Consort Jin

Imperial Noble Consort Wenjing, also known as Dowager Imperial Noble Consort Duankang, was born on October 6, 1873, and died on September 24, 1924. She belonged to the Manchu Bordered Red Banner Tatara clan and was a consort of the Guangxu Emperor, the penultimate emperor of the Qing dynasty who reigned from 1875 to 1908.

Family Background:

Her personal name was not recorded in historical texts. Her father was Changxu, who served as the Right Vice Minister of Revenue. Her paternal grandfather was Yutai, who held the position of Viceroy of Shaan-Gan in 1851. Her paternal grandmother was Lady Gūwalgiya. Her mother was Lady Zhao. She had three brothers, with her youngest brother being Tatara Zhaoxu. She was also the mother of Tan Yuling, who became Noble Consort Mingxian and married Aisin Gioro Puyi, the Xuantong Emperor. She had three elder sisters and one younger sister; the fifth younger sister was Imperial Noble Consort Keshun (1876–1900).

Reign During the Tongzhi Era:

She was born during the reign of the Tongzhi Emperor, specifically on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month in the 12th year of Tongzhi, corresponding to October 6, 1873.

Reign During the Guangxu Era:

On February 26, 1889, Lady Tatara entered the Forbidden City and was granted the title "Concubine Jin." Her younger sister, who would later become Imperial Noble Consort Keshun, entered the palace at the same time and was granted the title "Concubine Zhen." It is believed that the Jadeite Cabbage sculpture displayed in Taiwan’s National Palace Museum originates from her dowry. The Guangxu Emperor did not favor her and preferred her younger sister.

On February 6, 1894, she was elevated to "Consort Jin." Later that year, in November 1894, her younger sister, Consort Zhen, was found to have interfered in civil appointments and was discovered to have used her influence over the emperor. Consequently, Consort Jin and her sister were demoted by Empress Dowager Cixi. The empress dowager also ordered the execution of a palace eunuch who collaborated with Consort Zhen, and Zhirui, a cousin involved in court affairs, was banished. However, on May 29, 1895, both sisters were restored to their positions, though Consort Zhen was placed under house arrest.

During the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, the imperial court fled Beijing to Xi'an. It is alleged that Consort Jin was left behind but was later saved by a noble and taken to Xi'an. Her sister, Consort Zhen, died after being thrown into a well, reportedly on Empress Dowager Cixi’s orders.

Reign During the Xuantong Era:

The Guangxu Emperor died on November 14, 1908, and Empress Dowager Cixi died the following day. Before her death, Cixi designated Puyi, the future Xuantong Emperor, as the new emperor. On November 18, 1908, Lady Tatara was elevated to Dowager Noble Consort Jin. Puyi had several adoptive mothers; among them, Empress Dowager Longyu was the highest ranked, with Dowager Noble Consort Jin ranking second. Other consorts included Dowager Imperial Noble Consort Zhuanghe, Jingyi, and Ronghui, all former consorts of the Tongzhi Emperor.

Reign During the Republican Era:

In 1911, Empress Dowager Longyu signed the abdication documents, ending Qing rule. She died on February 22, 1913, after which Lady Tatara became the highest-ranking woman in the palace. On March 12, 1913, she was promoted to "Dowager Imperial Noble Consort Duankang."

In 1921, Puyi’s biological mother, Youlan, committed suicide by swallowing opium after being publicly reprimanded by Lady Tatara for Puyi’s misbehavior. Puyi described Lady Tatara as viewing Empress Dowager Cixi as a role model, despite Cixi's involvement in her sister's death. Her strictness sometimes irritated Puyi, but she softened her approach after the death of his mother.

Regarding Puyi’s marriage, Lady Tatara favored Wanrong as empress, while Puyi and Dowager Imperial Noble Consort Jingyi preferred Wenxiu. Her objections to Wenxiu’s suitability influenced court decisions, and Wanrong was selected as empress, with Wenxiu as a consort.

Lady Tatara died on September 24, 1924, shortly before Puyi was compelled to leave the Forbidden City.

Titles:

- During Tongzhi Emperor's reign: Lady Tatara.

- During Guangxu Emperor's reign: Concubine Jin, then Consort Jin, then Noble Lady Jin, then Consort Jin again.

- During Xuantong Emperor's reign: Noble Consort Jin.

- During the Republican era: Imperial Noble Consort Duankang, then Imperial Noble Consort Wenjing.

In Popular Culture:

Portrayed by various actresses in television series and films, including Chen Ping in "The Last Tempest" (1976), Liu Jun in "The Last Emperor" (1987), Ching Lan in "The Rise and Fall of Qing Dynasty" (1992), Wang Zi in "Princess Der Ling" (2006), Liu Tao in "The Founding of a Party" (2011), and Lee Yee-man in "The Last Healer in Forbidden City" (2016).

References:

Zhao Erxun's "Draft History of Qing" (Qing Shi Gao, 1928) is one of the historical sources documenting her life.