From a humble singer to a favored concubine of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, her life was full of ups and downs. Who exactly was this person? She is Zhao Shi, the consort of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji. Interested readers and history encyclopedia editors should take a look together!
Zhao Lifei, originally a singer from Luzhou, came from a very humble background. When Tang Xuanzong was still the King of Linzi, he served as the assistant driver of Luzhou. He accidentally met the singing girl Zhao Shi, who was beautiful and skilled in singing and dancing. Tang Xuanzong was deeply attracted to her and immediately became a concubine, enjoying her favor for a while. Not long after, Zhao gave birth to Li Siqian, the second son of Li Longji, also known as Li Ying.
Li Longji became the crown prince and took Zhao into the Eastern Palace. Zhao Shi was the favored concubine of the Crown Prince, and her father and brothers were able to hold positions in the capital city, enjoying immense honor for a time.
In 713, Emperor Xuanzong succeeded to the throne, and at this time, the Zhao family had not yet been conferred the title of empress, and the specific rank was unclear. In 715, Li Ying, the son of the Zhao family, was appointed as the crown prince by Li Longji, and the Zhao family’s father and brother entered the court as officials. As a result, the Zhao family was highly favored, and this was the peak period of the Zhao family.
In 724 AD, Lady Zhao became one of the three consorts, Lady Li. However, that year, Empress Wang was deposed and Lady Wu Hui rose to prominence. Life cannot be smooth sailing. How could the three thousand beauties in the imperial harem be devoted to one person? At this time, Empress Wu Hui was 25 years old, while Empress Zhao Li was 32 years old. Empress Wu Hui gradually gained favor from Emperor Xuanzong, while Empress Zhao Li fell out of favor.
Two years later, Zhao Lifei passed away at the young age of 34.
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