Xiao Noujin facts for kids

Xiao Noujin (980-1057) was a powerful Khitan Empress Dowager. She lived during China's Liao dynasty. She was one of the wives of Emperor Shengzong. She was also the mother of Emperor Xingzong. Xiao Noujin became one of the three most important Grand Empress Dowagers of the Liao dynasty. She had a lot of power after her son became emperor in 1031.

Early Life and a Special Discovery

Xiao Noujin came from a humble background. But Yelü Longxu brought her into the palace. He did not treat her as a wife at first. Instead, he gave her to his mother, Xiao Yanyan, as a court lady.

One day, while cleaning Xiao Yanyan's bed, Xiao Noujin found something special. She stumbled upon a golden rooster. When Xiao Yanyan suddenly entered the room, Xiao Noujin was surprised. She accidentally swallowed the golden rooster. This golden rooster was actually a special medicine. After a few days, Xiao Noujin's skin looked amazing. Xiao Yanyan was very surprised. She told Xiao Noujin that she would give birth to a prince in the future.

Becoming a Royal Mother

Xiao Yanyan told her son, Emperor Shengzong, to spend time with Xiao Noujin. In 1016, Xiao Noujin gave birth to a son. His name was Yelü Zongzhen. He later became Emperor Xingzong. She also had two daughters, Yelü Yanmu and Yelü Shuogu. Later, she had another son, Yelü Zhongyuan.

Yelü Yanmu became a princess. Yelü Shuogu also became a princess. She later married a man named Xiao Xiaozhong.

Xiao Noujin had a long rivalry with Xiao Pusage. Xiao Pusage was Emperor Shengzong's second Empress. She was also Xiao Yanyan's niece. Even though they shared the name Xiao, they were not closely related. After Xiao Noujin gave birth to Yelü Zongzhen, Xiao Pusage raised the child. Xiao Pusage had no children of her own. She raised Yelü Zongzhen as if he were her own son. This made Emperor Shengzong respect her a lot. Xiao Noujin felt jealous of this.

Rise to Power as Empress Dowager

When Emperor Shengzong died in 1031, Yelü Zongzhen became the new emperor. His birth mother, Xiao Noujin, became a consort dowager. His adopted mother, Xiao Pusage, became Empress Dowager. Before he died, Emperor Shengzong gave Xiao Noujin a special title. He told her to not be angry with Xiao Pusage. This was because Xiao Pusage had raised their son.

But Xiao Noujin became very proud after getting her title. She claimed that the emperor had made her an Empress Dowager. She tried to convince her son to remove Xiao Pusage. But he refused. He remembered that Xiao Pusage had raised him.

While the Emperor was away on a hunting trip, Xiao Noujin sent people to harm Xiao Pusage. Xiao Pusage told them she was innocent. She then took her own life.

Xiao Noujin gained a lot of power. She was in charge of the military. She even created her own holiday called Holy Day on her birthday. She gave high titles to her family members. She made her great-grandfather a prince. She made her father a king. She also made her brothers kings. This was against the rules of the Liao dynasty. Xiao Noujin even helped 40 of her family's servants become government officials.

Xiao Noujin also arranged marriages for her sisters. Her older sister was a widow. Xiao Noujin arranged for her to marry a man who was already married. Xiao Noujin's younger sister also liked a married man. Xiao Noujin arranged for her to marry him too.

Xiao Noujin's actions caused problems in the Liao government. She was very ambitious. She did not want to lose her power. She even planned for her younger son, Yelü Zhongyuan, to replace Emperor Xingzong. But Yelü Zhongyuan secretly told his brother. Emperor Xingzong was very angry. All of Xiao Noujin's helpers were punished. Many of her relatives were also affected. In 1034, Emperor Xingzong removed his mother from her royal status. He sent her away from the palace.

Grand Empress Dowager and Later Life

After Emperor Xingzong died, Xiao Noujin was allowed to return to the palace. She came back for the funeral. She did not show any sadness. Her daughter-in-law, Empress Xiao Dali, was crying for her husband. But Xiao Noujin told her to stop mourning. She said Xiao Dali was young.

In 1055, her grandson, Yelü Hongji, became Emperor Daozong of Liao. Xiao Noujin was given the highest title. She became the Grand Empress Dowager. Xiao Noujin died in 1057. She was given the special title of Empress Qin'ai after her death. Important visitors from Western Xia and Goryeo attended her funeral.