晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)公五(wu)年(nian)(前672年(nian)),晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)公攻打(da)驪(li)(li)戎(古代少數民(min)族(zu)名(ming),西(xi)戎的一支,姬姓,在今陜(shan)西(xi)省臨(lin)潼縣的驪(li)(li)山(shan)),結果晉(jin)軍一戰而勝,驪(li)(li)戎求(qiu)和將驪(li)(li)姬與其(qi)妹少姬獻(xian)(xian)(xian)給晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)公。晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)公得到驪(li)(li)姬姐妹二人后,對她(ta)們(men)十分(fen)寵愛。后來(lai),晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)公將驪(li)(li)姬立為夫人。
晉(jin)獻公(gong)(gong)十二年(前(qian)665年),驪(li)姬(ji)為晉(jin)獻公(gong)(gong)生(sheng)下(xia)兒(er)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)奚齊(qi)。驪(li)姬(ji)想立奚齊(qi)為太(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi),于是(shi)(shi)(shi)賄(hui)賂(lu)晉(jin)獻公(gong)(gong)的(de)(de)男寵梁五(wu)和東關(guan)嬖五(wu),讓他們對(dui)晉(jin)獻公(gong)(gong)說:“曲沃(wo)(今山(shan)西聞(wen)喜東北(bei))是(shi)(shi)(shi)晉(jin)國先祖(zu)宗廟所在的(de)(de)地方,最好派太(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)去(qu)鎮守(shou),而蒲城(cheng)(今山(shan)西鄉(xiang)寧縣及(ji)(ji)周(zhou)邊(bian)(bian)一(yi)帶) 靠近秦國,屈城(cheng)(一(yi)作南北(bei)屈,在今山(shan)西吉(ji)縣及(ji)(ji)鄉(xiang)寧一(yi)帶)靠近翟(zhai)國(今山(shan)西鄉(xiang)寧及(ji)(ji)周(zhou)邊(bian)(bian)一(yi)帶),是(shi)(shi)(shi)邊(bian)(bian)防要塞,最好派公(gong)(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)重耳(er)和公(gong)(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)夷(yi)吾(wu)分別防守(shou)。”晉(jin)獻公(gong)(gong)中計,于是(shi)(shi)(shi)派太(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)住(zhu)在曲沃(wo),公(gong)(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)重耳(er)住(zhu)在蒲城(cheng),公(gong)(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)夷(yi)吾(wu)住(zhu)在屈城(cheng)。只(zhi)留下(xia)奚齊(qi)與少姬(ji)的(de)(de)兒(er)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)卓子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)在身(shen)邊(bian)(bian),居住(zhu)在都(dou)城(cheng)絳城(cheng),以伺(si)機廢掉太(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)。晉(jin)國人(ren)據此推知(zhi)太(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)將不會繼位(wei)。太(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)的(de)(de)母親(qin)是(shi)(shi)(shi)齊(qi)桓公(gong)(gong)之女,名叫(jiao)齊(qi)姜(jiang),很(hen)早去(qu)世。太(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)的(de)(de)同母妹妹穆(mu)姬(ji)是(shi)(shi)(shi)秦穆(mu)公(gong)(gong)的(de)(de)夫人(ren)。公(gong)(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)重耳(er)的(de)(de)母親(qin),是(shi)(shi)(shi)翟(zhai)國(今山(shan)西鄉(xiang)寧及(ji)(ji)周(zhou)邊(bian)(bian)一(yi)帶)狐氏的(de)(de)女兒(er)。公(gong)(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)夷(yi)吾(wu)的(de)(de)母親(qin),是(shi)(shi)(shi)重耳(er)母親(qin)的(de)(de)妹妹。晉(jin)獻公(gong)(gong)有八個兒(er)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi),其中太(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)、公(gong)(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)重耳(er)、公(gong)(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)夷(yi)吾(wu)都(dou)很(hen)賢德。當晉(jin)獻公(gong)(gong)得到(dao)驪(li)姬(ji)之后,就開始疏(shu)遠這三個兒(er)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)。
晉(jin)獻公私下對驪(li)(li)姬(ji)說:“我想廢黜(chu)太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申生,讓(rang)奚齊(qi)做太(tai)(tai)子(zi)。”驪(li)(li)姬(ji)哭著說:“太(tai)(tai)子(zi)被立,諸侯(hou)都(dou)已知道(dao),而且他數次領兵,百姓都(dou)擁護他,怎么能因我的(de)原因而廢掉嫡子(zi)改立庶(shu)子(zi)?您一定要那(nei)樣(yang)做,我就去自(zi)殺。”驪(li)(li)姬(ji)表(biao)面佯裝稱譽太(tai)(tai)子(zi),暗地里卻讓(rang)人(ren)誹謗太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申生,想立自(zi)己的(de)兒子(zi)為太(tai)(tai)子(zi)。
晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)二十一(yi)(yi)年(nian)(nian)(前656年(nian)(nian)),驪姬(ji)(ji)對(dui)太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)說(shuo),晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)曾夢見他的(de)母親齊(qi)姜,讓他速去(qu)(qu)曲(qu)(qu)沃祭(ji)祀(si)一(yi)(yi)番,回(hui)(hui)來后(hou)把祭(ji)祀(si)用的(de)胙(zuo)肉(rou)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)給晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)。太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)于是(shi)(shi)(shi)到(dao)曲(qu)(qu)沃祭(ji)祀(si)母親齊(qi)姜后(hou),將胙(zuo)肉(rou)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)給晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)。