In 549, when the Liang dynasty was in a state of disarray after the capital Jiankang had fallen to the rebel general Hou Jing, Xiao Cha, then with his headquarters at Xiangyang (襄陽, in modern Xiangfan, Hubei), feared an attack from his uncle Xiao Yi (the future Emperor Yuan) the Prince of Xiangdong, and therefore became a Western Wei vassal.
In order to show his loyalty, he sent Princess Wang and his heir apparent Xiao Liao to Western Wei as hostages.
[2] At some point, Western Wei allowed her to return to Xiao Cha.
In 555, after Western Wei forces had defeated and killed Xiao Yi, Western Wei made Xiao Cha the emperor.
In 562, after Emperor Xuan died and was succeeded by Xiao Kui (who had been created crown prince because Xiao Liao died before Emperor Xuan's ascension), Emperor Ming honored her as empress dowager.