Consort Liu (Gaozong)

Liu Gongren (? ― ?) was a concubine of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang dynasty in China. She was the mother of Emperor Gaozong's eldest son, Li Zhong, who later became the crown prince of the Tang dynasty. Despite her low birth, her son became the crown prince. It was rare for a prince of such low birth, the son of a palace maid, to be appointed crown prince.

Life While Lady Liu's personal background and the circumstances surrounding her entry into the imperial palace remain unclear, historical records indicate that she was a palace maid of Prince Li Zhi (later Emperor Gaozong) and held the title of "concubine" (fei), a rank within the imperial harem.

In the year 643 CE, during the 17th year of the Zhenguan reign, shortly after ascending to the position of crown prince, Li Zhi had his first son with her, Li Zhong. Emperor Taizong, the reigning emperor and Li Zhi's father, expressed his elation by declaring, "Upon receiving this grandson, I want to share the joy with everyone," and he was so happy that he started dancing.

In media Portrayed by Jian Lifang in 1985 Chinese drama The Empress of the Dynasty Portrayed by Cui Bing in 2014 Chinese drama The Empress of China