238:, where are you?" Empress Wang wept and responded, "We have been found guilty and reduced to be maidservants. How can we still be referred to by honored titles?" She also begged, "If Your Imperial Majesty considered our past relationships and will allow us to again see the light of day, please rename this place 'Huixin Courtyard' ." Emperor Gaozong was initially receptive, responding, "I will do so right away." However, when Empress Wu heard this, she was enraged and issued their death warrants and sent people to cane Empress Wang and Consort Xiao 100 times each and cut off their hands and feet. She then had them put into large wine jars, saying, "Let these two witches be drunk to their bones!" When Empress Wang was informed of the orders, she bowed and stated, "May His Imperial Majesty live forever, and may
180:
while suggesting to
Emperor Gaozong that he take her as a concubine. Consort Wu was intelligent, alert, experienced and full of machinations, and therefore, when she first returned to the palace, she acted humbly and flattered Empress Wang, who trusted her greatly and recommended her to Emperor Gaozong. Soon, Emperor Gaozong became enamored with Consort Wu. Both Empress Wang and Consort Xiao lost favor, and soon, they realized the seriousness of the situation and joined forces to try to alienate Consort Wu from Emperor Gaozong, but were unsuccessful.
243:
for several days inside the wine jars before dying, and
Empress Wu had their bodies taken out of the wine jars and beheaded. When Empress Wu heard of Consort Xiao's curse, she forbade the palace personnel from keeping cats as pets, and even ordered the banning of cats as pets in the capital, Chang'an, but thereafter often dreamed of Empress Wang and Consort Xiao, with scattered hair and bleeding limbs, seeking to kill her. She thereafter initially moved to
210:(唐會要) (begun 8th century) records no such events. Therefore, historians in generations after the Song dynasty conclude that the strange story was adapted by editors of the early Song dynasty from the horrible deeds of Han dynasty's Empress Dowager Lü Zhi, in order to defame and demonize Wu, the only female emperor ever, and to restrain later empress dowagers' power.
124:(later known as Wu Zetian), to Emperor Gaozong, Emperor Gaozong became enamored with Consort Wu. Empress Wang and Consort Xiao instead joined forces to try to counter Consort Wu, but in 655, Emperor Gaozong deposed both of them on accusations of witchcraft and replaced Empress Wang with Consort Wu. Soon, they were executed on the new Empress Wu's orders.
200:, meaning the formerly-compiled history of Tang dynasty, was completed around 945 A.D. and contains less inaccurate information than its predecessor. Both of these compilations are several hundred years away from Consort Xiao's and Wu Zetian's active period and contain the shocking and strange story in the following paragraph. Notwithstanding, the
272:
Empress Wu's hatred, causing him to be demoted and put under close watch a number of times. This situation was exacerbated by the unstoppable rise of
Empress Wu's influence and power over the throne, especially as Emperor Gaozong's illness grew, and he in 690, was eventually killed on the orders of Empress Wu (who by then was
242:
be favored forever. Dying is within my responsibility." However, Consort Xiao cursed
Empress Wu by saying, "Wu is a treacherous monster! I will be reincarnated as a cat and she would be reincarnated as a mouse so that I could grab her throat forever and ever!" Empress Wang and Consort Xiao suffered
233:
Six days after
Empress Wang's removal, Consort Wu was created empress. By order of the new Empress Wu, Empress Wang and Consort Xiao were put under arrest inside the palace, at a building that had its doors and windows tightly sealed, with only a hole on the wall to deliver food. One day, after the
179:
nuns. In either 650 or 651, when
Emperor Gaozong was visiting Ganye Temple to offer incense to Buddha, when he saw Consort Wu. Both of them wept. When Empress Wang heard this, she, wanting to divert Emperor Gaozong's favor from Consort Xiao, secretly instructed Consort Wu to grow her hair back,
271:
interceded, probably in 671, were they allowed to marry—and even then, Empress Wu simply found two imperial guards, Quan Yi (權毅) (for
Princess Yiyang) and Wang Xu (王勗) (for Princess Gao'an) to marry them immediately. Meanwhile, Li Sujie was allowed to be an imperial prince but continuously drew
183:
In 654, Consort Wu framed
Empress Wang for the death of her daughter, and in 655 further accused Empress Wang and her mother Lady Liu of using witchcraft. Emperor Gaozong deposed both Empress Wang and Consort Xiao, reducing them to commoner rank and imprisoning them inside the palace.
