The Upright Empress

Yue Opera (Shaoxing)
Upon ascending the throne, Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty swiftly appointed Lady Dou as empress and successfully located her long-lost brother, Dou Guangping, missing for twelve years. Unfortuantely, the innocent Guangping fell victim to the deceitful schemes of others and comitted a capital offense. With the familial ties and deep affection with Empress Dou, the Emperor Wen was caught into a dilemma when deciding the case, ambivalent between enforcing the law and yielding to personal sentiments. While Empress Dowager Dou, with a profound understanding of righteousness, upon hearing the distressing news of her younger brother's wrongdoing, though deeply pained, still supported Emperor Wen's strict enforcement of the law. It results in the execution of Dou Guangping.