Princess Duan (Murong Chui)
Encyclopedia
Princess Duan (died 358), formally Empress Chengzhao (成昭皇后, literally "the successful and accomplished empress") was the first wife of the Former Yan
general Murong Chui
, who would later become the founder of Later Yan
. She was the mother of his sons Murong Ling (慕容令) and Murong Bao
.
Princess Duan was the daughter of Duan Mopei (段末柸), one in a line of Duan
chiefs carrying the title of Duke of Liaoxi. Because she came from an honored lineage (originally on par with Former Yan's imperial clan, the Murong
s), she did not respect Murong Jun
(Emperor Jingzhao)'s wife Empress Kezuhun
, and Empress Kezuhun despised her greatly. In 358, perhaps at her instigation, the eunuch
Nie Hao (涅浩) falsely accused Princess Duan of witchcraft
. Murong Jun had her and her alleged coconspirator, Murong Chui's assistant Gao Bi (高弼), arrested.
Princess Duan and Gao were tortured, but they refused to admit the charges of witchcraft, and because of this the torture was intensified. Murong Chui was saddened by his wife's suffering, and he sent her a message trying to persuade her to end her suffering by admitting to the charge (and thus end the torture but be sentenced to death). Princess Duan remarked:
As she was interrogated, Princess Duan replied logically and openly, and Murong Chui was able to avoid being dragged into the case, but she still died in prison, either from the torture or a secret execution.
Murong Chui subsequently married her sister, and then her niece Duan Yuanfei
as his wife. In 388, after he had established Later Yan, he posthumously honored her as Empress Chengzhao.
Former Yan
The Former Yan was a state of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China.Initially, Murong Huang and his son Murong Jun claimed the Jin Dynasty -created title "Prince of Yan," but subsequently, in 352, after seizing most of the former Later Zhao territory, Murong Juan would...
general Murong Chui
Murong Chui
Murong Chui , courtesy name Daoming , formally Emperor Wucheng of Yan was a great general of the Chinese/Xianbei state Former Yan who later became the founding emperor of Later Yan...
, who would later become the founder of Later Yan
Later Yan
The Later Yan was a Murong-Xianbei state, located in modern day northeast China, during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China.All rulers of the Later Yan declared themselves "emperors". Later Yan fell to the Goguryeo dynasty.-Rulers of the Later Yan:...
. She was the mother of his sons Murong Ling (慕容令) and Murong Bao
Murong Bao
Murong Bao , courtesy name Daoyou , formally Emperor Huimin of Yan , temple name Liezong or Liezu , was an emperor of the Chinese/Xianbei state Later Yan...
.
Princess Duan was the daughter of Duan Mopei (段末柸), one in a line of Duan
Duan (tribe)
The Duan was a pre-state tribe of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. The reason the tribe adopted the Han Chinese family name Duan is unknown. Duan Wuwuchen was given in 303 a hereditary title— the "Duke of Liaoxi" —by the Jin Dynasty...
chiefs carrying the title of Duke of Liaoxi. Because she came from an honored lineage (originally on par with Former Yan's imperial clan, the Murong
Murong
Murong refers to an ethnic Xianbei tribe who are a Mongolic people attested from the time of Tanshihuai . Different strands of evidence exist linking the Murong to the language family of Mongols. Murong is also a Chinese surname...
s), she did not respect Murong Jun
Murong Jun
Murong Jun , courtesy name Xuanying , formally Emperor Jingzhao of Yan , was an emperor of the Chinese state Former Yan...
(Emperor Jingzhao)'s wife Empress Kezuhun
Empress Kezuhun (Jingzhao)
Empress Kezuhun was an empress of the Chinese/Xianbei state Former Yan. Her husband was Murong Jun .-During Murong Jun's reign:...
, and Empress Kezuhun despised her greatly. In 358, perhaps at her instigation, the eunuch
Eunuch
A eunuch is a person born male most commonly castrated, typically early enough in his life for this change to have major hormonal consequences...
Nie Hao (涅浩) falsely accused Princess Duan of witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
. Murong Jun had her and her alleged coconspirator, Murong Chui's assistant Gao Bi (高弼), arrested.
Princess Duan and Gao were tortured, but they refused to admit the charges of witchcraft, and because of this the torture was intensified. Murong Chui was saddened by his wife's suffering, and he sent her a message trying to persuade her to end her suffering by admitting to the charge (and thus end the torture but be sentenced to death). Princess Duan remarked:
As she was interrogated, Princess Duan replied logically and openly, and Murong Chui was able to avoid being dragged into the case, but she still died in prison, either from the torture or a secret execution.
Murong Chui subsequently married her sister, and then her niece Duan Yuanfei
Empress Duan Yuanfei
Empress Duan Yuanfei , formally Empress Chengai , was an empress of the Chinese/Xianbei state Later Yan. Her husband was the state's founding emperor, Murong Chui . Her name is actually lost to history, but her courtesy name Yuanfei was recorded and used by historians...
as his wife. In 388, after he had established Later Yan, he posthumously honored her as Empress Chengzhao.