Empress He Fani – The overlooked Empress

Empress He Fani was the empress consort to Emperor Mu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Her uncle was regent during Emperor Mu’s reign. Empress He Fani lived through five emperors of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.^[1] After Emperor Mu’s death, Empress He Fani lived quietly in her imperial residence for most of her life.^[2]

In 339 C.E., Empress He Fani was born in Suzhou.^[3] She was from the He family. She was the daughter of He Zhun.^[4] Her mother was Lady Kong. Her uncle was He Chong, who was regent during Emperor Mu’s reign.^[5] He Fani married Emperor Mu. On 19 September 357 C.E., He Fani was invested as empress. Empress He Fani remained childless and did not give Emperor Mu any children.^[6]

In 361 C.E., Emperor Mu died. He had no sons to succeed him.^[7] He was succeeded by his cousin, Emperor Ai.^[8] Empress Fani was not made empress dowager.^[9] Instead, she became known as Empress Yong’an because that was the name of her residence in the imperial palace. Empress Yong’an still lived during the reigns of five Eastern Jin emperors: Emperor Ai, Emperor Fei, Emperor Jianwen, Emperor Xiaowu, and Emperor An.^[10] Yet, it is clear that she wielded no political influence and lived quietly in the imperial palace.^[11]

In 403 C.E., Huan Xuan invaded the Eastern Jin’s capital of Jiankang.^[12] He deposed Emperor An of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.^[13] He proceeded to proclaim himself emperor.^[14] He formed a new dynasty known as the Huan-Chu Dynasty. Huan Xuan would become known in history as Emperor Wudao of the Huan-Chu Dynasty. However, his reign lasted a few months. During his short reign, Huan Xuan banished Empress Yong’an from her palace.

In 404 C.E., Liu Yu (the Duke of Song) temporarily restored the Eastern Jin Dynasty.^[15] Duke Liu Yu killed Huan Xuan and restored Emperor An’s throne.^[16] Empress Yong’an was escorted back to Jiankang. Empress Yong’an died soon afterwards, in late 404 C.E.^[17] Empress Yong’an was buried with the rites of an empress. She was laid to rest next to Emperor Mu in Mound Yongping.^[18] She was given the posthumous name of Empress Muzhang.

Very little is known about Empress He Fani of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.^[19] Yet, it is clear that she wielded no political influence.^[20] She failed to give Emperor Mu a son to succeed him. She lived quietly in Yong’an Palace and was forgotten by the Jin court.^[21] Therefore, Empress He Fani still remains one of China’s most forgotten empresses.^[22]

Sources:

Milburn, O.; Trans. (2015). Urbanization in Early and Medieval China: Gazetteers for the City of Suzhou. Seattle: University of Washington Press.

Milburn, O.(2021). The Empress in the Pepper Chamber: Zhao Feiyan in History and Fiction. Seattle: University of Washington Press.

Theobald, U. (2018, June 16). “Jin Andi 晉安帝 Sima Dezong 司馬德宗”. Chinaknowledge.de- An Encyclopedia on Chinese History, Literature, and Art. Retrieved on 25 November 2024 from http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Division/personsjinandi.html.

Theobald, U. (2018, June 23). “Jin Mudi 晉穆帝 Sima Dan 司馬聃”. Chinaknowledge.de- An Encyclopedia on Chinese History, Literature, and Art. Retrieved on December 12, 2024 from http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Division/personsjinmudi.html.