Queen Dowager Xuan of Qin (Chinese: 秦宣太后; personal name unknown (338 or 344 BC - 265 BC), also known as Mi Bazi (羋八子), was the first queen dowager in Chinese history. She was the concubine of King Huiwen of Qin, the mother of King Zhaoxiang of Qin, and the great-great-grandmother of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China.
She acted as regent for her son 307-305 and held de facto power in Qin for 35 years during the Warring States period. She was also one of the first women confirmed to have acted as regent in China and one of the most politically influential women noted since Lady Nanzi.
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Early life
Lady Mi was born around 338 BCE (other sources say 344 BCE) into the royal family of the State of Chu. Because historical records do not explicitly name her father, historians generally believe she was not a direct daughter of the King of Chu, suggesting her early life was relatively minor within the court. Nonetheless, her ancestral name is Mǐ, the same as the royal house of Chu.
Around 329 BCE, a political marriage was arranged between the courts of Chu and Qin. A Chu princess was sent to marry Ying Si (King Huiwen of Qin). Lady Mi accompanied the princess as part of the bridal entourage, intended to serve as a secondary consort. This practice was common during the era to strengthen diplomatic ties and secure Chu's influence within the Qin court.