As Empress and "retired Empress"
Gao Dan took the throne (as Emperor Wucheng) in 561 upon the death of another brother, Emperor Xiaozhao. He created her empress, and created her son Gao Wei crown prince. However, both Emperor Wucheng and she favored their other son, Gao Yan, more, believing him to be more intelligent and resolute.
Empress Hu was alleged to be promiscuous, even during Emperor Wucheng's reign. She was said to have initially engaged in sexual relations with her eunuchs -- although, in light of their being previously castrated, the traditional historians used the term xiexia (褻狎, "immoral games") rather than "adultery" to describe her acts with them. Later, with one of his officials, He Shikai, gaining great favors with him and allowed to enter the palace at all times, she engaged in a sexual relationship with He Shikai.
In 565, Emperor Wucheng, believing in astrological signs that the imperial reign would be changed, passed the throne to Gao Wei. He took the title of Taishang Huang (retired emperor), while creating Empress Hu the title of Taishang Huanghou ("retired empress"). However, the matters of state were still decided by him, rather than the nine-year-old Gao Wei. During this period, Gao Yan was initially created the Prince of Dongping and then the Prince of Langye. Because of the retired emperor's and empress' great favor toward Gao Yan, he became exceedingly honored, and at times he would question his parents as to why his brother, who was weaker in personality than he was, was emperor. Emperor Wucheng and Empress Hu at times considered deposing Gao Wei and making Gao Yan emperor, but ultimately did not do so.
In spring 568, Emperor Wucheng became ill, but after treatment by the medically-talented official Xu Zhicai (徐之才), recovered. In winter 568, however, the illness retired, and he quickly tried to summon Xu, who was then the governor of Yan Province (兗州, roughly modern Jining, Shandong), to the capital Yecheng (鄴城, in modern Handan, Hebei), but died before Xu could arrive. Thereafter, Empress Hu assumed the title of empress dowager.
Read more about this topic: Empress Hu (Wucheng)
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