Empress Wang Zhenfeng
Encyclopedia
Empress Wang Zhenfeng (436–479), formally Empress Gong (恭皇后, literally "the respectful empress"), was an empress of the Chinese
dynasty Liu Song. Her husband was Emperor Ming
(Liu Yu).
. Her older brother Wang Yu (王彧) was so highly regarded by Emperor Wen for his talent that he named a son of his after Wang Yu, and then had Liu Yu, then the Prince of Huaiyang, marry Wang Zhenfeng in 448. After marriage, Wang Zhenfeng carried the title of Princess of Huaiyang, and after Liu Yu's title was changed to Prince of Xiangdong in 452, she became the Princess of Xiangdong. She bore him two daughters, Liu Bosi (劉伯姒) and Liu Boyuan (劉伯媛).
was assassinated in 465, Liu Yu, considered kind and open-minded by the officials and court attendants, was declared emperor (as Emperor Ming). He created Princess Wang empress. However, contrary to his pre-ascension reputation, he soon turned cruel and immoral as well. Official historical accounts written during the subsequent Southern Qi
Dynasty said that he was also impotent
, and that although he had 12 sons, those were the results of his having seized his brothers' pregnant concubines and kept the children if they bore males, or his having had his concubines have sexual relations with others. (However, the fact that Empress Wang had two daughters may argue against such allegations, because it appeared rather unlikely that Emperor Ming would do this over female children—indeed, the allegations stated that he would only do this if his brothers' concubines bore males—or that the morally upright Empress Wang would engage in sexual relations with others, thus suggesting that the allegations were made to delegitimize Emperor Ming's sons Emperor Houfei
and Emperor Shun
vis-à-vis Southern Qi.) In one famous incident in 470, Emperor Ming held an imperial feast inside the palace, and ordered his ladies in waiting to strip for the guests. Empress Wang, embarrassed, covered her eyes with a fan. In anger, Emperor Ming said, "Your household is so naïve and unaware of the world. Today everyone is trying to have fun, so why are you covering your eyes?" She responded, "There are many ways to have fun. What kind of a scene is it for aunts and sisters to gather to watch naked ladies in waiting and laugh about it? The fun that our household has is different." He became angrier and chased her away. When her brother (who had by now changed his name to Wang Jingwen (王景文) to observe naming taboo
) heard this, he commented, "My sister was meek before she was married. I am surprised that now she can be so upright."
In 472, Emperor Ming grew seriously ill, and he, believing that after his death, Empress Wang would become regent
, and that her brother Wang Jingwen would become overly powerful, so he forced Wang Jingwen to commit suicide. He then died and was succeeded by his oldest son (by his concubine Consort Chen Miaodeng
), Liu Yu (different character than Emperor Ming), as Emperor Houfei.
and his mother Consort Chen as consort dowager. Empress Dowager Wang was titularly regent, but the authority was actually in hands of Emperor Ming's associates Yang Yunchang (楊運長) and Ruan Dianfu (阮佃夫), and the officials Xiao Daocheng
, Yuan Can
, Chu Yuan
, and Liu Bing
. Initially, the relationship between him and Empress Dowager Wang appeared cordial, and in 474, when Emperor Houfei's uncle Liu Xiufan (劉休範) the Prince of Guiyang rebelled and appeared to be on the verge of victory, Empress Dowager Wang held Emperor Houfei and wept. After Liu Xiufan was defeated, initially Emperor Houfei feared rebuke from Empress Dowager Wang and Consort Dowager Chen and therefore was careful in his actions, but eventually grew more and more frivolous and violent in his actions. At Duan Wu festival in 477, Empress Dowager Wang gave him a gift of a feather fan. He felt that it was insufficiently luxurious, and ordered the imperial physicals to brew poison to ready to poison her. He only stopped after his attendants reminded him that if he poisoned Empress Dowager Wang, he would have to observe a mourning period of three years and would not be able to spend time on fun and games.
On Qi Xi
(Chinese Valentine's Day) in 477, after Emperor Houfei had tried to but then not actually killed Xiao Daocheng, Xiao Daocheng had Emperor Houfei's attendant Yang Yufu (楊玉夫) assassinate Emperor Houfei, and then, issuing an edict in Empress Dowager Wang's name, ordered Emperor Houfei posthumously deposed and his younger brother Liu Zhun installed as Emperor Shun. The general Shen Youzhi
then rose against Xiao, also claiming to be acting with Empress Dowager Wang's approval. (There is no real evidence that Empress Wang was involved either with Xiao's assassination plot or with Shen's rebellion.) After Xiao's forces defeated Shen's (and also defeated a coup attempt by Yuan and Liu), in 479, he forced Empress Dowager Wang and Emperor Shun to yield imperial authority to him, ending Liu Song and establishing Southern Qi
. He created the former Emperor Shun as the Prince of Ruyin and Empress Dowager Wang as princess dowager, but later that year had Emperor Shun and other members of the Liu clan slaughtered. The former Empress Dowager Wang died later that year and was buried with imperial honors, according to Liu Song customs, with her husband Emperor Ming.
