Noble Consort Wan

Noble Consort Wan (Chinese: 婉贵妃; pinyin: Wǎn Guìfēi), born on 17 November 1835 and deceased on 20 June 1894, was a consort of the Xianfeng Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. She belonged to the Manchu Plain White Banner Socoro clan.

Her personal name was Zhaoge (招格). She was the daughter of Kuizhao, who served as a member of the Grand Council in 1814 and as a first rank literary official in 1842. Her paternal grandfather was Yinghe, a tutor to the Crown Prince in 1793, a member of the Grand Council, and a secretary in the Ministry of Revenue. Her paternal grandmother was Lady Sakda. Her paternal great aunt was Noble Lady Rui (瑞贵人). She had one sister, who was married to the supporter general Zaikun (辅国将军 载坤), and an elder brother named Xizhi (锡祉), who was an official.

In the Daoguang era, she was born in 1835. In 1851, she entered the Forbidden City and was granted the title "First class female attendant Wan" (婉常在), indicating her status as a seventh-rank consort. Discussions within the imperial court considered conferring upon her the title of "Noble Lady," but the Xianfeng Emperor decided against it, opting instead to bestow that title upon Ugiya Qiyun, a former mistress of the emperor. She resided in Chengqian Palace under the supervision of Concubine Yun. In June 1852, she traveled to Yuanmingyuan with her servants, and her portrait was commissioned and placed in Ruyi Pavilion. By October 1852, she was promoted to "Noble Lady Wan" (婉贵人). Her status was elevated further in 1855 to "Concubine Wan" (婉嬪), although the formal ceremony was delayed until 1856 due to mourning customs following the death of Empress Dowager Kangci. She moved to Jingren Palace after her promotion and remained childless during the Xianfeng era.

Following the accession of the Tongzhi Emperor in 1861, Lady Socoro received a further promotion to "Consort Wan" (婉妃). In 1874, her rank was elevated to "Noble Consort Wan" (婉貴妃).

She continued to hold the title of Noble Consort Wan until her death on 20 June 1894. Her coffin was interred in the Ding Mausoleum of the Eastern Qing tombs in 1897.

Her titles throughout her life included:

- Lady Socoro (from 17 November 1835)

- First class female attendant Wan (婉常在; from 1851)

- Noble Lady Wan (婉贵人; from October 1852)

- Concubine Wan (婉嬪; from 1855)

- Consort Wan (婉妃; from 1861)

- Noble Consort Wan (婉貴妃; from 1874)

Her life reflects her progression through the ranks of imperial consorts during the Qing Dynasty, linked with various historical figures and palace residences of the period.