Xiao Sagezhi


Xiao Sagezhi, formally Empress Huaijie, was an empress of the Khitan Liao dynasty. She was one of the two empresses of Emperor Shizong, and was the mother of Emperor Jingzong.

Background

It is not known when Xiao Sagezhi was born. Her father, whose personal name was Aguzhi 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.
During the time that Yelü Ruan was carrying the title of Prince of Yongkang under his uncle Emperor Taizong — part of the year of 947 — he took Xiao Sagezhi as a consort.

During Emperor Shizong's reign

Emperor Taizong died in 947, and the Liao chieftains supported Yelü Ruan to succeed him. In 948, she gave birth to his second son, Yelü Xian, and later gave birth to three daughters, Yelü Hegudian, Yelü Guanyin, and Yelü Sala. In 950, for reasons unclear in history, Emperor Shizong created Xiao Sagezhi empress, even though he had already earlier created Lady Zhen, as empress.
In 951, Emperor Taizong's cousin Yelü Chage mutinied and killed Emperor Shizong in a coup. Emperor Shizong's mother Empress Dowager Xiao and Empress Zhen were also killed. Empress Xiao, who had just recently given birth to Yelü Sala, rode a human-pulled cart to see Yelü Chage, asking to be allowed to prepare Emperor Shizong for burial. The next day, Yelü Chage also killed her. After Yelü Chage's coup was put down by Emperor Shizong's cousin Emperor Muzong, he gave Empress Xiao the posthumous name of Xiaolie. After Yelü Xian became emperor in 969, he buried both Empresses Zhen and Xiao at Yiwulü Mountain, and built a temple dedicated to them. In 1052, Emperor Jingzong's grandson Emperor Xingzong changed her posthumous name to Huaijie.