倾国倾城 — “Of breathtaking and unparalleled beauty”

During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, a renowned musician named Li Yannian composed a famous poem: "In the north there is a beauty, peerless and independent. One glance from her would topple a city, another glance would ruin a country. How can one not know the city-toppling and country-ruining beauty? Such a charmer is hard to find again." This beauty was his younger sister.

Upon hearing this song, Emperor Wu was deeply impressed and subsequently took her as his concubine, who became known as Lady Li. Lady Li was exceptionally beautiful, skilled in music and dance, and greatly favored by Emperor Wu.

Later, when she became seriously ill, Emperor Wu frequently visited her. However, Lady Li consistently turned her back to him, refusing to show her face. She claimed that her emaciated appearance from illness might tarnish the beautiful image she held in the Emperor's heart.

After her death, Emperor Wu mourned and missed her deeply for a long time. The Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi later wrote a satirical poem, "Lady Li," based on this historical account, reflecting on the transient nature of beauty and the profound sorrow it can leave behind.