Li Rong was born on 813. He was the eighth son of Emperor Muzong, while his mother was an imperial consort surnamed Yang that outlived his father. In 821, when Emperor Muzong created his sons, as well as a number of younger brothers who had not been created titles, imperial princes, Li Rong was created the Prince of An. In 834, by which time another older brother, Emperor Wenzong was emperor, Li Rong was given the honorific titleKaifu Yitong Sansi. Early in Emperor Wenzong's Kaicheng era, Emperor Wenzong ordered that monthly stipends be given to both Li Rong and Li Chan, and it was said that Emperor Wenzong often treated both him and Li Chan well and more special than other imperial princes.
Consideration as Emperor Wenzong's successor
In 838, Emperor Wenzong's only son and crown princeLi Yong died — probably murdered by household servants. After Li Yong's death, in 839, Emperor Wenzong's concubineConsort Yang recommended Li Rong as crown prince. , would state that it was his belief that Li Rong flattered Consort Yang, and that Li Rong's candidacy was supported by the chancellorYang Sifu and the eunuch Liu Hongyi When Emperor Wenzong consulted the chancellors, however, Li Jue opposed Li Rong's candidacy. Emperor Wenzong thereafter created his older brother Emperor Jingzong's youngest sonLi Chengmei the Prince of Chen crown prince.
Death
In spring 840, Emperor Wenzong became seriously ill. He summoned Liu Hongyi and another eunuch, Xue Jileng, and asked them to summon Yang Sifu and Li Jue to the palace, ready to entrust Li Chengmei to them. However, the eunuch army commandersQiu Shiliang and Yu Hongzhi, hoping to receive credit for supporting a new emperor, opposed Li Chengmei, arguing that Li Chengmei was too young and too sickly. Li Jue tried to stop them, but Qiu and Yu went ahead and issued an edict in Emperor Wenzong's name demoting Li Chengmei back to the Prince of Chen and creating Li Chan crown prince instead. After Emperor Wenzong soon died, Qiu persuaded Li Chan, who had not yet taken the throne and was still using his title of crown prince, to order Consort Yang, Li Rong, and Li Chengmei to commit suicide.
