The story of the emperor’s first empress in Ming Dynasty - 001

The Empress Xiao Cigao, Ma Shi, was the wife of Emperor Hongwu. She was the first Empress of Ming. Ma Shi was married with Hongwu, and Hongwu was a military leader of Guo Zixin, who was Ma Shi's foster father. Ma Shi accompanied Hongwu to build the Ming dynasty. After became the Empress, Ma Shi still was a great role model. She remained humble, economic, just, and kept a simple life. In 1382, she passed away at 51 and was buried in Xiaolin. After her death, Hongwu didn't promote a new Empress until he passed away. The Empress Xiao Minran was the wife of the Emperor Jianwen. She was chosen by the Emperor Hongwu. In 1402, the Prince Yan conquered Nanjing. The Emperor Jianwen burned the forbidden city of Nanjing and escaped. The Empress Xiao Minran died in fire at 24. The Empress Ren Xiaowen Xu Shi was the wife of the Emperor Yongle. She was a pretty and well-educated woman. She was loved by her husband and parents-in-law. When Yongle went to Nanjing to attack the Emperor Jianwen, Empress Xu and her oldest son successfully protected Beijing. After Yongle became the Emperor, Xu was promoted to the Empress. But she only lived for four years as an Empress and passed away at 45. After her death, Yongle didn't promote a new Empress. In 1424, Empress Xu's son became the Emperor. The Empress Cheng Xiaozhao Zhangshi was the wife of the Emperor Ren Zhong of Ming. She was very pretty and had great personalities. So, she was loved by her husband and parents-in-law. She gave birth to three boys and one girl and helped her husband successfully kept the Crown Prince title. But Ren Zhong passed away nine months after he became the Emperor. In 1426, the Emperor Xuan Zhong of Ming inherited the throne. The Empress Zhang became the Emperor's daughter. Eleven years later, Xuan Zhong passed away. The Crown Prince was only nine years old. The Empress' daughter Zhang had two grown-up sons. So, ministers worried about the Empress' daughter supported her son to inherit the throne. But she didn't. She firmly supported the Crown Prince to become the new Emperor. known as the Emperor Ren Zhong of Ming, Ying Zhong of Ming. The Empress' daughter Zhang became the Grand Empress' daughter. In 1442, the Grand Empress' daughter passed away at 63. She was buried with Ren Zhong in Xianling. The Empress Gong Rang Zhang, Hu Shan Xiang, was the first Empress of the Emperor Xuan Zhong of Ming. Xuan Zhong didn't like her. She was chosen by the Emperor Yongle. In 1425, Xian Zhong became the Emperor. He had to promote Hu Shan Xiang to the Empress. Three years later, Xian Zhong's true love, the noble consort Sun, gave birth to Xian Zhong's first son. Xian Zhong forced the Empress Hu to voluntarily give up the Empress title using the excuse that Empress Hu couldn't give birth a boy. After demotion, Hu Shan Xiang stayed in Chang'an Palace. In 1443, Hu Shan Xiang passed away at 41. Nineteen years later, the Emperor Ying Zhong restored her Empress title. The Empress Xiao Chuang Rui Qian Shi was the wife of the Emperor Ying Zhong of Ming. After marriage, she had a gritty relationship with her husband. In 1449, seven years after marriage, Ying Zhong was arrested by Mongolia branch Wala. The Empress Qian missed and worried her husband. She cried too much and one of her eyes bled. Also, because of long time sitting on improper position, one of her legs became disabled. One year later, Ying Zhong came back and was under home arrest. She accompanies her husband spending the most difficult time. In 1457, Ying Zhong second time became the Emperor. Many ministers asked Ying Zhong promote noble consort Zhou, who was the biological mother of Ying Zhong's oldest son, to the Empress. Ying Zhong firmly refused. So Qian Shi second time became the Empress. In 1464, Ying Zhong passed away. Both of the Empress Qian and the noble consort Zhou became the Empress' daughters. In 1468, the Empress' daughter Qian passed away. According to Ying Zhong's will, she should be buried with Ying Zhong. But the Empress' daughter Zhou refused. Ministers and Emperor Xian Zhong begged several times. The Empress' daughter Zhou had to agree to bury the Empress' daughter Qian with Ying Zhong. Thank you for watching this video. See you soon.