of Henan Commandery, and the governor of Nanyang Prefecture: "Whenever I review past...
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代外戚賓客，假借威權，輕薄謥詷，至有濁亂奉公，為人患苦。咎在執法怠懈，不輒行其罰故也。今車騎將軍騭等雖懷敬順之志，而宗門廣大，姻戚不少，賓客姦猾，多干禁憲。其明加檢敕，勿相容護。」自是親屬犯罪，無所假貸。太后愍陰氏之罪廢，赦其徙者歸鄉，敕還資財五百餘萬。永初元年，爵號太夫人為新野君，萬戶供湯沐邑。 |
| | generations, relatives of empresses and their guests have abused power, behaved recklessly and disrespectfully, to the point of corrupting public affairs and causing suffering for the people. The fault lies with law enforcers who are lax and do not promptly punish such misconduct. Now, although General Cheqi Deng Zhi and others hold respectful and obedient intentions, their family is large with many relatives. Their guests are often cunning and frequently violate laws and regulations. You must strictly supervise them and do not tolerate or protect any wrongdoing." From then on, relatives who committed crimes received no leniency. Empress Dowager felt pity for the Yin family's punishment and exile, pardoned those who had been banished, ordered them to return to their hometowns, and decreed that over five million coins worth of property be restored to them. In the first year of Yongchu (107 AD), she was granted the title "Xinye Jun" for her mother, granting a fief of ten thousand households to provide for her needs.
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二年夏，京師旱，親幸洛陽寺錄冤獄。有囚實不殺人而被考自誣，羸困輿見，畏吏不敢言，將去，舉頭若欲自訴。太后察視覺之。即呼還問狀，具得枉實，即時收洛陽令下獄抵罪。行未還宮，澍雨大降。 |
| | In summer of the second year of Yongchu (108 AD), when there was a drought in the capital, she personally visited Luoyang Temple to review cases of wrongful imprisonment. There was a prisoner who had not actually committed murder but had been tortured into falsely confessing. He appeared weak and exhausted before her, fearing the officials and too afraid to speak out; as she was about to leave, he raised his head as if wanting to appeal for justice. Empress Dowager noticed him and took notice of his situation. She immediately called him back to question the case, fully uncovered the injustice, and at once arrested the Luoyang magistrate and put him in prison for punishment. Before she had returned to the palace, heavy rain began to fall.
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三年秋，太后體不安，左右憂惶，禱請祝辭，願得代命。太后聞之，即譴怒，切敕掖庭令以下，但使謝過祈福，不得妄生不祥之言。舊事，歲終當饗遣衛士，大儺逐疫。太后以陰陽不和，軍旅數興，詔饗會勿設戲作樂，減逐疫侲子之半，悉罷象橐駝之屬。豐年復故。太后自入宮掖，從曹大家受經書，兼天文、筭數。晝省王政，夜則誦讀，而患其謬誤，懼乖典章，乃博選諸儒劉珍等及博士、議郎、四府掾史五十餘人，詣東觀讎校傳記。事畢奏御，賜葛布各有差。又詔中官近臣於東觀受讀經傳，以教授宮人，左右習誦，朝夕濟濟。及新野君薨，太后自侍疾病，至乎終盡，憂哀毀損，事加於常。贈以長公主赤綬、東園祕器、玉衣繡衾，又賜布三萬匹，錢三千萬。騭等遂固讓錢布不受。使司空持節護喪事，儀比東海恭王，謚曰敬君。太后諒闇既終，久旱，太后比三日幸洛陽，錄囚徒，理出死罪三十六人，耐罪八十人，其餘減罪死右趾已下至司寇。 |
| | In autumn of the third year of Yongchu (109 AD), Empress Dowager fell ill, and those around her were anxious and fearful. They prayed and offered vows, hoping to offer their own lives in place of hers. When the empress dowager heard this, she immediately rebuked them angrily and sternly ordered the Yeting officials and those below to merely express repentance and pray for blessings, forbidding any utterances of ill omens. According to old custom, at the end of each year, guards were to be dismissed with a banquet and a grand ritual was held to drive away plagues. Empress Dowager, considering the imbalance of yin and yang and the frequent military campaigns, issued an edict prohibiting performances or music at the banquet, halving the number of masked children used in the plague-driving ritual, and completely dismissing all elephant and camel processions. In years of good harvest, the old customs were restored. Since entering the palace, Empress