Shuyuan Chen

Shuyuan Chen (5th century – September 19, 466), personal name unknown, was a consort of Emperor Xiaowu of Liu Song who carried the second rank of concubine ''Shuyuan''. In 456 she bore Emperor Xiaowu his third son Liu Zixun. Neither she nor her son was favored by Emperor Xiaowu. In 464 when Emperor Xiaowu died, with Zixun having been created Prince of Jin'an and appointed governor of Jiang Province, Shuyuan Chen was created Princess Dowager of Jin'an and sent to live with her son.

In 465, Liu Ziye successor of Emperor Xiaowu was killed, and his uncle Liu Yu, Prince of Xiangdong succeeded as Emperor Ming of Liu Song; he forced Liu Zishang Prince of Yuzhang second son of Emperor Xiaowu to commit suicide, making Zixun the eldest living son of Emperor Xiaowu. In 466, local officials led by Deng Wan, chief of staff of Zixun, supported Zixun as a rival emperor. Shuyuan Chen was presumably honored as empress dowager, although it was not clearly recorded.

Initially, Zixun received support from most states and counties, but was suppressed seven months later; both Zixun and Empress Dowager Chen were executed by Shen Youzhi, a general of Emperor Ming, upon the sack of Xunyang capital of Jiang Province. Provided by Wikipedia