𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐱

Zhu Jingfei Empress of China points: 0 (06/01/21)

[kosemsultanim]

[phcenixempress]

🔪 - protect, attack, fight side-by-side with: Yicheng, Xianmin, Xizong :)

PROTECT - Xianmin  ATTACK - Yicheng (just bc you made me choose adjasjd also Yicheng would know how to fight back, so) FIGHT SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH - Xizong ( @xizcng )

[phcenixempress]

💋 the chinese

💋 - hug, cuddle, kiss.

HUG - Yin ( @yinjianjun ), Wen ( @prince-wen ), Yanmei ( @pinyanmei ) CUDDLE - Yicheng ( @crownedprxncess ) KISS -  Xizong ( @xizcng​ )

[phcenixempress]

What is the thing you miss most about your old life, in comparison to the one you know now?

This blog is accepting development anons!

Bug my character about their past! Ask them about the things you wonder about! Give them scenarios to get their brain going! Today is all about bringing out the growth hiding within my character.

"Nothing. I’m much happier than I could’ve ever been in my previous life before the Emperor. He’s given me the world and I thank his Imperial Majesty for choosing me. My children are my source of strength, a strength I would’ve never experienced if it wasn’t for my life as Empress.”

[phcenixempress]

closed starter for @yinjianjun​  (Yin Jianjun) location: the empress’ chambers

Despite her quest for allies and freedom, Jingfei couldn’t deny her inner desire to make sure her daughter’s marriage worked out. An invasion of privacy Jingfei knew too well herself. Alas, there were more important matters than her daughter’s marriage at the moment, so her meeting with the general had been postponed twice by now. Today would be the day, however. She’d freed her busy schedule to talk with Jianjun, had demanded all advisers to stay away and guard her lodging properly. No one should be able to listen to them. 

“General,” Jingfei acknowledged with a slight smile, “sit.” The empress pointed towards the seat in front of her. The table was lavishly decorated with flowers and completely covered with various dishes one could barely see the French wood. “I hope you’re hungry.” To deny the empress would be a fatal mistake, “and I do hope you’ve been a good and just husband to my daughter.” 

[phcenixempress]

closed starter for @pinyanmei​  (Sun Yanmei) location: Notre Dame

“A fine example of Parisian architecture. It took almost 200 years to build, but this, your Imperial Majesty, is one of our proudest creations.” The ambassador tried to advertise Notre Dame as a masterpiece of architecture and heaven on earth. Jingfei chuckled after his words. 200 years to build a church of this size. “Please do not interpret my laughter as a sign of disrespect. I’m sure if there’s another grande project in the works we’d be willing to send 500.000 workers your way to help out, to further seal our new relationship with the west. After all it took a mere 14 years to build our city.” The ambassador remained quiet and simply stared at the empress. Upon realizing his mistake he bowed down without hesitation.

Jingfei didn’t look at him once she kept on walking. Instead, she turned her attention towards a much prettier, yet much more infuriating creature. Sun Yanmei, newest addition to her husband’s harem. “Sun Yanmei,” Jingfei stopped so she’d have time to come closer, “I’ll explore Notre Dame on my own. Feel free to leave. Except,” the empress lifted her head and pointed towards Yanmei with her chin, “you.” Once the others left Jingfei smiled at the other woman. “I think you’re lost, Sun Yanmei. Your priorities should be with the emperor, always.”

[phcenixempress]

closed starter for @xizcng​ (Zhu Xizong) location: château de Fontainebleau 

Tireless, determined -- the empress had difficulties sleeping ever since arriving in France. While this would usually be an issue for others, Jingfei powered through always keeping her son in mind. Alliances with the west would help in stabilizing the line of succession and, backed up by Europe, create an undeniable claim to the throne. The empress worked with an unmatched focus for her goals, leaving almost no time for other matters. She eventually dropped ink over the edge of her notes, ruining the paper but luckily not her private thoughts written down. Was this a sign for her to find comfort and relaxation in the arms of her husband? It was past twelve o’clock by now. Most were asleep by now and would awake in less than six hours to pick up where they’d left off. 

