Empress Dowager Xiao (Shizong) facts for kids

Empress Dowager Xiao (her personal name is not known) was an important woman in the Liao dynasty, a powerful empire led by the Khitan people in ancient China. She was a partner of Yelü Bei, who was later honored as Emperor Yizong. She was also the mother of Emperor Shizong of Liao, who became a powerful ruler.

Who Was Empress Dowager Xiao?

Empress Dowager Xiao was given the special title of Empress Rouzhen after her death. She was a concubine, which means she was one of the important partners of Prince Yelü Bei. Their son, Yelü Ruan, was the oldest son of Yelü Bei. Not much is known about Empress Dowager Xiao's early life. This is because there isn't a detailed story about her in the History of Liao, which is a very old book about the Liao dynasty.

Her Family and Background

We know that Yelü Ruan was her son with Yelü Bei. He was the firstborn son of Yelü Bei. It's not clear if she had other children with Yelü Bei. However, we do know she was not the mother of his two youngest sons, Yelü Longxian and Yelü Daoyin. They had different mothers.

Becoming Empress Dowager

In the year 947, a big change happened. Emperor Taizong of Liao, who was Yelü Bei's younger brother, passed away. After his death, the leaders of the Liao people, called chieftains, chose Yelü Ruan to be the new emperor. He became known as Emperor Shizong.

When Yelü Ruan became emperor, he gave his mother, Lady Xiao, a very important title: Empress Dowager. This meant she was a respected elder woman in the royal family. Emperor Shizong also set up a special place for her family to live.

The End of Her Life

In 951, a sad event took place. Yelü Chage, who was a cousin of Yelü Bei, started a rebellion. During this uprising, he sadly killed Emperor Shizong. It seems that Empress Dowager Xiao was also killed during this rebellion, probably on the very same day. Historical records suggest this because the story of Emperor Shizong's wife, Empress Xiao Sagezhi, mentions that Yelü Chage "killed the Empress Dowager and the Emperor." Empress Xiao Sagezhi herself was killed the next day.

Much later, in 1052, Emperor Xingzong, who was Emperor Shizong's great-grandson, gave even more special honors to Yelü Bei. At that time, he also gave special empress titles to both Empress Dowager Xiao and Yelü Bei's main wife. This was a way to remember and respect them long after they had passed away.