Lady Cui

Lady Cui or Cuishi (崔氏) was a Chinese noblewoman of the Cui clan of Qinghe from the Cao Wei state during the Three Kingdoms period. She was the wife of Cao Zhi, a prince of Cao Wei and Cao Cao's son. She is best known for the incident that led to her death, Cuishi wore embroidered clothes to a ceremony and was seen by Cao Cao who later forced her to commit suicide because she violated a rule with her dress code. She dressed as the Crown Princess after a dispute over succession to the throne between Cao Zhi and Cao Pi, resulting in the latter's coronation. Biography Cuishi was born into the Cui clan of Qinghe in Qinghe Commandery. The Cui clan was an eminent Chinese family of high government officials and Confucian scholars. She was the niece of Cui Yan, a politician who served under Yuan Shao and later Cao Cao, the King of Wei. She married Cao Zhi, a prince and famous poet, who was embroiled in a succession dispute over the leadership of Wei with his half-brother Cao Pi. Cao Cao once called Lady Cui's uncle to ask for an opinion on who should succeed him. Cao Cao considered making Cao Zhi heir and expected Cui Yan to support him on Lady Cui's behalf, but Cui Yan surprised him by saying that he should make Cao Pi his successor as he was the eldest son. In 216, in an incident widely regarded as a case of grievous injustice, Cui Yan was accused of defaming Cao Cao in a letter and ended up being stripped of his post, thrown into prison and subsequently forced to commit suicide. During this time, Cao Cao became reluctant to Cao Zhi due to his bad behavior, such as the incident in the city of Ye where Cao Zhi walked drunk through the gate reserved only for the emperor. A close friend of Cao Zhi, Yang Xiu, tried to help him by leaking the council discussion agenda to Cao Zhi so that his friend could prepare beforehand and impress Cao Cao. When Cao Cao learned of this, he had Yang Xiu executed in 219.