Yang Lihua was an empress of the Xianbei-led Chinese Northern Zhou dynasty, and later a princess of the Sui dynasty.
18 Facts About Yang Lihua
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Yang Lihua was born in 561, as the oldest daughter of Yang Jian, then the heir apparent to Yang Zhong the Duke of Sui, and his wife Dugu Qieluo.
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In 568, her grandfather Yang Zhong died, and her father Yang Jian inherited the title of Duke of Sui.
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Yang Lihua took an atypical title for a retired emperor, "Emperor Tianyuan".
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Yang Lihua thereafter took the title of "Empress Tianyuan".
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However, Empress Yang Lihua continued to be recognized as the most honored among his empresses.
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In spring 580, he added Da to the empresses' titles, and therefore Empress Yang Lihua's title was changed to Tianyuan Da Huanghou.
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Dugu Qieluo 8.
Emperor Xuan died without being able to leave instructions, and his close associate Zheng Yi, a friend of Yang Lihua Jian's, issued an edict in Emperor Xuan's name appointing Yang Lihua Jian regent.
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Yang Lihua was initially happy to hear that her father had become regent, but became apprehensive and displeased at her father when she sensed that he had designs on the throne, although she made no overt attempts to stop him.
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Emperor Wen created Emperor Jing the Duke of Jie, and while it was unclear what Empress Dowager Yang Lihua's title was at this point, it was likely she carried the title of Duchess Dowager of Jie.
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Yang Lihua was still resentful of her father's usurpation, and often expressed her anger and grief.
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Yang Lihua tried to get her to remarry many times, but she refused.
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Yang Lihua instead sought a proper husband for her own daughter and eventually selected the young Li Min, Duke of Guangzong.
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Yang Lihua was raised in the palace alongside Yuwen Eying on account of his father, the general Li Chong, who died in battle against the Tujue in 583.
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Yang Lihua then offered the woman to Yang Jian, who took her as a concubine.
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Emperor Yang Lihua agreed, and did so after Princess Leiping died in peace.
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However, in 615, when Emperor Yang Lihua became suspicious of Li Min over popular rumors that the next emperor would be from the Li clan, he had his associate Yuwen Shu investigate the matter.
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When Emperor Yang Lihua saw the confession, he believed the truth thereof and executed Li Hun, Li Min, and 30 other members of their clan.