Zhao Hede

Zhao Hede (Chinese: 趙合德;[1] died c.April 7 BC[2]) was an imperial consort of the rank zhaoyi (昭儀) during the Han dynasty.

She was probably later assigned to the household of Princess Yang'a (陽阿公主), with her sister Zhao Feiyan, but that is not clear.

After Feiyan was created empress; despite having the most outstanding and highest power a woman can have, and the first and unrivaled position in the emperor harem and the control of the imperial palace, she began to lose favor from Emperor Cheng; while her sister Hede acquired the eminent title of “Zhaoyi” (second in rank; one lower rank than the Empress, which meant “the concubine behind the Empress”), and received the nearly exclusive affection and proximity of Emperor Cheng.

The report further alleged that the Zhao sisters engaged in many tactics, such as forced abortions, assassinations, and poisonings, to make sure that no other concubine would bear an imperial heir.

Grieving over the death of her husband, upset at the loss of her status and wealth and apparently fearful of reprisal, Consort Zhao Hede killed herself.