Consort Chun Yu Qin

Pure Yuqin Concubine, surname Chen, originally from the Bannermen of the Astrakh Prince Banner (Incharge of the Yellow Banner), later listed among the Manchu Chen clan. She was born around the 1680s and died in 1754. She was the daughter of the Second-class Guard Chen Ximin; some scholarly sources state her father was Zhejiang Provincial Governor Chen Bingzhi, but due to differing historical records regarding her paternal lineage, there is some controversy. She entered the palace through selection by the Imperial Wusk (Inner Court Treasury), though her exact date of entry remains uncertain.

Biographical Highlights

- March 2, 1697: Gave birth to the Kangxi Emperor's 17th son, Yunti (also called Yunli), Prince Goryeo.

- In 1707, during Kangxi's 46th year, the ranks within the harem were still subject to debate; records vary on whether Chen was among the rankings at that time, and she belonged to the unranked consort system.

- December 28, 1718: Officially promoted to Executors (Qin Pin).

- February 1726 (Yongzheng 4th year): Elevated from Qin Pin (Diligent Consort) to Qin Fei (Diligent Princess).

- September 1734: Imperial edict declared that her descendants, belonging to the Pure Yuqin Tai-Fei Males family, were to be assigned from the guard system, with Chen Jin'guan's son Chen Fong placed in charge; this involved management of her clan and official rank structuring.

- November 1736 (Qianlong 1st year): Restored to the status of Imperial Ancestress, titled "Pure Yuqin Tai-Fei," with the posthumous title "Diligent" (Kicebe in Manchu, meaning diligent and industrious) and the honorary name "Pure Yu" (Gulu Elgiyen in Manchu, meaning pure and abundant).

- After Kangxi’s death, during Yongzheng’s reign, two petitions were made concerning whether to bring her mother back into residence. Ultimately, in the same year, Emperor Qianlong approved allowing princes and nobles to host their mothers during festivals and special days, but her mother often remained in the palace.

- Died December 20, 1753. Posthumous arrangements suggest that the diligent consort of Ningshou Palace may have once cared for the mother of the Gulu Princess and other members of her family.

Family and Ancestry

- The clan of Pure Yuqin Concubine is "Chen Jia Shi" (Chen Family Clan). According to the Manchu Banner genealogical records, her family originally migrated from Haicheng; later they adopted a Manchu surname. Her ancestors include Chen Shandao, Chen Bingzhi, and Chen Ximin — all held various official positions related to the Manchu Bannermen of the Astrakh Prince Banner.

- There are differing accounts of her paternal lineage: the "Yu Diao" (Imperial Genealogical Records) states she was the daughter of Chen Ximin, a Second-class Guard; during the Qianlong era, some documents identify her father as Chen Bingzhi, Governor of Zhejiang. Scholarship continues to debate these sources.

- Her biological son was Prince Goryeo Yunti (Yunli), the 17th son of Emperor Kangxi. Family relationships and ancestral genealogy are detailed in Qing Dynasty Eight Banner chronicles and clan trees, including information about her brother Chen Jin'guan and his son Chen Fong who held official positions.

Notes

- The titles and posthumous honorifics assigned to Pure Yuqin Tai-Fei were "Diligent" (Kicebe) and "Pure Yu" (Gulu Elgiyen).

- The timelines and clan structures are documented in the "Imperially Approved Eight Banner Chronicles," "Eight Banner Manchu Clan Genealogies," "Yu Diao," and "Clan Records of Manchu Surnames."