Empress Dowager Lü

Empress Dowager Lü (her birth and death dates are unknown), likely died between the 14th and mid-15th centuries, was born in Shoushan. She was the daughter of the loyal official Lü Benshi. She initially served as a concubine to Crown Prince Yiweng Zhu Biao, later became a secondary consort, and was promoted to Crown Prince Consort. Her children included the eldest son Zhu Yunwen (Emperor Jianwen), the second son Zhu Yunxun, and the third son Zhu Yunxi. In the 10th year of the Hongwu Dynasty (1377), Lü gave birth to Zhu Yunwen. In the eleventh month of the 11th year of Hongwu (1378), when her son Zhu Yunwen ascended the throne, she became the Crown Prince Consort. According to the "Sheng Chao Tong Shi Shi Yi Ji," she was conferred the title of Crown Prince Consort around the same month that Lady Chang died, but this account is questionable. Her status was definitely confirmed no later than the eighth month of the 16th year of Hongwu (1383).

In the 18th year of Hongwu (1385), Lü gave birth to her second son, Zhu Yunxun; in the 24th year of Hongwu (1391), she bore her third son, Zhu Yunxi. It is not certain whether she was the daughter of Zhu Biao among his daughters. In the first year of Jianwen (1399), Zhu Yunwen honored her as Empress Dowager.

During the Jingnan Campaign, Zhu Di captured the capital and sent people to escort Empress Dowager Lü to the army. Zhu Di explained the reasons for his rebellion to her; after hearing this, she returned to the palace. Soon afterward, the palace was destroyed by fire. She later moved with her young son Zhu Yunxi to the Prince Yiweng Shrine. In the first year of Yongle (1403), Zhu Di ascended the throne; he revoked her title of Empress Dowager and instead referred to her as Lady Lü and Crown Princess Dowager. In the fourth year of Yongle (1406), her young son Zhu Yunxi died in a fire. There are no records regarding her death or burial site. After the death of the Ming Emperor Zhu Youjian, in 1645, her title of Empress Dowager was restored.

Regarding Lü's later life, Shen De Fu mentioned in the "Wanli Ye Huo Bian" that "Empress Dowager Lü eventually disappeared without a trace; some say she perished by self-immolation on the same day as Jianwen, but this is unfounded," yet the specific time and place of her death and burial have not been confirmed.