Empress Xiaoduanwen

Jerjer (Chinese: 哲哲; translated as "lady" or "beauty") was born on 31 May 1599, during the reign of the Wanli Emperor, specifically on the eighth day of the intercalary fourth lunar month of the 27th year of Wanli. She was a member of the Khorchin Mongol Borjigit clan. Her father was Manggusi, who held the rank of a first-rank prince (親王), and her paternal grandfather was Namusai, a third-rank prince (貝勒). Her mother was Gunbu. Jerjer had an older brother and a younger brother, as well as two younger sisters.

In 1614, Jerjer married Hong Taiji, the future Emperor of the Qing dynasty, becoming one of his multiple wives. At the time of her marriage, she was significantly younger than Hong Taiji, who was born in 1592. During the Tianming era, in 1623, Hong Taiji divorced his second primary consort and elevated Jerjer to a higher status within his household. Her niece, Bumbutai, who would later become Empress Dowager Zhaosheng, married Hong Taiji in March or April 1625. Jerjer bore Hong Taiji three daughters: Princess Wenzhuang of the First Rank, born on 2 August 1625; Princess Jingduan of the First Rank, born in 1628; and Princess Yong'an of the First Rank, born on 7 October 1634. Additionally, her niece Harjol, who would become primary consort Minhui, married Hong Taiji on 6 December 1634.

In August 1636, during the Chongde era, Hong Taiji conferred titles upon his five primary spouses, and Jerjer was formally instated as empress, becoming the empress consort of the Qing dynasty. She held this position until his death in 1643.

Following Hong Taiji’s death on 21 September 1643, Jerjer was honored as "Mother Empress, Empress Dowager" by the Shunzhi Emperor, who was her husband's ninth son and successor. The Shunzhi Emperor’s birth mother, Bumbutai, also received the title "Holy Mother, Empress Dowager." Jerjer remained in this status until her death.

Jerjer died on 28 May 1649 and was interred in the Zhao Mausoleum. Posthumously, she was honored with the title Empress Xiaoduanwen. Her life spans from her birth in 1599 to her death in 1649, lasting nearly 50 years.

Throughout her lifetime, Jerjer was known by various titles corresponding to her status, including her posthumous designation. She did not have any recorded titles beyond her posthumous honorifics, and her legacy is primarily associated with her marriage to Hong Taiji and her role as empress consort and dowager.

Her life and status have been depicted in Chinese historical texts and are referenced in works detailing the ranks of imperial consorts in the Qing dynasty and the nobility of that era.