Empress Xiaodexian

Empress Xiaodexian was born on April 12, 1831, during the Daoguang era, specifically on the first day of the third lunar month in the 11th year of Daoguang's reign. Her personal name has not been recorded in historical documentation. She belonged to the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Sakda clan and initially came from a family that was part of the Bordered Blue Banner.

Her father was Futai, who served as a fourth-rank literary official (少卿) in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and held the noble title of duke (公). Her paternal grandfather was Qichang, and her paternal grandmother was Lady Nara. Her mother was Lady Aisin Gioro. Her maternal grandfather was Ulgungga (1778–1846), who held the title Prince Zheng of the First Rank from 1794 to 1846, and he was a descendant of Jirgalang. Her maternal uncle was Duanhua (1807–1861), who also held the title Prince Zheng of the First Rank from 1846 to 1861. Duanhua was notably the maternal grandfather of Empress Xiaozheyi (1854–1875). She had one sister and one younger brother.

In 1847, Lady Sakda married Yizhu, the fourth son of the Daoguang Emperor. She became his primary consort. Her death occurred in January 1850, about a month before the death of the Daoguang Emperor. Following her death, Yizhu ascended to the throne as the Xianfeng Emperor, after the death of his father.

As the primary consort of the new emperor, she was posthumously honored as Empress. After her death, she was interred in the Ding Mausoleum within the Eastern Qing tombs.

Regarding her titles, during the reign of the Daoguang Emperor (1820–1850), she was known as Lady Sakda from April 12, 1831, and received the title Primary Consort (嫡福晉) on March 31, 1848. During the reign of the Xianfeng Emperor (1850–1861), she was posthumously titled Empress Xiaode (孝德皇后) starting November 30, 1850. Later, during the reign of the Tongzhi Emperor (1861–1875), her posthumous title was further extended to Empress Xiaodexian (孝德顯皇后) around December 1861 or January 1862.

Her life is documented in various historical sources, including the Draft History of Qing (Qing Shi Gao), and is referenced in bibliographies such as "Dragon Lady: The Life and Legend of the Last Empress of China" by Sterling and Peggy Seagrave, as well as "Daily Life in the Forbidden City: The Qing Dynasty, 1644-1912" by Wan Yi, Shuqing Wang, Yanzhen Lu, and Rosemary E. Scott.