Zhang Qijie
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Empress Zhang (1504 – 1537) was the second wife of the Jiajing Emperor of China, raised in the Forbidden City alongside other concubines. She was the childhood best friend of Shao Jun, who became an Assassin after escaping the Imperial court.
During Emperor Zhengde's rule, young Zhang and Jun were poised to become Imperial Consort or even Empress, but with his death, their fate became unclear. During the interregnum, Jun contacted the Assassins and left Zhang with the new ruler, Jiajing. Fortunately, she did not lose her title. After the Great Rites Controversy, Jun infiltrated the Forbidden City to free Zhang and the other concubines. Zhang refused the offer, and told her that she wanted to stay, even if the Emperor was a cruel man. She was lucky to please him and did not want to hear about Templar plots. Zhang told Jun to leave in peace, and Jun accepted her decision. With her hard work and patience, she became the Jiajing's Empress.
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In 1530, Zhang Yong and Qiu Ju used Zhang to set a trap for Shao Jun. The Templars threatened her life and so she agreed. When Jun arrived, she was horrified to find the only person alive that she could trust had betrayed her; nevertheless, she forgave Zhang.