Empress He (Song) (simplified: 宋皇后, traditional: 宋皇后, pinyin: Sòng Huánghòu) was the first empress of Emperor Ling of Han. She was deposed in 178 CE and died in prison after falling victim to palace intrigue orchestrated by eunuch factions and her rival Empress He.
Biography
Empress He (Song) was selected as empress when Emperor Ling ascended the throne. Her family name was Song (宋), and she was the first formal wife of the young emperor.
In 178 CE, she fell victim to palace intrigue. The eunuch faction, allied with the concubine who would become the second Empress He, conspired against her. Emperor Ling believed the accusations against her and deposed her from the position of empress. She was imprisoned and died shortly thereafter under unclear circumstances, likely by suicide or execution.
Her deposition cleared the way for the second Empress He to take her place, further strengthening the He family’s grip on the court.