Empress Xiaogongzhang

Empress Xiaogongzhang (孝恭章皇后), born around 1399 in Zouping, Shandong Province, was a Chinese empress consort of the Ming dynasty. Her personal name is not recorded. She was a member of the Sun clan, and her father was Sun Zhong, who served as an assistant magistrate in Yongcheng District. She had five brothers, including Sun Qizong (1395–1480), who held military ranks such as guard commander and assistant commander in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

In her early life, Sun was recognized for her beauty and was known locally as a beauty. When Crown Princess Zhang, the future Empress Zhang, visited her hometown, she learned of Sun's reputation and brought her to the palace. At the imperial court, she received praise from palace women. The Yongle Emperor commanded that Empress Xu, the emperor's wife, care for and educate her.

In 1417, Sun was selected to become a concubine of Zhu Zhanji, the future Xuande Emperor. In 1424, she gave birth to a daughter named Princess Changde. After Zhu Zhanji ascended the throne in 1425, she was elevated to the rank of Noble Consort Sun, which was the second-highest rank after the empress.

In 1427, she bore a son, Zhu Qizhen. Because Empress Hu had not birthed a son, Sun's son became the crown prince. In 1428, the emperor proposed deposing Empress Hu and installing Sun as empress. Initially, Sun declined, citing familial concerns, but the emperor insisted, and she agreed. Empress Hu was removed, and Sun was promoted to empress (孫皇后). Her investiture was a significant event, followed by celebratory banquets. As empress, she conducted court duties including personnel evaluations, approving budgets, and overseeing royal marriages. She held family ceremonies, reported to her mother-in-law, Empress Zhang, and participated in ancestral rites.

Following the death of the Xuande Emperor in 1435, their son Yingzong ascended the throne, and Sun became an empress dowager (皇太后). Before Xuande's death, he instructed officials to govern and seek advice from his mother, Empress Zhang, and Sun on major affairs. Over time, Empress Zhang outmaneuvered Sun in political influence. After Empress Zhang's death in 1442, Yingzong managed state affairs directly.

In 1449, Yingzong was captured during a campaign against the Mongols. Sun and Empress Qian raised ransom jewels for his release. The court debated whether to retreat south. Influenced by Sun and others, Yingzong was encouraged to reassert authority. When Yingzong was released in 1457, he was initially placed under house arrest, and Jingtai became emperor. Sun served as regent during Jingtai's reign and later played a key role in the 1457 coup that restored Yingzong to the throne. She was then titled Empress Dowager Shengliecishou (圣烈慈寿皇太后).

Empress Sun died of illness on 26 September 1462. She was posthumously titled Empress Xiaogong Yixian Ciren Zhuanglie Qitian Peisheng Zhang (孝恭懿憲慈仁莊烈齊天配聖章皇后) and was buried in the Jingling Mausoleum on 23 November 1462.

Her issue included Princess Changde (1424–1470), the third daughter of the Xuande Emperor, and Zhu Qizhen (1427–1464), her son who became Emperor Yingzong. Throughout her life, her titles evolved from Lady Sun during the reign of the Jianwen Emperor, to Concubine of the Imperial Grandson-heir during Yongle's reign, Noble Consort Sun and Empress during Xuande's reign, and finally to Empress Dowager during subsequent reigns.