Hyo Motosada

Empress Xiaoyuanzhen (1580–1613), of the Guo clan, was historically recognized as the first wife of the Taichang Emperor of the Ming Dynasty during his time as crown prince. She passed away prior to her husband's accession to the throne and is commonly referred to by her posthumous title.

Lady Guo was born in 1580 and was selected as a concubine to the crown prince Zhu Changluo in 1601. Her father, Guo Weicheng, was granted the title of Count of Boping (博平) due to her status, and subsequently promoted to marquis.

During the reign of the Wanli Emperor (1572–1620), her titles included Lady Guo (郭氏) from 1580, Crown Princess (太子妃) from 1601, and Crown Princess Gongjing (恭靖太子妃) from 1613.

In her capacity as Crown Princess, she bore a daughter named Princess Daoyi of Huaishu (懷淑悼懿公主), whose personal name was Huijian (徽娟). The princess was born in 1604 and died in 1610.

Lady Guo died in 1613, at a time when her husband was still a crown prince. Her burial was initially prevented; her remains were not interred with the rituals and accoutrements typical for an imperial crown prince's consort due to orders from her father-in-law, the Wanli Emperor. It was only after an assassination attempt on Zhu Changluo in 1615, which was allegedly orchestrated by the Wanli Emperor’s favored concubine, Noble Consort Zheng, that public opinion compelled the emperor to recognize his eldest son and permit a proper burial for Lady Guo. Posthumously, she received the title of Crown Princess Gongjing (恭靖太子妃).

Following Zhu Changluo’s son, Zhu Youjiao, ascension as the Tianqi Emperor (1621–1627), she was posthumously titled Empress Xiaoyuanzhen (孝元昭懿哲惠莊仁合天弼聖貞皇后) in 1621. Her remains were moved to the Ming tombs, where she was buried alongside the short-lived Taichang Emperor and was venerated in the family shrine.

References for her biography include the "History of Ming" (《明史》), edited by Zhang Tingyu in 1739, which provides historical accounts of her life and titles.