Chapter 158: With Her, Every Woman in Later Ages May Wear Phoenix Crown and Rosy Veil

Empress Ma governed the harem and became a timeless exemplar.

She never grew jealous of her own favor and treated the children born to the consorts with boundless affection, regarding them as her own.

Prince of Qin Zhu Shou, Prince of Jin Zhu Gang, Prince of Yan Zhu Di and other princes all received her meticulous instruction.

When a palace maid erred, she often pleaded on her behalf and taught her to reform.

She personally compiled the twenty chapters of the "Women's Precepts", instructing consorts and princesses in feminine virtue and demeanor, which solemnized the harem's atmosphere.

Historical records state that in the Hongwu harem, "the consorts lived in harmony, the princesses knew propriety, and the palace maids obeyed the law."

This was a marvel among the harems of successive emperors.

【May the benevolence reach all living beings, so that everyone may wear phoenix crowns and rosy veils.】

And the virtue of Empress Ma that most moves women of later ages is none other than a single imperial edict.

One day, Empress Ma was chatting casually with Zhu Yuanzhang about common folk marriages.

"When I married back then, I only had a set of washed white old clothes."

Empress Ma whispered, "Thinking of it now, I always feel regret. Not for lacking splendid garments, but for …"

"A woman's most important day in her life cannot be glorious because of her humble birth."

Zhu Yuanzhang grasped her hand: "We owe you."

Empress Ma shook her head: "I don't feel indebted. I just think that women across the world may share the same regret as I do."

"Perhaps they will never in their lives wear fine clothes or adorn themselves with fine jewelry."

She lifted her gaze, eyes earnest: "Your Majesty, I have a request."

"Speak."

"I ask Your Majesty to issue a decree permitting common women, when they marry, to set aside the ritual code and wear phoenix crowns and rosy veils, observing the rites of a ninth‑rank married woman, so that on their wedding day they may also have a moment of splendor without regret."

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned: "This… the Ministry of Rites may object."

"Ritual law is not beyond human sentiment."

Empress Ma said, "A woman's life centers on marriage. Let them, on that day, forget poverty and become the most beautiful brides. This grace may warm their whole lives."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the compassion in his wife's eyes and nodded firmly: "Very well! We approve!"

In the third year of Hongwu, the edict was promulgated throughout the realm:

"All common women marrying may use the ninth‑rank married woman's headgear and robes, temporarily setting aside ritual protocol, to display imperial benevolence."

When the edict was issued, the realm was electrified!

From then on, regardless of wealth or status, every bride on her wedding day could don a phoenix crown and a rosy veil, like a celestial maiden descending, marrying gloriously as a mortal wife.

Centuries later, the phoenix crown and rosy veil remained the supreme honor of Chinese women's marriages.

And this benevolence originated from an empress's compassion.

……

At this moment, across the myriad dynasties, a hush fell.

All emperors and ministers were moved by the empress's magnanimity.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng sighed deeply: "Granting all women phoenix crowns and rosy veils… such magnanimity has never existed in history."

"What she holds in her heart is not a single dynasty or surname, but all living beings of the world, the welfare of the myriad people. I, the lone ruler, admire her."

These words, spoken by a proud emperor, weighed more than a thousand pounds.

The Founding Emperor Liu Bang stared blankly at the heavens for a while, then said to Lv Zhi: "This Empress Ma… must be a bodhisattva reincarnated, right? How could she… think of such things?"

"Saving ministers, governing the harem, and still worrying about what women should wear when they marry… My heavens!"

Lv Zhi's eyes welled with tears as she whispered: "Because she came from the people, she understands the common folk's suffering and women's pain."

"Such compassion is something those seated in the deep palace can never learn."

Emperor Wu Liu Che held Wei Zifu tightly and sighed:

"Zifu, I now understand. The virtue of a wise empress lies not only in morality but also in benevolence. Empress Ma's benevolence is almost saintly. Her grace reaches all living beings, benefits the myriad people… she deserves the title 'Eternal First Empress.'"

