 Just like his father Gao Huan, Emperor Wenxuan viewed himself as more of a Xianbei rather than Chinese.Further, more than his father did, he was not willing to follow most of the Chinese traditions.Because of this, Gao Dezheng and another official, Gao Longzhi (高隆之), who wanted to ingratiate themselves with Emperor Wenxuan's cousin and powerful general Duan Shao (段韶), suggested he make Duan Shao's sister Lady Duan, a concubine of his, empress.