Mu Tipo
In 576, Northern Zhou launched a major attack on Northern Qi, and by spring 577 was threatening Northern Qi's capital Yecheng. In order to try to change his fortune, Gao Wei passed the throne to Gao Heng, taking the title of "Taishang Huang" (retired emperor). Empress Mu thereafter carried the title of Retired Empress. (Meanwhile, Empress Mu's adoptive brother Mu Tipo had surrendered to Northern Zhou, and upon hearing the news, her adoptive mother Lady Lu committed suicide.) Gao Wei soon abandoned Yecheng, fleeing with Gao Heng, Grand Empress Dowager Hu, Retired Empress Mu, Consort Feng, and other concubines and children. On their flight to Chen Dynasty, however, they were captured by Northern Zhou forces and returned to Yecheng.