晉(jin)獻(xian)公(gong)五年(前672年),晉(jin)獻(xian)公(gong)攻(gong)打驪(li)戎(rong)(古代少數民族(zu)名,西戎(rong)的(de)一支,姬姓,在今陜西省臨(lin)潼(tong)縣的(de)驪(li)山),結果晉(jin)軍一戰(zhan)而勝(sheng),驪(li)戎(rong)求和將驪(li)姬與其妹(mei)少姬獻(xian)給晉(jin)獻(xian)公(gong)。晉(jin)獻(xian)公(gong)得到驪(li)姬姐妹(mei)二人后,對她們十分(fen)寵愛(ai)。后來(lai),晉(jin)獻(xian)公(gong)將驪(li)姬立為夫(fu)人。
晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)十二年(前665年),驪姬為晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)生(sheng)下(xia)兒(er)(er)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)奚齊(qi)。驪姬想立奚齊(qi)為太(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi),于是(shi)(shi)(shi)賄(hui)賂晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)的男(nan)寵梁五和東關嬖(bi)五,讓他(ta)們對(dui)晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)說:“曲沃(今(jin)山(shan)西(xi)聞(wen)喜(xi)東北)是(shi)(shi)(shi)晉(jin)國先祖宗廟(miao)所在(zai)(zai)(zai)的地方,最好(hao)派(pai)太(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)去(qu)鎮守,而蒲(pu)城(今(jin)山(shan)西(xi)鄉(xiang)寧(ning)縣及(ji)周邊(bian)(bian)一(yi)帶(dai)(dai)(dai)) 靠近秦國,屈城(一(yi)作南北屈,在(zai)(zai)(zai)今(jin)山(shan)西(xi)吉縣及(ji)鄉(xiang)寧(ning)一(yi)帶(dai)(dai)(dai))靠近翟國(今(jin)山(shan)西(xi)鄉(xiang)寧(ning)及(ji)周邊(bian)(bian)一(yi)帶(dai)(dai)(dai)),是(shi)(shi)(shi)邊(bian)(bian)防(fang)(fang)要(yao)塞,最好(hao)派(pai)公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)重耳和公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)夷(yi)吾分別防(fang)(fang)守。”晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)中(zhong)計,于是(shi)(shi)(shi)派(pai)太(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)住在(zai)(zai)(zai)曲沃,公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)重耳住在(zai)(zai)(zai)蒲(pu)城,公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)夷(yi)吾住在(zai)(zai)(zai)屈城。只留下(xia)奚齊(qi)與少姬的兒(er)(er)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)卓(zhuo)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)在(zai)(zai)(zai)身邊(bian)(bian),居住在(zai)(zai)(zai)都(dou)城絳(jiang)城,以伺(si)機廢掉太(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)。晉(jin)國人據此推知(zhi)太(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)將不會(hui)繼位。太(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)的母(mu)親(qin)是(shi)(shi)(shi)齊(qi)桓公(gong)之女,名叫(jiao)齊(qi)姜,很早(zao)去(qu)世。太(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)的同母(mu)妹(mei)妹(mei)穆(mu)姬是(shi)(shi)(shi)秦穆(mu)公(gong)的夫人。公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)重耳的母(mu)親(qin),是(shi)(shi)(shi)翟國(今(jin)山(shan)西(xi)鄉(xiang)寧(ning)及(ji)周邊(bian)(bian)一(yi)帶(dai)(dai)(dai))狐(hu)氏的女兒(er)(er)。公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)夷(yi)吾的母(mu)親(qin),是(shi)(shi)(shi)重耳母(mu)親(qin)的妹(mei)妹(mei)。晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)有(you)八個(ge)兒(er)(er)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi),其中(zhong)太(tai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)、公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)重耳、公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)夷(yi)吾都(dou)很賢德(de)。當(dang)晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)得到(dao)驪姬之后,就開始疏遠這三個(ge)兒(er)(er)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)。
晉(jin)獻公私(si)下對(dui)驪(li)(li)(li)姬(ji)說(shuo):“我(wo)(wo)想(xiang)廢(fei)黜太子(zi)(zi)申(shen)生,讓(rang)奚齊做(zuo)太子(zi)(zi)。”驪(li)(li)(li)姬(ji)哭著(zhu)說(shuo):“太子(zi)(zi)被立,諸侯都已知道,而(er)且他數(shu)次領兵,百姓都擁護(hu)他,怎么能因(yin)我(wo)(wo)的原因(yin)而(er)廢(fei)掉嫡子(zi)(zi)改立庶子(zi)(zi)?您一定要那樣(yang)做(zuo),我(wo)(wo)就(jiu)去自(zi)殺(sha)。”驪(li)(li)(li)姬(ji)表面佯裝稱譽(yu)太子(zi)(zi),暗地里卻讓(rang)人誹謗(bang)太子(zi)(zi)申(shen)生,想(xiang)立自(zi)己的兒子(zi)(zi)為太子(zi)(zi)。
晉(jin)獻(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)二十一(yi)年(前656年),驪(li)姬(ji)對太(tai)子(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)說,晉(jin)獻(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)曾夢見(jian)他(ta)的(de)母(mu)親(qin)齊姜(jiang),讓(rang)他(ta)速去曲沃(wo)祭祀一(yi)番,回來后把祭祀用的(de)胙(zuo)(zuo)肉(rou)(rou)獻(xian)給(gei)(gei)晉(jin)獻(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)。太(tai)子(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)于(yu)是到曲沃(wo)祭祀母(mu)親(qin)齊姜(jiang)后,將(jiang)胙(zuo)(zuo)肉(rou)(rou)獻(xian)給(gei)(gei)晉(jin)獻(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)。當時晉(jin)獻(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)剛好(hao)出(chu)外打(da)獵(lie),驪(li)姬(ji)把胙(zuo)(zuo)肉(rou)(rou)放在宮中(zhong)。六天(一(yi)作兩天)后,晉(jin)獻(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)打(da)獵(lie)回來,驪(li)姬(ji)暗中(zhong)派人在胙(zuo)(zuo)肉(rou)(rou)中(zhong)下毒,然(ran)后讓(rang)廚(chu)師將(jiang)胙(zuo)(zuo)肉(rou)(rou)奉(feng)給(gei)(gei)晉(jin)獻(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)。晉(jin)獻(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)要吃胙(zuo)(zuo)肉(rou)(rou),驪(li)姬(ji)從旁邊阻止晉(jin)獻(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)說:“胙(zuo)(zuo)肉(rou)(rou)來自(zi)遠方,應(ying)試(shi)試(shi)它(ta)。”便把胙(zuo)(zuo)肉(rou)(rou)給(gei)(gei)狗吃,狗死(si)(si)了;給(gei)(gei)宮中(zhong)廝役(yi)嘗,廝役(yi)也死(si)(si)了。驪(li)姬(ji)哭著說:“太(tai)子(zi)為何(he)這(zhe)般殘忍(ren)呀!連自(zi)己父親(qin)都想殺(sha)害去接替他(ta),更何(he)況其他(ta)人呢?再說父君年老(lao),早(zao)晚都是要死(si)(si)的(de)人,竟迫不(bu)及待而想謀害他(ta)!”驪(li)姬(ji)又對晉(jin)獻(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)說:“太(tai)子(zi)這(zhe)樣做,不(bu)過是因為我(wo)(wo)和奚(xi)齊的(de)緣故。