Empress Xiaogongren

Empress Xiaogongren (28 April 1660 – 25 June 1723), born as Malu, was affiliated with the Manchu Plain Yellow Banner and belonged to the Uya clan. Her father was Weiwu, who served as a third rank military official (護軍參領) and held the title of a first class duke (一等公). Her paternal grandfather was Esen, and her paternal grandmother was Lady Guwalgiya (瓜爾佳氏). Her mother was Lady Saiheli (塞和裡氏). She had an elder sister who was the wife of Alingga (阿靈阿), and a brother named Boqi (博啟), who served as a sula amban (散秩大臣) and held a first class duke title.

She was born during the reign of the Shunzhi Emperor, specifically on the 19th day of the third lunar month in the 17th year of his reign, corresponding to 28 April 1660 in the Gregorian calendar.

In early 1673, Lady Uya entered the Forbidden City and became a lady-in-waiting to the Kangxi Emperor. On 13 December 1678, she gave birth to the emperor's fourth son, Yinzhen. She was granted the title "Concubine De" (德嬪) on 15 November 1679. Subsequently, on 5 March 1680, she gave birth to Yinzuo, the emperor’s sixth son, who died prematurely on 15 June 1685.

Her ranks within the imperial harem changed over time. On 28 January 1682, she was elevated to "Consort De" (德妃). She had multiple children with the Kangxi Emperor, including a daughter born on 5 July 1682 who died in September of the same year, Princess Wenxian of the First Rank born on 10 November 1683 who died in August or September 1702, and another daughter born on 14 June 1686 who died in early 1697. She also had a son Yunti, born on 10 February 1688, who later became Prince Xun of the Second Rank.

Following the death of the Kangxi Emperor on 20 December 1722, her son Yinzhen ascended the throne as the Yongzheng Emperor. As the mother of the reigning emperor, she was honored with the title "Empress Dowager Renshou" (仁壽皇太后). She died shortly afterward, on 25 June 1723, due to illness. Reports indicate she may have wished to commit suicide to reunite with her deceased husband, but her son refused, and she subsequently refused medical treatment. She was interred at the Jing Mausoleum of the Eastern Qing tombs.

Posthumously, she was awarded the title "Empress Xiaogongren" (孝恭仁皇后) by her son, the Yongzheng Emperor.

Throughout her life, her titles changed as follows:

- During the Shunzhi era: Lady Uya, from 28 April 1660.

- During the Kangxi era: Concubine De (德嬪) from 15 November 1679; Consort De (德妃) from 28 January 1682.

- During the Yongzheng era: Empress Dowager Renshou (仁壽皇太后) from 20 December 1722; posthumously Empress Xiaogongren (孝恭仁皇后) from August or September 1723.

Her issue included:

- Yinzhen (胤禛), born 13 December 1678, who became the Yongzheng Emperor.

- Yinzuo (胤祚), born 5 March 1680, died 15 June 1685.

- The Kangxi Emperor's seventh daughter (born 5 July 1682, died September 1682).

- Princess Wenxian of the First Rank (born 10 November 1683, died August/September 1702).

- The Kangxi Emperor's twelfth daughter (born 14 June 1686, died early 1697).

- Yunti (允禵), born 10 February 1688, died 16 February 1755, who was granted the title Prince Xun of the Second Rank in 1748 and posthumously honored as Prince Xunqin of the Second Rank.

She has been depicted in various Chinese television dramas and films, appearing in productions from 1987 through 2017, portraying different characters based on her historical figure.