Empress Zhenyi was the second empress of Emperor Daizong of the Tang Dynasty. She was originally his imperial consort.[1] Emperor Daizong did not appoint an empress.[2] Therefore, Empress Zhenyi was posthumously made his empress.[3] She was Emperor Daizong’s greatest love.[4]
The birthdate of Empress Zhenyi is unknown.[5] Her personal name is unknown.[6] She was from the Jingzhao Dugu clan.[7] Her clan’s surname was originally Li, but they adopted the name of Dugu after the famous general, Dugu Xin.[8] Her father was Dugu Ying (a military officer of the Left Guard).[9] Her mother is unknown.[10]
Lady Dugu eventually became an imperial consort of Prince Li Yu (the Prince of Guanping and the future Emperor Daizong).[11] Imperial Consort Dugu was said to be very beautiful, and she monopolised Prince Li Yu’s favour.[12] He loved her very dearly and was his favourite.[13] In 750, she gave birth to a son, Prince Li Jiong (who would be made the Prince of Han in 762).[14] She also gave birth to a daughter, Princess Huayang, whom Prince Li Yu favoured because of her intellect.[15]
On 18 May 762, Li Yu ascended the throne as Emperor Daizong. Imperial Consort Dugu was given the rank of Guifei (the highest rank below the Empress).[16] However, Emperor Daizong did not make Imperial Consort Dugu Guifei his empress.[17] Instead, he wanted the Imperial Consort Shen (the mother of his eldest son, Crown Prince Li Kuo) to be his empress.[18] However, Imperial Consort Shen had been missing since 759 during the An Lushan Rebellion.[19] While Emperor Daizong searched for Imperial Consort Shen, he still treated Imperial Consort Dugu Guifei as the unofficial empress.[20] Emperor Daizong never found Imperial Consort Shen in his lifetime.[21] Therefore, he never appointed an empress.[22]
In 774, Princess Huayang died. Emperor Daizong was so grief-stricken over his daughter’s death that he did not attend court for the next few days until his ministers begged for his return.[23] On 3 November 775, Imperial Consort Dugu Guifei died. Emperor Daizong made Imperial Consort Dugu Guifei his posthumous empress.[24] He gave her the posthumous name of Empress Zhenyi. Emperor Daizong greatly mourned Empress Zhenyi’s death.[25] He refused to let her body leave the imperial palace.[26] Empress Zhenyi’s casket remained in the imperial palace for three years.[27] In 778, Emperor Daizong finally buried Empress Zhenyi in the gardens of Zhuangling.[28]
There are very few facts known about Empress Zhenyi.[29] However, it is clear that she was Emperor Daizong’s true love.[30] He cherished her, and she was treated as the unofficial empress during her lifetime.[31] When Empress Zhenyi passed away, Emperor Daizong grieved for her deeply.[32] For three years, he did not want to bury her.[33] Therefore, Empress Zhenyi is best known for winning the heart of an emperor.[34]
Sources:
iMedia. (n.d.). “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”. Retrieved on December 13, 2025 from https://min.news/en/history/81e9574f9d62ba4172f3b6dfa3786131.html/2.
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] McMahon, 2013
[4] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”; McMahon, 2013
[5] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[6] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[7] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[8] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[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] McMahon, 2013
[12] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”; McMahon, 2013
[13] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”; McMahon, 2013
[14] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[15] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[16] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[17] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”; McMahon, 2013
[18] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[19] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[20] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[21] McMahon, 2013
[22] McMahon, 2013
[23] McMahon, 2013
[24] McMahon, 2013
[25] McMahon, 2013
[26] McMahon, 2013
[27] McMahon, 2013
[28] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[29] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[30] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”; McMahon, 2013
[31] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[32] McMahon, 2013
[33] McMahon, 2013
[34] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”; McMahon, 2013
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