Empress Xiaoan

Empress Xiao'an (孝安皇后), belonging to the Chen clan, died on 6 August 1596. She was a consort of the Ming dynasty and the second wife of the Longqing Emperor. Her father was Chen Jingxing (陳景行), who held the position of an imperial guard.

During the reign of the Jiajing Emperor (1521–1567), she was known as Lady Chen (陳氏). In 1558, she received the title Princess of Yu (裕王妃). Following the accession of the Longqing Emperor in 1567, she was elevated to the status of Empress (皇后) on 4 February 1567.

Her marriage to the Longqing Emperor occurred after the death of his first primary spouse and their son. Upon becoming emperor in 1567, he declared Lady Chen his empress. However, in 1569, she was removed from the position and moved to a separate palace. The reasons for her removal included her declining health and the emperor’s concern that she lacked a son. It was also noted that she had criticized the emperor's indulgence in women and music, which reportedly contributed to her loss of favor. Her move and subsequent treatment led to her falling ill, but she was cared for kindly by the crown prince, who frequently visited her en route to see his parents.

When her stepson ascended the throne in 1572 as the Wanli Emperor, she was granted the title of Empress Dowager. Her titles evolved over time: from Empress Dowager Rensheng (仁聖皇太后) on 19 July 1572, to Empress Dowager Rensheng Zhenyi (仁聖貞懿皇太后) in 1578, and subsequently to Empress Dowager Rensheng Zhenyi Kangjing (仁聖貞懿康靜皇太后) from 1582. In 1596, she received the full title of Empress Xiao'an Zhenyi Gongchun Wenhui Zuotian Hongsheng (孝安貞懿恭純溫惠佐天弘聖皇后).

As Lady Chen, she bore a daughter known as Princess Taihe (太和公主) in 1557, who died in 1560.

References regarding her life are documented in works such as Keith McMahon's "Celestial Women: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Song to Qing" and Zhang Tingyu's "Ming Shi," Volume 114.