266:
On the orders of
Empress Wu, both of Consort Xiao's daughters, who by now carried the titles of Princess Yiyang and Princess Gao'an, were put under house arrest inside the palace, and were not allowed to marry. Not until Empress Wu's oldest son, the crown prince
255:, where these events occurred. Soon after Empress Wang's and Consort Xiao's deaths, at Empress Wu's urging, Emperor Gaozong had Empress Wang and her clan's surname changed from Wang (王, a typical surname meaning "king" or "monarch") to Mang (蟒, meaning "
168:, the second highest rank for imperial concubines. She continued to be favored, which drew jealousy from Empress Wang, and Empress Wang's jealousy soon caused both of them to face a different romantic rival.
226:. In recent years, more inconsistencies and contradictions have appeared when unearthed epitaphs are compared with relevant history compilations. For instance and reference, some of the key content on the
637:
day of the 10th month of the 6th year of the
Yonghui era of Tang Gaozong's reign, which corresponds to 16 Nov 655 on the Gregorian calendar. The same volume also recorded that Wu was made empress on the
230:(上官婉兒墓志) go against relevant recordings. Viewer discretion and critical thinking are advised while reading those texts. In conclusion, Consort Xiao and Empress Wang were most likely strangled to death.
204:
also clearly states that Consort Xiao and Empress Wang were strangled to death, other than different tortures human beings could bear under ancient medical conditions. A much earlier history,
196:, meaning the later-edited history of Tang dynasty, was compiled in the North Song dynasty, which is around 400 years after the recorded time of Consort Xiao's death. The
234:
coronation of Empress Wu, Emperor Gaozong thought of them and decided to visit them; when he saw the conditions they were in, he was saddened, calling out, "Empress,
214:(劉娥 Liu E), the most powerful empress dowager in the Song dynasty, had similar life experience to Wu and wore imperial robes (emperor's outfit). The editors of the
148:(良娣). In addition to Li Sujie, she bore two daughters, who were probably older than Li Sujie. It was also said that she was favored by him, more so than his wife
480:, requested Emperor Gaozong to let them marry, they were described to be already at least 39 years old, and this request was probably made in 671. See
453:
era of Tang Gaozong's reign, which corresponds to 16 Nov 655 in the Julian calendar. ((永徽六年)冬，十月，己酉，下诏称：“王皇后、萧淑妃谋行鸩毒，废为庶人，母及兄弟，并除名，流岭南。”)
439:
placed their deaths in the winter of 655. (故后王氏、故淑妃萧氏，...数日而死，又斩之。) The last recorded activity involving Empress Wang and Consort Wang in
259:") and Consort Xiao's and her clan's surname changed from Xiao (萧, another typical surname meaning "sad" or "calm") to Xiao (梟, meaning "
476:
That the two princesses were older than Li Sujie could be inferred from the fact that later, when their younger brother by Empress Wu,
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227:
17:
721:
669:
590:
512:
710:
488:
132:
Little is known about Consort Xiao's background. What is known is that she was already a concubine of Li Zhi when he was
467:
era of Tang Gaozong's reign; said month ends on 3 December 655 in the Julian calendar. (永徽六年十月，废后及萧良娣皆为庶人，囚之别院。武昭仪令人皆缢杀之)
736:
732:
690:
611:
539:
393:
218:
coexisted with Liu E for a certain period. Apart from this, there are several discrepancies and inconsistencies in the
144:
was born in 646, before his ascension in 649. While she was a concubine to the crown prince, she carried the title of
175:. After Emperor Taizong's death, all of his concubines who did not bear sons were housed at Ganye Temple (感業寺) to be
171:
When Emperor Gaozong was crown prince, he had been attracted by the beauty of one of Emperor Taizong's concubines,
160:
In 649, after Emperor Taizong died, Li Zhi took the throne (as Emperor Gaozong). He created Crown Princess Wang
534:
stated that the princesses were "over 29" at the time, which would still make them older than Li Sujie. See
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757:
322:
313:
300:
247:(蓬萊宮), but continued to dream of them, and therefore eventually spent most time in the eastern capital
344:
339:
392:
Portrayed by Li Wen Wen (though her character is renamed "Consort Xu) in the 2014 Chinese TV series
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137:
109:
64:
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211:
149:
117:
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was born in 652, fixed the date of this incident as 650, but 651 is also a possibility. See
385:
8:
762:
263:"). Only after Empress Wu's own death in 705 were their clans' proper surnames restored.
