Liu Yan was the only daughter of Emperor Wen of Han and Empress Dou, and the only sister of Emperor Jing of Han, and during the reign of Emperor Wen of Han, she was given the title of Princess Chang of The First Princess, with Handan Guan Tao as her fiefdom, so she was also known as Princess Guan Tao Chang.
After Emperor Jingdi of Han succeeded to the throne, Liu Yan, as the eldest princess, was both favored by Empress Dowager Dou and connived by Emperor Jingdi of Han, and her husband was still Chen Wu, the Marquis of Tangyi, and had a high status in the dynasty. In order to ensure that she could always have a lofty position, she first wanted her daughter to marry the crown prince Liu Rong, but was opposed by the prince's mother, Li Ji. Eventually, she married her daughter Chen to Lady Wang's son Liu Che, and together with Lady Wang, she overthrew the crown prince Liu Rong and made Emperor Jing of Han make Liu Che his heir, later Emperor Wu of Han.
After Emperor Wu of Han ascended the throne, Liu Yan's daughter became empress, and because she supported Liu Che as emperor, her status became more lofty, and she was honored as "Lord Dou". Later, Empress Chen was deposed for plotting to kill Wei Zifu with witchcraft, but Liu Yan was not implicated.
After the death of Liu Yan's husband Chen Wu, Liu Yan was widowed at home, although she was 60 years old, she was lonely and unbearable, and even raised a beautiful teenager named Dong Yan in her home. At this time, Dong Yan was only 13 years old, and was raised by Liu Yan at home, and became Liu Yan's bodyguard at the age of 18. At that time, everyone knew that Dong Yan had an affair with Liu Yan and called him "Dong Jun".
Of course, Emperor Wudi of Han also knew about this matter, this kind of bad manners and bad customs, insulting the royal family, why didn't Emperor Wudi of Han punish them? After Dong Yan learned of the crime of adultery with Liu Yan, he began to actively curry favor with Emperor Wu of Han. He first suggested that Liu Yan send Nagato Garden to Emperor Wu of Han to build the Nagato Palace, and Emperor Wu of Han was very happy about this. Later, Dong Yan and Liu Yan also held a special banquet to invite Emperor Wu of Han to visit. After Emperor Wu of Han arrived, the two of them prostrated themselves to Emperor Wu of Han and pleaded for forgiveness from Emperor Wu of Han.
Emperor Wu of Han was very happy, and also called Dong Yan a "master" and was highly favored by him. Unfortunately, Dong Yan died in her thirties, while Princess Liu Died a few years later. Before her death, Liu Yan left a last word, saying that she did not want to be buried with her husband Chen Wu after death, but wanted to be buried with her lover Dong Yan, which was really ridiculous.