It is noted that she was from a poor background, born in Suzhou (宿州) and that she did not have bound feet, which most women above the working class had in contemporary China.

During a famine when there was no food, Lady Ma secretly stole some cakes and gave them to Zhu Yuanzhang to eat while holding them in his chest.

However, in spite of her elevation, she did not allow her husband to seek out her living relatives to inherit her father's title, thus limiting the possibility of powerful in-laws wielding political influence.

[7] Famous for her frugality and charity, she continued wearing common clothing until they were very old and worn out, provided blankets and curtains woven of rough silk to orphans and widows, and gave the leftover material to other palace women so that they would come to appreciate sericulture.

She maintained good relations with her husband's concubines, ensuring impartial reprimand to those who violated the law in order to spare them from his infamously cruel temper.

[8] Despite his admiration for his principal wife's wisdom, the Hongwu Emperor did not like women's involvement in politics at first and established regulations that prohibited consorts from intervening in state affairs.

[8] The Hongwu Emperor eventually changed his mind and Empress Ma began to play a more active role in politics as his adviser and secretary, even keeping control of state documents.

She also greatly looked after the wellbeing of the common people by encouraging tax reductions and reducing the burden of heavy work obligations.

She notably ordered the creation of a granary in the Ming capital, Nanjing, which provided food for the families of students who were attending the local university.

In the 8th month of the 15th year of the Hongwu era, Empress Ma lay ill in bed, and the courtiers clamored to pray for her and seek skilled physicians.

She replied: "I hope Your Majesty will seek talents, heed counsel, and govern with diligence from beginning to end, so that your descendants and the people will prosper".

[13] In Xie Jin's "Great Encyclopedia of Yongle", it is mentioned: "There were twenty-four imperial sons, the fourth being the current emperor and the fifth being the Prince Zhu Su, both born to Empress Gaohuang.

Lang Ying, in "Seven Collections of Historical Chronicles", also noted, "Empress Gaohuang gave birth to two sons, as recorded in the current Yufu Yudie".

Li Qing's "San Yuan Notes" states: "The records of the Nanjing Court of Imperial Sacrifices mention that Emperor Yongle was born to Lady Gong, which is surprising.

The officials of the Ministry of Rites consulted with Peng Gong'an about this matter, as they had heard similar stories from elders in Yan, and now they believed it".