Lady Xie
Quick Facts
Biography
Lady Xie (birth and death dates unknown) was the first wife of Sun Quan, the founding emperor of the state of Eastern Wu in the Three Kingdoms period.
Life
Lady Xie was from Shanyin County (山陰縣), Kuaiji Commandery, within present-day Shaoxing, Zhejiang. She became Sun Quan's wife on the recommendation of Sun's mother Lady Wu, who favoured her. Later, Sun Quan wanted to take his cousin Xu Kun's daughter Lady Xu as his new wife, so he told Lady Xie to lower herself to accept the newcomer. However, Lady Xie refused and fell out of Sun Quan's favour as a consequence. She died at a relatively young age.
Family and relatives
Lady Xie's father, Xie Jiong (謝煚), served as a Gentleman of Writing (尚書郎) and the Prefect (令) of Xu County (徐縣) in the Eastern Han dynasty. Xie Jiong was known for his good moral conduct and brilliance since he was young.
Xie Jiong's younger brother, Xie Zhen (謝貞), was known for being very law-abiding, studious, and morally upright in conduct. He was nominated as a xiaolian (civil service cadet) and later served as the Chief (長) of Jianchang County (建昌縣). He died in office.
Lady Xie had a younger brother, Xie Cheng (謝承), whose courtesy name was "Weiping" (偉平). Xie Cheng was known for being very well read and for his excellent memory. He initially served as a "Gentleman for All Purposes" (五官郎中), and was subsequently promoted to the positions of "Commandant of East Changsha" (長沙東部都尉) and Administrator (太守) of Wuling Commandery (武陵郡). He also wrote over 100 volumes of the Hou Han Shu (後漢書; Book of the Later Han), which documented the history of the Eastern Han dynasty.
Xie Cheng's son, Xie Chong (謝崇), served as "General Who Spreads Might" (揚威將軍). Xie Chong's younger brother, Xie Xu (謝勗), served as the Administrator (太守) of Wu commandery (吳郡).