Princess Eyi

Princess Eyi (Before 94 BC - died 80 BCE) was a Chinese princess, the daughter of Emperor Wu of Han and sister of Emperor Zhao of Han.

Life Her precise date of birth and the identity of her mother remain undisclosed in historical records. She is prominently recognized for her political engagements and involvement in various conspiratorial activities.

When her younger brother, Emperor Zhao, ascended to the throne at the age of 8, she assumed control of the state seals and was conferred the title of Grand Princess. This honor, typically reserved for daughters born to an empress, was bestowed upon her along with 13,000 fiefs. She was assumed guardianship of the emperor and played a pivotal role within the royal family, overseeing the administration of the imperial palaces. Enjoying the emperor's profound respect akin to that accorded to his mother, she wielded unrestricted authority in appointing and dismissing officials within the inner palace, regardless of gender. Additionally, she controlled access to the palaces, managed the emperor's personal finances, including income and expenditures, and determined the composition and duties of the palace guards. Consequently, she wielded significant influence in the Han court politics, commanding widespread respect and influence that none dared to ignore or underestimate. Even the most powerful ministers of the government, such as Huo Guang and Shangguan Jie, held her in high regard and relied on her counsel. Shangguan Jie, in particular, sought her assistance in his political maneuvers and conspiratorial undertakings.

In 2014, it was reported that the Shaanxi Archaeological Research Institute had excavated a large Han tomb in Huaxu Town , Lantian County, which belonged to Princess Eyi. The burial had originally been suggested to belong to Jing Ke, who attempted to assassinate King Zheng of Qin in 227 BCE. However, wuzhu coins found in the tomb were cast in the yuanshou period (122–117 BCE) of Emperor Wu of Han, while the bricks used for the tomb interior suggested a date prior to 74 BCE. Additionally, the height of the tomb fit the specifications for a member of the Han nobility, and the terracotta figures accompanying the burial were specifically used by the imperial house. Finally, researchers examined the deceased's bones and found that they belonged to an adult female, leading them to conclude that the tomb was that of Princess Eyi.