Next, the History Encyclopedia editor will take you on a journey to explore the true story of Xiao Shufei in history and the historical events that happened to her.
In May of the 23rd year of the Zhenguan reign (649 AD), Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, passed away in the Hanfeng Hall, and Crown Prince Li Zhi ascended to the throne in the Taiji Hall, becoming Emperor Gaozong of Tang. After Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, he conferred the title of Empress upon the former Crown Princess Wang Shi and the title of Shufei upon Liangdi Xiao Shi. But soon after, Empress Wang and Consort Xiao became embroiled in a power struggle for favor. In order to overthrow Consort Xiao, Empress Wang suggested that Emperor Gaozong bring back the talented Wu Shi, who had already entered the Gan Ye Temple as a nun, to the palace, hoping to join forces with him to deal with Consort Xiao. However, this move was tantamount to inviting wolves into the house, which also laid hidden dangers for the tragic ending of Empress Wang and Consort Xiao in the future
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Xiao Shufei was a favored concubine of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi. She came from the Xiaoling family in Lanling, a descendant of the Qi and Liang royal families (known as the “Four Great Overseas Admirals” of the Southern Dynasties, extremely noble, and one of the top aristocratic families). Xiao, who was born into a prominent family, was chosen to enter the Eastern Palace and was conferred the title of Liangdi (second only to the Crown Princess) due to her beauty and intelligence when Li Zhi became the Crown Prince. Xiao was favored for her seductive appearance, but also cruel and jealous, constantly competing for favor with the Crown Princess Wang at that time. After Li Zhi ascended to the throne, the Crown Princess Wang was conferred the title of Empress, and Liang Di Xiao was appointed as Lady Shu. At this moment, Xiao Shufei, relying on the emperor’s favor, no longer valued the empress. She was even more proud and arrogant as she favored the imperial harem. Empress Wang, who had lost power, suggested to Emperor Gaozong to bring back the talented woman Wu Shi (later known as Wu Zetian), who had already entered the Gan Ye Temple as a nun, in order to overthrow Empress Xiao Shufei.
But what was unexpected was that Wu Shi was favored by Emperor Gaozong as soon as she entered the palace, and was conferred the title of Zhaoyi after giving birth to her son Li Hong. Wu Shi also completely defeated Empress Xiao Shufei and favored the imperial harem. Afterwards, the three forces in the palace became hostile to each other. After Xiao Shufei fell out of favor, she did not change her previous domineering and arrogant personality, but instead intensified it, causing Tang Gaozong to dislike her and complain repeatedly. Shortly thereafter, Lady Wu found an opportunity to frame Queen Wang and Consort Xiao, and both were subsequently deposed as commoners. Lady Wu was conferred the title of Empress. After being deposed, Wang and Xiao Shufei were imprisoned in a secret room with four high walls and no doors or windows. They lived a life of darkness and despair in the room. Not long after, Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi went to visit, remembering his old feelings. Xiao Shufei cried and begged the emperor to remember her old feelings and let her go. But this matter was soon discovered by Empress Wu, who immediately sent her eunuchs, Queen Wang and Consort Xiao, each with one hundred staffs, to strike both of them almost to the point of death.
The furious Empress Wu ordered to cut off the hands and feet of the two men, put them in a wine jar and make them swine swine, and said: “Let the two women die drunk!”. When Xiao Shufei was about to be executed, she cursed loudly, “Awu is so cunning and cunning! May he give birth to me as a cat and Awu as a mouse, choking his throat and devouring his bones every day.” (This was also the reason why Empress Wu later ordered not to keep cats in the palace and not to live in Chang’an Palace). A few days later, Wang and Xiao Shufei died, and Empress Wu sent someone to dismember their bodies. After killing two people, Wu posthumously changed Wang’s surname to “Mang” and Xiao’s surname to “Xiao”. Xiao Shufei gave birth to one son and two daughters (Prince Xu Li Sujie, Princess Yiyang, and Princess Gao’an). After Prince Xu Li Sujie was executed, Princess Yiyang and Princess Gao’an were imprisoned in the Yeting Palace until they were only forty years old before being released to marry.
