Empress Wang Zhi - As Consort To The Crown Prince and Then Emperor

As Consort To The Crown Prince and Then Emperor

Both Zhi and her sister Xixu became favored by Crown Prince Qi, and she, then known as Consort Wang, bore him a son, Liu Che, shortly after he became emperor, in 156 BC. When she was pregnant, she claimed that she dreamed a sun falling into her womb. In 153 BC, Prince Che was created the Prince of Jiaodong.

As Emperor Jing's empress Empress Bo had no sons, his oldest son Liu Rong (劉榮), born of his other favorite concubine Consort Li (栗姬), was created crown prince in 153 BC. Consort Li was arrogant and jealous, and she hoped to become empress after Empress Bo was deposed in 151 BC. However, her lack of tact would give Consort Wang a break. When Consort Li, out of a grudge to Emperor Jing's sister Princess Liu Piao (劉嫖), refused to let her son marry Princess Piao's daughter Chen Jiao (陳嬌), Consort Wang took the opportunity and had Chen Jiao betrothed to Prince Che. Princess Piao then began incessantly criticize Consort Li for her jealousy—pointing out that, if Consort Li became empress dowager, many concubines might suffer the fates of Consort Qi, Emperor Gao's favorite concubine who was tortured and killed by Emperor Gao's wife Empress Dowager Lü after Emperor Gao's death. Emperor Jing eventually agreed, and he deposed Prince Rong from his position in 150 BC. Consort Li died in anger. That year, Consort Wang was created empress, and Prince Che the crown prince.