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History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
dynasty Liu Song. Her husband was Emperor Ming
Emperor Ming of Liu Song
Emperor Ming of Liu Song , personal name Liu Yu , courtesy name Xiubing , nickname Rongqi , was an emperor of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song...
(Liu Yu).
Background
Wang Zhenfeng was born in 436 into an aristocratic family. Her father Wang Senglang (王僧朗) was a mid-high level official for Emperor WenEmperor Wen of Liu Song
Emperor Wen of Liu Song , personal name Liu Yilong , nickname Che'er , was an emperor of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song. He was the third son of the dynastic founder Emperor Wu . After his father's death in 422, Liu Yilong's eldest brother Liu Yifu took the throne as Emperor Shao...
. Her older brother Wang Yu (王彧) was so highly regarded by Emperor Wen for his talent that he named a son of his after Wang Yu, and then had Liu Yu, then the Prince of Huaiyang, marry Wang Zhenfeng in 448. After marriage, Wang Zhenfeng carried the title of Princess of Huaiyang, and after Liu Yu's title was changed to Prince of Xiangdong in 452, she became the Princess of Xiangdong. She bore him two daughters, Liu Bosi (劉伯姒) and Liu Boyuan (劉伯媛).
As empress
After Liu Yu's impulsive and violent nephew Emperor QianfeiEmperor Qianfei of Liu Song
Emperor Qianfei of Liu Song , personal name Liu Ziye , nickname Fashi , was an emperor of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song. His brief reign as a teenager was known for his violent and impulsive acts, including the slaughter of many high level officials and his sexually immoral behavior...
was assassinated in 465, Liu Yu, considered kind and open-minded by the officials and court attendants, was declared emperor (as Emperor Ming). He created Princess Wang empress. However, contrary to his pre-ascension reputation, he soon turned cruel and immoral as well. Official historical accounts written during the subsequent Southern Qi
Southern Qi
The Southern Qi Dynasty was the second of the Southern dynasties in China, followed by the Liang Dynasty. During its 23-year history, the dynasty was largely filled with instability, as after the death of the capable Emperor Gao and Emperor Wu, Emperor Wu's grandson Xiao Zhaoye was assassinated...
Dynasty said that he was also impotent
Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis during sexual performance....
, and that although he had 12 sons, those were the results of his having seized his brothers' pregnant concubines and kept the children if they bore males, or his having had his concubines have sexual relations with others. (However, the fact that Empress Wang had two daughters may argue against such allegations, because it appeared rather unlikely that Emperor Ming would do this over female children—indeed, the allegations stated that he would only do this if his brothers' concubines bore males—or that the morally upright Empress Wang would engage in sexual relations with others, thus suggesting that the allegations were made to delegitimize Emperor Ming's sons Emperor Houfei
Emperor Houfei of Liu Song
Emperor Houfei of Liu Song , also known by posthumous demoted title of Prince of Cangwu , personal name Liu Yu , courtesy name Derong , nickname Huizhen , was an emperor of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song...
and Emperor Shun
Emperor Shun of Liu Song
Emperor Shun of Liu Song , personal name Liu Zhun , courtesy name Zhongmou , nickname Zhiguan , was an emperor of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song...
vis-à-vis Southern Qi.) In one famous incident in 470, Emperor Ming held an imperial feast inside the palace, and ordered his ladies in waiting to strip for the guests. Empress Wang, embarrassed, covered her eyes with a fan. In anger, Emperor Ming said, "Your household is so naïve and unaware of the world. Today everyone is trying to have fun, so why are you covering your eyes?" She responded, "There are many ways to have fun. What kind of a scene is it for aunts and sisters to gather to watch naked ladies in waiting and laugh about it? The fun that our household has is different." He became angrier and chased her away. When her brother (who had by now changed his name to Wang Jingwen (王景文) to observe naming taboo
Naming taboo
Naming taboo is a cultural taboo against speaking or writing the given names of exalted persons in China and neighboring nations in the ancient Chinese cultural sphere.-Kinds of naming taboo:...
) heard this, he commented, "My sister was meek before she was married. I am surprised that now she can be so upright."
In 472, Emperor Ming grew seriously ill, and he, believing that after his death, Empress Wang would become regent
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
, and that her brother Wang Jingwen would become overly powerful, so he forced Wang Jingwen to commit suicide. He then died and was succeeded by his oldest son (by his concubine Consort Chen Miaodeng
Consort Chen Miaodeng
Consort Chen Miaodeng was an imperial consort during the Chinese dynasty Liu Song. She was a concubine of Emperor Ming , and during his reign, she carried the rank of Guifei , which was not a regular rank for Liu Song imperial consorts but a title that Emperor Ming created to honor her.Chen...
