Empress Yuanjing was the posthumous empress of Emperor Yuan of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. However, very little is known about her.[1] She had a loving marriage with Emperor Yuan when he was still a vassal prince.[2] She was also barren.[3] Empress Yuanjing was often in conflict with her husband’s imperial concubine, Imperial Consort Xun.[4] Eventually, Imperial Consort Xun was driven out of the palace.[5] Empress Yuanjing raised her husband’s two sons.[6]
In 277 C.E., Empress Yuanjing was born. She was from the Yu family.[7] Her personal name was Mengmu.[8] Her parents’ personal names are unrecorded.[9] Yu Mengmu was said to be very talented, could read and write, and had very good manners.[10] She eventually married Sima Rui (the Prince of Langya). Therefore, Yu Mengmu was the Princess of Langya.[11]
The marriage between Prince Sima Rui and Princess Yu Mengmu was said to be very happy and harmonious.[12] However, Princess Yu Mengmu remained childless and failed to give Prince Sima Rui any children.[13] This was Prince Sima Rui’s greatest weakness.[14] During that time, Empress Jia Nanfeng wanted to weaken the power of a vassal prince.[15] She ordered that if a vassal prince “had no children, he had to cut down the vassal and stop the nobility.”[16 Therefore, Prince Sima Rui had no choice but to take a concubine.[17]
Prince Sima Rui summoned an imperial maid from the royal palace named Lady Xun to his palace.[18] In 299 C.E., Lady Xun gave birth to a son named Prince Sima Shao (the future Emperor Ming of the Eastern Jin Dynasty).[19] In 301 C.E., Lady Xun gave birth to another son named Prince Sima Bing (who would have the title of Prince of Langya).[20] Prince Sima Rui was very happy that he had two sons.[21] He promoted Lady Xun’s family and made her his imperial concubine.[22]
Princess Yu Mengmu was jealous of Imperial Consort Xun because she had two children.[23] She scolded Imperial Consort Xun whenever she saw her.[24] Imperial Consort Xun often complained about Princess Yu Mengmu.[25] Eventually, Imperial Consort Xun’s complaints about Princess Yu Mengmu reached Prince Sima Rui’s ears.[26] Even though Princess Yu Mengmu was childless, Prince Sima Rui still loved her dearly.[27] Therefore, Imperial Consort Xun’s complaints greatly angered Prince Sima Rui.[28] He drove her out of his palace and forced her to remarry a commoner named Ma.[29]
After Imperial Consort Xun was driven out of the palace, Prince Sima Rui allowed Princess Yu Mengmu to raise his two sons.[30] Princess Yu Mengmu raised them well.[31] They respected, loved, and were very devoted to her.[32] In 312 C.E., Princess Yu Mengmu died at the age of thirty-five.[33] On 26 April 318 C.E., Sima Rui ascended the throne as Emperor Yuan of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.[34] He wanted to show respect, honour, and love for his late wife, Princess Yu Mengmu.[35] On 10 October 320 C.E., Emperor Yuan made Yu Mengmu the posthumous Empress Yuanjing.[36] He did not appoint another empress and left the Empress position vacant.[37]
There is very little information about Empress Yuanjing.[38] Yet, it is clear that she had a very loving marriage with the future Emperor Yuan of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.[39] Her barrenness often put her husband in danger.[40] Yet, her husband did not discard her.[41] Instead, he ultimately chose her over his concubine, who gave him two children.[42] Because of his love for her, Emperor Yuan honoured her by making her his posthumous empress and leaving the Empress position vacant.[43] Thus, Emperor Yuan truly loved her.[44]
Sources:
iMedia. (n.d.). “The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”. Retrieved on December 23 from https://min.news/en/history/27cc2a83a0f7f6d947c6a8fc0dea218f.html#google_vignette.
Theobald, U. (2018, June 16). “Jin Yuandi 晉元帝 Sima Rui 司馬睿”. Chinaknowledge.de- An Encyclopedia on Chinese History, Literature, and Art. Retrieved on May 8, 2025 from http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Division/personsjinhuaidi.html.
[1] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[2] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[3] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[4] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[5] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[6] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[7] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[8] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[9] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[10] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[11] Theobald, June 16, 2018, “Jin Yuandi 晉元帝 Sima Rui 司馬睿”
[12] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[13] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[14] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[15] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[16] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”, para. 4
[17] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[18] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[19] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[20] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[21] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[22] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[23] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[24] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[25] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[26] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[27] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[28] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[29] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[30] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[31] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[32] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[33] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[34] Theobald, June 16, 2018, “Jin Yuandi 晉元帝 Sima Rui 司馬睿”
[35] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[36] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[37] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[38] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[39] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[40] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[41] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[42] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[43] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
[44] iMedia, n.d.,“The widow remarried, became the imperial concubine, and was loved by the Emperor all her life—Zheng Achun, the wife of Emperor Jin Yuan”
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