Noble Consort Ying

Noble Consort Ying (7 March 1731 – 14 March 1800), of the Mongol Bordered Red Banner Barin clan, was a consort of the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. Her personal name has not been recorded in historical texts.

Family Background:

Her father was Naqin, who served as a first rank military official (都統) and held the title of master commandant of light chariot (輕車都尉).

Birth and Early Life:

Noble Consort Ying was born on the 29th day of the first lunar month of the ninth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, corresponding to 7 March 1731 in the Gregorian calendar. Details regarding her early life prior to her entry into the Forbidden City are not documented.

Imperial Court and Titles:

The Qianlong Emperor’s specific date of her entry into the Forbidden City is unknown. She was initially granted the title "Noble Lady" (貴人) during his reign. In 1748, she was demoted to "First Class Female Attendant Na" (那常在) for reasons that are not recorded; she was shortly thereafter restored to the rank of Noble Lady.

On 30 July 1751, she was promoted to "Concubine Ying" (穎嬪), and on 4 February 1760, advanced to "Consort Ying" (穎妃). Throughout her lifetime, she did not have children.

Later Life:

Following the Qianlong Emperor’s abdication in 1796 in favor of his 15th son, Yongyan, who became the Jiaqing Emperor, he retained power as a Retired Emperor. In November or December 1798, the retired Qianlong Emperor promoted Lady Barin to "Noble Consort Ying" (穎貴妃). The Jiaqing Emperor granted her the title "Dowager Noble Consort Ying" and accommodated her and Dowager Noble Consort Wan in Shoukang Palace (壽康宮).

In 1800, during her 70th birthday, Yonglin—Yongyan's only full brother, raised by Lady Barin—sent her gifts. She had no children of her own and lived a relatively solitary life in the palace. Her birthday celebration was marred when the Jiaqing Emperor discovered Yonglin's visit and expressed anger, which diminished the significance of the event. She died on 14 March 1800. The following year, she was interred in the Yu Mausoleum of the Eastern Qing tombs.

Titles and Ranks:

- During Yongzheng Emperor's reign: Lady Barin (from 7 March 1731)

- During Qianlong Emperor's reign:

- Noble Lady (貴人): sixth rank consort

- First Attendant Na (那常在): seventh rank (from early 1748)

- Noble Lady Na (那貴人): sixth rank (from May/June 1748)

- Concubine Ying (穎嬪): fifth rank (from 30 July 1751)

- Consort Ying (穎妃): fourth rank (from 4 February 1760)

- During Jiaqing Emperor's reign:

- Noble Consort Ying (穎貴妃): third rank (from late 1798)

In Popular Culture:

Noble Consort Ying has been portrayed in various television series, including Angelina Lo in "Succession War" (2018), Liu Lu in "Story of Yanxi Palace" (2018), and Zhang Jianing in "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace" (2018).

References:

Zhao, Erxun (1928). *Draft History of Qing (Qing Shi Gao)*, Volume 214.