Zheng was born to a member of the gentry in
Kaifeng. She served as a
lady-in-waiting to
Empress Xiang, who was the official mother of the future
Emperor Huizong of Song. When Huizong was still only a prince, he lived outside the imperial palace and would often visit the empress, who instructed Zheng and another one of her ladies to wait upon him. In 1099, Empress Xiang arranged for him to marry
Lady Wang. As a wedding present, Empress Xiang presented Zheng and the other lady-in-waiting, also called Wang, to him as
concubines. In 1100, Huizong succeeded his brother as emperor. Huizong was not close to his primary wife,
Empress Wang and Zheng competed with Consort Wang for his favour. Zheng was apparently studious and adept at music. Huizong had many additional favourites, including consorts Wei and Quai, several maids of Consort Zheng, and Consort Liu Mingda. However, Zheng is not described as having been jealous of them. Zheng was described as a beauty, a skillful dancer and singer, with an ability to amuse and flatter the emperor. In 1102, Huizong granted Zheng the rank of
Virtuous Consort. In 1110, two years after the death of
Empress Wang, Huizong appointed Zheng to the position of empress. Her elevation was somewhat controversial, as empresses were generally members of military or official families, not former servants. The influence of Empress Zheng was also resented. ==Exile==