Xiao Wen


Xiao Wen, formally Empress Jing'an, probably née Shulü Wen, was an empress of the Khitan Liao Dynasty. She was the wife of Emperor Taizong.

Background

It is not known when Xiao Wen was born. Her father, whose personal name was Shilu or Dilu and who was probably still using the surname Shulü at the time that she was born, was a younger brother of Empress Shulü Ping, the wife of Liao's founder Emperor Taizu of Liao.
Xiao Wen married Emperor Taizu's and Empress Shulü's second son Yelü Deguang while Yelü Deguang carried the title of Generalissimo.

As empress

After Emperor Taizu's death in 926, Yelü Deguang succeeded to the throne in 927, bypassing his older brother Yelü Bei. The new emperor created Xiao Wen empress shortly thereafter.
Empress Xiao was described to be intelligent, virtuous, and frugal. She was much favored by Emperor Taizong, such that she accompanied him on campaigns and hunts. She gave birth to his first son Yelü Jing in 931. Around the new year 936, she gave birth to his second son Yelü Yanchege, and thereafter fell gravely ill. She died a month later. She was initially given the posthumous name of Zhangde ; her eventually posthumous name of Jing'an was given by Emperor Xingzong.