Emperor He had in 96 created as empress one of his favorites, Consort Yin—who comes from the noble lineage of a brother of Emperor Guangwu's wife, Empress Yin Lihua.

She is described as beautiful but short and clumsy, and also jealous.

In particular, she becomes jealous of another of Emperor He's favorites, Consort Deng Sui, who also comes from a noble lineage, as the granddaughter of Emperor Guangwu's prime minister Deng Yu.

Consort Deng is said to have tried to alleviate this situation by acting with humility before Empress Yin, but this further draws her wrath.

Once, when Emperor He was ill, Empress Yin made the remark that if she became empress dowager, the Dengs would be slaughtered—and upon hearing that remark, Consort Deng considers committing suicide, and one of her ladies in waiting saves her by falsely telling her that the emperor had recovered.

However, the emperor did soon recover, and thus Consort Deng and her family escaped a terrible fate.