Empress Xiaoyuanjing

Empress Wang (1427–1507) was a Chinese empress consort during the Ming dynasty, married to the Jingtai Emperor. She was born in 1427, and her family background is not detailed in the available information. In 1449, she married Jingtai, who was then the emperor of China.

Following her marriage, she held the title of Lady Wang during the reign of the Xuande Emperor (r. 1425–1435). When the Zhengtong Emperor reigned (r. 1435–1449), she was designated as the Princess of Cheng (郕王妃) starting in 1445.

In 1449, Jingtai ascended to the throne, and she was granted the title of Empress on September 22, 1449. During this period, she had two daughters with the emperor; their names are Princess Gu'an, born in 1449 and died in 1491, and a second daughter whose name is not provided.

In May 1452, Jingtai declared his son with his secondary consort Hang as the heir to the throne. He promoted Hang to the position of empress, as the mother of the crown prince, and subsequently demoted Empress Wang, stripping her of her title. After her demotion, she lived a relatively quiet life outside the imperial palace.

During the reign of the Tianshun Emperor (r. 1457–1464), she again held the title Princess of Cheng. She survived the death of Jingtai in 1457, an event that was marked by the order for his consorts and wives to commit suicide. It is believed that Empress Wang's survival was possibly due to her assistance to the nephew of Jingtai, who later became the Chenghua Emperor, in hiding from Jingtai.

Later in her life, during the reign of the Zhengde Emperor (r. 1505–1521), she was posthumously honored with the title Empress Zhenhui Anhe Jing in 1507. Under the subsequent Hongguang Emperor (r. 1644–1645), she was further honored with a grand title, Empress Xiaoyuan Suyi Zhenhui Anhe Futian Gongsheng Jing.

Throughout her life, her titles changed according to the reigning emperor. She was associated with various titles reflecting her position, from Lady Wang to Princess of Cheng, then Empress, and posthumously honored as an empress with compound titles. Her issue includes two daughters, with Princess Gu'an identified as her first daughter.

Her full lifespan spans from 1427 to 1507, and her life intersected with multiple Ming dynasty emperors, reflecting her changing status within the imperial court and her survival through significant political transitions.