After her sudden death from illness at the age of 36, the emperor held a magnificent funeral for her and wrote tons of mournful poems in memoriam. Even at the age of 86, the emperor was still writing poems, regretting the decades he spent without the company of his wife.
Their love stories, being adapted into TV dramas, have melted the heart of millions. Many enthusiastic fans even held mourning ceremonies on social media after the character of Empress Xiaoxian died in "The Story of Yanxi Palace."
The exhibition was prepared in order to honor the 40th anniversary of the establishment of US-China diplomatic ties. A group of experts spent over four years traveling to the Forbidden City, excavating the hidden lives of the Chinese women.
"The study of women in history is exciting, timely and necessary," said curator Wang.
"We hope this exhibition not only dazzles you but also prompts broader reflection on the position of women in society and a sense of commonality and connection across time and cultures."
