Empress Jianwenshun was the posthumous Empress of Emperor Jianwen of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Empress Jianwenshun bore Prince Sima Rui (the future Emperor Jianwen) two children.[1] However, her two children would have tragic deaths.[2] The deaths of her children would lead to Empress Jianwenshun’s unfortunate end.[3]
The birthdate of Empress Jianwenshun is unrecorded.[4] She was from the Wang family of the Taiyuan clan.[5] Her personal name was Jianji. It is unknown when she married Prince Sima Yu (the future Emperor Jianwen of the Eastern Dynasty).[6] It is most likely that she married him when he was the Prince of Kuaiji.[7] Therefore, Wang Jianji was the Princess of Kuaiji.
At an unknown date, Princess Wang Jianji bore Prince Sima Yu a son named Prince Sima Daosheng.[8] Princess Wang Jianji gave birth to another son named Prince Sima Yusheng.[9] However, Prince Sima Yusheng died at a young age.[10] Prince Sima Yu was very happy with Prince Daosheng.[11] He planned to make him his successor as the next Prince of Kuaiji.[12]
Prince Sima Yu gradually became displeased with his eldest son, Prince Sima Daosheng.[13] Prince Sima Daosheng was said to have lived in debauchery.[14] Prince Sima Yu finally had enough of his son’s reckless lifestyle.[15] In 348 C.E., Prince Sima Yu disowned Prince Sima Daosheng and imprisoned him.[16] Prince Sima Daosheng quickly died in prison.[17]
Princess Wang Jianji was so distressed about her son’s imprisonment that she died shortly afterwards.[18] The date of her death is unrecorded.[19] It is also not known how old she was when she died.[20] On 6 January 372 C.E., Sima Yu ascended the throne as Emperor Jianwen of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. He decided to honour and respect his late wife, Wang Jianji by making her his posthumous empress.[21] She became the posthumous Empress Jianwenshun.[22]
Very little is known about Empress Jianwenshun.[23] Yet, it is clear that she had a miserable life, especially in her later years.[24] Her second son, Prince Sima Yusheng, died young.[25] Her first son, Prince Sima Daosheng, had a wretched lifestyle and met a tragic end.[26] Prince Sima Daosheng’s imprisonment caused her to die in misery.[27] Even though she had a sad life, Emperor Jianwen attempted to make amends to her by making her his posthumous empress.[28]
Sources:
iNews. (n.d.).“The only black queen in Chinese history who gave birth to two sons for the Emperor, but was not favored” Retrieved on May 9, 2025 from https://inf.news/en/history/17295c7ffb8a397e0537eb2b6d791202.html.
Guang, S. (n.d.). Records of Jin Dynasty 晋纪: Zi Zhi Tong Jian资治通鉴; or Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance; Volume 79 – 118. (n.p.): DeepLogic.
[1] Guang, n.d.
[2] Guang, n.d.
[3] Guang, n.d.
[4] Guang, n.d.
[5] Guang, n.d.
[6] Guang, n.d.
[7] Guang, n.d.
[8] Guang, n.d.
[9] Guang, n.d.
[10] Guang, n.d.
[11] iNews, n.d., “The only black queen in Chinese history who gave birth to two sons for the Emperor, but was not favored”
[12] iNews, n.d., “The only black queen in Chinese history who gave birth to two sons for the Emperor, but was not favored”
[13] iNews, n.d., “The only black queen in Chinese history who gave birth to two sons for the Emperor, but was not favored”
[14] Guang, n.d.; iNews, n.d., “The only black queen in Chinese history who gave birth to two sons for the Emperor, but was not favored”
[15] iNews, n.d., “The only black queen in Chinese history who gave birth to two sons for the Emperor, but was not favored”
[16] Guang, n.d.
[17] Guang, n.d.
[18] Guang, n.d.
[19] Guang, n.d.
[20] Guang, n.d.
[21] Guang, n.d.
[22] Guang, n.d.
[23] Guang, n.d.
[24] Guang, n.d.
[25] Guang, n.d.
[26] Guang, n.d.
[27] Guang, n.d.
[28] Guang, n.d.
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