Deng Sui

Deng Sui (Chinese: 鄧綏; 81 – 5 or 17 April 121), formally Empress Hexi (Chinese: 和熹皇后; lit. 'moderate and pacifying empress'), was an empress of the Eastern Han dynasty through her marriage to Emperor He of Han, and later its de facto ruler. Acting as regent twice for Emperor Shang, and then for Emperor An. Deng Sui was recognized as a merciful, intelligent leader who guided the dynasty well through a period of excessive natural disaster, disastrous famine, court intrigues, economic inflation and costly military conflicts, and she overcame all the problems and organized the government; as well as a staunch opponent of corruption and bribery, and an effective patron of education and the arts, which fostered growth and development in state. She is considered to be one of the Han dynasty's last effective rulers. Beginning as an imperial consort to Emperor He, she managed to gain favor in the court through her humble and virtuous disposition, as well as her intelligence. She never wore lavish clothes, and refused any special privileges and gifts given to her. She gained the affections of He by expressing her concerns about him producing an heir, and suggesting other concubines that could possibly bear him one. Deng was also known for her beauty, which was recorded in many accounts and was undoubtedly the reason that He became enamored with her. Her influence in court caused He's wife, Empress Yin, to grow jealous, despite Deng's generosity towards her. Deng tried to forge a good relationship with Yin through acts of courtesy and respect, but Yin's jealousy caused her to resent Deng. Her jealousy towards Deng continued to grow until Yin was deposed due to accusations of her committing witchcraft, possibly to curse Deng. The Yin clan was exiled, and Yin later died. The same year,...