In 960, her eldest surviving son Zhao Kuangyin staged a coup d'état to end the Later Zhou, forcing the 7-year-old Emperor Gong of Later Zhou to abdicate power and declaring himself the emperor of the new Song dynasty.

Upon hearing the news, Lady Du was not surprised and merely stated: "My son has always been ambitious."

[2] Just a year later, Empress Dowager Du fell sick, and Emperor Taizu personally fed her medicine and attended her by her bed.

Empress Dowager Du also told Zhao Pu: "You shall also remember and follow my words."

This conversation was recorded by Zhao Pu with his signature at the end and sealed in a golden shelf to be kept by reliable palace attendants.