Family background

Liu Yang was born in AD28 to Emperor Guangwu and his first love, Consort Yin Lihua. When Emperor Guangwu was still an official under the Gengshi Emperor, he married Yin in 23. After he became emperor in 25, had wanted to make her empress, but she declined because she had no sons at that point. Instead, she endorsed Consort Guo, who already had a son in Liu