"Oljeitu the Beautiful" Story
Elbeg Khan (1361 - 1399) was the Mongol Khan of the Northern Yuan dynasty based in Mongolia. One day, he was hunting with his chief advisor (taifu) and saw hare's blood on the newly fallen snow. He mused: "Is there a lady with a face white as snow and cheeks as red as blood?" The taifu responded: "I know just such a beautiful lady. It is forbidden for you to see her, as she is Oljeitu, the wife of your son." The Khan ordered the taifu to bring the lady to him.
When the taifu informed the princess of the summons, she was greatly angered, for she knew the evil intent in the Khan's heart. She refused to go. The Khan then killed his son and took his daughter-in-law. He made her his consort.
One evening, the taifu came to the Khan's tent to speak with him. The Khan was away, but Oljeitu invited him inside to drink some yogurt. She spoke sweetly to him, and thanked him for his help in elevating her status to queen. She poured wine for him and water for herself, and soon he fell into a drunken sleep. Quickly, she moved him to her bed. She undid her hair and scratched at her face and clothing, and sent a envoy to summon the Khan.
As the Khan arrived, the taifu awoke and ran from the tent. The Khan pursued him and killed him, and gave the skin of the taifu's back to Oljeitu. Vindicated, she declared, "The blood of the Khan murdering his own son and the taifu betraying his lord - this blend is my feminine revenge for my beloved Huang Taizi. I am ready to die now." Realizing the deception, Elbeg regretted his sin and did not punish Oljeitu. Instead he gave one of his daughters to the taifu's son as a wife to prevent hostilities and sent him to rule the Four Tumens (federation of Oirat tribes).
Elbeg Khan (1361 - 1399) was the Mongol Khan of the Northern Yuan dynasty based in Mongolia. One day, he was hunting with his chief advisor (taifu) and saw hare's blood on the newly fallen snow. He mused: "Is there a lady with a face white as snow and cheeks as red as blood?" The taifu responded: "I know just such a beautiful lady. It is forbidden for you to see her, as she is Oljeitu, the wife of your son." The Khan ordered the taifu to bring the lady to him.
When the taifu informed the princess of the summons, she was greatly angered, for she knew the evil intent in the Khan's heart. She refused to go. The Khan then killed his son and took his daughter-in-law. He made her his consort.
One evening, the taifu came to the Khan's tent to speak with him. The Khan was away, but Oljeitu invited him inside to drink some yogurt. She spoke sweetly to him, and thanked him for his help in elevating her status to queen. She poured wine for him and water for herself, and soon he fell into a drunken sleep. Quickly, she moved him to her bed. She undid her hair and scratched at her face and clothing, and sent a envoy to summon the Khan.
As the Khan arrived, the taifu awoke and ran from the tent. The Khan pursued him and killed him, and gave the skin of the taifu's back to Oljeitu. Vindicated, she declared, "The blood of the Khan murdering his own son and the taifu betraying his lord - this blend is my feminine revenge for my beloved Huang Taizi. I am ready to die now." Realizing the deception, Elbeg regretted his sin and did not punish Oljeitu. Instead he gave one of his daughters to the taifu's son as a wife to prevent hostilities and sent him to rule the Four Tumens (federation of Oirat tribes).
