Han Dynasty · 202 BC – 220 AD

Empress Xiaoping (Empress Wang)

Artist: Xiang Li
Year: 2012
Medium: watercolor on silk
Dimension: 36×72 in.

Wang Mang’s daughter, and the last empress of the Western Han Dynasty

Empress Wang (died 21 CE) was the wife of Emperor Ping of the Western Han Dynasty. Chosen for her noble lineage as the daughter of Wang Mang, the powerful regent and later usurper of the Han throne, her marriage strengthened Wang Mang’s control over the imperial court. Empress Wang’s life was marked by her father’s dominance, as Wang Mang declared himself emperor in 9 CE, ending the Han Dynasty and founding the Xin Dynasty. She remained a symbolic figure with little personal influence, reflecting the manipulation of imperial women in power struggles during the era.

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Her Spouse: Emperor Ping

Emperor Ping 漢平帝 (9 BC – 3 February 6 AD) was the eleventh emperor of the Chinese Han dynasty from 1 BC to AD 6. After Emperor Ai died childless, the throne was passed to his cousin Emperor Ping—then a child of eight years old. Wang Mang was appointed regent by the Grand Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun. Dissatisfied with his father’s dictatorial regency, in AD 3, Wang’s son Wang Yu (王宇) conspired with Emperor Ping’s maternal uncles of the Wei clan against Wang, but after they were discovered, Wang had not only Wang Yu and the Weis (except Consort Wei) put to death, but also used this opportunity to accuse many actual or potential political enemies as being part of the conspiracy and to execute or exile them. From then onwards, the Han Dynasty existed only in name. Furthermore, Wang Mang also designated his daughter (Empress Wang, seen above) as the empress consort to Emperor Ping to codify his legitimacy to power. Emperor Ping was allegedly poisoned by Wang Mang after reigning for less than six years, because Wang was concerned that he would avenge his uncles, and his successor, the infant Ruzi Ying, would be chosen by none other than Wang Mang himself.

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