Dowager had studied classical texts under Cao Dajia and also learned astronomy and mathematics. By day, she reviewed state affairs and by night studied and recited texts. Concerned about possible errors and fearing deviation from established regulations, she selected over fifty scholars, including Liu Zhen, as well as doctors of learning, advisory officials, and clerks from the four government offices to go to Dongguan Hall to collate and verify historical records. After completing their work, they submitted a report to her, and each was rewarded with cloth of varying grades. She also issued an edict for eunuchs and close court officials to study the classics at Dongguan Hall, in order to teach palace attendants. Those around her studied and recited diligently, with a bustling atmosphere day and night. When Lady Xinye passed away, Empress Dowager personally attended to her illness until the end. She grieved deeply and mourned with greater sorrow than usual. She was posthumously honored with the red sash of a princess, secret funeral items from Dongyuan Workshop, embroidered silk shrouds and jade burial suits, as well as three hundred thousand bolts of cloth and thirty million coins. Deng Zhi and others then firmly refused to accept the money and cloth. She sent the Sikong (Minister of Works) with a ceremonial staff to oversee funeral arrangements, granting honors equal to those for Duke Gong of Donghai. She was posthumously titled "Jing Jun." After the mourning period for Empress Dowager ended, a prolonged drought occurred. Empress Dowager visited Luoyang three times in succession to review prisoners and clear their cases. She pardoned thirty-six people sentenced to death, commuted the sentences of eighty others from castration to lesser punishments, and reduced the penalties of all remaining convicts down to the level of Si Kou (a minor penal servitude).
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七年正月，初入太廟，齋七日，賜公卿百僚各有差。庚戌，謁宗廟，率命婦群妾相禮儀，與皇帝交獻親薦，成禮而還。因下詔曰：「凡供薦新味，多非其節，或鬱養強孰，或穿掘萌牙，味無所至而夭折生長，豈所以順時育物乎！傳曰：『非其時不食。』自今當奉祠陵廟及給御者，皆須時乃上。」凡所省二十三種。 |
| | In the first month of the seventh year, she entered the Grand Ancestral Temple for the first time. She observed a seven-day period of fasting and purification, during which officials at various ranks were granted rewards in varying degrees. On the Gengxu day, she visited the ancestral temples, leading consorts and concubines to perform rituals. She and the emperor jointly offered sacrifices in person, completing the ceremony before returning. She then issued an edict saying: "Many of the newly harvested foods offered in sacrifices are not in season. Some are over-ripened, others dug up before they have matured. Their flavors are incomplete and their growth is cut short—how can this be considered following nature's order to nurture life?" The Classic says: "Do not eat unless it is in season." "From now on, all offerings to the ancestral temples and imperial tombs, as well as food for the emperor's consumption, must be presented only when they are in season." A total of twenty-three types were thus reduced.
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自太后臨朝，水旱十載，四夷外侵，盜賊內起。每聞人飢，或達旦不寐，而躬自減徹，以救災厄，故天下復平，歲還豐穰。 |
| | During the years Empress Dowager ruled from behind the curtain, there had been ten years of floods and droughts, foreign invasions by outsiders, and internal uprisings. Whenever she heard of people suffering from hunger, she would often stay awake until dawn and personally reduced her own consumption to relieve the disaster. Thus, peace was restored in the land, and harvests returned to abundance.
