China: 'Yang Guifei Mounting a Horse'. Handscroll painting by Qian Xuan (1235-1305), late 13th century. Consort Yang Yuhuan (1 June 719  15 July 756), often known as Yang Guifei (Guifei being the highest rank for imperial consorts), known briefly by the Taoist nun name Taizhen, was known as one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. She was the beloved consort of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang during his later years. During the Anshi Rebellion, as Emperor Xuanzong was fleeing from the capital Chang'an to Chengdu, she was killed because his guards blamed the rebellion on her cousin Yang Guozhong.