Emperor An of Han father Liu Qing
Family background and accession to the throne
Then-Prince Hu was born in 94, to Prince Liu Qing of Qinghe and his concubine, Consort Zuo Xiao E (左小娥).  Prince Qing was the older brother of Emperor He, and had once been crown prince under their father, Emperor Zhang, until the machinations of Emperor Zhang's wife, Empress Dou, led to his removal and his mother Consort Song's death.  During Emperor He's reign, however, he was a trusted advisor to the emperor, and he had a major role in Emperor He's coup d'état against Empress Dou's domineering brother, Dou Xian, in 92.
When they were young, consort Zuo and her older sister Da E (左大娥) were both confiscated and made court servant girls because their uncle, Zuo Sheng (左聖), had been executed for making defamatory remarks against the emperor or imperial administration.  As they grew older, they became known for beauty and talent and became ladies in waiting in Emperor He's palace; Xiao E was particularly known for her knowledge in history and poetry.  At Prince Qing's request, Emperor He rewarded him with the two consorts.  Both died sometime before Emperor He's death in 106 and were buried in the capital Luoyang.  After Consort Zuo's death, Prince Hu was raised by Prince Qing's wife, Consort Geng (耿姬).
When Emperor He died in 106, his infant son, Emperor Shang, ascended the throne.  Most of Emperor He's brothers, including Prince Qing, remained in the palace at Luoyang but were ordered to report to their principalities.  As an insurance measure, Emperor He's wife, Empress Dowager Deng, kept Prince Qing's wife and 12-year-old son (Prince Hu).  When Emperor Shang died later in 106, the officials largely wanted to make Emperor Shang's brother, Prince Sheng (劉勝) of Pingyuan, emperor. However, Empress Deng had initially denied Prince Sheng the throne because she believed him to be frequently ill; she was concerned that he would bear a grudge against her. At her insistence, Prince Hu ascended the throne as Emperor An.
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