Imperial Noble Consort Gongsu

Noble Consort Xun (Chinese: 珣貴妃), born on 20 September 1857 and deceased on 14 April 1921, was a consort of the Tongzhi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. Her family belonged to the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner of the Alut clan, and her personal name has not been recorded in historical sources. She was a member of the Mongol Plain Blue Banner through her paternal lineage.

Her father was Saišangga (1794–1875), who served as the Minister of Works from 1841 to 1845. Her paternal grandfather was Jinghui, and her paternal grandmother was Lady Zhang. Her mother was Lady Fuca, and her maternal grandfather was Xingfu. She had four brothers, among whom the third elder brother, Chongqi (1829–1900), was an accomplished scholar and official. Chongqi was the top candidate in the 1865 imperial examination, held the position of a fourth-rank literary official in the Hanlin Academy, and served as Minister of Revenue in 1884–1886 and again in 1900, as well as Minister of Personnel in 1886. He held the title of a third-class duke and was the father of Empress Xiaozheyi.

Born during the Xianfeng era, her birth date corresponds to the third day of the eighth lunar month in the seventh year of Xianfeng’s reign, which is 20 September 1857 in the Gregorian calendar.

In November 1872, she entered the Forbidden City and was granted the title "Concubine Xun" by the Tongzhi Emperor. On 23 December 1874, her title was elevated to "Consort Xun." Her residence in the Forbidden City was the Palace of Great Benevolence.

Following the death of the Tongzhi Emperor on 12 January 1875, her status changed as the throne was succeeded by the Guangxu Emperor, the cousin of Tongzhi. On 29 May 1895, she was promoted to "Noble Consort Xun," indicating a higher rank within the imperial consort hierarchy.

After the Guangxu Emperor died on 14 November 1908, Puyi, the nephew of Guangxu, ascended the throne as the Xuantong Emperor. On 18 November 1908, she was elevated to "Dowager Imperial Noble Consort Xun" and relocated to Chuxiu Palace within the Forbidden City.

Following the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1912, Puyi and the imperial family were permitted to remain in the Forbidden City, retaining their noble titles. On 12 March 1913, Puyi honored her with the title "Dowager Imperial Noble Consort Zhuanghe." She died of illness on 14 April 1921 and was posthumously granted the title "Imperial Noble Consort Gongsu." She was interred in the Hui Mausoleum of the Eastern Qing tombs.

Throughout her life, her titles evolved as follows:

- During the Xianfeng era, she was simply Lady Alut.

- Under the Tongzhi Emperor, she was first a Concubine Xun, then promoted to Consort Xun.

- Under the Guangxu Emperor, she attained the rank of Noble Consort Xun.

- Under the Xuantong Emperor, she was designated Imperial Noble Consort Xun.

- During the Republic of China period, her titles included Imperial Noble Consort Zhuanghe and later Imperial Noble Consort Gongsu.

Her family background, official titles, and changes in rank are documented within historical records such as the Draft History of Qing (Qing Shi Gao).