Empress Dowager Xiaoyi, Of The Wu Clan

Empress Dowager Xiaoyi (Chinese: 孝翼皇太后; 1397 – 16 January 1462) was a member of the Wu clan and a concubine of the Xuande Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Her place of origin was Zhejiang Province, and her family included her father Wu Yanming, her mother Lady Shen, four brothers named Wu Xing, Wu Zhong, Wu Rong, and Wu An, as well as three sisters: Wu Miaoxiang, Wu Miaoyin, and Wu Miaoqing.

In 1412, during the tenth year of the Yongle Emperor's reign, she entered the Ming court at the age of sixteen. Her initial role was serving Zhu Zhanji, who was then the grandson of the Emperor, in Yuqing Palace. The historical records do not specify her activities between this entry and her later status, but in 1428, she gave birth to Zhu Qiyu, and in that same year, she was appointed as Consort Xian. There are rumors suggesting that Zhu Qiyu may not have been the biological son of the Xuande Emperor, but there is no definitive evidence to confirm this.

Following the death of the Xuande Emperor, his eldest son by Empress Sun ascended the throne as the Zhengtong Emperor. In 1449, the Zhengtong Emperor was captured by the Oirat Mongols, leading to Zhu Qiyu being enthroned as the Jingtai Emperor. During his reign, he honored his mother as Empress Dowager. After the Jingtai Emperor was deposed, the Zhengtong Emperor resumed power and downgraded her title to Consort Xuanmiaoxian. Upon her death in 1462, she was posthumously entitled Consort Rongsixian.

During the reign of the Hongguang Emperor, her status was further elevated when she was recognized as Empress Dowager. Her posthumous title was extended to Empress Dowager Xiàoyì Chénhuì Shūshèn Círén Kuāngtiān Xīshèng, a comprehensive honor reflecting her prominence.

Her titles throughout her life included:

- Lady Wu during 1397, at the start of the Ming Dynasty.

- Palace Lady starting in 1412.

- Consort Xian from September 1428 during the Xuande Emperor’s reign.

- Empress Dowager from 22 September 1449 during the Jingtai Emperor’s reign.

- Consort Xuanmiaoxian from 1457 during the Tianshun Emperor's reign.

- Consort Rongsixian from 1462.

- Empress Dowager Xiàoyì Chénhuì Shūshèn Círén Kuāngtiān Xīshèng during the Hongguang Emperor's reign (1644–1645).

Her primary issue was Zhu Qiyu, who became the Jingtai Emperor (21 September 1428 – 14 March 1457), the second son of the Xuande Emperor.