Do you know how Dou Defei died? Next, the editor of History Encyclopedia will explain it to you.
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was born out of wedlock, and his biological mother was Dou Defei, the consort of Emperor Ruizong of Tang, Li Dan. Although Dou Defei was a concubine, she came from a noble background. Her grandfather was Dou Dan, the Duke of Shen and the Grand Prince of Dali, and her father was Dou Xiaochen, the Governor of Runzhou.
According to historical records, Dou Defei had a beautiful appearance, was gentle and graceful, and was knowledgeable and courteous. When Li Dan was still the Prime Minister, Dou was a child and Li Dan liked her very much.
In the first year of Guangzhai (684 AD), Li Dan succeeded to the throne and became emperor, and Dou Shi was conferred the title of Empress Dowager. In the second year, Dou Defei gave birth to Li Longji, and later gave birth to two daughters, Princess Jinxian and Princess Yuzhen.
In the second year of Zaichu (690 AD), Wu Zetian deposed Li Dan from the throne and demoted him to Crown Prince in order to become her own emperor.
At this point, Li Dan’s life was not easy, but there were still women who fell in love with him. This woman is not someone else, but a group of palace maids by Wu Zetian’s side. Tuan’er wants to marry Li Dan, but Li Dan dare not accept her. Tuan Er believed that Li Dan’s wife Liu Shi and concubine Dou Defei were jealous and causing trouble, and did not want her to marry Li Dan.
Don’t underestimate the palace maids, they can sometimes bring bad luck to the imperial consort. In the second year of Changshou (693 AD), Tuan’er falsely accused Dou Defei and Crown Princess Liu of cursing Wu Zetian with vulgar witchcraft and witchcraft in front of her.
Wu Zetian was furious. On the second day of the first lunar month, she summoned Crown Princess Liu and Dou De into the palace. But these two noblewomen entered the palace and did not leave. Prince Li Dan also dared not ask Wu Zetian. So the two beautiful concubines disappeared, disappeared, evaporated like foam, and disappeared in the world.
In the first year of Jingyun (710 AD), when Li Dan was reinstated as Emperor Ruizong of Tang, the bodies of his wives and concubines could not be found even after digging three feet in the palace. According to some speculation, it should have been thrown into the river and drifted away.
Tang Ruizong naturally posthumously conferred the title of Su Ming Empress upon his hairless wife Liu Shi, and also posthumously conferred the title of Zhao Cheng Empress upon Dou Defei, the biological mother of Crown Prince Li Longji.
Wu Zetian naturally wouldn’t let go of Dou Defei’s family members. Dou Defei’s mother, Pang Shi, was reported by a servant for burning incense and praying for blessings at night. The cruel official Xue Jichang, in order to cater to the wishes of Empress Wu Zetian, falsely accused Pang of misconduct and cursed her. She was sentenced to execution on charges of “immorality” and her family members were also exiled.
Fortunately, Xu Gonggong, the attendant censor, was a righteous and good person. He defended Ponzi and saved him from the death penalty. But Dou Xiaochen, the father of Dou Defei, passed away during his exile in Luozhou, and all three brothers were also exiled to Lingnan (Guangdong).
After Dou Defei’s murder, her son Li Longji was raised by her sister Dou Shi. Later, when Li Longji became emperor, he was grateful for his aunt’s care and Dou Shi was conferred the title of Lady Deng. Mrs. Deng’s four sons, Zhang Qubang, Zhang Qubi, Zhang Qubi, and Zhang Qubi, all became high-ranking officials. Zhang Quyi’s daughter was later Empress Zhang of Tang Suzong.
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, treated Dou Defei’s family members well. Dou Defei’s three brothers were all nobles, and Dou Defei’s second sister Dou Shu was granted the title of Lady of Yan in the second year of the Xiantian reign.
It was not easy to be Empress Wu Zetian’s daughter-in-law, Dou Defei was killed at a young age. She died tragically only because Wu Zetian’s palace maid falsely accused her. A queen sacrificed herself for the one-sided love of a palace maid.
