Empress Wang (Cao Fang)
Empress Wang, personal name unknown, was an empress of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. She was the third wife of Cao Fang, the third emperor of Cao Wei.
| Empress Wang 王皇后 | |
|---|---|
| Empress of Cao Wei | |
| Tenure | May 254 |
| Predecessor | Empress Zhang |
| Successor | Empress Bian |
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | Unknown |
| Spouse | Cao Fang |
| Father | Wang Kui (王夔) |
Very little is known about her, other than that she was the daughter of Wang Kui (王夔), the director of imperial transportation. She was created empress in 254, after Cao Fang's second wife Empress Zhang was deposed in light of false accusations of treason levied against her father Zhang Ji (張緝) by the regent Sima Shi. It is not known whether Empress Wang was previously an imperial consort.
Later in 254, Cao Fang considered a coup against Sima Shi, and while he ultimately did not carry out the plan, the news leaked, and Sima Shi deposed him and demoted him to the title of the Prince of Qi (which he held during his father Cao Rui's reign). What happened to Empress Wang is not known, although presumably she was allowed to have the title of the Princess of Qi. Nothing further is said about her in the official histories.
References
- Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 4, Biography of Cao Fang.
| Chinese royalty | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Empress Zhang |
Empress of Cao Wei 254 |
Succeeded by Empress Bian |