), Liu Yu (different character than Emperor Ming), as Emperor Houfei.
As empress dowager
Emperor Houfei honored Empress Wang as empress dowagerEmpress Dowager
Empress Dowager was the title given to the mother of a Chinese, Korean, Japanese or Vietnamese emperor.The title was also given occasionally to another woman of the same generation, while a woman from the previous generation was sometimes given the title of Grand empress dowager. Numerous empress...
and his mother Consort Chen as consort dowager. Empress Dowager Wang was titularly regent, but the authority was actually in hands of Emperor Ming's associates Yang Yunchang (楊運長) and Ruan Dianfu (阮佃夫), and the officials Xiao Daocheng
Emperor Gao of Southern Qi
Emperor Gao of Southern Qi , personal name Xiao Daocheng , courtesy name Shaobo , nickname Doujiang , was the founding emperor of the Chinese dynasty Southern Qi...
, Yuan Can
Yuan Can
Yuan Can , né Yuan Minsun , courtesy name Jingqian , was a high level official of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song, who near the end of the dynasty made a futile attempt to prevent the general Xiao Daocheng from gaining sufficient power to take the throne.- Background :Then-Yuan Minsun was born in 420...
, Chu Yuan
Chu Yuan
Chu Yuan , courtesy name Yanhui , formally Duke Wenjian of Nankang , was a high level official of the Chinese dynasties Liu Song and Southern Qi.-Background:...
, and Liu Bing
Liu Bing
Liu Bing , courtesy name Yanjie , was a high-level official of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song and a member of Liu Song's imperial clan, who near the end of the dynasty made a futile attempt to prevent the general Xiao Daocheng from gaining sufficient power to take the throne.-Background:Liu Bing was...
. Initially, the relationship between him and Empress Dowager Wang appeared cordial, and in 474, when Emperor Houfei's uncle Liu Xiufan (劉休範) the Prince of Guiyang rebelled and appeared to be on the verge of victory, Empress Dowager Wang held Emperor Houfei and wept. After Liu Xiufan was defeated, initially Emperor Houfei feared rebuke from Empress Dowager Wang and Consort Dowager Chen and therefore was careful in his actions, but eventually grew more and more frivolous and violent in his actions. At Duan Wu festival in 477, Empress Dowager Wang gave him a gift of a feather fan. He felt that it was insufficiently luxurious, and ordered the imperial physicals to brew poison to ready to poison her. He only stopped after his attendants reminded him that if he poisoned Empress Dowager Wang, he would have to observe a mourning period of three years and would not be able to spend time on fun and games.
On Qi Xi
Qi Xi
Qixi Festival , also known as Magpie Festival, falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month on the Chinese calendar; thus its name. It inspired Tanabata in Japan, Chilseok in Korea, and Thất Tịch in Vietnam...
(Chinese Valentine's Day) in 477, after Emperor Houfei had tried to but then not actually killed Xiao Daocheng, Xiao Daocheng had Emperor Houfei's attendant Yang Yufu (楊玉夫) assassinate Emperor Houfei, and then, issuing an edict in Empress Dowager Wang's name, ordered Emperor Houfei posthumously deposed and his younger brother Liu Zhun installed as Emperor Shun. The general Shen Youzhi
Shen Youzhi
Shen Youzhi , courtesy name Zhongda , was a general during the Chinese dynasty Liu Song, who, in the final moments of the dynasty, made a final failed attempt to prevent Xiao Daocheng from seizing the throne....
then rose against Xiao, also claiming to be acting with Empress Dowager Wang's approval. (There is no real evidence that Empress Wang was involved either with Xiao's assassination plot or with Shen's rebellion.) After Xiao's forces defeated Shen's (and also defeated a coup attempt by Yuan and Liu), in 479, he forced Empress Dowager Wang and Emperor Shun to yield imperial authority to him, ending Liu Song and establishing Southern Qi
Southern Qi
The Southern Qi Dynasty was the second of the Southern dynasties in China, followed by the Liang Dynasty. During its 23-year history, the dynasty was largely filled with instability, as after the death of the capable Emperor Gao and Emperor Wu, Emperor Wu's grandson Xiao Zhaoye was assassinated...
. He created the former Emperor Shun as the Prince of Ruyin and Empress Dowager Wang as princess dowager, but later that year had Emperor Shun and other members of the Liu clan slaughtered. The former Empress Dowager Wang died later that year and was buried with imperial honors, according to Liu Song customs, with her husband Emperor Ming.
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