Royals › Empress / Consort
Zhao Hede
Favored imperial consort of Emperor Cheng of Han
Mural of the event “The Zhao Sisters of Zhaoyang Palace”, which this person took part in.
In the late Western Han, Zhao Feiyan dances before Emperor Cheng of Han at Zhaoyang Palace while Zhaoyi Zhao Hede stands nearby, embodying the sisters' shared dominance of the inner court.
Also known as Consort Zhao
- Roles
- Empress / Consort
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
Dates c. 45 BCE - 7 BCE