Empress Xiaoyuanjing was the first empress to Emperor Daizong (also known as the Jingtai Emperor) of the Ming Dynasty. She was a devoted empress.[1] However, she opposed Emperor Daizong’s proposal to remove the Crown Prince.[2] Because of her opposition, she was deposed and banished to the cold palace.[3] After Emperor Daizong’s death, Empress Xiaoyuanjing was given many privileges and respect from later Ming Dynasty emperors.[4]
In 1427, Empress Xiaoyuanjing was born in Beijing.[5] Her personal name is unknown.[6] She was from the Wang family.[7] Her father was Wang Ying, who was the commander of the Jinwu Left Guard.[8] Her mother is unknown. Lady Wang was said to be beautiful, and she received a quality Confucian education.[9] She was skilled in needlework and had good etiquette.[10] She was also said to be very intelligent.[11]
In 1445, the sixteen-year-old Lady Wang married Prince Zhu Qiyu (Emperor Xuande’s second son, whom he had with Consort Wu).[12] She became the Princess of Qin. It was said that she was a very loyal and devoted wife.[13] She was kind to her servants and showed filial piety to her in-laws.[14] She and Prince Zhu Qiyu formed a harmonious marriage.[15] Prince Zhu Qiyu loved her very much.[16] She also avoided a life of extravagance and preferred simplicity.[17]
In 1449, Emperor Yingzong of Ming led a military campaign against the Oirat Mongols.[18] During the Battle of Tumu Fortress, Emperor Yingzong was captured by the Oirat Mongols and was taken north.[19] His mother, Empress Dowager Sun, decided that Emperor Yingzong’s half-brother, Prince Zhu Qiyu, should be the emperor instead.[20] On 22 September 1449, Zhu Qiyu ascended the Ming throne as Emperor Daizong.[21] Princess Wang became the Empress of China.
It was said that Empress Wang was a very virtuous empress.[22] She dressed modestly.[23] She also reduced palace expenses and urged Emperor Daizong to use the savings to support China’s defence and the people.[24] Therefore, Empress Wang won the admiration of her people.[25] During a severe drought, Empress Wang used her savings to help the people who were affected by the disaster.[26] She also persuaded Emperor Daizong to reduce taxes.[27]
Even though Empress Wang was said to be a virtuous empress, she had one great weakness.[28] She had failed to give Emperor Daizong a son.[29] Instead, she only bore Emperor Daizong two daughters.[30] In 1450, Imperial Consort Hang gave birth to Emperor Daizong’s son, Prince Zhu Jianji.[31] Emperor Daizong was very happy to finally have a son.[32] He wanted to replace the current Crown Prince, Zhu Jianshen (Emperor Yingzong’s son and who would later become known as the Chenghua Emperor), with his own son, Prince Zhu Jianji.[33] However, Empress Wang greatly opposed Emperor Daizong’s idea.[34] She tried to dissuade her husband with these words:
“Your Majesty, Zhu Jianshen is the son of the retired emperor and the eldest grandson of the late emperor. It is only natural to make him the crown prince. If Your Majesty rashly changes the crown prince now, not only will you be opposed by your ministers, but you will also be seen as ungrateful by the people of the world, which will be detrimental to the stability of the court. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider before acting.”[35]
Empress Wang’s words only caused Emperor Daizong to resent her, and he showered his affections on the newly promoted Noble Consort Hang.[36] Emperor Daizong believed that Empress Wang was a secret supporter of Emperor Yingzong.[37] His favourite, Noble Consort Hang, was very supportive of Emperor Daizong’s proposal because she wanted her son to be the Crown Prince.[38] Noble Consort Hang took every opportunity to slander Empress Wang in front of Emperor Daizong.[39] Therefore, Emperor Daizong wanted to remove Empress Wang from her empress position.[40]
In 1452, Emperor Daizong officially deposed Zhu Jianshen as the Crown Prince. He made Zhu Jianji the new Crown Prince. At the same time, he deposed Empress Wang as Empress. Instead, he installed Noble Consort Hang as the new Empress. Empress Wang was very upset by Emperor Daizong’s decision.[41] She stubbornly refused to be deposed.[42] She told him:
“Your Majesty, I oppose the change of the crown prince not because I have any ulterior motives, but for the sake of the Ming Dynasty. Now that Your Majesty insists on doing so, I have nothing to say but I will never accept the order to depose the empress!”[43]
Emperor Daizong forcibly removed Empress Wang from the position of Empress and banished her to the cold palace.[44] Many officials begged Emperor Daizong to reverse his decision.[45] However, Emperor Daizong stubbornly refused to restore Empress Wang’s status as Empress.[46] The deposed Empress Wang’s life in the palace was very difficult, and she had only a few servants.[47] The deposed Empress Wang spent her days weaving, writing, and reading.[48]
In 1453, Crown Prince Zhu Jianji died. In 1456, Empress Hang died. On 11 February 1457, Emperor Daizong was officially deposed from his throne.[49] Emperor Yingzong’s throne was restored to him.[50] Emperor Yingzong demoted the deposed Emperor Daizong to the Prince of Qin.[51] He also imprisoned him in the Western Garden.[52] On 14 March 1457, the former Emperor Daizong died. Emperor Yingzong destroyed Emperor Daizong’s imperial tomb on Tianshou Mountain.[53] Emperor Daizong was buried as a prince in the Western Hills of Beijing.[54] Therefore, Emperor Daizong is the only Ming Dynasty emperor who was not buried in the imperial mausoleum.[55]
Emperor Yingzong also ordered Emperor Daizong’s imperial consorts to follow Emperor Daizong in death.[56] However, he spared the deposed Empress Wang.[57] This was because she had opposed Zhu Jianshen’s removal as the Crown Prince.[58] He freed the deposed Empress Wang from the cold palace.[59] He gave her the title of Princess of Cheng. He also allowed her to live outside the palace walls in her former residence when she was the Princess of Qin.[60]
Princess Wang’s life outside the palace walls was very peaceful.[61] She maintained her frugal life and was kind to her servants.[62] She used her money to help those in need.[63] One day, Emperor Yingzong wanted Princess Wang’s waist pendant.[64] However, Princess Wang objected by saying, “Do you mean that after seven years with the Son of Heaven, I can’t even enjoy a few pieces of jade?”[65] When Emperor Yingzong heard Princess Wang’s words, he confiscated all her jewellery.[66]
Princess Wang managed to form a good relationship with Crown Prince Zhu Jianshen.[67] He personally visited her, and Princess Wang advised him to be a good ruler.[68] On 23 February 1464, Emperor Yingzong died. Zhu Jianshen ascended the throne as Emperor Xianzong. He sent gifts of silver, gold, jewels, and silk to Princess Wang.[69]
