Royals › Empress / Consort
Empress Wei
Empress of Emperor Zhongzong who seized power in late Tang court
In a spring palace garden, a pavilion with round windows stands over a pond of goldfish; a peony-painted round fan, a zither and a lacquer box of pearl hairpins lie in the foreground, and one small figure in a long-sleeved gown stands at the far end of a covered walkway.
Also known as Lady Wei
- Roles
- Empress / Consort
Empress Wei was the second wife of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, made crown princess while he was heir, empress in 684, and empress again in 705 after his restoration. After the restoration she shared power with Wu Sansi, Zong Chuke and others. After Zhongzong died in 710 she set up Li Chongmao as emperor and ruled as empress dowager. In the Tanglong coup of that year she was killed by forces under Li Longji and posthumously reduced to commoner status.
Life and times
Dates 666 - 710