Empress Dowager Xiaojing

Empress Dowager Xiaojing, born Wang on 27 February 1565, was a member of the Wang clan during the Ming dynasty. She entered the imperial household in 1578 as a maid (宮人) within the household of Empress Dowager Li, who was the mother of the Wanli Emperor.

In late 1581, the Wanli Emperor developed an attraction to Lady Wang during a visit to her mother’s residence. Subsequently, she became pregnant by the emperor. Although initially the emperor was reluctant to acknowledge paternity, his mother persuaded him to do so through official records of his visits. Following this, Lady Wang was promoted to the status of concubine with the title of Consort Gong (恭妃).

Lady Wang gave birth to a son, Zhu Changluo, on August 1582. He was the first child of the Wanli Emperor. In 1584, the emperor's interest shifted away from Lady Wang, as he became involved with another concubine, Lady Zheng. Lady Zheng gave birth to Zhu Changxun in 1586. Despite being the emperor's eldest son, Zhu Changluo was initially not chosen as heir apparent. The Wanli Emperor and Lady Zheng favored Zhu Changxun, while officials and the emperor’s mother advocated for Zhu Changluo's succession.

It was only after prolonged disputes that Zhu Changluo was designated as heir in 1601. His status was further cemented in 1606, following the birth of Zhu Changluo's first son, who would later become the Tianqi Emperor. That year, Lady Wang was posthumously promoted to Imperial Noble Consort (皇貴妃).

In 1611, Lady Wang died and was buried on Tianshou Mountain. Her son ascended the throne in 1620 but reigned for only one month before dying. Her grandson, the Tianqi Emperor, reigned from 1620 to 1627. Upon his accession, he posthumously honored her as Empress Dowager Xiaojing and reburied her in the Wanli Emperor’s tomb at Ding Mausoleum in the Ming imperial tombs located outside Beijing.

Throughout her life, her titles included Lady Wang (王氏), Palace Lady (宮人) from 1578, Consort Gong (恭妃) from July 5, 1582, Imperial Noble Consort (皇貴妃) from 1605, and Imperial Noble Consort Wensu Duanjing Chunyi (温肃端靖纯懿皇贵妃) from 1611. During the reign of the Tianqi Emperor, she was posthumously honored with the full title Empress Dowager Xiaojing Wenyì Jìngràng Zhēncí Cāntiān Yìnshèng (孝靖溫懿敬讓貞慈參天胤聖皇太后).

Her issue with Consort Gong included Zhu Changluo, the Taichang Emperor (born 28 August 1582, died 26 September 1620), and Princess Yunmeng (1584–1587), whose personal name was Xuanyuan (軒嫄).