我(wo)(wo)希望(wang)讓(rang)我(wo)(wo)母(mu)子(zi)倆躲(duo)到別的(de)國家(jia)去,或(huo)者早(zao)點自(zi)殺(sha),不(bu)要白白讓(rang)母(mu)子(zi)倆被太(tai)子(zi)糟踏。早(zao)先您想廢他(ta),我(wo)(wo)還(huan)反對您;到如(ru)今,我(wo)(wo)才知道(dao)在這(zhe)件事上(shang)是大錯(cuo)特(te)錯(cuo)。”太(tai)子(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)聽說這(zhe)消息(xi)后,逃奔到新城。晉(jin)獻(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)大怒,就殺(sha)死(si)(si)太(tai)子(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)的(de)老(lao)師杜原款。
有(you)人對太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)說(shuo),放毒藥的是驪(li)姬(ji),讓太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)在晉(jin)獻公(gong)面前聲(sheng)辯,晉(jin)獻公(gong)必會(hui)(hui)相信。太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)說(shuo),晉(jin)獻公(gong)如果(guo)(guo)沒有(you)驪(li)姬(ji),就會(hui)(hui)睡眠不(bu)(bu)安,飲食不(bu)(bu)甘。他(ta)(ta)如果(guo)(guo)聲(sheng)辯,驪(li)姬(ji)必定有(you)罪。現在晉(jin)獻公(gong)年老(lao),驪(li)姬(ji)有(you)罪會(hui)(hui)使晉(jin)獻公(gong)不(bu)(bu)高(gao)興,這樣他(ta)(ta)也會(hui)(hui)憂郁不(bu)(bu)樂。有(you)人勸太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)逃到其(qi)他(ta)(ta)國家去。太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)說(shuo),背負殺(sha)父(fu)的惡(e)名逃奔,誰(shui)會(hui)(hui)接(jie)納他(ta)(ta),不(bu)(bu)如選擇(ze)自殺(sha)。同年十二(er)月二(er)十七日,太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)在新城(cheng)(cheng)自殺(sha)而死。太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)死后,驪(li)姬(ji)誣(wu)陷公(gong)子(zi)重(zhong)耳和公(gong)子(zi)夷吾(wu),說(shuo)他(ta)(ta)們(men)都參(can)預太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申(shen)(shen)生(sheng)的陰謀。于是公(gong)子(zi)重(zhong)耳逃亡(wang)到蒲(pu)城(cheng)(cheng),公(gong)子(zi)夷吾(wu)逃亡(wang)到屈城(cheng)(cheng)。
晉獻(xian)公(gong)二十(shi)(shi)六(liu)年(nian)(前651年(nian))夏(xia)天(tian),晉獻(xian)公(gong)參加由齊(qi)桓(huan)公(gong)在葵(kui)丘舉行的(de)與各(ge)國(guo)(guo)諸侯的(de)盟會。晉獻(xian)公(gong)因病(bing)(bing)去(qu)(qu)遲,又(you)被(bei)周朝宰孔勸阻,于是(shi)在途中(zhong)返回(hui)晉國(guo)(guo)。晉獻(xian)公(gong)病(bing)(bing)情(qing)加重,對荀(xun)(xun)(xun)息(xi)(xi)(xi)說(shuo):“我(wo)(wo)把奚齊(qi)作為繼(ji)承(cheng)人(ren),他年(nian)齡小,大臣們不服(fu),恐怕會有禍亂,您能擁立(li)他嗎?”荀(xun)(xun)(xun)息(xi)(xi)(xi)說(shuo)能。晉獻(xian)公(gong)說(shuo)用什么做憑證(zheng)?荀(xun)(xun)(xun)息(xi)(xi)(xi)回(hui)答說(shuo):“即(ji)使您死而復生(sheng),我(wo)(wo)也不感到有愧,這就(jiu)是(shi)憑證(zheng)。”于是(shi)晉獻(xian)公(gong)將(jiang)奚齊(qi)托付給荀(xun)(xun)(xun)息(xi)(xi)(xi)。荀(xun)(xun)(xun)息(xi)(xi)(xi)擔任國(guo)(guo)相(xiang),主持(chi)國(guo)(guo)政。同年(nian)九月(yue)(yue),晉獻(xian)公(gong)去(qu)(qu)世,奚齊(qi)繼(ji)位。同年(nian)十(shi)(shi)月(yue)(yue),里克(ke)(ke)殺(sha)死奚齊(qi),荀(xun)(xun)(xun)息(xi)(xi)(xi)改立(li)卓(zhuo)子為國(guo)(guo)君。十(shi)(shi)一月(yue)(yue),里克(ke)(ke)再(zai)度殺(sha)死卓(zhuo)子,并對驪姬(ji)進行羞(xiu)辱、鞭打一番后,將(jiang)其殺(sha)死。