Empress Daiyi was once the favourite imperial concubine to Emperor Sun Quan (also known as Emperor Da) of the Eastern Wu Empire.[1] She was also the grandmother of Emperor Sun Hao (also known as Emperor Mo) of the Eastern Wu Dynasty. Empress Daiyi’s son, Sun He, was once the Crown Prince of the Wu Dynasty. She was almost Emperor Sun Quan’s empress.[2] However, she was slandered and lost her husband’s favour.[3]
The birthdate of Empress Daiyi is unknown.[4] Her personal name is unknown.[5] She was from the Wang family of Langye.[6] Her father was Wang Lujiu. Her mother’s personal name is unknown.[7] She had three younger brothers whose names are not recorded.[8] During the Huangwu period (222-229 C.E.), she became Sun Quan’s concubine.[9] She bore Sun Quan a son named Sun He.[10]
On 23 May 229 C.E., Sun Quan became Emperor of the Eastern Wu Empire. Imperial Consort Wang of Langye became Emperor Sun Quan’s second favourite imperial concubine.[11] His favourite was Imperial Consort Bu.[12] In 238 C.E., Imperial Consort Bu (who was posthumously made an empress) died. In 241 C.E., Emperor Sun Quan decided to make Imperial Consort Wang of Langye’s son, Sun He, the Crown Prince.[13] As soon as Emperor Sun Quan appointed an heir apparent, he exiled all his other imperial concubines whom he once favoured from the palace.[14]
Emperor Sun Quan wanted to make Imperial Consort Wang of Langye his empress.[15] However, his daughter, Princess Sun Luban (the Grand Princess of Quan), greatly disliked Imperial Consort Wang of Langye and wanted to ruin her.[16] When Emperor Sun Quan fell sick, Princess Sun Luban told her father that Imperial Consort Wang of Langye rejoiced over his illness.[17] Emperor Sun Quan was mad at Imperial Consort Wang of Langye.[18] Emperor Sun Quan’s anger caused Imperial Consort Wang of Langye to “die of worry.”[19]
In 264 C.E., Imperial Consort Wang of Langye’s grandson, Sun Hao, became Emperor of the Eastern Wu Dynasty. Emperor Sun Hao made Imperial Consort Wang of Langye a posthumous empress.[20] She was given the name of Empress Dayi, which means “Empress of Great Exemplarity.”[21] He also ennobled her three younger brothers by making them marquises.[22]
Empress Daiyi’s story is really tragic.[23] She was once Emperor Sun Quan’s favourite imperial concubine.[24] Her son was invested as Crown Prince. She was almost appointed as Emperor Sun Quan’s empress.[25] However, she met an unfortunate end.[26] Her stepdaughter, Princess Sun Luban, slandered and ruined her.[27] She was unjustly accused of gloating over Emperor Sun Quan’s illness.[28] It is sad that she was ruined over a false accusation.[29] However, her grandson, Emperor Sun Hao, restored Empress Daiyi’s unjust reputation and gave her the honour that she deserved.[30]
Sources:
Chen, S., & Pei, S. (1999). Empresses and Consorts: Selections from Chen Shou’s Records of the Three States with Pei Songzhi’s Commentary. Honolulu: University of Hawaiʻi Press.
McMahon, K. (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. NY: Rowman and Littlefield.
[1] Chen and Pei, 1999
[2] McMahon, 2013
[3] McMahon, 2013
[4] Chen and Pei, 1999
[5] Chen and Pei, 1999
[6] Chen and Pei, 1999
[7] Chen and Pei, 1999
[8] Chen and Pei, 1999
[9] Chen and Pei, 1999
[10] Chen and Pei, 1999
[11] Chen and Pei, 1999
[12] Chen and Pei, 1999
[13] Chen and Pei, 1999
[14] Chen and Pei, 1999
[15] McMahon, 2013
[16] McMahon, 2013
[17] McMahon, 2013
[18] Chen and Pei, 1999
[19] McMahon, 2013, p. 117
[20] Chen and Pei, 1999
[21] Chen and Pei, 1999, p. 128
[22] Chen and Pei, 1999
[23] Chen and Pei, 1999
[24] Chen and Pei, 1999
[25] McMahon, 2013
[26] McMahon, 2013
[27] McMahon, 2013
[28] McMahon, 2013
[29] McMahon, 2013
[30] Chen and Pei, 1999
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