this over female children—indeed, the allegations stated that he would only do this if his brothers' concubines bore males—or that the morally upright Princess Wang would engage in sexual relations with others, thus suggesting that the allegations were made to delegitimize Emperor Ming's sons Liu Yu and Emperor Shun (Liu Zhun) vis-à-vis Southern Qi.) After Liu Yu became emperor (as Emperor Ming) in 465 following the assassination of his nephew Liu Ziye (Emperor Xiaowu's son), he created her son crown prince in 466 and gave her the title of Guifei, designating the rank as equally honorable as a crown princess. Crown Prince Yu was an impulsive child who appeared to be hyperactive and emotional, often putting himself into physical danger. At Emperor Ming's orders, Consort Chen often gave him beatings. After Emperor Ming died in 472, Crown Prince Yu took the throne as Emperor Houfei. Consort Chen was honored as "Consort Dowager" (皇太妃), but not as empress dowager—that title was given to Emperor Ming's wife Empress Wang. Initially, both Empress Dowager Wang and Consort Dowager Chen were able to somewhat rein in the young emperor. But by 477, they had nearly lost all control over him, who spent day and night outside the palace with his attendants, killing anyone or anything that came near them. When he considered killing his general Xiao Daocheng, Consort Chen rebuked him and persuaded him not to—stating to him that Xiao had greatly contributed to his reign (by having suppressed the rebellion of his uncle Liu Xiufan (劉休範) the Prince of Guiyang in 473) and that if he killed Xiao, no one would again be loyal to him. Xiao, in fear, nevertheless persuaded Emperor Houfei's attendant Yang Yufu (楊玉夫) to assassinate him in fall 477, making Emperor Houfei's brother Liu Zhun the Prince of Ancheng emperor (as Emperor Shun). Emperor Houfei was posthumously demoted to the title of Prince of Cangwu, and Consort Dowager Chen was accordingly demoted to the title of Princess Dowager of Cangwu. Nothing further is known about her, and it is not known when she died. References Chen Miaodeng, Consort People from Nanjing