Empress Xiaohuizhang

Empress Xiaohuizhang (5 November 1641 – 7 January 1718), of the Khorchin Mongol Borjigit clan, was a consort of the Qing dynasty. She was married to Fulin, who later became the Shunzhi Emperor. Her status in the imperial court evolved from empress consort during his reign to empress dowager after his death.

Family Background:

Her father was Chuo'erji (绰尔济), who held the title of a third-rank prince (貝勒). Her paternal grandfather was Chahan (查罕), also a third-rank prince. Her paternal great aunt included Primary consort Minhui (1609–1641) and Empress Xiaozhuangwen (1613–1688), who was the mother of the Shunzhi Emperor. Her mother was Lady Aisin Gioro. Her maternal grandfather was Abatai (1589–1646). She had a total of seven brothers and several sisters, including her fourth younger sister, Consort Shuhui (1642–1713).

Birth and Early Life:

Lady Borjigit was born on the third day of the tenth lunar month in the 16th year of Hong Taiji’s reign, corresponding to 5 November 1641 in the Gregorian calendar.

Marriage and Titles:

Following the deposition of the first empress consort, Erdeni Bumba, in October 1653 by the Shunzhi Emperor, Lady Borjigit entered the Forbidden City in June or July 1654 as a concubine. By July or August 1654, she was officially designated as empress, replacing Erdeni Bumba. Despite her status, the Shunzhi Emperor favored Consort Donggo over her. Historians suggest that her elevation was also motivated by political considerations, namely to ease tensions between the Aisin Gioro and Borjigit clans, which had a history of intermarriages.

Empress Dowager and Later Life:

The Shunzhi Emperor died on 5 February 1661. His son, Xuanye, succeeded him as the Kangxi Emperor. Lady Borjigit was granted the title Empress Dowager Renxian (仁憲皇太后) during his reign. She remained in this role until her death on 7 January 1718. She was interred in a separate tomb within the Xiao Mausoleum of the Eastern Qing tombs.

Titles:

- During Hong Taiji’s reign: Lady Borjigit (from 5 November 1641)

- During the Shunzhi Emperor’s reign: Empress (from July/August 1654)

- During Kangxi’s reign: Empress Dowager Renxian (from 5 February 1661), later posthumously titled Empress Xiaohuizhang.

Cultural Depictions:

She has been portrayed in various Chinese television series, including Xiaozhuang Mishi (2003), Chronicle of Life (2016), and The Deer and the Cauldron (2020).

References:

Sources include "Daily Life in the Forbidden City: The Qing Dynasty, 1644-1912" by Wan, Yi, et al., and "Draft History of Qing" (Qing Shi Gao) by Zhao Erxun.