Empress Zhenshun was one of the most notorious empresses of the Tang Dynasty.[1] She was originally an imperial consort of Emperor Xuanzong and was made his posthumous empress.[2] She was also the grand-niece of Empress Wu Zetian.[3] She has been considered to be just as “cunning and treacherous”[4] as her great-aunt. She ruthlessly killed three of her stepsons to satisfy her own ambitions.[5]
In circa 698, Empress Zhenshun was born. She was from the Wu clan.[6] Her personal name is unknown.[7] She was the grand-niece of Empress Wu Zetian.[8] Her father was Wu Youzhi (the Prince of Heng’an).[9] Her mother was Lady Yang.[10] She had two brothers named Wu Zhong and Wu Xin.[11] When Lady Wu was five years old, her father died.[12] Therefore, she was sent to be raised in the palace.[13]
In 712, Lady Wang entered Emperor Xuanzong’s harem and became an imperial consort. She was given the title of Jieyu and quickly became his favourite.[14] In 717, she bore Emperor Xuanzong a son, Li Yi (posthumously given the name of Prince Dao of Xia).[15] In 720, she had another son, Li Min (posthumously given the name of Prince Ai of Huai).[16] She also bore Emperor Xuanzong a daughter, Princess Shangxian.[17] These three children died in infancy.[18] She also bore two more sons at an unknown date.[19] They were Prince Li Mao (Prince Shou) and Prince Li Qi (Prince Sheng).[20]
In 722, Emperor Xuanzong wanted to depose Empress Wang because of her barrenness.[21] However, he eventually put aside his thoughts of deposing Empress Wang.[22] In that same year, Imperial Consort Wu gave birth to Emperor Xuanzong’s daughter, Princess Xianyi.[23] She also gave birth to another daughter, Princess Taihua, at an unknown date.[24] Therefore, Imperial Consort Wu bore Emperor Xuanzong the most children out of any of his imperial wives.[25]
In 724, Empress Wang was caught wearing a magical amulet in order to get pregnant.[26] On 15 August 724, Emperor Xuanzong officially deposed Empress Wang. In November 724, the deposed Empress Wang died. Emperor Xuanzong promoted Imperial Consort Wu to Huifei (which was the rank directly below the Empress position).[27]
In 726, Emperor Xuanzong wanted to make Imperial Consort Wu Huifei his empress.[28] However, his ministers were against it because Imperial Consort Huifei was the grand-niece of Empress Wu Zetian.[29] Imperial Consort Huifei told him that she did not want to be crowned empress.[30] Emperor Xuanzong was forced to drop the matter of making Imperial Consort Wu Huifei his empress.[31] He did issue an edict that said:
“Consort Hui’s etiquette shall be the same as that of the Empress, and her entourage shall be of the same standard as that of the Empress. She shall reside in the main hall of Xingqing Palace.”[32]
Imperial Consort Wu Huifei was empress in all but name.[33] Her mother, Lady Yang, was given the title of Lady of Zheng State.[34] Her brothers, Wu Zhong and Wu Xin, were made officials.[35] Imperial Consort Wu Huifei yearned to make her son, Prince Li Mao, the Crown Prince.[36] However, Imperial Consort Zhao’s son, Li Ying, was the Crown Prince.[37] She entered into an alliance with Li Linfu (who became chancellor in 734) in order to make Prince Li Mao the Crown Prince.[38]
In 737, Imperial Consort Wu Huifei seized the opportunity to make Prince Li Mao the Crown Prince.[39] She also decided to send a false message to Crown Prince Li Ying, Prince Li Yao (the Prince of E and the son of Emperor Xuanzong and Imperial Consort Huangfu), and Prince Li Ju (the Prince of Guang and the son of Emperor Xuanzong and Imperial Consort Liu).[40] These three princes were Emperor Xuanzong’s favourite sons.[41] The false message said, “There are thieves in the palace; you must quickly take weapons and enter the palace to protect the Emperor.”[42]
Crown Prince Li Ying, Prince Li Yao, and Prince Li Ju quickly put on their armour and entered the palace.[43] When they arrived at the palace, Imperial Consort Wu Huifei told Emperor Xuanzong, “Your Majesty! The Crown Prince and the two princes have rebelled and entered the palace with weapons!”[44] When Emperor Xuanzong learned that they had come to the palace with weapons, he was furious.[45] Li Linfu urged Emperor Xuanzong to punish his sons.[46] Emperor Xuanzong stripped Crown Prince Li Ying, Prince Li Yao, and Prince Li Ju of their imperial titles and demoted them to commoners.[47] He then ordered them to commit suicide.[48] This event is known in history as the Three Commoners Incident.[49]
It was said that shortly after the Three Commoners Incident, Imperial Consort Wu Huifei was haunted by the ghosts of Crown Prince Li Ying, Prince Li Yao, and Prince Li Ju.[50] They often visited her in her dreams.[51] She became very afraid.[52] Emperor Xuanzong tried to help her rejuvenate by moving her to the Lishan Hot Spring Palace.[53] However, it was of no use. Her condition grew worse, and she fell ill.[54] On 1 January 738, Imperial Consort Wu Huifei died.