Emperor Xianzong gave Princess Wang the title of Princess of Qin and ordered her mansion to be renovated.[70] Princess Wang spent her days weaving, writing, and reading.[71] She would give the cloth she wove to the imperial concubines and court officials as a gift.[72] Whenever Princess Wang fell ill, Emperor Xianzong would send her his imperial doctors and precious medicine.[73] Emperor Xianzong covered Princess Wang’s daily expenses.[74] Princess Wang was very content.[75] She said, “I’ve experienced so many ups and downs in my life, but I’m satisfied with the life I have today. Only by knowing how to be content can one live happily.”[76]
In 1507, Princess Wang died.[77] She was eighty years old.[78] The Zhengde Emperor buried her next to Emperor Daizong in the Western Hills in Beijing.[79] However, he restored her to her Empress status and gave her a funeral that befitted an Empress.[80] He gave her the posthumous name of Empress Zhenhuianhejing. The Hongguang Emperor gave her the posthumous name of Empress Xiaoyuanjing.
Empress Xiaoyuanjing’s life was very turbulent.[81] She was originally Emperor Daizong’s respected Empress.[82] When she voiced her opposition to Emperor Daizong’s proposal to remove the Crown Prince, she was deposed and banished to the cold palace.[83] After Emperor Daizong’s death, she lived peacefully as a Ming Dynasty princess.[84] Her status as Empress was restored to her posthumously.[85] To this day, Empress Xiaoyuanjing has been seen as a virtuous empress.[86] There is a shrine in Beijing that is built in her honour.[87] She has also been the subject of many folk tales that have praised her virtue.[88] Therefore, Empress Xiaoyuanjing continues to be greatly respected and admired.[89]
Sources:
iNews. (n.d.). “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?” Retrieved on October 23, 2025 from https://inf.news/en/history/b3037002cca14fa709097c217db31528.html.
McMahon, K. (2016). Celestial Women: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Song to Qing. NY: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Yanqing, L., et al. (2014). “Sun, Empress of the Xuande Emperor, Xuanzong of Ming.” Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women, Volume II: Tang Through Ming 618 – 1644. (Xiao, H. Lee, L., Ed. & Wiles, S. Ed.) NY: Routledge. pp. 381-383.
[1] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[2] McMahon, 2016
[3] McMahon, 2016
[4] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[5] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[6] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[7] McMahon, 2016
[8] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[9] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[10] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[11] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[12] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”; McMahon, 2016
[13] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[14] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[15] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[16] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[17] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[18] Yanqing, et al., 2014
[19] Yanqing, et al., 2014
[20] Yanqing, et al., 2014
[21] Yanqing, et al., 2014
[22] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[23] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[24] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[25] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[26] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[27] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[28] McMahon, 2016
[29] McMahon, 2016
[30] McMahon, 2016
[31] McMahon, 2016
[32] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[33] McMahon, 2016
[34] McMahon, 2016
[35] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”, para. 11
[36] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[37] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[38]iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[39] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[40] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”; McMahon, 2016
[41] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[42] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[43] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”, para. 14
[44] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”; McMahon, 2016
[45] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[46] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[47] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[48] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[49] Yanqing, et al., 2014
[50] Yanqing, et al., 2014
[51] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[52] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[53] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[54] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[55] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[56] McMahon m, 2016
[57] McMahon, 2016
[58] McMahon, 2016
[59] McMahon, 2016
[60] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[61] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[62] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[63] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[64] McMahon, 2016
[65] McMahon, 2016, p. 185
[66] McMahon, 2016
[67] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[68] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[69] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[70] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[71] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[72] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[73] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[74] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[75] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[76] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”, para. 32
[77] McMahon, 2016
[78] McMahon, 2016
[79] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”; McMahon, 2016
[80] McMahon, 2016
[81] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[82] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[83] McMahon, 2016
[84] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[85] McMahon, 2016
[86] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[87] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[88] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
[89] iNews, n.d., “How did Empress Wang of Ming Dynasty Zhu Qiyu go from being an empress to a deposed concubine?”
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