Career
Her husband was Emperor Ming of Jin. Empress Yu"s father Yu Chen (庾琛) was the governor of Kuaiji Commandery along the southern shore of Hangzhou Bay and later served on the staff of Sima Rui the Prince of Langye (later Emperor Yuan) when Sima Rui was posted at Jianye. Later, after Sima Rui declared himself emperor and created Sima Shao crown prince, she became crown princess.
After Emperor Yuan died in 323 and Sima Shao succeeded to the throne as Emperor Ming, she became empress.
Emperor Ming only ruled briefly and died in 326. Initially, he left a balance of power between high-level officials with whom he entrusted the four-year-old Crown Prince Yan, who later succeeded to the throne as Emperor Cheng.
Empress Yu was honored as Empress Dowager Yu, and the officials encouraged her to become regent. Under this arrangement, Yu Liang became the most powerful official of the empire.
He became apprehensive of the generals Su June, Zu Yue (祖約), and Tao Kan, each of whom suspected Yu of erasing their names from Sima Shao"s will, which promoted and honored a large number of officials.
In winter 326, Yu Liang accused Sima Zong of treason and killed him, demoted Sima Yang, and exiled Yu Yin. This led to the people losing confidence in him. In 327, Yu Liang further resolved on separating Su, then the governor of Liyang Commandery (歷陽, roughly modern Chaohu, Anhui) from his troops, and he promoted Su to minister of agriculture—a post that did not involve commanding troops.
Su saw his intent and declared a rebellion, with Zu"s assistance.
Yu Liang initially thought that Su could be easily defeated, but instead Su quickly arrived at the capital early 328 and captured lieutenant Yu Liang was forced to flee.
Meanwhile, Su pillaged the capital, and it was said that even Empress Dowager Yu"s servant girls became spoils for his troops. Further, it was said that Su himself "humiliated" Empress Dowager Yu — although the method of humiliation was not specified in history.
She died in distress and fear.
Her son Emperor Cheng would become Su"s captive for months before other provincial generals would converge on Jiankang and defeat Su.
