On March 18, 1644, as the Ming Dynasty was on the brink of collapse, Empress Zhou, the last empress of the Ming court, committed suicide in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunning Palace). She took her own life following the orders of the Chongzhen Emperor (Ming Sizong), as Li Zicheng's rebel army besieged Beijing and occupied the Forbidden City. Before her death, she uttered her final words:

"I have served Your Majesty for 18 years, obeying all commands. Now, I die alongside my emperor and our nation, with no regrets!"