Late Years
Empress Dowager Dou was never able to regain any real power, as the eunuchs controlled the political scene for years. Her position of influence was effectively taken by Emperor Ling's mother Empress Dowager Dong. Zhang, who had been tricked into defeating her father, repeatedly tried to get her released, but was unable to do so. In 171, the eunuch Dong Meng (董萌) also tried to speak on her behalf with Emperor Ling, claiming that she was innocent of wrongdoing, and Emperor Ling initially believed him, and therefore repeatedly visited Empress Dowager Dou and supplied her with many things. This led Cao and Wang to despise him, and they falsely accused him of defaming Empress Dowager Dong; Dong Meng was imprisoned and executed.
In 172, Empress Dowager received news that her mother had died in exile, and she became depressed and ill herself. She died in the summer of that year. The powerful eunuchs so hated the Dous that they had her body placed on a wagon for transporting luggage and exposed to the elements for a few days, and eventually wanted to bury her with the honors only due an imperial consort. At Emperor Ling's insistence, she was still buried with the ceremony of an empress dowager, with her husband Emperor Huan.
| Chinese royalty | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Empress Deng Mengnü |
Empress of Eastern Han Dynasty 165–168 |
Succeeded by Empress Song |
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Dou Miao, Empress |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | |
| Date of death | 172 |
| Place of death | |
Read more about this topic: Empress Dou Miao
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