Xiao Noujin was a Khitan empress dowager of China's Liao dynasty.
26 Facts About Xiao Noujin
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Xiao Noujin was a concubine of Emperor Shengzong, the mother of Emperor Xingzong, and one of the three Liao grand empresses dowager.
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Xiao Noujin had great influence after the accession of her son the throne in 1031.
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Xiao Noujin was born into poverty, but Yelu Longxu brought her into the palace.
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When Xiao Yanyan suddenly entered the tent, Xiao Noujin was startled and swallowed the golden rooster.
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The golden rooster was actually a mysterious medicine, and after a few days Xiao Noujin's skin became radiant.
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Xiao Noujin Yanyan was very surprised and told her court lady that she would give birth to a prince in the future.
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Xiao Noujin gave birth to two daughters, Yelu Yanmu and Yelu Shuogu, and later another son Yelu Zhongyuan.
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Xiao Noujin was longtime rivals with Xiao Pusage, Emperor Shengzong's second Empress and the niece of Xiao Yanyan.
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Xiao Noujin Pusage had no children, and raised Yelu Zongzhen as her own, gaining the respect of Emperor Shengzong.
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Out of jealousy, Xiao Noujin even spied on Xiao Pusage several times when Yelu Zongzhen was still a prince.
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Xiao Noujin gave herself the new title of Empress Dowager despite being a former concubine.
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Xiao Noujin tried persuading her son to get rid of her longtime rival Xiao Pusage, but he refused to comply since Xiao Pusage had no children and raised him as a child.
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Xiao Noujin Pusage told the assassins she was innocent, and told them she was going to take a bath.
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Xiao Noujin was corrupt, and in charge of military power.
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Xiao Noujin established her own holiday, Holy Day based on her birthday.
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Xiao Noujin gave her great-grandfather the honorable title of Prince of Lanling, father the title of King of Qi and made her brothers kings, disregarding Liao rules.
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Xiao Noujin even helped 40 of her family's slaves become government officials.
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Xiao Noujin killed his wife and married him to her sister the Lady of Qin.
20.
Geng Yuanji was married, so Xiao Noujin killed his wife and again married him to the Lady of Jin.
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Xiao Noujin disrupted Xiao Yanyan and her late husband's reforms and caused turmoil in Liao politics.
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Xiao Noujin was very ambitious and didn't want her power at court to be diminished.
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Xiao Noujin had plans for her younger son Yelu Zhongyuan to replace Yelu Zongzhen on the throne.
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Xiao Noujin didn't show any signs of grief or sadness.
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Xiao Noujin was granted the title of Grand Empress Dowager.
26.
Xiao Noujin's funeral was attended by envoys from Western Xia and Goryeo.