Emperor Xuanzong deeply mourned Imperial Consort Wu Huifei’s death.[55] He suspended court for seven days.[56] He made her a posthumous empress.[57] He gave her the posthumous name of Empress Zhenshun and buried her in Jingling Mausoleum.[58] He even built a temple for her.[59] He personally wrote her epitaph.[60] It said:
“Empress Zhenshun was virtuous, gentle, and respectful. She was strict in observing etiquette and teachings, assisted in the administration of the inner palace, and benefited the Emperor’s health.”[61]
Prince Li Mao was not made the Crown Prince.[62] Instead, he became the Grand Governor of Yizhou.[63] Emperor Xuanzong would later steal Prince Li Mao’s wife, Yang Yuhuan.[64] She would be known as the famous Imperial Consort Yang Guifei.
In 762, Emperor Daizong learned about the Three Commoners Incident.[65] His ministers submitted a memorial stating:
“Empress Zhenshun framed the three princes, causing fratricide within the imperial family. She is no longer fit to join the ancestral shrine.”[66]
Emperor Daizong then stripped Empress Zhenshun of her empress title.[67] He destroyed her temple.[68] He also damaged her tomb in Jingling Mausoleum.[69]
Empress Zhenshun has often had a negative reputation, like her great-aunt, Wu Zetian.[70] She was beloved by Emperor Xuanzong.[71] For twenty-six years, she enjoyed his favour and was treated as his empress.[72] However, she did not crave power for herself.[73] She was not content with not being made an empress in her life.[74] Instead, her ambitions were for her son, Prince Li Mao.[75] She wanted him to be the next crown prince.[76] Therefore, she was very ruthless and killed three of her stepsons.[77] Her ambitions were in vain because Prince Li Mao was not made the Crown Prince.[78] Therefore, Empress Zhenshun did not gain any benefits from murdering the three princes.[79] Instead, all she received was a black reputation.[80] It is no wonder that Empress Zhenshun has been considered one of China’s most evil empresses.[81]
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.). “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”. Retrieved on November 24, 2025 from https://inf.news/en/history/b002e90dc1a55e25c0206614c5491579.html.
McMahon, K. (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. NY: Rowman and Littlefield.
[1] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[2] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[3] McMahon, 2013
[4] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”, para. 26
[5] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[6] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[7] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[8] McMahon, 2013
[9] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[10] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[11] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[12] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[13] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[14] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[15] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[16] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[17] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[18] McMahon, 2013
[19] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[20] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[21] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[22] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[23] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[24] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[25] McMahon, 2013
[26] McMahon, 2013
[27] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[28] McMahon, 2013
[29] McMahon, 2013
[30] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[31] McMahon, 2013
[32] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”, para. 12
[33] McMahon, 2013
[34] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[35] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[36] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[37] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[38] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[39] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[40] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[41] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[42] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”, para. 17
[43] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[44] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”, para. 17
[45] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[46] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[47] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[48] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[49] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[50] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[51] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[52] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[53] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[54] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[55] McMahon, 2013
[56] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[57] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[58] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[59] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[60] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[61] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”, para. 22
[62] McMahon, 2013
[63] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[64] McMahon, 2013
[65] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[66] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”, para. 24
[67] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[68] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[69] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[70] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[71] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[72] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[73] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[74] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[75] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[76] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[77] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[78] McMahon, 2013
[79] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[80] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
[81] iNews, “Consort Wu Hui of Emperor Li Longji: The most favored concubine in the harem, yet she died of fright; posthumously honored, but then stripped of her title”
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