421:
The timing of Empress Wang's and Consort Xiao's deaths was not clearly indicated in the
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71:
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with a defined date was their deposition in the same volume. This took place on the
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705:
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recorded that both women were strangled in the 10th month of the 6th year of the
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673:
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recorded that the deposition of Empress Wang and Consort Xiao took place on the
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112:(Li Zhi). She was initially favored by him and bore him a son and two daughters—
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and the Princesses Yiyang and Gao'an—but later, after her romantic rival
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Portrayed by Kung Lien Hua in the 1985 Taiwanese TV series
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Portrayed by Chan Choi Yin in the 1984 Hong-Kong TV series
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329:
Portrayed by Xie Jin Tian in the 2006 Chinese TV series
320:
Portrayed by Jessie Chang in the 2003 Chinese TV series
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Portrayed by Liu Hai Lan in the 2017 Chinese TV series
360:
Portrayed by Sui Jun Bo in the 2011 Chinese TV series
555:, based on the fact that Empress Wu's oldest son
744:
27:Tang dynasty imperial consort of Emperor Gaozong
642:day of the same month, which was 6 days later.
663:indicated that they were strangled. Compare
584:indicated that they were strangled. Compare
449:day of the 10th month of the 6th year of the
164:, and he created Consort Xiao the rank of
351:Portrayed by Li Na in the 2011 TV series
280:) during the Tianshou era of her reign.
409:
338:Portrayed by Ban Min-jung in 2006-2007
14:
745:
187:
155:
693:. (永徽六年十月，废后及萧良娣皆为庶人，囚之别院。武昭仪令人皆缢杀之)
614:. (永徽六年十月，废后及萧良娣皆为庶人，囚之别院。武昭仪令人皆缢杀之)
283:
100:(蕭淑妃, personal name unknown) (died
24:
25:
779:
561:Bo Yang Edition of Zizhi Tongjian
753:Tang dynasty imperial consorts
645:
621:
566:
545:
470:
415:
383:in the 2014 Chinese TV series
371:in the 2011 Chinese TV series
311:in the 1995 Chinese TV series
120:introduced another concubine,
13:
1:
457:, vol. 200. Volume 51 of the
127:
101:
354:Secret History of Empress Wu
7:
228:Epitaph of Shangguan Wan'er
10:
784:
323:Lady Wu: The First Empress
301:The Empress of the Dynasty
70:
60:
37:
32:
651:This account is per the
572:This account is per the
251:and not in the capital
110:Emperor Gaozong of Tang
65:Emperor Gaozong of Tang
18:Consort Xiao (Gaozong)
551:The modern historian
104:November 655), was a
410:Notes and references
386:The Empress of China
224:the Old Book of Tang
403:Legendary Di Renjie
188:Death and aftermath
156:As imperial consort
150:Crown Princess Wang
758:7th-century births
659:accepted, but the
580:accepted, but the
362:Meng Hui Tang Chao
284:Modern depictions
136:under his father
94:Pure Consort Xiao
87:
86:
16:(Redirected from
775:
717:New Book of Tang
706:Old Book of Tang
698:
695:Old Book of Tang
684:
682:
681:
672:. Archived from
665:New Book of Tang
661:Old Book of Tang
653:New Book of Tang
649:
643:
625:
619:
616:Old Book of Tang
605:
603:
602:
593:. Archived from
586:New Book of Tang
582:Old Book of Tang
574:New Book of Tang
570:
564:
549:
543:
527:
525:
524:
515:. Archived from
507:New Book of Tang
503:
501:
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491:. Archived from
483:Old Book of Tang
474:
468:
460:Old Book of Tang
433:. Volume 200 of
430:New Book of Tang
424:Old Book of Tang
419:
220:New Book of Tang