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元初五年，平望侯劉毅以太后多德政，欲令早有注記，上書安帝曰：「臣聞易載羲農而皇德著，書述唐虞而帝道崇，故雖聖明，必書功於竹帛，流音於管弦。伏惟皇太后膺大聖之姿，體乾坤之德，齊蹤虞妃，比跡任姒。孝悌慈仁，允恭節約，杜絕奢盈之源，防抑逸欲之兆。正位內朝，流化四海。及元興、延平之際，國無儲副，仰觀乾象，參之人譽，援立陛下為天下主，永安漢室，綏靜四海。又遭水潦，東州飢荒。垂恩元元，冠蓋交路，菲薄衣食，躬率群下，損膳解驂，以贍黎苗。惻隱之恩，猶視赤子。克己引愆，顯揚仄陋。崇晏晏之政，敷在寬之教。興滅國，繼絕世，錄功臣，復宗室。追還徙人，蠲除禁錮。政非惠和，不圖於心；制非舊典，不訪於朝。弘德洋溢，充塞宇宙；洪澤豐沛，漫衍八方。華夏樂化，戎狄混并。丕功著於大漢，碩惠加於生人。巍巍之業，可聞而不可及；蕩蕩之勳，可誦而不可名。古之帝王，左右置史；漢之舊典，世有注記。夫道有夷崇，治有進退。若善政不述，細異輒書，是為堯湯負洪水大旱之責，而無咸熙假天之美；高宗成王有雉雊迅風之變，而無中興康寧之功也。上考詩書，有虞二妃，周室三母，修行佐德，思不踰閾。未有內遭家難，外遇災害，覽總大麓，經營天物，功德巍巍若茲者也。宜令史官著長樂宮注、聖德頌，以敷宣景燿，勒勳金石，縣之日月，攄之罔極，以崇陛下烝烝之孝。」帝從之。 |
| | In the fifth year of Yuanchu (113 AD), Pingwang Hou Liu Yi, believing that Empress Dowager had many virtuous policies and wishing for them to be recorded early, submitted a memorial to Emperor An: "I have heard in the Book of Changes that Fuxi and Nong were recorded so their royal virtue became renowned; I have read in the Book of Documents about Tang and Yu, whose imperial virtues were exalted. Therefore, even those who are wise and enlightened must have their achievements inscribed on bamboo slips and silk, passed down through music and poetry. Your Majesty, I humbly consider the Empress Dowager to possess great wisdom and virtue, embodying the moral qualities of Heaven and Earth. Her achievements rival those of the empresses of Yu and match those of Ren Si. She is filial, respectful to elders, kind, and compassionate; she is truly modest and thrifty, blocking the roots of extravagance and preventing signs of indulgence. From her position in the inner court, she spread moral influence across all under heaven. At the time of Yuanxing and Yanping, when there was no designated heir to the throne, she observed celestial omens and considered public opinion before supporting Your Majesty as emperor. This ensured the Han dynasty's stability and brought peace to all under heaven. She also endured floods, with famine in the eastern states. She extended her grace to the common people, with officials traveling along roads to provide relief. She lived simply in food and clothing, personally leading all below her, reducing her own meals and releasing horses from her retinue to support the common folk. Her compassion was as deep as a mother's love for her children. She restrained herself and took responsibility for faults, elevating the humble and obscure. She promoted a peaceful administration and spread teachings of leniency and tolerance. She revived extinguished states, restored lineages that had died out, recorded the achievements of meritorious ministers, and reinstated members of the imperial clan. She recalled those who had been exiled and lifted all prohibitions and imprisonments. If a policy was not beneficial or harmonious, she did not consider it; If an edict did not conform to traditional regulations, she would not issue it without consulting the court. Her virtue was so great that it overflowed and filled the universe; Her benevolence, like a mighty river, spread abundantly in all directions. The Chinese people rejoiced in her civilization, and even the Rong and Di tribes were united under her rule. Her great achievements shone for the Han dynasty, and her boundless grace was bestowed upon all living beings. Her lofty accomplishments are admirable but unattainable; Her boundless achievements can be recited, yet no words could fully capture them. In ancient times, emperors had historians placed on their left and right; According to the Han dynasty's established customs, each generation recorded its history. The Way has periods of ease and difficulty; governance also experiences advancement and decline. If good governance is not recorded, while minor differences are constantly noted, this would be to hold Yao and Tang responsible for floods and great droughts, yet deny them the virtue of benefiting from favorable heavenly conditions; it would also be to attribute changes such as pheasants crowing and sudden winds during the reigns of Gaozong and King Cheng, yet deny them credit for reviving prosperity and bringing peace. Referring to the Shijing and Shangshu, we find that during the Youyu period there were two consorts of Yu, and in the Zhou dynasty three virtuous mothers. They cultivated their conduct to assist virtue, and their thoughts never exceeded the bounds of propriety. Never before have we seen a woman who, while enduring domestic hardships and external calamities, took charge of great responsibilities, managed the affairs of heaven and earth, and achieved such lofty virtues and accomplishments as these. It is appropriate to instruct the historians to record the Longle Palace Annals and compose a hymn extolling her sacred virtue, so as to widely proclaim and illuminate her brilliance. Her achievements should be inscribed in gold and stone, hung among the sun and moon, and passed down without end, thus honoring Your Majesty's filial devotion." The emperor followed this suggestion.
