The Huyans were likely a great clan of Xiongnu nobility, as Liu Yuan's mother was also named Huyan, making his wife likely a relative of his mother.
However, little is known about Empress Huyan herself, other than that when Liu Yuan declared himself Prince of Han in 304, he created her princess.
Her father's name was Huyan Yi (呼延翼).
It was later implied that she was created empress sometime after he declared himself emperor in 307, although the date was not mentioned.
They had at least one son, Liu He, who later became crown prince and emperor briefly.