Empress Wu

Type Figure Region Southern Song China Time 1115–1197 Also known as Empress Xiansheng Cilie、Empress Shousheng Taishang、Empress Wu

Empress Wu (1115–1197) was the second empress of Emperor Gaozong of Song, posthumously titled Xiansheng Cilie.

Timeline

1161–1162Lin'an imperial palace · Hangzhou CityIn the 31st year of Shaoxing, Jin forces invaded southward, and Empress Wu was in the palace with Emperor Gaozong. In the 32nd year Gaozong resolved to abdicate; Empress Wu participated in the inner-court arrangements and bestowed palace attendants such as Lady Xia on the Eastern Palace, laying the foundation for Empress Xia's establishment as empress after Emperor Xiaozong's accession.
1162Deshou Palace · Hangzhou CityAfter Gaozong's abdication, Empress Wu was honored as grand empress dowager and moved to Deshou Palace to reside with the retired emperor. After Emperor Xiaozong ascended the throne, she received the honorific title Shousheng Taishang Huanghou; audiences followed the old palace rules, and she still had a voice in the affairs of her adopted son Zhao Shen and the Eastern Palace.
1165–1170Deshou Palace · Hangzhou CityAfter the Qiandao era began, Empress Wu and the retired emperor continued to live in Deshou Palace, and Emperor Xiaozong regularly visited to pay respects. During this period she still participated in inner-court personnel matters, once listening to slander by Li Fengniang against Eastern Palace officials; Gaozong told Empress Wu he had mistakenly believed the prophecy of the Daoist Huangfu Tan and thus married Li Fengniang.