Dowager Noble Consort Wan

Noble Consort Wan (1 February 1716 – 10 March 1807) was a consort of the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. She was of Han Chinese ethnicity and belonged to the Chen clan. Her personal name has not been recorded in historical texts.

Family Background:

Her father was Tingzhang. Details regarding her early family life are limited.

Birth and Early Life:

Noble Consort Wan was born on the 20th day of the 12th lunar month of the 55th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, corresponding to 1 February 1717 in the Gregorian calendar. Specific information about her early years and when she became associated with the imperial court is not available.

Relationship with the Qianlong Emperor:

It is not documented when Lady Chen became a mistress of Hongli, who was the fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor. After Yongzheng's death on 8 October 1735, Hongli ascended the throne as the Qianlong Emperor on 8 November 1735.

Imperial Titles and Ladyship Progression:

- 8 November 1735: Granted the title "First Attendant," a seventh-rank consort.

- 1737: Elevated to "Noble Lady," a sixth-rank consort.

- May or June 1749: Promoted to "Concubine Wan," a fifth-rank consort.

- December 1794 or January 1795: Elevated to "Consort Wan," a fourth-rank consort.

Marriage and Offspring:

Noble Consort Wan did not have any children.

Service and Later Life:

Following the death of the Qianlong Emperor on 7 February 1799, her status was further recognized by the succeeding Jiaqing Emperor. On 27 May 1801, she was promoted to "Dowager Noble Consort Wan," a third-rank consort, in acknowledgment of her service and long-standing presence in the imperial court, as noted in the emperor's edict.

Death and Burial:

She died on 10 March 1807. Her remains were interred in the Yu Mausoleum within the Eastern Qing tombs. At the time of her death, she was the longest surviving consort of the Qianlong Emperor.

Titles Held:

- During Kangxi's reign: Lady Chen (from 1717).

- During Yongzheng's reign: Mistress.

- During Qianlong's reign:

- First Attendant (from 1735), seventh-rank consort.

- Noble Lady (from 1737), sixth-rank consort.

- Concubine Wan (from 1749), fifth-rank consort.

- Consort Wan (from 1794/1795), fourth-rank consort.

- During Jiaqing's reign:

- Dowager Noble Consort Wan (from 1801), third-rank consort.

Representation in Culture:

Noble Consort Wan has been depicted in Chinese television dramas, notably portrayed by Wang Xinhui in "Story of Yanxi Palace" (2018) and by Cao Xiwen in "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace" (2018).

See Also:

- Ranks of imperial consorts in China

- Royal and noble ranks of the Qing dynasty

References:

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