The Unofficial Biography of Zhao Feiyan is a legendary tale by the Song-dynasty writer Qin Chun, based on the palace stories of Zhao Feiyan and her younger sister, Zhao Hede, during the Han dynasty.
Written in the form of a biji tale, it recounts the sisters' entire story, from entering the palace and winning the emperor's favor to their tragic ends. It focuses on the emotional bond between them, the devious methods used to compete for favor in the harem, and the tragedy that ultimately unfolds through power, desire, and deception.
The story depicts Zhao Feiyan faking a pregnancy and having an affair to secure the emperor's favor, while Zhao Hede uses her wit and tenderness to hold the emperor's heart, yet also kills out of jealousy. It ends with Emperor Cheng of Han's sudden death, Zhao Hede's suicide, and Zhao Feiyan's lonely final years. The closing passage invokes myth to reflect on karmic retribution.
