Empress Wang as portrayed by Nancy Wu
China

Empress Wang of the Tang Dynasty – Emperor Xuanzong’s childless deposed Empress

(Not to be confused with Empress Wang – Emperor Goazong’s First Empress) Empress Wang was the first empress of Emperor Xuanzong. She married him when he was the Prince of Li Longji. However, Empress Wang’s reign as empress was very uneasy.[1] She was childless and could not give Emperor Xuanzong a son.[2] Empress Wang’s barrenness would ultimately [read more]
He Saifei as Empress Zhenshun
China

Empress Zhenshun – Empress Wu Zetian’s great-niece who killed three of her stepsons

Empress Zhenshun was one of the most notorious empresses of the Tang Dynasty.[1] She was originally an imperial consort of Emperor Xuanzong and was made his posthumous empress.[2] She was also the grand-niece of Empress Wu Zetian.[3] She has been considered to be just as “cunning and treacherous”[4] as her great-aunt. She ruthlessly killed three of her stepsons [read more]