Consort Liang

Who was Consort Liang?

Consort Liang, posthumous title Empress Gonghuai, was an imperial consort to Emperor Zhang of Han. She gave birth to his son Liu Zhao in 79, but her son was adopted by Emperor Zhang's wife Empress Dou and would not know his birth mother's identity until a long time later, after he became emperor.

Consort Liang was a daughter of Liang Song, the son of one of Emperor Guangwu's officials, Liang Tong. When she was 15, in 77, both she and her older sister became consort to Emperor Zhang.

At the time Consort Liang's son Prince Zhao was adopted by Empress Dou, Emperor Zhang had already created his son Liu Qing, by another favorite, Consort Song, crown prince. Empress Dou made false accusations against Consort Song and her sister, however, and the Consorts Song were forced to commit suicide in 82. Crown Prince Qing was deposed, and Prince Zhao was created crown prince in his stead.

The Liang clan did not dare to celebrate openly, but they were happy about that development. Empress Dou and her clan were not pleased, and, wanting to make sure that the Liangs would not step in and exert influence on the young prince, they also made false accusations against Liang Song, and he was arrested and died in prison in 83. His family was exiled to modern northern Vietnam. Consort Liang and her sister died in sadness, probably in 83 as well. Her son would succeed to the throne in 88, believing that Empress Dowager Dou was his mother.