In 637 AD, a young girl named Wu Ru Yi from Jingzhou County was selected into the imperial harem of the Tang Dynasty. Ru Yi danced very well and outshined all the other girls. During a rehearsal, she caught the attention and affection of the emperor Tai Zong Li Shi Min, who nicknamed her Meiniang, which means elegant lady. At the time, she was 14 years old, and he was 39. The same night, another girl was murdered, and everyone accused Meiniang of being the killer. She was tortured to confess the “truth” and was banished into the Cold Palace.
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