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六年，太后詔徵和帝弟濟北、河閒王子男女年五歲以上四十餘人，又鄧氏近親子孫三十餘人，並為開邸第，教學經書，躬自監試。尚幼者，使置師保，朝夕入宮，撫循詔導，恩愛甚渥。乃詔從兄河南尹豹、越騎校尉康等曰：「吾所以引納群子，置之學官者，實以方今承百王之敝，時俗淺薄，巧偽滋生，五經衰缺，不有化導，將遂陵遲，故欲褒崇聖道，以匡失俗。傳不云乎：『飽食終日，無所用心，難矣哉！』今末世貴戚食祿之家，溫衣美飯，乘堅驅良，而面牆術學，不識臧否，斯故禍敗所從來也。永平中，四姓小侯皆令入學，所以矯俗厲薄，反之忠孝。先公既以武功書之竹帛，兼以文德教化子孫，故能束脩，不觸羅網。誠令兒曹上述祖考休烈，下念詔書本意，則足矣。其勉之哉！」 |
| | In the sixth year, Empress Dowager issued an edict summoning more than forty sons and daughters of Emperor Zhang's brothers, Prince Jibei and Prince Hejian, who were five years old or older, as well as over thirty descendants of the Deng clan closely related to her. She had mansions built for them all, arranged instruction in Confucian classics, and personally supervised their examinations. For those still young, she appointed tutors to care for them, requiring them to enter the palace in the morning and evening. She personally guided and nurtured them with great affection and kindness. She then issued an edict to her cousin, Henei Yin Bao, and Yueqi Jiaoyue Kang, saying: "The reason I have brought in so many children and placed them under the tutelage of scholars is because at present we inherit a society worn down by centuries of decline. The customs are shallow and insincere, deceitful practices abound, the Five Classics are neglected, and without guidance and education, this trend will only worsen. Therefore, I wish to honor and promote the sacred Way in order to correct these corrupt social trends." Is it not said in the Zhuan: "To eat well all day and have no thoughts at all—how difficult is that!" Now, in this decadent age, noble relatives and families receiving official stipends wear warm clothes and eat fine food, ride sturdy carriages and drive excellent horses, yet they face the wall in their studies, knowing nothing of right or wrong—this is precisely where misfortune and downfall arise. During the Yongping period, all young boys of the four noble families were required to attend school; this was done precisely to correct shallow customs and encourage a return to loyalty and filial piety. My late father was already recorded in bamboo slips and silk scrolls for his martial achievements, and he also used moral instruction to educate our descendants. Therefore, they were able to cultivate virtue and avoid falling into the net of legal punishment. If these children can truly look up to their ancestors' noble achievements and reflect on the original intent of my imperial decree, then that will be sufficient. Strive hard for it!"
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康以太后久臨朝政，心懷畏懼，託病不朝。太后使內人問之。時宮婢出入，多能有所毀譽，其耆宿者皆稱中大人，所使者乃康家先婢，亦自通中大人。康聞，詬之曰：「汝我家出，爾敢爾邪！」婢怒，還說康詐疾而言不遜。太后遂免康官，遣歸國，絕屬籍。 |
| | Kang, fearing the empress dowager's long tenure in handling court affairs and feeling apprehensive, feigned illness to avoid attending court. Empress Dowager sent palace attendants to inquire about him. At that time, many palace maids who came and went were capable of praising or criticizing others. The more experienced ones were all called Zhong Daren (a respectful title for a senior palace official). Those sent by the empress dowager happened to be an old servant from Kang's family, who also addressed herself as Zhong Daren. Kang heard this and scolded her, saying: "You were from my household; how dare you act like that!" The servant became angry and returned to report that Kang had feigned illness and spoken disrespectfully. Empress Dowager then dismissed Kang from his post, sent him back to his fiefdom, and cut off his family's official ties.
