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Empress Yu Daolian – The Empress of the Deposed Emperor

Empress Yu Daolian was the empress consort of Emperor Fei of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Emperor Fei would be known in history as the “Deposed Emperor.”[1] Empress Yu Daolian was also the daughter of Yu Bing (the brother of the famous regent, Yu Liang).[2] She reigned as Empress of the Eastern Jin Dynasty for less than one year. When Emperor Fei was deposed, Yu Daolian’s empress title was removed.[3]

The birthdate of Empress Yu Daolian is unknown. She was the daughter of Yu Bing (the brother of the regent, Yu Liang).[4] Her mother is unknown.[5] She had two brothers named Yu Yun and Yu Yao.[6] Yu Yun would later be renowned for penning the famous poem “Lan ting shi”[7] (which means “Poem on Lan ting gathering”[8]). Yu Daolian was the niece of Empress Dowager Yu Wenjun.[9] Yu Daolian married Emperor Cheng’s son and her first cousin, Sima Yi (the Prince of Donghai).[10] Therefore, Yu Daolian was Princess of Donghai. In 361 C.E., Sima Yi was made Prince of Langya.[11] Yu Daolian was made Princess of Langya.

On 30 March 365 C.E., Sima Yi’s older brother, Emperor Ai, died. Emperor Ai had no sons.[12] Therefore, Sima Yi ascended the throne as Emperor Fei. On 13 August 365 C.E., Yu Daolian was installed as empress.[13] Emperor Fei’s motto was “Great Harmony.”[14] Emperor Fei also had a regent named Huan Wen.[15] Empress Yu Daolian bore Emperor Fei no children. In 366 C.E., Empress Yu Daolian died. Her posthumous title is Empress Xiao.

In 371 C.E., Huan Wen deposed Emperor Fei. This was because Emperor Fei’s army was defeated by the Former Yan.[16] Huan Wen installed the deposed Emperor Fei’s great-uncle, Sima Yu, as Emperor Jianwen on the Eastern Jin throne. The deposed Emperor Fei was demoted to Prince of Donghai.[17] This caused the posthumous Empress Yu Daolian’s title to be demoted to Princess of Donghai.[18] Sima Yi was further demoted to Duke of Daixi.[19] This caused the posthumous Princess Yu Daolian’s title to be further demoted to Duchess of Haixi.[20]

On 23 November 386 C.E., Duke Sima Yi died and was forgotten by the Eastern Jin court.[21] He was buried in Mound Wuling. Duchess Yu Daolian was reburied beside him. Duke Sima Yi was not given a posthumous Emperor title.[22] Duchess Yu Daolian’s empress title was not restored to her.

Very little is known about Empress Yu Daolian.[23] She was from the powerful Yu family.[24] Her father was regent.[25] Yet, she died shortly after she was invested as empress. Empress Yu Daolian was also childless.[26] When Emperor Fei was deposed, Empress Yu Daolian was demoted and was forgotten.[27] Empress Yu Daolian still remains forgotten to this day.[28]

Sources:

Knechtges, D. R., Ed.; Chang, T., Ed. (2014). Ancient and Early Medieval Chinese Literature: A Reference Guide. Parts 3 & 4. Netherlands: Brill.

Theobald, U. (2018, June 23)., “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”. Chinaknowledge.de- An Encyclopedia on Chinese History, Literature, and Art. Retrieved on December 13, 2024 from http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/....

Theobald, U. (2018, June 30). “Yu Bing 庾冰”. Chinaknowledge.de- An Encyclopedia on Chinese History, Literature, and Art. Retrieved on December 13, 2024 from http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/....

[1] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[2] Theobald, June 30, 2018, “Yu Bing 庾冰”

[3] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[4] Theobald, June 30, 2018, “Yu Bing 庾冰”

[5] Theobald, June 30, 2018, “Yu Bing 庾冰”

[6] Knechtges and Chang, Eds., 2014

[7] Knechtges and Chang, Eds., 2014, p. 2032

[8] Knechtges and Chang, Eds., 2014, p. 2032

[9] Theobald, June 30, 2018, “Yu Bing 庾冰”

[10] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[11] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[12] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”