當時晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)剛好出外打獵,驪姬(ji)(ji)把胙(zuo)肉(rou)放在宮中。六天(一(yi)(yi)作兩(liang)天)后(hou),晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)打獵回(hui)(hui)來,驪姬(ji)(ji)暗中派人(ren)在胙(zuo)肉(rou)中下(xia)毒(du),然后(hou)讓廚師(shi)將胙(zuo)肉(rou)奉給晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)。晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)要吃胙(zuo)肉(rou),驪姬(ji)(ji)從旁邊阻止晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)說(shuo):“胙(zuo)肉(rou)來自(zi)遠(yuan)方,應試試它。”便把胙(zuo)肉(rou)給狗吃,狗死(si)(si)了;給宮中廝役嘗(chang),廝役也死(si)(si)了。驪姬(ji)(ji)哭著說(shuo):“太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)為何(he)這般殘忍呀(ya)!連自(zi)己父(fu)親都想殺害去(qu)(qu)接替他,更何(he)況(kuang)其他人(ren)呢?再說(shuo)父(fu)君年(nian)(nian)老,早(zao)(zao)晚都是(shi)(shi)(shi)要死(si)(si)的(de)人(ren),竟迫不(bu)(bu)及(ji)待(dai)而想謀害他!”驪姬(ji)(ji)又對(dui)晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)說(shuo):“太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)這樣(yang)做,不(bu)(bu)過是(shi)(shi)(shi)因為我(wo)和(he)奚齊(qi)的(de)緣故。我(wo)希望(wang)讓我(wo)母子(zi)(zi)倆(lia)躲到(dao)別的(de)國家去(qu)(qu),或者早(zao)(zao)點自(zi)殺,不(bu)(bu)要白(bai)白(bai)讓母子(zi)(zi)倆(lia)被太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)糟踏(ta)。早(zao)(zao)先您想廢(fei)他,我(wo)還反對(dui)您;到(dao)如今,我(wo)才知道在這件(jian)事上是(shi)(shi)(shi)大錯(cuo)特錯(cuo)。”太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)聽說(shuo)這消息后(hou),逃奔到(dao)新城。晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)大怒,就殺死(si)(si)太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)的(de)老師(shi)杜原款。
有人對太(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)說(shuo),放毒藥(yao)的是(shi)(shi)驪(li)(li)姬,讓太(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)在(zai)晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)公(gong)面(mian)前聲辯,晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)公(gong)必會(hui)相(xiang)信(xin)。太(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)說(shuo),晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)公(gong)如果(guo)沒有驪(li)(li)姬,就會(hui)睡眠不(bu)(bu)安,飲食不(bu)(bu)甘。他(ta)(ta)(ta)如果(guo)聲辯,驪(li)(li)姬必定有罪(zui)。現在(zai)晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)公(gong)年老,驪(li)(li)姬有罪(zui)會(hui)使晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)公(gong)不(bu)(bu)高興,這樣(yang)他(ta)(ta)(ta)也會(hui)憂郁不(bu)(bu)樂。有人勸太(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)逃(tao)(tao)到其他(ta)(ta)(ta)國家(jia)去。太(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)說(shuo),背負殺(sha)父的惡名逃(tao)(tao)奔,誰會(hui)接納他(ta)(ta)(ta),不(bu)(bu)如選(xuan)擇自(zi)殺(sha)。同年十(shi)二月二十(shi)七日,太(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)在(zai)新城(cheng)(cheng)自(zi)殺(sha)而死(si)。太(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)死(si)后,驪(li)(li)姬誣(wu)陷公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)重耳和公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)夷(yi)吾(wu),說(shuo)他(ta)(ta)(ta)們都參預太(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)的陰(yin)謀(mou)。于是(shi)(shi)公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)重耳逃(tao)(tao)亡到蒲城(cheng)(cheng),公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)夷(yi)吾(wu)逃(tao)(tao)亡到屈城(cheng)(cheng)。
晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)公二(er)十(shi)六年(前(qian)651年)夏天,晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)公參加(jia)由齊(qi)桓公在葵丘(qiu)舉(ju)行(xing)的與各國(guo)諸侯的盟(meng)會(hui)。晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)公因病去遲,又(you)被(bei)周朝宰(zai)孔勸阻,于是在途中(zhong)返回(hui)晉(jin)國(guo)。晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)公病情加(jia)重,對(dui)荀(xun)息(xi)說:“我把奚(xi)齊(qi)作為(wei)繼承人,他(ta)年齡小,大臣們不服,恐(kong)怕(pa)會(hui)有(you)禍亂,您能(neng)擁(yong)立他(ta)嗎?”荀(xun)息(xi)說能(neng)。晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)公說用什么做憑證?荀(xun)息(xi)回(hui)答說:“即使您死而(er)復生,我也不感到有(you)愧,這(zhe)就是憑證。”于是晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)公將奚(xi)齊(qi)托付給荀(xun)息(xi)。荀(xun)息(xi)擔任國(guo)相,主持國(guo)政。同(tong)年九月(yue),晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)(xian)公去世,奚(xi)齊(qi)繼位。同(tong)年十(shi)月(yue),里克殺死奚(xi)齊(qi),荀(xun)息(xi)改(gai)立卓子(zi)(zi)為(wei)國(guo)君。十(shi)一(yi)月(yue),里克再(zai)度殺死卓子(zi)(zi),并對(dui)驪(li)姬(ji)進行(xing)羞辱、鞭打一(yi)番后(hou),將其殺死。