The Perilous Politics of Imperial Marriages

In the tumultuous world of medieval Chinese dynasties, royal marriages were rarely about love. They were strategic alliances, tools for political gain, and often ended in betrayal. The Later Yan dynasty (384–407 CE), a short-lived state during the chaotic Sixteen Kingdoms period, witnessed two particularly ruthless rulers—Murong Sheng and Murong Xi—whose reigns were marked by ingratitude, treachery, and the tragic fates of the women who loved them.

The Rise of Murong Sheng: A Survivor’s Ambition

Murong Sheng, grandson of Later Yan’s founder Murong Chui, grew up in an era of bloodshed. The collapse of the Former Qin dynasty saw the massacre of Murong clan members by the vengeful Fu Jian. Young Murong Sheng fled to his uncle Murong Chong before eventually returning to his grandfather’s court.

Recognized for his intelligence and military prowess, Murong Sheng was favored by Murong Chui, who arranged his marriage to Lan Han’s daughter—a woman two generations his senior, yet such age gaps were overlooked among the nomadic Xianbei aristocracy. Lan Shi, as she was known, was a devoted wife who cared deeply for her husband and his foster mother, Lady Ding.

Betrayal and Bloodshed: The Fall of Murong Bao

When Murong Sheng’s father, Murong Bao, ascended the throne, his incompetence led to disaster. Ignoring counsel, he launched a doomed campaign against Northern Wei, leaving Murong Sheng and Lan Han in charge. The campaign failed, and Lan Han—Murong Sheng’s father-in-law—betrayed the emperor, murdering him and seizing power.

Murong Sheng, suspecting treachery, had warned his father, but Murong Bao dismissed his concerns, trusting his uncle Lan Han. The betrayal left Murong Sheng grief-stricken but determined to avenge his father.

A Wife’s Desperate Plea: Lan Shi’s Sacrifice

Lan Shi, caught between loyalty to her father and love for her husband, pleaded for Murong Sheng’s life when Lan Han considered executing him. Her tears swayed Lan Han, sparing Murong Sheng—a decision he would later regret.

Murong Sheng bided his time, exploiting divisions within Lan Han’s family. He orchestrated Lan Han’s downfall, culminating in the murder of both Lan Han and his son, Lan Mu. Yet, in his ruthless vengeance, Murong Sheng turned on his own wife, Lan Shi, who had twice saved his life. Only the intervention of Lady Ding stopped him from killing her.

Haunted by guilt over her father’s death, Lan Shi wasted away, her beauty fading into sorrow. Murong Sheng, now emperor, never made her empress. His reign was brief—three years later, he was assassinated by his own guards.

The Reign of Murong Xi: Passion and Perfidy

With Murong Sheng dead, Lady Ding—now dowager empress—shocked the court by installing her young brother-in-law, Murong Xi, as emperor. The reason? A forbidden love affair.

Murong Xi, only 17, had grown up under Lady Ding’s care. Their relationship blurred the lines between maternal affection and romantic entanglement. Once on the throne, however, Murong Xi grew weary of his aging lover.

The Rise of the Fu Sisters and Lady Ding’s Downfall

Murong Xi’s attention shifted to the beautiful Fu sisters—Fu Song’e and Fu Xunying. Their whims dictated court life: summer ice dishes in winter, winter herbs in summer, and unchecked extravagance. Lady Ding, scorned and heartbroken, plotted against Murong Xi—only to be betrayed.

Confronted by Murong Xi, she begged for reconciliation before taking her own life. Murong Xi, unmoved, executed her nephew. His cruelty knew no bounds—until fate intervened.

The Fall of a Tyrant

When Fu Xunying died, Murong Xi mourned extravagantly, walking barefoot behind her funeral procession. His absence sparked a coup. The soldiers who once feared him now turned, ending his reign in blood.

Legacy of the Ungrateful Kings

The stories of Murong Sheng and Murong Xi reveal the brutal calculus of power in medieval China. Love, loyalty, and gratitude were expendable in the pursuit of the throne. Yet their reigns were short, their legacies stained by betrayal.

For Lan Shi and Lady Ding, their tragedies underscore the precarious position of women in royal courts—loved when useful, discarded when not. Their tales endure as cautionary reminders of the costs of ambition unchecked by conscience.

In the end, neither king died beloved. Their reigns, built on ingratitude, collapsed just as swiftly—proof that even emperors could not escape the consequences of their cruelty.