Empress Duan Yuanfei

Who was 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. She was the niece of two of Murong Chui's prior wives, who were daughters of the Xianbei chief Duan Mopei. Her father Duan Yi was a brother of the Princesses Duan.

Murong Chui married Duan Yuanfei in or slightly earlier than 388. His younger brother Murong De married her sister Duan Jifei around the same time. He created her empress in 388 and favored her greatly. She bore him two sons, Murong Lang the Prince of Bohai and Murong Jian the Prince of Boling.

Empress Duan was described as being intelligent and a good judge of character. As she saw that Murong Chui's crown prince Murong Bao lacked governing talents, she tried to persuade him to make one of his more capable sons, Murong Nong the Prince of Liaoxi or Murong Long the Prince of Gaoyang, crown prince, but Murong Chui, believing in the flattery that Murong Bao's associates had given him, disbelieved Empress Duan and kept Murong Bao as crown prince. She had also advised him to put his treacherous son Murong Lin the Prince of Zhao to death. As a result, Murong Bao and Murong Lin greatly resented her.