Is “She had a secret romance with Cao Zhi, inspiring the Rhapsody of the Luo River” true?
novel invention
Tang dynasty Li Shan's commentary on Selections of Refined Literature falsely claimed Cao Zhi wrote it in memory of Lady Zhen; official Records of the Three Kingdoms confirms they had no such relationship, and the rhapsody was inspired by a goddess.
Lady Zhen
In official history, she was Empress of Emperor Wen of Wei and mother of Cao Rui; in fiction, a romance with Cao Zhi was invented.