Imperial Noble Consort Zhuangjing

Imperial Noble Consort Zhuangjing (2 April 1837 – 26 December 1890) was a Manchu woman of the Plain Red Banner Tatara clan who held a notable position within the Qing imperial court. She was a consort of the Xianfeng Emperor and was known for her beauty and her close relationship with the emperor.

Family Background:

Her personal name has not been recorded in historical texts. Her father was Qinghai, who served as a sixth-rank literary official. The Tatara family was part of the Manchu clan affiliated with the Plain Red Banner.

Birth and Early Life:

She was born on the 27th day of the second lunar month in the 17th year of the Daoguang Emperor’s reign, corresponding to 2 April 1837 in the Gregorian calendar.

Entry into the Imperial Court and Titles:

On 26 June 1852, she entered the Forbidden City and was granted the title "Noble Lady Li" by the Xianfeng Emperor, marking her as a sixth-rank consort. She was described in court records as notably beautiful and possessing natural grace.

Career Progression:

On 10 February 1855, she was elevated to "Concubine Li," a fifth-rank consort. Shortly thereafter, on 20 June 1855, she gave birth to the emperor's only daughter, Princess Rong'an of the First Rank. Traditionally, only daughters of empresses could be accorded first-rank princess status; her daughter's elevation was an exceptional circumstance resulting from the emperor's favor.

On 4 February 1856, she was promoted to "Consort Li," a fourth-rank consort. Historical sources indicate that she was the emperor’s favored consort during this period, with the emperor reportedly spending most nights with her. During her pregnancy, she was not permitted to have sexual relations with the emperor for a period of 100 days.

During the Second Opium War in 1860, she fled with the emperor and other court members to Rehe Province as Anglo-French forces besieged Beijing.

Later Life and Titles:

Following the death of the Xianfeng Emperor on 22 August 1861, her status was elevated to "Imperial Noble Consort Dowager Li," reflecting her status as the emperor's favored consort and her service during his reign. She resided in the Palace of Eternal Harmony within the Forbidden City.

After the death of the Tongzhi Emperor in 1875, her daughter, Princess Rong'an, died on 5 February 1875 due to a miscarriage related to the emperor’s death. She was often reported to be in poor health during her later years.

She died from illness on 26 December 1890. In 1893, she was buried in the Ding Mausoleum of the Eastern Qing tombs, alongside Noble Consort Wen. Posthumously, she was granted the title "Imperial Noble Consort Zhuangjing."

Titles Summary:

- During Daoguang era: Lady Tatara (from 2 April 1837)

- During Xianfeng era:

- Noble Lady Li (from 26 June 1852)

- Concubine Li (from 10 February 1855)

- Consort Li (from 4 February 1856)

- During Tongzhi era:

- Imperial Noble Consort Dowager Li (from 12 November 1861)

- During Guangxu era:

- Imperial Noble Consort Zhuangjing (from 1890)

Marriage and Issue:

Her primary issue was Princess Rong'an, born on 20 June 1855, she was the Xianfeng Emperor's first daughter. Princess Rong'an married Fuzhen of the Gūwalgiya clan in 1873. She died on 5 February 1875 after suffering a miscarriage.

In fiction and popular culture, she has been portrayed by various actresses, including Chow Kit and Bai Qinglin, in Chinese television dramas.

See Also:

- Ranks of imperial consorts in China

- Royal and noble ranks of the Qing dynasty

References:

Sources include the Imperial Archives of the Qing Palace, Sterling and Peggy Seagrave’s "Dragon Lady," and Zhao Erxun’s Draft History of Qing (Qing Shi Gao).