Empress Zhang

Empress Zhang (died 1537), also known as Deposed Empress Zhang (廢后張氏), was a Chinese empress during the Ming dynasty. Her personal name is not recorded. She held the title of empress consort as the second empress of the Jiajing Emperor.

Her family background includes her father being a member of the Imperial guard. In 1526, she was selected to join the imperial harem. Following the death of the previous empress in 1528, Zhang was chosen to assume the role of empress on January 8, 1529.

During the reign of the Jiajing Emperor, Zhang was initially known as Consort Shun (順妃), starting in 1522, before being elevated to the position of empress in 1528. Her tenure as empress ended in 1534 when she was officially deposed. No formal reason was provided for her removal from the position; however, unofficial accounts suggest that her deposition was due to the emperor's disapproval of her favor with Empress Xiaochengjing.

After her deposition, Zhang was known as the Deposed Empress Zhang. She died three years after her removal from the throne, in 1537.

Throughout her life, her titles included Lady Zhang (張氏) during the Zhengde Emperor's reign (1505–1521), Consort Shun during the early years of the Jiajing Emperor's reign (1521–1567), and Empress from 1528 until her deposition in 1534.

== Titles ==

* Lady Zhang (張氏), during the Zhengde Emperor's reign (1505–1521)

* Consort Shun (順妃), from 1522 during the early reign of the Jiajing Emperor (r. 1521–1567)

* Empress (皇后), from 1528 to 1534

== Notes ==