Empress Yuanxian was the mother of Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty. She was an imperial consort of Emperor Xuanzong. When Empress Yuanxian became pregnant, Emperor Xuanzong wanted her to have an abortion.[1] However, he changed his mind.[2] Because he did not go through with the abortion, Empress Yuanxian gave birth to a son who would succeed Emperor Xuanzong forty-five years later.[3]
In 699, Empress Yuanxian was born in Huayin, Hongnong.[4] Her personal name is unknown.[5] She was from the Yang family.[6] She was descended from the royal Sui Dynasty.[7] Her grandfather was Yang Shida (the Prince of Zheng and the uncle of Empress Wu Zetian).[8] Her father was Yang Zhiqing.[9] Her mother is unknown.[10] Her sister was Crown Princess Jiemin (the wife of Crown Prince Li Chongjun).
In 710 or 711, Lady Yang entered Crown Prince Li Longji’s harem.[11] She was given the title of Liangyuan.[12] Crown Prince Li Longji favoured Imperial Consort Yang Liangyuan, and she quickly became pregnant.[13] When Crown Prince Li Longji learned that Imperial Consort Liangyuan was pregnant, he feared that his aunt, Princess Taiping, would try to kill Imperial Consort Yang Liangyuan.[14] Crown Prince Li Longji decided to make abortion medicine for her.[15] Ancient chroniclers said that Crown Prince Li Longji “dreamt of a spirit that upturned the vessel in which he was making the concoction.”[16] Crown Prince Li Longji decided not to give Imperial Consort Yang Liangyuan the abortion medicine.[17] Imperial Consort Yang Liangyuan gave birth to a son, Li Heng.[18] Prince Li Longji gave the child to his primary wife, Crown Princess Wang, to raise.[19]
On 8 September 712, Prince Li Longji ascended the Tang throne as Emperor Xuanzong. Emperor Xuanzong gave Imperial Consort Yang the title of Guipin.[20] Imperial Consort Yang Guipin bore Emperor Xuanzong a daughter, Princess Ningqin.[21] Princess Ningqin would later marry Zhang Shuo’s son, Zhang Yi.[22]
In 729, Imperial Consort Yang Guipin died and was buried in Xiliuyuan.[23] In 736, her son, Li Heng, became the Crown Prince. On 12 August 756, Li Heng ascended the Tang throne as Emperor Suzong. Emperor Suzong made his mother, Imperial Consort Yang Guipin, a posthumous empress.[24] He gave her the posthumous name of Empress Yuanxian. Emperor Suzong reburied Empress Yuanxian with Emperor Xuanzong in the Tailing Mausoleum.[25]
There are very few known facts about Empress Yuanxian.[26] She became Emperor Xuanzong’s imperial consort when he was the crown prince.[27] She almost had an abortion.[28] Because Emperor Xuanzong had a prophetic dream, he changed his mind.[29] Therefore, Empress Yuanxian was able to give birth to the next Tang emperor.[30] When Emperor Suzong became emperor, Empress Yuanxian was given many honours after her death.[31] The popular 2003 Chinese drama, Women of the Tang Dynasty is loosely based on her and she is portrayed by Liu Tingyu.
Sources:
iMedia. (n.d.). “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”. Retrieved on November 24, 2025 from https://min.news/en/history/81e9574f9d62ba4172f3b6dfa3786131.html/2.
iNews. (n.d.). “Empress Yuanxian was pregnant, Li Longji personally prepared medicine to abort the fetus, but failed. He ascended the throne 45 years after his son was born”. Retrieved on November 24, 2025 from https://inf.news/en/history/fb9084234c1b89181ece1ff614e15b79.html.
McMahon, K. (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. NY: Rowman and Littlefield.
[1] McMahon, 2013
[2] McMahon, 2013
[3] iNews, n.d., “Empress Yuanxian was pregnant, Li Longji personally prepared medicine to abort the fetus, but failed. He ascended the throne 45 years after his son was born”
[4] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[5] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[6] McMahon, 2013
[7] iNews, n.d., “Empress Yuanxian was pregnant, Li Longji personally prepared medicine to abort the fetus, but failed. He ascended the throne 45 years after his son was born”
[8] iNews, n.d., “Empress Yuanxian was pregnant, Li Longji personally prepared medicine to abort the fetus, but failed. He ascended the throne 45 years after his son was born”
[9] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[10] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[11] iNews, n.d., “Empress Yuanxian was pregnant, Li Longji personally prepared medicine to abort the fetus, but failed. He ascended the throne 45 years after his son was born”
[12] iNews, n.d., “Empress Yuanxian was pregnant, Li Longji personally prepared medicine to abort the fetus, but failed. He ascended the throne 45 years after his son was born”
[13] iNews, n.d., “Empress Yuanxian was pregnant, Li Longji personally prepared medicine to abort the fetus, but failed. He ascended the throne 45 years after his son was born”
[14] McMahon, 2013
[15] McMahon, 2013
[16] McMahon, 2013, p. 215
[17] McMahon, 2013
[18] McMahon, 2013
[19] McMahon, 2013
[20] iNews, n.d., “Empress Yuanxian was pregnant, Li Longji personally prepared medicine to abort the fetus, but failed. He ascended the throne 45 years after his son was born”
[21] iNews, n.d., “Empress Yuanxian was pregnant, Li Longji personally prepared medicine to abort the fetus, but failed. He ascended the throne 45 years after his son was born”
[22] iNews, n.d., “Empress Yuanxian was pregnant, Li Longji personally prepared medicine to abort the fetus, but failed. He ascended the throne 45 years after his son was born”
[23] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[24] iNews, n.d., “Empress Yuanxian was pregnant, Li Longji personally prepared medicine to abort the fetus, but failed. He ascended the throne 45 years after his son was born”
[25] iNews, n.d., “Empress Yuanxian was pregnant, Li Longji personally prepared medicine to abort the fetus, but failed. He ascended the throne 45 years after his son was born”
[26] iNews, n.d., “Empress Yuanxian was pregnant, Li Longji personally prepared medicine to abort the fetus, but failed. He ascended the throne 45 years after his son was born”
[27] iNews, n.d., “Empress Yuanxian was pregnant, Li Longji personally prepared medicine to abort the fetus, but failed. He ascended the throne 45 years after his son was born”
[28] McMahon, 2013
[29] McMahon, 2013
[30] McMahon, 2013
[31] iNews, n.d., “Empress Yuanxian was pregnant, Li Longji personally prepared medicine to abort the fetus, but failed. He ascended the throne 45 years after his son was born”
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