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Zhao Feiyan

Empress of Emperor Cheng of Han, a former palace servant trained as a dancer, who was deposed and killed herself when Wang Mang took power

Also known as Empress Xiaocheng

The History of the Han (Hanshu) says Zhao Feiyan, empress of Emperor Cheng, began as a palace servant in Chang'an, abandoned at birth and taken back when she survived three days. Placed in the household of Princess Yang'a, she learned singing and dancing and was nicknamed Flying Swallow; the emperor saw her on an incognito visit and brought her and her sister into the palace. After Empress Xu was deposed in 18 BC she was made empress in 16 BC, while her sister became Brilliant Companion and soon displaced her in favour. When Emperor Cheng died her sister killed herself, and the new emperor Ai honoured Feiyan as empress dowager, though an official accused the sister of killing Cheng's infant sons. In 1 BC, after Ai's death, Wang Mang had her demoted and then made a commoner, and she killed herself that day. The intimate scenes of the Unofficial Biography of Feiyan (Feiyan waizhuan), attributed to Ling Xuan of Han, are later fiction absent from the Hanshu.

Life and times

  1. UnknownBornHan
  2. 18 BCEThe Zhao Sisters of Zhaoyang PalaceTook partZhao Feiyan became Empress and Zhao Hede became Zhaoyi at Zhaoyang Hall, as the sisters jointly dominated the late Western Han inner court.
    1. Zhao Feiyan Dancing at Zhaoyang PalaceIn 18 BCE, Zhao Feiyan's dance won Emperor Cheng of Han's favor, opening the rise of Zhao Feiyan and Zhao Hede as the favored sisters of Zhaoyang Palace.
    2. Emperor Cheng Invests Zhao Feiyan Empress16 BCEIn 16 BCE, Emperor Cheng of Han invested Zhao Feiyan as Empress and Zhao Hede as Zhaoyi, establishing the sisters at the center of the inner court.
    3. Zhao Hede Invested as Imperial Zhaoyi16 BCEIn 16 BCE, Emperor Cheng of Han invested Zhao Hede as Zhaoyi at Zhaoyang Hall, consolidating the Zhao sisters' inner-court dominance.
  3. 1 BCEDied

Family tree

  1. Direct kin
    Zhao HedeYounger sister
    Zhao Feiyan
    Wife
    Emperor Cheng of Han