Fang Rui

Fang Rui, birth and death dates unknown, was from Yingtian (now Nanjing), Jiangsu Province. He was an imperial in-law of the Ming Dynasty and the father of Empress Xiaolue of Ming Shizong. His mother-in-law was promoted from Concubine Nine to Empress, and Fang was officially recognized as an imperial concubine before being elevated to Empress. Initially, Fang Rui was appointed as a chief guard of the Embroidered Uniform Guard (Jinyiwei) with the rank of Zhengqianhu (Principal Commandant of the Embroidered Uniform Guard). In the 13th year of Jiajing (1534), following the abolition of Empress Zhang, Fang was promoted to Empress, and Fang Rui was promoted to Commander-in-Chief. Later, during Emperor Shizong's southern tour, he was granted the title of Left Governor-General. In the 15th year of Jiajing (1536), he was granted the noble title of Anping Bo (Marquis of Anping), and in the 21st year of Jiajing (1542), he was further promoted to Marquis of Anping. He died on June 7, 1546, with the posthumous name Rongjing and was awarded the honorary title of Grand Secretary (Taibao). His son, Fang Chengyu, inherited the noble title of Marquis of Anping in the 26th year of Jiajing (1547). In the first month of the sixth year of Longqing (1572), after Fang Chengyu’s death, the court, upon the advice of officials such as Guo Jianchi, ceased granting the title of Marquis of Anping.