 She was the daughter of Yu Jing (于勁), the younger brother of the powerful general Yu Lie (于烈).It was said that when Emperor Xuanwu first assumed imperial powers — which probably referred to his relieving his uncle Yuan Xie of authorities in 501 — Yu Lie believed that the emperor lacked sufficient consorts, and so persuaded Emperor Xuanwu's attendants to praise of her beauty and virtues.Emperor Xuanwu took her as an imperial consort, and in late 501 created her empress.