Story:
Baosi was among a group of pretty slave girls presented as tribute to the Zhou emperor, King You. From the moment he laid eyes on her, he was fascinated by her look of utter indifference. Used to the sycophantic ladies of the court, her coldness was particularly seductive. He cast out his existing empress and her son, and made Baosi empress instead.
Even though she had ascended to the ranks of nobility, Baosi still refused to smile for the emperor. He once overheard her maid remark that one of her rare smiles was bewitching and full of charm like no other woman's, and he was determined to see for himself.
In the capital city was a beacon to be lit only upon enemy attack. King You commanded it be lit. From far and wide, the army and generals converged upon the city. People living within the city walls were fine, but those on the outside were thrown into a panic and confusion. Upon seeing the uproar, Baosi smiled coolly. King You was ecstatic. He informed everyone there was no enemy attack, he only wanted to see Baosi smile, and sent them home.
From then on, King You would order the beacon be lit and the alarm be sounded from time to time. After this happened several times, the army and generals grew weary of the ridicule, and stopped responding. That's when the enemies of the empire invaded the imperial city. The beacon was lit, but no one came. King You was captured and killed, bringing about the end of the Zhou dynasty.