Yang Huiyu

Yang Huiyu (214 – July 278), formally known as Empress Jingxian, semi-formally known as Empress Dowager Hongxun (弘訓太后), was an empress dowager of the Jin dynasty of China. She was the third wife of Sima Shi, a regent of the Cao Wei state in the Three Kingdoms period. Her father, Yang Chai (羊茝), was the commandery administrator of Shangdang, while her mother was a daughter of the Han dynasty historian and musician Cai Yong. Her younger full brother was Yang Hu, a military general who served under the Jin dynasty.

Life In 234, Sima Shi's first wife Xiahou Hui died. Later, Sima Shi married another noblewoman, but he soon divorced her. He eventually married Yang Huiyu, because she was a politicized, talented, intelligent and generous woman.

Yang Huiyu did not have any sons with Sima Shi – who did not have any sons with his prior wives or concubines either. As a result, his brother Sima Zhao became the regent after his death in 255. After Sima Zhao's death ten years later, his son Sima Yan usurped the throne from the last Cao Wei emperor Cao Huan and established the Jin dynasty in February 266. In recognition of his uncle's contribution, he honoured Yang Huiyu as an empress dowager in 266 and housed her in Hongxun Palace. It was said that it was at her insistence that Emperor Wu also posthumously honoured Sima Shi's first wife, Xiahou Hui, as Empress Jinghuai. She died in July 278 at the age of 65 (by East Asian age reckoning) and was buried with honours due an empress beside Sima Shi on 27 August 278.

Family