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永寧二年二月，寢病漸篤，乃乘輦於前殿，見侍中、尚書，因北至太子新所繕宮。還，大赦天下，賜諸園貴人、王、主、群僚錢布各有差。詔曰：「朕以無德，託母天下，而薄祐不天，早離大憂。延平之際，海內無主，元元厄運，危於累卵。勤勤苦心，不敢以萬乘為樂，上欲不欺天愧先帝，下不違人負宿心，誠在濟度百姓，以安劉氏。自謂感徹天地，當蒙福祚，而喪禍內外，傷痛不絕。頃以廢病沈滯，久不得侍祠，自力上原陵，加欬逆唾血，遂至不解。存亡大分，無可柰何。公卿百官，其勉盡忠恪，以輔朝廷。」三月崩。在位二十年，年四十一。合葬順陵。 |
| | In the second month of Yongning 2, as her illness worsened, she took a palanquin to the front hall and met with the Shizhong and Shangshu. She then proceeded northward to visit the newly renovated palace where the Crown Prince resided. After returning, she issued a general pardon throughout the land and bestowed money and cloth of varying amounts upon the noble ladies in the palace, princes, princesses, and officials. The edict read: "I am unworthy and have been entrusted with the motherhood of the realm, yet I received little divine favor. Heaven has not blessed me, and I was burdened with great sorrow at an early age." During the Yanning period, there was no ruler in the realm; the common people were in dire straits, their fate more precarious than an egg balanced on a pile. With tireless and earnest effort, I have never dared to take pleasure in being the ruler of a vast empire. Above all, I did not wish to deceive Heaven or disgrace my late emperor father; below, I did not want to go against people's expectations or betray their long-held hopes. My sincere desire was always to rescue and guide the common people so as to ensure peace for the Liu dynasty. I believed my sincerity had moved Heaven and Earth, and that I would be blessed with fortune; yet misfortunes both within and without have continued to bring me ceaseless grief. Recently, due to my illness and weakness, I have been unable for a long time to personally attend the ancestral rites. I forced myself to ascend the Yuanling Mausoleum, but suffered from coughing fits and expectorated blood, which eventually led to my collapse. Now that the time of life or death has come, there is nothing I can do about it. Ministers and officials of all ranks, you must strive to be loyal and conscientious in order to assist the court." She passed away in March. She reigned for twenty years and was forty-one years old at the time of her death. She was buried together with him in Shunling Mausoleum.
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論曰：鄧后稱制終身，號令自出，術謝前政之良，身闕明辟之義，至使嗣主側目，斂衽於虛器，直生懷懣，懸書於象魏。借之儀者，殆其惑哉！然而建光之後，王柄有歸，遂乃名賢戮辱，便孽黨進，衰斁之來，茲焉有徵。故知持權引謗，所幸者非己；焦心卹患，自強者唯國。是以班母一說，闔門辭事；愛姪微愆，髡剔謝罪。將杜根逢誅，未值其誠乎！但蹊田之牛，奪之已甚。 |
| | Commentary: Empress Dowager Deng exercised power for life, issuing decrees at her own discretion. Her policies fell short of the excellence of previous administrations and failed to uphold the virtue expected of a ruler. This led to the heir apparent being forced to look on in resentment, bowing before empty symbols of authority, while upright men harbored grievances, posting their complaints on public notice boards. Those who imitate such conduct are surely mistaken! However, after the Jianguang period, power gradually returned to the emperor. Yet this led instead to the persecution of virtuous officials and the advancement of corrupt factions; signs of decline had thus clearly appeared. Thus it is known that clinging to power while inviting criticism brings no benefit but rather misfortune. Only by being deeply concerned and vigilant, and striving for self-improvement, can one truly strengthen the state. Therefore, when Ban Mu made a single suggestion, her entire family withdrew from official affairs; out of love for her nephew's minor offense, she shaved his head and offered to atone for the crime. When Du Gen was about to be executed, did they not recognize his sincerity! Yet the ox that trampled on a path was deprived of its rights too harshly.
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