After the Meridian Gate was opened, Old Madam Zhang's carriage did not enter; instead, she summoned the Emperor to ascend the Meridian Gate to receive her instructions. This admonition lasted for a full hour, with a historian recording every word faithfully. Old Madam Zhang remained seated in her carriage throughout, never showing herself to Emperor Jiaxi, but every word she spoke was enough to make the Emperor deeply reflect and to move the officials present to sincere conviction.
That night, Emperor Jiaxi, having heard the admonition, could not sleep a wink. At the next morning's court session, he issued an edict of self-reproach, demoted Consort Dou to the rank of Imperial Concubine Ying, and returned the Crown Prince to Empress Wen for rearing.
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