Emperor Ai of Tang
In 904, Zhu forced Emperor Zhaozong to move the capital from Chang'an to Luoyang, which was even more firmly under his control. Later that year, fearing that the adult Emperor Zhaozong would try to rise against him while he was away on campaigns against other warlords, he had Emperor Zhaozong assassinated. Bypassing Li Yu and the other older princes, he had an edict issued in Emperor Zhaozong's name creating Li Zuo crown prince and changing his name to Li Chu. Shortly after, Li Chu took the throne (as Emperor Ai). Empress He, who survived the assassination, was honored empress dowager.
Empress Dowager Cao (Li Cunxu's mother)
In 908, by which time Tang's last emperor [[Emperor Ai of Tang|Emperor Ai]] had been forced to yield the throne to Li Keyong's archrival [[Zhu Wen|Zhu Quanzhong]], who established a new [[Later Liang (Five Dynasties)|Later Liang]] as its Emperor Taizu but whose legitimacy Li Keyong refused to recognize, Li Keyong died. Li Cunxu succeeded him as the Prince of Jin. Under Li Keyong's will, Li Keyong's brother [[Li Kening]], the [[eunuch (court official)|eunuch]] monitor [[Zhang Chengye]], Li Keyong's adoptive son [[Li Cunzhang]], the officer Wu Gong (吳珙), and the secretary general Lu Zhi (盧質) were to assist Li Cunxu in his rule. Li Cunxu initially offered the Prince of Jin position to Li Kening instead, but Li Kening pointed out that it was Li Keyong's will that he inherit the title, so Li Cunxu accepted it. Lady Cao thereafter was known as the Lady Dowager of Jin.