晉獻(xian)(xian)公五(wu)年(前672年),晉獻(xian)(xian)公攻打驪(li)(li)(li)戎(rong)(古(gu)代少(shao)數民族名,西戎(rong)的一支,姬姓,在今陜西省(sheng)臨潼(tong)縣(xian)的驪(li)(li)(li)山),結果(guo)晉軍(jun)一戰而勝,驪(li)(li)(li)戎(rong)求(qiu)和將(jiang)驪(li)(li)(li)姬與其妹少(shao)姬獻(xian)(xian)給晉獻(xian)(xian)公。晉獻(xian)(xian)公得到(dao)驪(li)(li)(li)姬姐妹二(er)人后(hou),對她們十分寵愛。后(hou)來,晉獻(xian)(xian)公將(jiang)驪(li)(li)(li)姬立為夫(fu)人。
晉獻(xian)公(gong)十二年(nian)(nian)(前665年(nian)(nian)),驪(li)姬(ji)(ji)為晉獻(xian)公(gong)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)下兒子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)奚齊(qi)。驪(li)姬(ji)(ji)想立奚齊(qi)為太子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi),于是(shi)(shi)賄(hui)賂晉獻(xian)公(gong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)男寵梁五和(he)東(dong)關嬖五,讓他們對晉獻(xian)公(gong)說:“曲(qu)沃(wo)(今山西(xi)聞(wen)喜(xi)東(dong)北)是(shi)(shi)晉國(guo)先祖宗廟所在(zai)的(de)(de)(de)(de)地(di)方,最(zui)好派(pai)太子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)去鎮守,而蒲(pu)城(今山西(xi)鄉寧(ning)縣及周邊(bian)(bian)一(yi)(yi)(yi)帶(dai)) 靠近(jin)秦國(guo),屈城(一(yi)(yi)(yi)作南北屈,在(zai)今山西(xi)吉縣及鄉寧(ning)一(yi)(yi)(yi)帶(dai))靠近(jin)翟國(guo)(今山西(xi)鄉寧(ning)及周邊(bian)(bian)一(yi)(yi)(yi)帶(dai)),是(shi)(shi)邊(bian)(bian)防(fang)要塞,最(zui)好派(pai)公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)重(zhong)(zhong)耳(er)(er)和(he)公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)夷吾(wu)分別防(fang)守。”晉獻(xian)公(gong)中計,于是(shi)(shi)派(pai)太子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)住在(zai)曲(qu)沃(wo),公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)重(zhong)(zhong)耳(er)(er)住在(zai)蒲(pu)城,公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)夷吾(wu)住在(zai)屈城。只留下奚齊(qi)與少(shao)姬(ji)(ji)的(de)(de)(de)(de)兒子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)卓子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)在(zai)身邊(bian)(bian),居住在(zai)都城絳城,以伺機廢(fei)掉太子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)。晉國(guo)人據此推知(zhi)太子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)將不會繼(ji)位。太子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)的(de)(de)(de)(de)母(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)是(shi)(shi)齊(qi)桓公(gong)之(zhi)女,名叫齊(qi)姜,很(hen)早去世。太子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)的(de)(de)(de)(de)同母(mu)妹(mei)妹(mei)穆姬(ji)(ji)是(shi)(shi)秦穆公(gong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)夫(fu)人。公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)重(zhong)(zhong)耳(er)(er)的(de)(de)(de)(de)母(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin),是(shi)(shi)翟國(guo)(今山西(xi)鄉寧(ning)及周邊(bian)(bian)一(yi)(yi)(yi)帶(dai))狐氏的(de)(de)(de)(de)女兒。公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)夷吾(wu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)母(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin),是(shi)(shi)重(zhong)(zhong)耳(er)(er)母(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)的(de)(de)(de)(de)妹(mei)妹(mei)。晉獻(xian)公(gong)有八(ba)個兒子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi),其(qi)中太子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)申(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)、公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)重(zhong)(zhong)耳(er)(er)、公(gong)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)夷吾(wu)都很(hen)賢德。當晉獻(xian)公(gong)得到(dao)驪(li)姬(ji)(ji)之(zhi)后,就開始疏遠這三個兒子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)。
晉(jin)獻公私下對驪姬(ji)(ji)說(shuo):“我(wo)想廢(fei)(fei)黜(chu)太(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)申生,讓奚(xi)齊做(zuo)太(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)。”驪姬(ji)(ji)哭著說(shuo):“太(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)被立(li),諸(zhu)侯都已(yi)知道(dao),而且他(ta)數次領兵,百姓都擁護他(ta),怎么能因(yin)我(wo)的原因(yin)而廢(fei)(fei)掉嫡子(zi)(zi)改立(li)庶(shu)子(zi)(zi)?您一定要那樣做(zuo),我(wo)就去自(zi)殺。”驪姬(ji)(ji)表(biao)面佯裝稱譽(yu)太(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi),暗地(di)里卻讓人誹(fei)謗太(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)申生,想立(li)自(zi)己的兒子(zi)(zi)為(wei)太(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)。
晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)二(er)十一(yi)年(前656年),驪(li)姬(ji)(ji)對(dui)太(tai)子申生(sheng)(sheng)說(shuo),晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)曾夢見他(ta)的(de)母(mu)(mu)親(qin)(qin)齊(qi)姜,讓他(ta)速去曲沃祭(ji)(ji)祀一(yi)番(fan),回來后(hou)把祭(ji)(ji)祀用的(de)胙(zuo)肉(rou)(rou)獻(xian)(xian)給(gei)晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)。太(tai)子申生(sheng)(sheng)于是到(dao)曲沃祭(ji)(ji)祀母(mu)(mu)親(qin)(qin)齊(qi)姜后(hou),將(jiang)胙(zuo)肉(rou)(rou)獻(xian)(xian)給(gei)晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)。當時晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)剛好出外打(da)獵,驪(li)姬(ji)(ji)把胙(zuo)肉(rou)(rou)放在宮中。六(liu)天(tian)(一(yi)作兩(liang)天(tian))后(hou),晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)打(da)獵回來,驪(li)姬(ji)(ji)暗中派(pai)人在胙(zuo)肉(rou)(rou)中下毒,然后(hou)讓廚師將(jiang)胙(zuo)肉(rou)(rou)奉給(gei)晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)。晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)要吃胙(zuo)肉(rou)(rou),驪(li)姬(ji)(ji)從(cong)旁邊阻止晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)說(shuo):“胙(zuo)肉(rou)(rou)來自遠方,應試試它(ta)。”便把胙(zuo)肉(rou)(rou)給(gei)狗(gou)吃,狗(gou)死(si)了;給(gei)宮中廝役嘗,廝役也(ye)死(si)了。驪(li)姬(ji)(ji)哭著說(shuo):“太(tai)子為何這般(ban)殘(can)忍呀!連自己父(fu)親(qin)(qin)都想殺(sha)害(hai)去接替他(ta),更何況其他(ta)人呢?再(zai)說(shuo)父(fu)君年老,早晚(wan)都是要死(si)的(de)人,竟迫不(bu)及待而想謀害(hai)他(ta)!”驪(li)姬(ji)(ji)又對(dui)晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)說(shuo):“太(tai)子這樣(yang)做,不(bu)過是因(yin)為我(wo)(wo)和奚齊(qi)的(de)緣故。我(wo)(wo)希望(wang)讓我(wo)(wo)母(mu)(mu)子倆躲到(dao)別的(de)國家去,或者早點自殺(sha),不(bu)要白白讓母(mu)(mu)子倆被太(tai)子糟踏。早先您(nin)想廢他(ta),我(wo)(wo)還反對(dui)您(nin);到(dao)如(ru)今,我(wo)(wo)才(cai)知道(dao)在這件事上是大(da)錯特(te)錯。”太(tai)子申生(sheng)(sheng)聽說(shuo)這消息后(hou),逃奔到(dao)新城(cheng)。晉(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)大(da)怒,就殺(sha)死(si)太(tai)子申生(sheng)(sheng)的(de)老師杜(du)原款。
有(you)人(ren)對太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申(shen)(shen)(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)說,放毒藥(yao)的是(shi)驪(li)姬,讓太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申(shen)(shen)(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)在晉獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)面前聲辯,晉獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)必會(hui)(hui)相信。太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申(shen)(shen)(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)說,晉獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)如(ru)果(guo)沒(mei)有(you)驪(li)姬,就會(hui)(hui)睡(shui)眠不(bu)安,飲食(shi)不(bu)甘。他(ta)如(ru)果(guo)聲辯,驪(li)姬必定有(you)罪(zui)(zui)。現在晉獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)年(nian)老,驪(li)姬有(you)罪(zui)(zui)會(hui)(hui)使晉獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)不(bu)高興,這樣他(ta)也會(hui)(hui)憂郁不(bu)樂(le)。有(you)人(ren)勸太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申(shen)(shen)(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)逃到其他(ta)國家去。太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申(shen)(shen)(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)說,背負殺父的惡名(ming)逃奔,誰會(hui)(hui)接納(na)他(ta),不(bu)如(ru)選(xuan)擇自殺。同年(nian)十(shi)二(er)月二(er)十(shi)七日,太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申(shen)(shen)(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)在新城自殺而死(si)(si)。太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申(shen)(shen)(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)死(si)(si)后(hou),驪(li)姬誣陷公(gong)子(zi)重耳和公(gong)子(zi)夷吾,說他(ta)們(men)都(dou)參預太(tai)(tai)子(zi)申(shen)(shen)(shen)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)的陰謀。于是(shi)公(gong)子(zi)重耳逃亡(wang)到蒲城,公(gong)子(zi)夷吾逃亡(wang)到屈城。
晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)二十(shi)六年(前651年)夏天(tian),晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)參加(jia)由齊(qi)(qi)桓公(gong)(gong)(gong)在葵丘舉行(xing)的與(yu)各(ge)國諸侯(hou)的盟會(hui)。晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)因(yin)病去(qu)遲,又(you)被周朝宰(zai)孔勸阻,于(yu)是(shi)在途中(zhong)返回晉(jin)(jin)國。晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)病情(qing)加(jia)重,對(dui)荀(xun)(xun)息(xi)說:“我(wo)把奚(xi)齊(qi)(qi)作為繼承人,他年齡小,大臣們(men)不(bu)服,恐怕會(hui)有禍亂,您能擁立他嗎?”荀(xun)(xun)息(xi)說能。晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)說用什么做(zuo)憑證?荀(xun)(xun)息(xi)回答說:“即使您死(si)而(er)復生,我(wo)也(ye)不(bu)感到有愧,這就是(shi)憑證。”于(yu)是(shi)晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)將奚(xi)齊(qi)(qi)托付給荀(xun)(xun)息(xi)。荀(xun)(xun)息(xi)擔任國相(xiang),主持國政(zheng)。同年九月(yue),晉(jin)(jin)獻(xian)(xian)公(gong)(gong)(gong)去(qu)世,奚(xi)齊(qi)(qi)繼位。同年十(shi)月(yue),里(li)克殺死(si)奚(xi)齊(qi)(qi),荀(xun)(xun)息(xi)改(gai)立卓子為國君。十(shi)一(yi)月(yue),里(li)克再度殺死(si)卓子,并對(dui)驪姬進行(xing)羞辱、鞭打一(yi)番后(hou),將其(qi)殺死(si)。