Empress Song
Empress of Han, deposed and died after eunuch plot.
Empress Song (died 178) was an empress of the Han dynasty of China. She was Emperor Ling's first wife. She later became a victim of the powerful eunuchs.
Quick Facts
- Reign
- 12 October 171 – November 178
- Reign type
- Tenure
- Predecessor
- Empress Huansi
- Successor
- Empress Lingsi
- Died
- November 178
- Father
- Song Feng
- Spouse
- Emperor Ling of Han
Facts from the source article.
Family background and marriage to Emperor Ling
Empress Song came from a respected but not especially influential Eastern Han family. Her father, Song Feng, was a grandnephew of Consort Song, who had been a consort of Emperor Zhang. Under Emperor Ling, Song Feng commanded the capital’s defense forces. In 170, Lady Song entered the palace as a consort of guiren rank. Although she was not a favorite, she was made empress on 12 October 171, likely due to her noble background. Her father was then granted the title of marquis.
The Liu Kui incident, fall and death
Empress Song never won Emperor Ling's affection, and her timid nature gave palace concubines the confidence to spread lies about her. The Liu Kui affair made things even worse. Around February 165, Liu Kui lost his title for treason and promised the eunuch Wang Fu a large bribe to get it back. Emperor Huan issued a decree on January 20, 168, restoring Liu Kui as Prince of Bohai, but he never paid. Wang Fu then falsely accused him of treason around November 172, forcing Liu Kui to kill himself and his entire family to be executed. After that, Wang Fu and his allies worried that Empress Song might seek revenge for her aunt, who was Liu Kui's wife. They teamed up with the concubines to accuse her of using witchcraft against Emperor Ling. Around November 178, the emperor finally believed these charges and removed her from power. She was thrown into prison and died in misery. Her father Song Feng and her brothers were also put to death. Song Qi, the Marquis of Yinqiang and likely her brother, was executed too; his wife was a younger cousin of Cao Cao, who lost his post as Prefect of Dunqiu as a result. Some eunuchs who had no part in the scheme took pity on the former empress and gave her and her family proper burials, though as commoners.
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