Empress Jin Jiu

This is the extraordinary life of the twelfth emperor of the Jin Dynasty, Empress Jin Jiu.

She was originally the fourth princess of the Jin Dynasty under Emperor Sui. With beauty that could outshine all others and exceptional intelligence, she was hailed from childhood as the most distinguished princess in the empire. Her father doted on her and her mother cherished her. Not only did she enjoy a carefree, peaceful childhood, but in her youth she also met the love of her life and shared a passionate, widely celebrated romance.

Back then, the life she imagined was filled with success and glory. Countless times, she pictured a happy life spent together with that person.

But all that peace and beauty shattered when her mother wrested imperial power from the wayward crown prince and laid the foundations for a reign ruled by women.

After becoming crown princess and assisting with the regency, she took over the still-fragile empire her mother had built. Even as she came to wield power over all under heaven, she often felt utterly exhausted and unequal to the task.

“My child, I won this realm for you and laid the foundations for women’s rule. You must carry them forward for generations to come.”

“You must show every man under heaven the greatest glory a woman can attain, until they willingly kneel at your feet, devoting themselves to you and serving at your command for the rest of their lives.”

But this was never an easy road. How could a patriarchal society, entrenched for thousands of years, change in a single night?

After enduring a rebellion by her ministers, schemes and machinations among her own kin, and the betrayal and death of the one she loved, she was reborn amid pain and despair. Following a bloody palace coup, she finally secured her position as empress.

But that person was gone, and all that remained of their memories was an endless pall of sorrow and regret.

Still, an emperor’s life cannot stand still. Even as she commanded the realm and enjoyed all its splendors, she had to scheme by day and stay on guard by night. She was destined to sit upon the golden throne for a long, long time, consolidating her rule, expanding her territory, and building a true empire ruled by women.

Fortunately, where life brings partings and endings, it also brings countless meetings and new beginnings.

May there come a day when, with our hair turned white, I look back and find that someone is still standing there, waiting.

To hold your hand and grow old together.