There were numerous “public figures” in ancient China, and when it comes to beauty, the most talked about one is the “Four Great Beauties”. Undoubtedly, Xi Shi, Diao Chan, Wang Zhaojun, and Yang Guifei were among the outstanding beauties in ancient China. However, they were elected as the Four Great Beauties not only because of their beauty, but also because they made great contributions to society, at least without making any major mistakes (Yang Yuhuan is still controversial).
However, since ancient times, beautiful women have caused disasters. Politicians and scholars in ancient times had a very unfriendly attitude towards these beautiful women, believing that beautiful women misled the country, praised Si and Daji, and countless beautiful women used them as a weapon to destroy a country. In addition to them, during the Han Dynasty, there was a beautiful woman who was far less beautiful and favored than her own sister, but in terms of fame, she was rare. She was Zhao Feiyan, the second queen of Emperor Cheng of Han.
When we talk about Zhao Feiyan, we remember the idiom ’round fat swallow thin’. Comparing her with Yang Guifei shows the great fame of Zhao Feiyan. In addition, the poet Li Bai also mentioned Zhao Feiyan in a famous poem used to praise the beauty of Yang Guifei – “Ask who is like in the Han Palace, pitiful Feiyan is dressed in red.” (This poem became famous mostly because Gao Lishi later used this poem to separate Yang Guifei and Li Bai.)
In terms of body shape, Zhao Feiyan is as thin as a stick, while Zhao Hede belongs to the symmetrical type. Once, Emperor Cheng of Han secretly watched Zhao Hede take a shower and felt very happy. When Fei Yan learned about this, she followed suit from Hede, but he didn’t want Emperor Cheng of Han to find Zhao Feiyan’s thin body dull and tasteless.
So, according to historical facts, Zhao Feiyan’s sister Zhao Hede is more unattractive to her beauty and favored by Emperor Cheng of Han. Why is it that not many people know about her?
First of all, Zhao Feiyan became the queen. Zhao Feiyan’s sisters told the empress dowager that Empress Xu’s sister was engaged in the art of poisoning and cursing. Empress Xu was abolished because of this. Zhao Hede had a very good relationship with her sister, so her sister Feiyan was granted the title of empress, and she herself was granted Zhaoyi. Zhao Hede was inferior to Zhao Feiyan in status.
Secondly, Zhao Feiyan and her sisters took Xi Ji Wan to maintain their figure and appearance, which led to infertility. Zhao Hede was loved by the emperor, but Feiyan was so lonely that she wantonly molested the harem and secretly gathered young and handsome men to hope to have children. Zhao Feiyan’s promiscuous celebrities are well-known and far superior to Hede.
Thirdly, Zhao Feiyan became famous worldwide for her slender figure, which allowed her to dance on her palm.
Finally, there is also an easily overlooked reason: Zhao Feiyan’s name is easy to remember. (Poets often mention flying swallows in their lines)