It is not known when Lady Zhong was born, but it was known that she was the second daughter of Zhong Taizhang, who was a general of Southern Tang's predecessor state Wu. Zhong Taizhang had been instrument in the coming to power of Xu Wen — as Xu and a colleague, Zhang Hao, had assassinated Wu's then-prince Yang Wo in 907, but then began to have a power struggle. Xu and another official, Yan Keqiu, then invited Zhong to lead a group of soldiers to ambush Zhang. Zhong agreed and was able to kill Zhang, allowing Xu to take over the reins of the state as the regent for Yang Wo's brother and successor Yang Longyan. However, it was said that Zhong was not well-rewarded for his actions, and, while he was quiet about his resentment, was resentful. Nevertheless, when Zhong was accused of improprieties in 923, Xu Wen was reluctant to, as his adoptive son, the junior regent Xu Zhigao suggested, punish Zhong, noting to Xu Zhigao his belief that had not for Zhong, he himself would have died at Zhang's hands. Rather, he ordered Xu Zhigao to take a daughter of Zhong's to be the wife of Xu Zhigao's son Xu Jingtong, leading to the marriage. It was said that when Xu Wen first saw Lady Zhong, he commented, "Only this boy is fit for this girl." During Wu, Lady Zhong first received successive greater lady titles. She bore Xu Jingtong his first son Xu Hongji, and would bear him his sixth son Xu Congjia and ninth son Li Congqian.
During Southern Tang
In 937, Xu Zhigao had the Wu emperor, Yang Pu, yield the throne to him, ending Wu and starting a new state of Southern Tang. He created Xu Jingtong the Prince of Wu, and then the Prince of Qi. Lady Zhong, as the wife of the Prince of Qi, received the title of Princess of Qi. In 943, Li Bian died and was succeeded by Li Jing. Li Jing created Princess Zhong empress. It was said that Empress Zhong, although she grew up in an honored household, did not favor entertainment, and did not wear luxurious clothing. Whenever the emperor rewarded her, she would first distribute the rewards to his concubines, and then to the other palace personnel. During the war that Southern Tang's rival Later Zhou waged against Southern Tang late in Li Jing's reign that eventually led to Southern Tang's yielding to Later Zhou as a vassal state, Empress Zhong reduced the amount of meals served in her palace, and forbid the playing of music for months. Li Jing died in 961, and Li Congjia, who was the crown prince at that point, succeeded to the throne. He was set to honor Empress Zhong as empress dowager — traditionally, Huang Taihou. However, as Empress Zhong's father's name was Zhong Taizhang, that title was deemed inappropriate due to naming taboo. Rather, she was honored with the title of Sheng Zunhou. When she subsequently became ill, Li Yu attended to her day and night. She died in 965.
