Lady Helan (, 7th century – 666 CE) was the Lady of Wei () during the Tang dynasty and the niece of Wu Zetian. The Lady of Wei was an honorific for relatives of the Emperor and Empress. She was involved in court politics during her lifetime. She was killed by being poisoned at a dinner party.
Background Lady Helan was the daughter of Wu Shun and Helan Yueshi (),This name is per vol.183 of Old Book of Tang and vol.76 of New Book of Tang; Li Anqi's stele Tang Zhengguo Furen Wushi Bei (; cited in Jigu Lumu (), complied by Ouyang Xiu and his son Ouyang Fei.) and Helan Minzhi's epitaph () both recorded Helan's name as "Anshi" (). Wu Shun was the first daughter of Wu Shiyue and Lady Yang, and the olderLi Anqi's stele recorded her as a younger sister of Wu Zetian. sister of Empress Wu. Helan Yueshi was the son of the Duke of Yingshan () and died early.Helan Minzhi's epitaph recorded that his father inherited a different title (). The New Book of Tang recorded that Wu Shun was widowed early in her life (元女妻贺兰氏，早寡。) Xin Tang Shu, vol.206.
Lady of Wei Lady Helan and her mother, Wu Shun, were favored by Emperor Gaozong who gave her the title Lady of Wei and her mother that of Lady of Han.
Emperor Gaozong wanted to keep Lady Helan as a concubine, but Empress Wu found out and had the Lady of Wei killed by poisoning. She then blamed Wu Weiliang and Wu Huaiyun for the murder and they were executed. Empress Wu accused Lady Helan's brother, Helan Minzhi (643 - 14 September 671),Helan Minzhi's epitaph recorded that he died at the age of 29 (by East Asian reckoning) on the 6th day of the 8th month of the 2nd year of the Xianheng era. of suspecting her to be behind the murder of his sister. Helan Minzhi was exiled and later died in exile.(初，魏国卒，敏之入吊，帝为恸，敏之哭不对。后曰：“儿疑我！”恶之。俄贬死。) Xin Tang Shu, vol.76
Modern Depictions Lady Helan is often known in television series as Helan Minyue (). She is often portrayed as an antagonist. Drama Portrayed Notes & Sources Palace of Desire He Lin Chinese television series based on the life of Princess Taiping. Secret History of Empress Wu Kathy Yuen Chinese television series based on the life of Wu Zetian The Empress of China Sandra Ma Chinese television series based on the life of Wu Zetian References New Book of Tang, vol.76