Concubine Mao

Concubine Mao (Chinese: 懋嬪; pinyin: Mào Pín) was a member of the Han Chinese Song clan and a consort of the Yongzheng Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. She was born in 1677 and died in October or November 1730.

Family Background:

Her family name was Song, and her father was Jinzhu (金柱), who held the official position of sixth rank literary official (主事, zhǔshì).

Life and Career:

During the Kangxi era (1661–1722), she was born into the Song family in 1677. In 1694, she entered the residence of Prince Yong of the First Rank, Yinzhen, as a mistress. On 10 April 1694, she gave birth to a daughter, the First Princess, who died prematurely in May of the same year. Later, on 8 January 1707, she gave birth to a third daughter, the Third Princess, who also died prematurely in February 1707.

After the death of the Kangxi Emperor on 20 December 1722, her companion Yinzhen ascended the throne as the Yongzheng Emperor. In the same year, she was granted the title "Concubine Mao" (懋嫔), with "mao" meaning "exquisite." She was characterized as kind-hearted and a competent supervisor, although she remained childless during the Yongzheng era and was not promoted further within the imperial consort ranks.

She continued to hold the rank of fifth rank consort during the Yongzheng reign. Concubine Mao died in November 1730. Her coffin was temporarily placed in Tiancun Immortal Palace before being interred at the Tai Mausoleum of the Western Qing tombs.

Titles:

- During the Kangxi Emperor's reign (1661–1722): Lady Song, Mistress (from 1694)

- During the Yongzheng Emperor's reign (1722–1735): Concubine Mao (懋嫔), fifth rank consort (from 1722)

Issue:

- First daughter: born 10 April 1694, died May 1694

- Third daughter: born 8 January 1707, died February 1707

References:

The information about Concubine Mao is derived from historical records related to the Qing dynasty's imperial consorts and noble ranks.