 After the palace fell to Hou in 549, Chen Xu's older brother Chen Qian and cousin Chen Chang were imprisoned by Hou, because Chen Chang's father, the general Chen Baxian, had joined forces with Wang Sengbian, a general under the command of Xiao Yi the Prince of Xiangdong in resisting Hou.It is unclear whether Chen Xu was imprisoned as well.In 551, Wang, with Chen's assistance, defeated Hou and recaptured Jiankang.