The story of the relationship between Ming Chengzu Zhu Di and Empress Xu is a good story in Chinese history. Their marriage lasted for thirty years, and after the death of Empress Xu, Zhu Di missed her for seventeen years.
This special relationship between husband and wife not only reflects the personal charm of Empress Xu, but also reflects Zhu Di's deep feelings for her and the characteristics of the relationship between the emperor and the concubine in the imperial society at that time.
Empress Xu's personal charm was an important factor in contributing to this deep relationship. According to historical records, Empress Xu had outstanding character and wisdom.
During Zhu Di's campaign of Jingjing, she not only supported her husband's political decision-making, but also handled the affairs of the harem safely at home, showing her firmness and intelligence.
After Zhu Di became emperor, Empress Xu maintained a modest and low-key attitude in the harem and dutifully fulfilled her duties as an empress. These qualities of hers have undoubtedly won Zhu Di's respect and love.
Empress Xu's role in Zhu Di's life is not only that of the queen, but also of his companion and friend. She played an important supporting role in Zhu Di's political career, especially in the early years of Zhu Di's reign, and Empress Xu's support played a key role in his stable rule.
In ancient China, the emperor's concubines were often not only companions in family life, but also partners in political life. Empress Xu complements Zhu Di precisely in these two aspects.
Zhu Di's feelings for Empress Xu also reflect the profundity of his personal feelings. Although Zhu Di was a tough and decisive ruler politically as the king of a country, his feelings for Empress Xu in his personal life were gentle and deep.
After the death of Empress Xu, Zhu Di missed her for a long time, which showed his deep affection for Empress Xu. In the social context of the time, it was very rare for an emperor to have such deep feelings for a concubine.
Empress Xu's death had a profound impact on Zhu Di. His long-term reluctance to establish Empress Xu after her death reflects to some extent his loyalty to Empress Xu and his devotion to her. This kind of emotional expression was very special in the imperial society at that time.