Liang Nuying

Empress Liang Nüying († 159 ), formally Empress Yixian ( meek and wise empress ), was an empress of the Han dynasty . She was the first wife of Emperor Huan .

Family background

Liang Nüying's date of birth is unknown, but she achieved an honorable position in her youth. She was the daughter of Grand Marshal Liang Shang and the sister of Empress Liang Na , Emperor Shun's wife and later regent for his son Emperor Chong and two of his successors, Zhi and Huan . In fact, Emperor Huan was only appointed because it was promised to him. He was Marquis of Liwu at the time when Liang Nüying's brother Liang Ji poisoned Emperor Zhi (146). After he became emperor, he married Liang Nüying 147 and made her empress.

As empress

As Empress, Empress Liang always stood in the shadow of her sister, the Empress mother, and her brother. Little is known about them. The traditional story says that Emperor Huan did not dare to take concubines in the beginning because he respected them too much as the sister of the Empress mother. Her lifestyle is described as so luxurious that her expenses far exceeded that of the previous empresses. After her sister's death in 150, she sank in Emperor Huan's reputation, which made her very jealous. Because she was without a son, she did not want any of the concubines to have a son. She would have killed anyone who got pregnant. Since her brother Liang Ji was in control of the government, Emperor Huan dared not take any action against her, but his sexual relationship with her broke off. Empress Liang died in trouble in 159 and was buried with imperial honors.

That same year, Emperor Huan overthrew Liang Ji with the eunuchs and wiped out the Liang clan. The grave of Empress Liang was reduced to the grave of a concubine, which amounted to a posthumous deposition.

predecessor	Office	successor
Liang Na	Empress of China 147–159	Deng menu