Background
The family of future Princess Dowager Yin was originally from Tianshui. She was said to be studious, capable of speaking, ambitious, and virtuous in her young age. She initially married one Ma Yuanzheng (馬元正), whose family was from Fufeng (扶風, roughly modern Xianyang, Shaanxi). (It was likely, though, by the time that she married Ma, both of their families had settled in the Hexi Corridor.) After Ma died, she married Li Gao as his second wife, and it was said that because this was her second marriage, she spent three years not speaking. She raised his first wife's children as if they were her own, and it was said that she had much contributions in Li Gao's career and founding of Western Liang in 400. Therefore, a common saying at the time was, "Li and Yin rule Dunhuang." However, there is no historical record as to whether she carried any titles during Li Gao's reign.
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