Concubine Liang

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Concubine Liang (birth name unknown; * 62 ; † 83 ), posthumous title Empress Gonghuai ( gentle and righteous empress ), was an imperial concubine of Emperor Zhang of the Han Dynasty . She gave birth to his son Liu Zhao in 79, who was adopted by Empress Dou . He only found out his mother's identity as Emperor He .

Concubine Liang was the daughter of Liang Song, the son of an official under Emperor Guangwu : Liang Tong. When she was 15 years old, she and her older sister became concubines of Emperor Zhang (who was then 20 years old) in 77.

When Liang's son Liu Zhao was adopted by Empress Dou, Emperor Zhang already had a son named Liu Qing from his favorite concubine Song , whom he had made crown prince. Empress Dou slandered the concubine Song and her sister, who were forced to commit suicide in 82.

The Liang clan did not dare to celebrate openly, but they were very happy with the development. Empress Dou and her family were displeased and also slandered Liang Song to ensure the Liang clan did not gain influence. Liang Song was imprisoned and died in 83. His family was exiled to what is now northern Vietnam . Concubine Liang and her sister died (probably 83) in mourning. Her son ascended the throne in 88 believing that the Dowager Empress Dou was his mother.

After Empress Dowager Dou died in 97, officials revealed his true origin to the Emperor. This refused to demote the Empress Dowager Dou posthumously and instead had his mother and aunt reburied with great honors. (Not with his father, however, because this honor was reserved for the Empress Dowager.) He also posthumously awarded his mother the title of Empress.