The empress stood up from her study and signaled for the servants to open her door. Leaving her chamber she moved through the almost empty castle towards her husband’s chamber, hoping he’d be alone, and awake, at such an hour. Two scenarios that weren’t that unlikely, but the empress didn’t falter. Instead, she knocked once, then again, to see if anyone would open. “My love,” Jingfei placed her hand flat against the door. “I cannot sleep without by my side,” Jingfei confessed, a white lie, really, but then again the truth. She did have troubles sleeping without him by her side. 

[phcenixempress]

closed starter for @kingcfnaples​  (Ferdinand Trastamara) location: Palais-Cardinal

She’d heard about the great news. The king of Naples had just been betrothed to his beloved. A solemn event, really, one she wholeheartedly supported despite not knowing neither the bride nor the groom. And yet she’d traveled all the way towards palais-cardinal in hopes of sending out her congratulations in person and to possibly meet the man, to further analyze who he is, what motivates and excites him, but also what might control and angers the king. Such opportunities came in handy. Those who were too focused on either joy or happiness were usually less likely to detect manipulation or, well, a guiding hand or advice in some matters. 

“Your Grace,” Jingfei nodded towards the king upon exciting the carriage. A convoy followed her imperial carriage and various men had cleared the path before she’d exited. “I’m pleased to hear about your betrothal. It shall bring forth nothing but joy, prosperity and everything you so desire.” The empress nodded slightly towards the right. One of her ladies in waiting held a golden cup, adorned with small rubies, on a small velvet cushion. Another servant had various shiny fabrics draped over his arm. “I hope your majesty will accept my gifts.”

[phcenixempress]

closed starter for @shroudedson​ (Rudolf Rurik) location: château de Fontainebleau

She’d expected to meet kings and queens with only a day apart from one another. Alas, the west couldn’t keep up with Jingfei’s constant ambition and determination to meet all possible allies. The next on her list had been Russia. The crown prince, to be exact, the possible next generation to aid her son in his quest to become emperor one day. Given their size and power Jingfei had no doubt about Russia’s increasing popularity and influence on the world’s chessboard. If anything she had to be careful not to anger or underestimate them. Imperial China, the Ming dynasty, didn’t matter too much in a world where their influence wasn’t as touchable. 

“Tell me, crown prince,” the empress began with a slight smile on her lips, “What are your ambitions?” she walked next to him throughout the nearby forest, a whole army, or so it seemed, following them from either court, “you’re tall, handsome, surely intelligent and strong. There must be much to gain at such a young age, much to desire.”

[phcenixempress]

closed starter for @crownedprxncess​ (Yin Yicheng) location: château de Fontainebleau, imperial chambers

The empress sat next to the window overlooking the forest surrounding them. It had been a quiet journey from China all the way to France. A long one, but nothing even worth mentioning. Just like always she’d have given up everything for her children if it meant to secure more power, to secure them a safe handover of power. To be in the heart of a foreign kingdom, however, was never easy, so she looked for familiar comfort whenever possible. She’d sent her private secretary to fetch the only woman she truly cared for, whose opinions and complacency she valued more than her own. Scheduled at around 2 PM, Jingfei intended to dine with her daughter accompanied by the sun shining over slowly growing flowers. They’d still need some more weeks to grow, but the only flower of interest today, which had already grown beautifully, was her daughter. 

Jingfei heard the door open, but didn’t turn around. “Your Imperial Highness? The princess of the first rank, Yin Yicheng.” It was only after her daughter’s name fell that Jingfei turned around with a smile on her face. “My moon, welcome,” she nodded towards the servants so they’d leave and not come back without the various meals they’d prepared for the emperor’s daughter’s visit. Jingfei moved closer and gently kissed Yicheng’s forehead “I hope you’ve been well. Has their treatment been up to our standard?”

