Who was the first empress in Chinese history to be deposed?

In China's long feudal history, the empress, as the emperor's legitimate wife, enjoyed a lofty and honorable status. However, not all empresses could enjoy wealth and honor peacefully, and some even suffered the fate of being deposed. Among these tragic figures, the first empress to be deposed in Chinese history was Lady Qi from the Western Han Dynasty.

Lady Qi, whose original name is unknown, was born in the early Western Han Dynasty. She came from humble origins but gained the favor of Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang due to her beauty and intelligence. After Liu Bang established the Han Dynasty, Lady Qi was crowned as the empress. However, her glory did not last long, as her intelligence and wit aroused the jealousy of Empress Lu.

Empress Lu, the legitimate wife of Emperor Gaozu, was a master of intrigue. She was deeply aware that her power and status were threatened by Lady Qi, and therefore, she was determined to eliminate this potential rival. Under Empress Lu's orchestration, Lady Qi was framed for treason and ultimately deposed from her position as empress, reduced to a commoner.

After losing her status as empress, Lady Qi's fate became even more tragic. She was imprisoned in the Changle Palace by Empress Lu and suffered immense torments. According to historical records, Empress Lu even chopped off Lady Qi's limbs, gouged out her eyes, burned her ears, cut off her tongue, and finally threw her into a latrine, displaying extreme cruelty. This event, known as the "Punishment of the Human Pig," is one of the most brutal punishments in Chinese history.

Lady Qi's tragic fate not only reveals the cruelty of palace intrigues but also reflects the helplessness and sorrow of ancient women in a patriarchal society. Her life was filled with twists and turns, making her the first empress to be deposed in Chinese history and a victim of the palace intrigues of the feudal society.

Today, when we look back at Lady Qi's life, we should not only admire her beauty and intelligence but also reflect on the injustice and oppression faced by women in that era. In today's society, we should respect women more, safeguard their rights, and allow every woman to pursue her own happiness freely.

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