Chu Suanzi (; 324–5 July 384), formally Empress Kangxian (康獻皇后, literally "the joyful and wise empress"), at times as Empress Dowager Chongde (崇德太后), was an empress of the Jin Dynasty (266–420). Her husband was Emperor Kang, and, outliving him by 40 years, she was an empress dowager during the reigns of five emperors, including serving as regents for three of them: her son Emperor Mu (344–357), her nephew Emperor Ai (364–366), and her cousin Emperor Xiaowu (373–376). Despite the power she held, she appeared to largely yield to the judgement of high-level officials who advised her and rarely made decisions on her own. Background and life as empress consort Chu Suanzi's father Chu Pou (褚裒) was a mid-level official during the reign of Emperor Kang's brother Emperor Cheng, successively on the staffs of Sima Yang (司馬羕) the Prince of Xiyang and then of Sima Yue the Prince of Wu—the future Emperor Kang. He was respected for the appropriateness of his speech. As Chu Suanzi herself grew older, she was known for her intelligence and foresight, and she was married to Sima Yue, who had then become the Prince of Langye, as his princess. When Emperor Cheng chose to pass the throne to his brother rather than his sons at his death in 342, Sima Yue became emperor, and he created her empress on 10 February 343, when he was 21 and she was 18. At the same time, Lady Chu's mother Lady Xie was also created "Xiangjun of Xunyang" (寻阳乡君). That year, she also bore him his only son, Sima Dan. He died just one year later, however, and her infant son Sima Dan, whom he created crown prince just before his death, became emperor (as Emperor Mu). As empress dowager During Emperor Mu's reign After Lady Chu became empress dowager, she received an official petition stating that since her mother Lady Xie had already received a title, the deceased wives of her father, Ladies Xun and Bian, should be granted titles posthumously as well. Empress Dowager Chu dismissed the petition. Due to Emperor Mu's young age, Empress Dowager Chu was quickly called upon to serve as regent. He Chong (何充) was her key advisor. He Chong initially wanted to share that authority with her father Chu Pou, but Chu Pou believed that as the empress dowager's father, it was inappropriate for him to serve in that capacity, and therefore