Consort Shunyimi

Shunzi Ming Tai Fei, surname Wang, clan name Wang. Born between the 5th and 13th year of Kangxi Emperor's reign, with ancestral origin in Changzhou, Dongcheng, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. Her father, Wang Guozheng, held various official positions, reportedly including prefect and silk factory household. Her mother was of the Huang family. Wang was the sister of Wang Shouguan, an official in charge of weaving machinery, and belonged to the same clan as him. Before entering the palace, Wang’s family had connections to the capital. After entering the palace, she served the imperial ancestors for a long time. Historical records state she served in the palace for over thirty years, with some sources indicating forty years.

On November 28th, the 32nd year of Kangxi (1693), Wang gave birth to the fifteenth son, Yuke Junwang Yinwu. On June 18th, the 34th year of Kangxi (1695), she bore the sixteenth son, Zhuangke Qinwang Yinlu. Around 1699/1700 during the third southern tour, Wang requested to accompany the royal journey, during which she visited her parents—who had not been seen for twenty years—and, en route through Suzhou, arrived at the weaving bureau to handle related affairs. On April 8th, the 40th year of Kangxi (1701), she gave birth to the eighteenth son, Yinzhao. On September 4th, 47th year of Kangxi (1708), Yinzhao died from illness while on an inspection trip, at Yong'an.

In the first month of the 48th year of Kangxi (1710), Wang was promoted to concubine rank but was not formally enfeoffed, only called Wang Pin. In July of the same year, Wang Pin’s mother, Huang, passed away. In April of the 57th year of Kangxi (1718), according to the regulations for the Empress’s division, six women aged between forty and sixty who had borne imperial sons were promoted to Pin rank; Wang was thus promoted to Pin. In December of that year, Wang, along with Borjin, and other concubines, were collectively enfeoffed as Mi Pin. On the second day of the first lunar month of the first year of Yongzheng (1723/1724), the Yongzheng Emperor, under the edict of Empress Dowager Cixi, gave special consideration to Wang and her contemporaries. In June of the second year of Yongzheng (1724), Wang was promoted to Mi Fei and housed in Ning Shou Palace.

After Emperor Qianlong's accession, she was posthumously honored as Holy Ancestor Shunyi Mi Tai Fei. After Kangxi’s death, the princes were permitted, within a certain period, to bring back their birth mothers to pay filial piety. In September of the 13th year of Yongzheng, Prince Zhuang Yunlu and Prince Guo Yunli requested Emperor Qianlong to bring their birth mothers back to live at their residences. Initially, Qianlong did not agree, but after reconsideration, he approved, allowing the mothers to visit their sons’ residences for several months during certain traditional festivals and birthdays each year, while residing in the palace at other times—balancing filial piety with court regulations.

Ningshou Palace’s Shunyi Mi Tai Fei died during the noon hour on October 18th, the 9th year of Qianlong, at the age of over seventy. On October 19th, at the hour of Xu (afternoon), her coffin was placed in repose, carried in a funeral ceremony conducted by palace personnel and attendants. On October 21st, at Wuchen (late morning) hour, the body was prepared for burial, and on October 29th, the "Seventh Day" memorial ritual was held with liturgy recitation. On the fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month of the 11th year of Qianlong, a grand ritual (Da Qi) was performed, following the ceremonies used for the empress Dai Jiasi.