Emperor Taizong Li Shimin said to Empress Changsun: "Guanyin maid, you compiled the 'Women's Precepts' to civilize the harem; you granted the phoenix crown and rosy veil blessing to women of the world. You… are all extraordinary women of the world."

Empress Changsun, tears streaming, said: "I am not like her. My thoughts remain within the palace; hers already span the world."

Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin murmured: "Having a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for? Having an empress like this, the dynasty's reign endures. Zhu Yuanzhang… truly is heaven‑chosen."

Cao Cao rose solemnly, faced the heavens, and bowed respectfully:

"Cao Mengde, I admire you! Empress Ma's virtue can be compared to Yao and Shun; her benevolence matches heaven and earth! If a saintly woman appears in later ages, Empress Ma shall be the foremost!"

Zhuge Liang, already tearful, faced the heavens and bowed deeply to the ground: "Zhuge Liang, on behalf of all women, thanks Empress Ma for her grace! This kindness shall be remembered for ten thousand generations!"

……

In the Ming plane, during the Hongwu era.

Nanjing Imperial Palace, the plaza before the Hall of Reverent Heaven.

Zhu Yuanzhang clasped Empress Ma's hand tightly; the two stood side by side, gazing up at the heavens.

Behind them, Crown Prince Zhu Biao, Prince of Yan Zhu Di, Prince of Qin Zhu Shou, Prince of Jin Zhu Gang and other imperial children, together with Li Shanchang, Liu Ji, Xu Da, Chang Yuchun and other civil and military officials, knelt en masse.

On the heavens above, a scene was being projected of Empress Ma's edict granting phoenix crowns and rosy veils, with the populace cheering.

Zhu Yuanzhang's old tears streamed, and he turned his head to look at his wife,

"Sister… you remember all this? You remember everything?"

Empress Ma's eyes also glistened with tears, yet she smiled and nodded:

"I remember. I remember everything. The rescue of my husband with a cake, comforting the army at Poyang Lake, selling our property to supply grain to the troops, rescuing Mr. Song, rescuing Shen Xiu… every single thing, I remember."

"But you never told me…"

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice choked, "You never said you sold all your ornaments, never said you fasted and prayed to save Song Lian, never said you…"

"What is the point of saying all this?"

Empress Ma spoke softly, 'It is what this humble concubine ought to do.'

I, this humble concubine, am able to marry you, Zhu Chongba, to witness you founding the Great Ming, to accompany Biao'er and Di'er as they grow up—this is already a great heavenly blessing.

No!

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head, tightly grasping her hand,

It is our fortune, it is I, Zhu Yuanzhang, it is our old Zhu family, it is the Great Ming's fortune to be able to marry you; this is the greatest blessing of our lifetime!

He turned, facing the kneeling descendants and officials filling the ground, and roared hoarsely:

Have you all seen? Have you all heard? This is our empress! This is your mother-empress! The one empress for all ages!

Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress! Long live! Long live forever! Mountains and seas roared, the sound shook the heavens.

Zhu Biao had tears streaming down his face; he kowtowed heavily: 'Your son congratulates the mother-empress, congratulates the Great Ming!'

Zhu Di also had reddened eyes, kowtowing: 'Mother-empress, your virtue shines through the ages; your son takes pride in you.'

Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, and the other old generals who once followed Zhu Yuanzhang in conquering the world were even more unable to stop their tears.

Many of them had received Empress Ma's favors, and had received her consolations.

We subjects wish to lay down our lives for Your Majesty, for the Empress, for the Great Ming! The generals shouted in unison.

Empress Ma gazed upon everything before her, tears falling like rain.

She bowed low before the heavens: 'This humble concubine, Ma Xiuying, what virtue, what ability, to receive such praise from the heavens, such adoration from the myriad people… this humble concubine kowtows in thanks for heavenly grace!'