Empress in Hand

By imperial decree, Yu Yao became Chu Jingxuan's empress. The young emperor was violent-tempered, erratic in conduct, and often given to absurd and excessive acts. He showed no respect even to her, his empress, until she gradually became a laughingstock among the consorts. Yet Yu Yao, mindful of the debt of gratitude she owed Chu Jingxuan for saving her life from a tiger's jaws, devoted herself wholly to her duties as empress—composed and dignified before the court, virtuous and magnanimous throughout the six palaces. Thus several years passed, until the Grand Empress Dowager passed away. After the mourning period ended, Chu Jingxuan forced Yu Yao to surrender the phoenix seal. Having al...