Noble Consort Zhang (張貴å¦Â; 1024âÂÂ1054), personal name unknown, posthumously Empress Wencheng (溫æÂÂçÂÂÃ¥ÂÂ), was a concubine of Emperor Renzong of Song. She was the emperor's favorite, but did not become an empress (at least during her life). Noble Consort Zhang, a native of Yong'an, Henan (located today in the south of Gongyi, Henan), was an important figure in the Kunning Palace Incident and the birth mother of Princess Anshou, Princess Baohe, and Princess Tangguo.
Lady Zhang was the daughter of Zhang Yaofeng (張堯å°Â) and Lady Cao (æ¹æ°Â), and she had two younger sisters. Zhang Yaofeng was a scholar and died early, and Lady Cao wanted to take her daughters to Zhang Yaofeng's brother, Zhang Yaozuo (å¼ å°§ä½Â). Zhang Yaozuo stated that the distance too long and refused. Lady Cao eventually became a courtesan for the then-Eldest Grand Princess Jingguo. The Grand Princess was the daughter of Emperor Taizong and Noble Consort Fang, and was known for her similarities to her father. She noticed that Lady Zhang was beautiful, and took her into the palace at the age of 8 along with her sisters. Lady Zhang was raised by Lady Jia (è³Âæ°Â), a palace attendant.
Lady Zhang was clever and intelligent, and renowned for her beauty. She attracted the attention of Emperor Renzong at a banquet and was favored because of her outstanding appearance, graceful bearing and attentiveness, becoming Renzong's favorite among all the imperial consorts. After giving birth to her first daughter, Princess Anshou (å®Â壽堬主; 1040âÂÂ1042), she received the rank of cairen. Princess Anshou was Renzong's favorite daughter until her death. Lady Zhang was later promoted to the rank of xiuyuan and gave birth to her second daughter Princess Baohe (寶åÂÂ堬主; 1042âÂÂ1043), but she soon died too. As a result, Lady Zhang was demoted to the rank of meiren. She gave birth to her third daughter Princess Tangguo (Ã¥ÂÂÃ¥ÂÂ堬主; 1044âÂÂ1045), but her last child also died in infancy.
Lady Zhang's mother, Lady Cao, was styled "Madame of Qinghe Commandery" (渠河é¡夫人) by Renzong. Her uncle Zhang Yaozuo was appointed as an official at the Southern Court of Xianhui. Zhang Yaozuo was constantly promoted, and went from being a 7th rank to a 6th rank official. This led to the opposition of several officials, such as Bao Zheng. That same year, Consort Zhang was elevated to guifei, one rank below the empress. She was known to love eating kumquats, and this sparked competition in the markets.
Lady Zhang died at the age of 31, around the new year. Renzong mourned her for seven days and composed poems for her. He dressed her in the robes of an empress, which caused the opposition of many officials since Empress Cao was alive. On the fourth day of the funeral, Renzong gave her the posthumous name "Empress Wencheng". Renzong bestowed the title "Madame of Qi State" (é½Âå½夫人) upon her mother, while Zhang Yaozuo became senior advisor.