Empress

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Empress Jiang
Alias(es)	Mother of the Nation; Mistress of the Harem
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Imperial Palace
Occupation/Role	Great King's principal wife; manager of the inner palace
Status	Deceased; blinded and ultimately died amid the palace plot against her 490 515

Background / History

Empress Jiang had served as the Great King's wife for many years and was expected to care for both the people and the ruler. Her father taught her that an empress must serve every citizen and serve the Great King well, but she found palace life restrictive, particularly as her mother's health worsened while she remained unable to leave the inner palace. 349 353

When the Great King became infatuated with Empress Nuwa after visiting Nuwa Palace, Jiang tried to dissuade him by stressing that Nuwa was an ancient immortal and that his pursuit could endanger the kingdom. The Great King rejected her intervention, emphasizing that selection of consorts was his sole authority and threatening her position in the palace. 349 353

After Su Ji Ji entered the palace, Jiang watched the harem's order deteriorate as the favored consort monopolized the Great King's attention. Determined to uphold her authority, Jiang resolved to establish rules and make Su Ji Ji understand the difference between an Imperial Consort and the Empress. 408 463 464

Personality

Jiang was widely regarded as gentle, proper, fair, and considerate. Palace servants and Consort Xian repeatedly maintained that she was incapable of plotting against the Great King, while her conduct as Empress earned her the ministers' loyalty. 477 478 483 500

Her concern for the state often outweighed her personal resentment. She feared that the Great King's fixation on other women and Su Ji Ji's influence would bring suffering to the people and imperil the country. 353 467 468

Though often distressed and constrained by the Great King's authority, Jiang could be forceful when defending palace order. She denounced Su Ji Ji as a “vixen” whose conduct could destroy the nation, and later refused to confess to crimes she maintained she had never committed. 467 481 484 485

Story Role / Major Arcs

Conflict over Empress Nuwa

Jiang attempted to reason with the Great King after he developed an obsession with Empress Nuwa. Her warning was treated as interference, leaving her humiliated and worried for both her marriage and the kingdom's future. 347 349 353 354

Rivalry with Su Ji Ji

Su Ji Ji's arrival disrupted the harem, with the Great King spending nearly all his time with the new consort. Jiang initially endured the situation to preserve her reputation for kindness, then openly resolved to enforce the palace hierarchy and confront Su Ji Ji. 408 463 464

The conflict escalated when Jiang accused Su Ji Ji of being a vixen and a threat to the country. Su Ji Ji used this confrontation to portray herself as the victim and persuaded the Great King to act against Jiang. 467 468 473

Assassination Accusation and Imprisonment

Su Ji Ji sought Jiang's removal through her maidservant and Fei Zhong, while later proposing that the assassin Jiang Huan be brought before Jiang to strengthen the case against her. 470 471 486 487

After Jiang Huan accused her of ordering the assassination of the Great King, Jiang was summoned to the West Palace. She denied knowing the assassin or participating in any plot, while Consort Xian tried to defend her innocence. 476 477 478

The Great King ordered Consort Xian to obtain a confession, threatening to gouge out one of Jiang's eyes if she continued to resist. Jiang remained adamant that she had done nothing wrong. 480 481

Torture and Death

Soldiers carried out the Great King's order to brand Jiang's hand after she refused to confess. She fainted from the punishment, while Consort Xian was left unable to protect her. 484 485

Jiang Huan later confronted her while she was weak and bedridden, again claiming that she had recruited him. Jiang denied the accusations and asked her two sons to clear her name. 487 488

Her death left the First Prince and Second Prince desperate for revenge and survival. Consort Xian urged them to flee, while the court later recognized that Empress Jiang had died and that Su Ji Ji would replace her as Empress. 490 527

Relationships

• Great King — Her husband and the ruler of the nation. Jiang tried to restrain his infatuation with Empress Nuwa and later Su Ji Ji, but he dismissed her authority and ordered her torture during the assassination investigation. 349 353 480 485
• Su Ji Ji / Su Daji — Favored consort and political rival. Jiang regarded her as a dangerous vixen; Su Ji Ji sought to eliminate Jiang and ultimately benefited from her death. 467 470 473 479 501
• Consort Xian — Loyal supporter who defended Jiang's reputation, comforted her after the accusation, and attempted to prevent her torture. 476 477 478 484
• First Prince and Second Prince — Jiang's sons. They defended her against Jiang Huan, and she asked them to clear her name before her death. 488 490
• Jiang Huan — Assassin who accused Jiang of ordering the attempt on the Great King's life; Jiang denied ever knowing or instructing him. 476 487 488
• Fei Zhong — Official approached through Su Ji Ji's maidservant during the scheme to remove Jiang; he feared the consequences of acting against the Empress. 470 471

Trivia

• Jiang's status as the Great King's original wife was invoked by Consort Xian as a reason Su Ji Ji could not casually replace or kill her. 479
• Even after her death, servants continued to describe Jiang as a good and innocent person. 500