[phcenixempress]

FAN BINGBING, 43, ZHU JINGFEI. ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1458. thanks is given by the EMPRESS, ZHU JINGFEI, from THE CHINESE EMPIRE. they are at best UNSWERVING, and at their worst SLY. whilst abroad, their ambition is to AID HER SON IN REMAINING NEXT IN LINE IN BECOMING THE EMPEROR, TO REMAIN A PUBLIC FIGURE OF HIGH IMPORTANCE WITHIN THE CHINESE COURT & TO CULTIVATE THE MING DYNASTY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WEST. SHE/HER seems to remind everyone of FAN BINGBING & A PHOENIX, RUBIES AS RED AS HER LIPS & A HAIRPIN AS SHARP AS A DAGGER. ❞

INTRODUCTION

Jingfei has set herself various missions to uphold her own importance within China and to further establish herself as the empress to further secure her own bloodline within the dynasty. First and foremost Jingfei realizes the threat she’s facing coming from the prince of the second rank, zhao, a rival of Jingfei’s son and a direct threat to her bloodline. Jingfei is determined to use her husband’s growing connections to the west to aid her son in gaining allies from outside of China as well as help him grow a respectable reputation among courtiers. As the rightful empress, Jingfei faces envy from various sides, even from her own extended family, the empress dowager Liqin. Time is also one of her biggest enemies. It is now, after bearing the emperor a healthy son, first in line, too, that Jingfei desires to get back onto the chessboard as queen, no, empress. Her cunning wit and ability to fascinate the masses will, hopefully, aid her in the quest of pulling ahead in the never ending race to the top. After all you can only fall if you are already on the top.

HISTORY

Jingfei grew up never once even dreaming about one day being empress. Even though her father was one of the few advisors to the late emperor Gaozu, Jingfei found herself somewhat lost at court. This was especially the case after her younger brother was born and robbed her of what little affection she could get from her busy parents. While this would certainly turn other children into malicious, envious and most certainly stubborn children, Jingfei adapted to her new role as older sister and made sure her voice was heard from far and wide, through writing, through speeches and actions. Not only was acceptance the way to a better understanding of herself and her situation, but acceptance helped her form a better relationship with her brother and family. Studious and well-read, Jingfei decided not to fully accept the idea of a woman born into a male-dominated world. Creative and determined, she mimicked her father’s great talent in persuasion and writing, however, decided against publishing any of it once she’d grown into a woman. As a girl one could possibly forgive her ideas and diplomatic fiction, could even call them creative rather than a reality - as a woman Jingfei approached court life with hidden ambitions, but not before making sure any traces of her creative streak had been burned. She’d fully established her court by the age of seventeen, and, once the time had come, Jingfei got married to the young emperor Xizong (a fate she gladly accepted and worked towards). 

Life had been a never ending dream ever since marrying the emperor. It took two years for Jingfei to bear the emperor a healthy son, the next in line to become emperor of the Ming dynasty. With her bloodline secured and her duty fulfilled, Jingfei fully established herself as the incontestable empress of china. This has given her the strength to see past the emperor’s affairs and children he’s produced. It is the belief in herself and her children, that motivates her, that keeps her strong and, in a way, beautiful. She is in a position of absolute power, a position she clings to no matter what. 

PERSONALITY

Jingfei is an ambitious, elegant, educated, social and popular woman. Her youth had been eye-opening to her in terms of when to speak and when to remain quiet, so even though she works tirelessly for her legacy, Jingfei is determined to remain in line for now. She uses her popularity among courtiers as a way to strengthen her son’s influence at court, also to weaken her rivals. She is sly and an imaginative woman always searching for new ways to gain more influence and power. The west is just what she needed to reach new heights. However, on the other side, Jingfei can be calculating, manipulative, selfish, domineering and deceptive. 

[assyrianjalebi]

Fan Bingbing in The Empress of China (2014)