China: Empress Xiao Cheng Jing (1471-1541), consort of the 10th Ming Emperor Hongzhi (r. 1487-1505). Hanging scroll painting, 15th-17th century. Empress Dowager Zhang (1471-1541), formally Empress Xiaochengjing, was the consort of the Hongzhi Emperor and mother of the Zhengde Emperor (r. 1505-1521) of the Ming Dynasty. Her husband Hongzhi was the only emperor in Chinese history to have been monogamous, having no concubines and being solely dedicated to her. She was said to have been vain, demanding and materialistic, and handed out limitless favours to her own family members.

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