Empress Ma

Empress Xiaominrang (1378–1402) was a Chinese empress consort of the Ming dynasty. She belonged to the Ma clan and was the second empress consort of the Ming dynasty.

Born in 1378, her personal name is not recorded. She was the daughter of Ma Quan, an official from Yingtian, a location corresponding to present-day Nanjing. In 1395, she married Zhu Yunwen, who was the grandson of the Hongwu Emperor, the founder of the Ming dynasty. At that time, she was granted the title of consort of the Imperial Grandson-heir, known in Chinese as "皇太孙妃" (Huáng Tàisūnfēi).

Zhu Yunwen ascended the throne as the Jianwen Emperor in 1398, after the death of his grandfather, the Hongwu Emperor. Following the accession, Ma was installed as empress consort in the second month of his reign. During her tenure as empress, she had two sons. Her first son was Zhu Wenkui, designated as Crown Prince Hejian, born on November 30, 1396. Her second son was Zhu Wengui, who was titled Prince Huai of Run, born in 1401. Both of her sons were posthumously honored.

In 1402, her second son, Zhu Wengui, was approximately one year old. That year, Zhu Di, also known as the Yongle Emperor, launched a campaign against Nanjing, the Ming imperial capital, resulting in the sacking of the city and the burning of the palace. During this event, Empress Ma died.

Throughout her life, she held several titles. During the reign of the Hongwu Emperor (1368–1398), she was known as Lady Ma, starting from her birth year in 1378. Upon becoming consort of the Imperial Grandson in 1395, she was titled accordingly. After her husband ascended to the throne in 1398, she was styled as empress from June 30 of that year. During the reign of the Ming dynasty's period of restored authority under the later Hongguang Emperor (1644–1645), she was posthumously honored with a lengthy elegiac title, which includes references to her virtues and filial piety.

Her recorded issue includes her first son, Zhu Wenkui, who was the Crown Prince Hejian and lived from November 30, 1396, until 1402. Her second son, Zhu Wengui, became known as Prince Huai of Run and lived from 1401 to 1457.