216:New Book of Tang
202:Old Book of Tang
198:Old Book of Tang
194:New Book of Tang
103:
47:
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489:"舊唐書 列傳 卷三一至四十"
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274:empress dowager
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138:Emperor Taizong
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83:Princess Gao'an
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81:Princess Yiyang
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28:
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728:Zizhi Tongjian
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687:Zizhi Tongjian
657:Zizhi Tongjian
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630:Zizhi Tongjian
627:Volume 200 of
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608:Zizhi Tongjian
578:Zizhi Tongjian
565:
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536:Zizhi Tongjian
531:Zizhi Tongjian
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455:Zizhi Tongjian
442:Zizhi Tongjian
436:Zizhi Tongjian
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395:Young Sherlock
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79:, Prince of Xu
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48:3 December 655
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676:on 2008-02-19
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597:on 2008-02-19
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519:on 2008-02-19
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379:Portrayed by
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374:Beauty World.
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345:Yeon Gaesomun
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36:
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19:
726:
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704:
694:
686:
678:. Retrieved
674:the original
670:"唐書 列傳 第一至十"
664:
660:
656:
655:, which the
652:
647:
639:
634:
628:
623:
615:
607:
599:. Retrieved
595:the original
591:"唐書 列傳 第一至十"
585:
581:
577:
576:, which the
573:
568:
560:
547:
535:
529:
528:. However,
521:. Retrieved
517:the original
513:"唐書 列傳 第一至十"
505:
497:. Retrieved
493:the original
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428:
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332:Wu Zi Bei Ge
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134:crown prince
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118:Empress Wang
97:
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90:Consort Xiao
89:
88:
55:Tang dynasty
33:Consort Xiao
381:Zhang Xinyu
212:Empress Liu
207:Tang Huiyao
98:Xiao Shufei
763:655 deaths
747:Categories
720:, vol. 76
709:, vol. 51
697:, vol. 51.
680:2008-02-19
667:, vol. 76
618:, vol. 51.
601:2008-02-19
588:, vol. 76
563:, vol. 47.
523:2008-02-19
510:, vol. 81
499:2007-10-11
486:, vol. 86
342:TV series
292:Empress Wu
173:Consort Wu
128:Background
122:Consort Wu
768:Wu Zetian
369:Cao Xiwen
314:Wu Zetian
106:concubine
44:655-12-03
731:, vols.
691:vol. 200
612:vol. 200
540:vol. 202
465:Yong'hui
451:Yong'hui
427:and the
253:Chang'an
177:Buddhist
142:Li Sujie
114:Li Sujie
77:Li Sujie
51:Chang'an
557:Li Hong
553:Bo Yang
478:Li Hong
269:Li Hong
249:Luoyang
162:empress
146:Liangdi
447:ji'you
309:Yu Hui
278:regent
257:python
240:Zhaoyi
236:Shufei
166:Shufei
61:Spouse
640:yimao
635:jiyou
72:Issue
685:and
606:and
504:and
276:and
222:and
192:The
38:Died
737:200
733:199
340:SBS
261:owl
108:of
96:or
749::
735:,
689:,
610:,
538:,
152:.
102:c.
92:,
53:,
739:.
723:.
712:.
683:.
604:.
542:.
526:.
502:.
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364:.
356:.
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42:(
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
