Emperor Xuan died in 580, and Empress Yang's father Yang Jian became regent. Three of Emperor Xuan's empresses, other than Empresses Yang and Zhu, became Buddhist nuns, but Empress Zhu did not at this point, and was honored as empress dowager (along with Empress Yang) but with the secondary title of Di Taihou (帝太后), lower than Empress Dowager Yang's title of Huang Taihou (皇太后).
Emperor Xuan's demise in 580 led to Yang Jian assuming regency duties. Three of Emperor Xuan's consorts, apart from Empresses Yang and Zhu, adopted Buddhist monasticism, whereas Empress Zhu did not at this juncture, and was accorded the title of empress dowager (co-regent with Empress Yang) but held a lower rank, designated as Di Taihou.