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Zhao Hede

Favored imperial consort of Emperor Cheng of Han

Also known as Consort Zhao

Zhao Hede, called only Consort Zhao (Zhao Zhaoyi) in the Book of Han, was the younger sister of Zhao Feiyan. The two sisters entered the palace of Emperor Cheng of Han and kept his favour for more than ten years. She entered as a jieyu and was raised to zhaoyi after her sister became empress in 16 BCE. When the emperor died suddenly in 7 BCE and the court inquired into his last illness, she killed herself. The Book of Han does not give her personal name; Hede comes from the later tale Feiyan Waizhuan.

Life and times

  1. c. 45 BCEBornHan
  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. 7 BCEDied

Family tree

  1. Direct kin
    Zhao FeiyanElder sister
    Zhao Hede
    Consort
    Emperor Cheng of Han