Yang Huiyu

Who was Yang Huiyu?

Yang Huiyu, formally known as Empress Jingxian, semi-formally known as Empress Dowager Hongxun, was an empress dowager during the Jin Dynasty period of Chinese history. She was the third wife of the Cao Wei regent Sima Shi during the Three Kingdoms period. Her father Yang Chai was a commandery governor, and her mother was a daughter of the Han Dynasty historian and musician Cai Yong. Her brother was the military general Yang Hu.

She 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. After Sima Zhao's death, his son Sima Yan forced the last Cao Wei emperor Cao Huan to abdicate, ending Cao Wei and establishing the Jin Dynasty. In recognition of his uncle's contribution, he honored Lady Yang 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 honored Sima Shi's first wife, Lady Xiahou Hui, as Empress Jinghuai. She died in 278 at the age of 65 and was buried with honors due an empress, with her husband Sima Shi.