Empress Xiaoyizhuang, Of The Li Clan

Empress Xiaoyizhuang (孝懿莊皇后, Li Shi), born in 1530, was a Chinese imperial consort during the Ming dynasty. She was from the Li clan and was the first wife of the Longqing Emperor. Her father was Li Ming (李铭).

In the 2nd month of the 32nd year of the Jiajing Emperor’s reign (1553), Lady Li married Zhu Zaiji and received the title of Princess Consort of Yu (裕王妃). On October 15, 1555, she gave birth to her first son, Zhu Yiyi, who later became Crown Prince Xianhuai. Her son's birth date was October 15, 1555, and he died prematurely on May 11, 1559. After Zhu Zaiji ascended the throne as Emperor, her son was designated as the Crown Prince in the first year of the Longqing era (1567).

It is not documented when Lady Li gave birth to her second son, Zhu Yiling, who died at the age of one. Posthumously, Zhu Yiling was honored as Prince Dao of Jing. She also gave birth to a daughter named Princess Penglai, although the specific year of her birth is unknown.

Lady Li passed away in the 4th month of the 37th year of Jiajing’s reign (1558), when she was in her twenties. After Zhu Zaiji became emperor, he personally posthumously bestowed upon her the title of Empress Xiaoyizhuang.

Her titles evolved as follows:

- During the Jiajing Emperor’s reign (1521–1567): Lady Li (李氏), Princess Consort of Yu (裕王妃, from 1553)

- During the Longqing Emperor’s reign (1567–1572): Empress Xiaoyi (孝懿皇后, from 1567)

- During the Wanli Emperor’s reign (1572–1620): Empress Xiaoyi Zhenhui Shunzhe Gongren Litian Xiangsheng Zhuang (孝懿貞惠順哲恭仁儷天襄聖莊皇后, from 1572)

Her issued children included:

- Zhu Yiyi, Crown Prince Xianhuai (十五 October 1555 – 11 May 1559), her first son and later emperor's crown prince.

- Zhu Yiling, Prince Dao of Jing, her second son.

- Princess Penglai, her daughter.

This information is sourced from the "History of Ming" (明史), Vol. 114, Biographies II (Empresses II), authored by Zhang Tingyu and others in 1739.