Consort Yang (984–1036), was an imperial consort of

Emperor Zhenzong Emperor Zhenzong of Song (23 December 968 – 23 March 1022), personal name Zhao Heng, was the third emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 997 to his death in 1022. His personal name was originally Zhao Dechang, but was change ...

and the ''

de facto ''De facto'' ( ; , "in fact") describes practices that exist in reality, whether or not they are officially recognized by laws or other formal norms. It is commonly used to refer to what happens in practice, in contrast with ''de jure'' ("by la ...

'' foster mother of

Emperor Renzong of Song Emperor Renzong of Song (30 May 1010 – 30 April 1063), personal name Zhao Zhen, was the fourth emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned for about 41 years from 1022 to his death in 1063, and was the longest reigning Song dynasty empe ...

. She was given the title Empress Dowager in later years. Yang became a concubine of Emperor Zhenzong but, though well liked by the emperor, she did not qualify for a higher rank than '' shufei'' during his reign. When the heir to the throne, the future

, was born to the Consort Li in 1010, Yang supported Empress Liu's claim to be his mother, while Yang was given the actual responsibility for his upbringing. She was described as submissive and loyal to Empress Liu, and gentle and tender towards her fosterling Renzong. Upon Emperor Zhenzong's death in 1022 Yang was promoted to the rank of grand consort or '' taifei'' in his will. Empress Liu took the role of regent during the minority of Emperor Renzong, but kept it until her own death in 1033, even after he had reached legal majority. Upon her death Empress Liu proclaimed Consort Yang Empress Dowager and declared that she was now to be regent for the emperor. Though Emperor Renzong refused to accept this arrangement he did give her the rank of Empress Dowager, but without political power.

References

* Lily Xiao Hong Lee, Sue Wiles: ''Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women, Volume II: Tang Through Ming 618 - 1644'' 11th-century Chinese people Song dynasty imperial consorts Song dynasty empresses dowager