Empress Wang Shen'ai
China

Empress Wang Shen’ai – The twice-crowned Empress of the Eastern Jin Dynasty whose husband was mute and intellectually disabled

Empress Wang Shen’ai was the empress consort of Emperor An of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Due to turbulent events in her lifetime, Empress Wang Shen’ai was invested as empress twice.[1] Her reign as empress was often unhappy.[2] Her husband, Emperor An, was intellectually disabled and could not speak.[3] She was also a hostage of three powerful [read more]

Imperial Consort Zhao Hede Zhaoyi
China

Imperial Consort Zhao Hede Zhaoyi – The Imperial Consort who was accused of killing Emperor Cheng of the Western Han Dynasty due to her wantonness

Imperial Consort Zhao Hede Zhaoyi is known to be one of China’s most wanton figures in history.[1] She was the favourite imperial concubine of Emperor Cheng of the Western Han Dynasty.[2] She is also known as Empress Zhao Feiyan’s notorious sister, whom she conspired with for her ruthless deeds.[3] She has been blamed by ancient chroniclers [read more]

Empress Dowager Zhao Gouyi
China

Empress Dowager Zhao Gouyi – The innocent and posthumous Empress Dowager whose husband had her murdered due to his fear of women seizing power

Empress Dowager Zhao Gouyi was the mother of Emperor Zhao of the Western Han Dynasty. She was once the favourite imperial concubine of Emperor Wu.[1] When her son became the obvious choice for Crown Prince, Emperor Wu began to fear that she would try to gain power through her son.[2] Under Emperor Wu’s orders, Empress Dowager Zhao [read more]

Empress Dowager Xiaochong
China

Empress Dowager Xiaochong – The posthumous Empress Dowager of the Eastern Han Dynasty who was given a fiefdom

Empress Dowager Xiaochong was the mother of Emperor Huan of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Her husband was the posthumous Emperor Xiaochong.[1] She was not an empress in her lifetime but was made an empress dowager after her death.[2] Empress Dowager Xiaochong received many honours and privileges.[3] She was even granted her own fiefdom, which was [read more]

tang ji princess
China

Princess Tang Ji – The Princess who remained steadfastly loyal to her husband, Emperor Shao of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and did not remarry

Princess Tang Ji was Emperor Shao of the Eastern Han Dynasty’s favourite imperial concubine.[1] When he was forced to commit suicide by poison, he ordered her to never remarry.[2] Princess Tang Ji had various marriage proposals, including the famous General, Li Jie.[3] However, she refused to marry them.[4] Emperor Xian of the Eastern Han Dynasty greatly admired Princess [read more]