Lady Bian (simplified: 卞夫人, traditional: 卞夫人, pinyin: Biàn Fūrén) was Cao Cao’s principal wife and the mother of Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, Cao Zhi, and Cao Xiong. She was from a family of entertainers in Qi County, Langye; Cao Cao took her as a concubine and later made her his formal wife after his first wife Lady Ding was divorced or set aside. She was known for frugality and for mediating between Cao Cao’s sons. When Cao Pi became emperor in 220, she was honoured as Empress Dowager; after her death she was given the posthumous title Empress Wuxuan (武宣皇后). Cao Zhi was her son; his loss of the succession to Cao Pi and his later treatment under Cao Pi and Cao Rui were a source of grief to her.
Biography
Marriage and rise
Lady Bian became Cao Cao’s concubine and bore him four sons. She was made principal wife and was known for not indulging in luxury and for keeping harmony among the household. When Cao Cao was away on campaign, she looked after the family and the sons’ interests.
Empress Dowager and death
When Cao Pi succeeded Cao Cao and took the imperial title, Lady Bian became Empress Dowager. She outlived Cao Pi and lived into Cao Rui’s reign. She died in 230 and was buried with the honours due to an empress dowager. She is remembered as a model of restraint and as the mother of the “Three Caos” (Cao Cao, Cao Pi, Cao Zhi) in literary tradition.