Empress Zhen (Liao dynasty) facts for kids

Empress Zhen (Chinese: 甄皇后) (died October 7, 951?) was an empress of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty in ancient China. She was one of two empresses of Emperor Shizong (Yelü Ruan).

Early Life and Royal Connection

It is not known exactly when or where Empress Zhen was born. She was a lady who lived in the palace of the Later Tang kingdom. We don't know if she was a royal companion or a lady in waiting (a helper to the empress or princess). People said she was very beautiful.

It's also not clear if she stayed in the palace when the next kingdom, Later Jin, took over.

In 946, a prince named Yelü Ruan joined his uncle, Emperor Taizong, on a military trip. Their goal was to defeat the Later Jin kingdom. After Later Jin was defeated, Emperor Taizong gave Lady Zhen to Prince Yelü Ruan. It was said that he liked her very much.

Becoming an Empress

Emperor Taizong passed away in 947. The leaders of the Liao people chose Yelü Ruan to become the next emperor. He was known as Emperor Shizong.

After he became emperor, he made Lady Zhen his empress. People described her as strict, smart, and graceful. She managed the palace wisely and followed proper rules, not just her own wishes.

Empress Zhen also helped Emperor Shizong make important decisions. She had ideas on how to deal with the kingdoms that came after Later Jin, like Later Han and Later Zhou. However, her ideas were not put into action.

She gave birth to Emperor Shizong's third son, named Yelü Zhimo (耶律只沒). In 950, Emperor Shizong also made another woman, Xiao Sagezhi, an empress. She was the mother of his oldest son, Yelü Xian. Empress Zhen remained an empress too.

Death and Legacy

In 951, Emperor Taizong's cousin, Yelü Chage, started a rebellion. He killed Emperor Shizong in a sudden attack. Empress Zhen was also killed, likely on the same day. The other empress, Xiao Sagezhi, was killed the next day.

Later, in 969, Yelü Xian became emperor. He buried both Empress Zhen and Empress Xiao at Yiwulü Mountain. He also built a special temple to honor them.