Empress Dowager Xiaochong was the mother of Emperor Huan of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Her husband was the posthumous Emperor Xiaochong.[1] She was not an empress in her lifetime but was made an empress dowager after her death.[2] Empress Dowager Xiaochong received many honours and privileges.[3] She was even granted her own fiefdom, which was the first time a mother of the Emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty had ever received such an honour.[4]
In circa 110 C.E., Empress Dowager Xiaochong was born in Hejian (located southeast in modern-day Hebei Province).[5] Her personal name is Yan Ming. Her parents are unknown.[6] In 130 C.E., Yan Ming became a concubine to Liu Yi (the Marquis of Liwu and the grandson of Emperor Zhang).[7] Liu Yi had a main wife named Lady Ma, but they did not have any children.[8] In 132 C.E., Yan Ming bore Liu Yi a son named Liu Zhi (who would become known in history as Emperor Huan).[9] She also had two other known sons and two daughters.[10] In circa 140 C.E., Liu Yi died. He was buried in Hejian.[11] His son, Liu Zhi, inherited the title of Marquis of Liwu.[12] If it hadn’t been for the events of the royal succession, Yan Ming would have been destined for a life of insignificance.[13]
In 145 C.E., Empress Dowager Liang Na was dissatisfied with Emperor Zhi and looked for a replacement.[14] She chose Liu Zhi to replace Emperor Zhi instead.[15] She summoned Liu Zhi and betrothed him to her sister, Liang Nuying.[16] On 26 July 146 C.E., Emperor Zhi suddenly died.[17] On 1 August 146 C.E., Liu Zhi ascended the Chinese throne as Emperor Huan. In 147 C.E., Emperor Huan married Liang Nuying.[18]
Emperor Huan’s father, Liu Yi, was made the posthumous Emperor Xiaochong.[19] Emperor Xiaochong was reburied in Boling.[20] Yan Ming was given the title of “Worthy Lady of the Funerary Park at Boling”[21]. Worthy Lady was the highest imperial concubine rank (directly below the Empress position).[22] However, Imperial Consort Yan Ming was forced to serve at her husband’s tomb in Boling.[23] This meant that she could not live with Emperor Huan in the imperial palace.[24] Emperor Xiaochong’s main wife, Lady Ma, was also made Worthy Lady of Boling.[25] Imperial Consort Ma was also appointed the guardian of Emperor Huan’s younger brother, Liu Shi (the Prince of Pingyuan).[26]
On 6 April 150 C.E., Empress Dowager Liang Na died. Emperor Huan summoned his mother, Imperial Consort Yan Ming, to the imperial palace.[27] Imperial Consort Yan Ming was given an imperial seal and ribbon.[28] She took up residence in the Northern Palace.[29] She was given a fiefdom of nine counties from Julu Commandery (located in the southern region of Hebei Province).[30] She also received a pension from their tax collections.[31] This was the first time a mother of an Emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty had ever received such honours.[32] However, Imperial Consort Yan Ming was not involved in politics.[33]
In May of 152 C.E., Imperial Consort Yan Ming died. Emperor Huan made her the posthumous Empress Dowager Xiaochong.[34] He also made his younger brother, Prince Liu Shi, the chief mourner of her funeral.[35] Prince Liu Shi was accompanied by his other brother, Prince Liu Kui (the Prince of Bohai), and his two sisters (who were made Princesses).[36] Her funerary goods were provided by the imperial workshops.[37] Her funerary procession was led by Emperor Huan’s highest minister.[38] All the princes, nobles, and imperial officials in the capital were ordered to attend Empress Dowager Xiaochong’s funeral.[39] Empress Dowager Xiaochong was buried beside Emperor Xiaochong in Boling.[40]
Empress Dowager Xiaochong was posthumously made an Empress Dowager.[41] After her son was successfully installed as Emperor Huan, Empress Dowager Xiaochong was deeply respected.[42] She had her own fiefdom and received a pension.[43] She was given a grand funeral worthy of an Empress Dowager.[44] Even though she came from humble beginnings, Empress Dowager Xiaochong rose to become the most honoured woman during the reign of Emperor Huan.[45]
Sources:
De Crespigny, R. (2015). “Yan Ming”. Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: Antiquity Through Sui, 1600 B.C.E. – 618 C.E.. (L. X. H. Lee, Ed.; A. D. Stefanowska, Ed.; S. Wiles, Ed.). NY: Routledge. pp. 230-231.
McMahon, K. (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. NY: Rowman and Littlefield.
[1] De Crespigny, 2015
[2] De Crespigny, 2015
[3] De Crespigny, 2015
[4] De Crespigny, 2015
[5] De Crespigny, 2015
[6] De Crespigny, 2015
[7] McMahon, 2013; De Crespigny, 2015
[8] De Crespigny, 2015
[9] De Cresigny, 2015
[10] De Crespigny, 2015
[11] De Crespigny, 2015
[12] De Crespigny, 2015
[13] De Crespigny, 2015
[14] McMahon, 2013; De Crespigny, 2015
[15] McMahon, 2013
[16] De Crespigny, 2015
[17] McMahon, 2013
[18] McMahon, 2013
[19] De Crespigny, 2015
[20] De Crespigny, 2015
[21] De Crespigny, 2015, p. 231
[22] De Crespigny, 2015
[23] De Crespigny, 2015
[24] De Crespigny, 2015
[25] De Crespigny, 2015
[26] De Crespigny, 2015
[27] De Crespigny, 2015
[28] De Crespigny, 2015
[29] De Crespigny, 2015
[30] De Crespigny, 2015
[31] De Crespigny, 2015
[32] De Crespigny, 2015
[33] De Crespigny, 2015
[34] De Crespigny, 2015
[35] De Crespigny, 2015
[36] De Crespigny, 2015
[37] De Crespigny, 2015
[38] De Crespigny, 2015
[39] De Crespigny, 2015
[40] De Crespigny, 2015
[41] De Crespigny, 2015
[42] De Crespigny, 2015
[43] De Crespigny, 2015
[44] De Crespigny, 2015
[45] De Crespigny, 2015
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