In fall 401, the generals Murong Guo (), Qin Yu (), and Duan Zan () secretly plotted a coup, but their plot was revealed, and more than 500 people were executed. Five days later, the general Duan Ji (), along with Qin Yu's son Qin Xing () and Duan Zan's son Duan Tai () attacked the palace. Murong Sheng personally led the palace guards to fight with the rebels and was initially successful. However, just as things appeared to be settling down, a rebel soldier appeared from his hiding place and stabbed Murong Sheng. Murong Sheng, despite the injury, ordered the guards to clear the palace and go on the correct alert posts, before dying. After his death, his mother Empress Dowager Ding, who had carried on an affair with his uncle Murong Xi, would bypass Crown Prince Ding and make Murong Xi emperor to succeed him.