Empress Xiao'aizhe

Empress Yi'an (1606–1644), of the Zhang clan, was an empress consort of the Ming dynasty during the reign of the Tianqi Emperor. Her full background details, including her given name and her mother's name, are not documented. She was the daughter of Zhang Guoji, who was elevated to the rank of Bo (count) of Taikang during her tenure as empress.

In 1621, she was selected to become the primary spouse and empress of the Tianqi Emperor. Her character traits, as recorded, include being calm and straightforward, with a disposition described as strict yet fair in palace affairs. She was known to oppose the influence of two central figures in the court: Madame Ke, her wet nurse, and Wei Zhongxian, a prominent eunuch. The emperor was considered to be poorly educated and possibly mentally deficient, and he relied heavily on these two figures.

Empress Zhang reportedly informed the emperor about the misconduct of Wei Zhongxian and Madame Ke, although he consistently refused to act against them. She reportedly made a subtle comparison between Wei Zhongxian and Zhao Gao, the infamous eunuch associated with the fall of the Qin dynasty. An incident is recorded where she called Madame Ke to be summoned and ordered her caned; however, the emperor intervened to prevent the punishment.

Wei Zhongxian is accused of inducing miscarriages among the emperor’s consorts and concubines, and Madame Ke is said to have caused the deaths of some women in the palace. Empress Zhang herself became pregnant in 1623 but suffered a miscarriage, which was purportedly the result of a conspiracy involving Madame Ke and palace women.

Wei Zhongxian and Madame Ke attempted to undermine Empress Zhang indirectly by accusing her father of piracy, aiming to discredit her and remove her from the position of empress. These efforts did not succeed due to opposition from court officials.

Following the death of the Tianqi Emperor in 1627, who had no surviving issue due to repeated miscarriages and infant deaths among his consorts, a succession crisis ensued. Wei Zhongxian attempted to hijack the throne by persuading palace women to falsely claim pregnancy and orchestrating the appearance of a male heir. Empress Zhang prevented this plot and secured the succession for the late emperor’s brother. In recognition of her support, the new emperor bestowed upon her the title Empress Yi'an.

In 1644, during the final moments of the Ming dynasty, the rebel Li Zicheng’s army approached Beijing through Juyong Pass. On 23 April 1644, the Chongzhen Emperor held his last audience with ministers. Li Zicheng proposed surrender, which was rejected. The following day, the rebels attacked the capital, and the emperor ordered his family to escape or be killed to prevent capture. The Chongzhen Emperor committed suicide by hanging. Empress Zhou performed a hanging, while Empress Zhang Baozhu committed suicide by strangulation, along with other members of the imperial family.

During her reign, she held the title of Lady Zhang (from 1606), later titled Empress (from February 1621), and subsequently known as Empress Yi'an (from 1627). In 1644, during the reign of the Hongguang Emperor, her title was extended to a lengthy honorific posthumous style.

Her sole recorded issue was Zhu Ciran, Crown Prince Huaichong, born on 4 November 1623, who was the first son of the Tianqi Emperor.

Sources include the "Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women, Volume II: Tang Through Ming 618–1644" by Lily Xiao Hong Lee and Sue Wiles.