Princess Wenke Of The Second Rank

Huoshuo Princess Wenke, the thirteenth daughter of Emperor Kangxi, was born on the twenty-seventh day of the eleventh lunar month, in the twenty-sixth year of Kangxi (1687), during the hour of Ox. She passed away on the twenty-first day of the sixth lunar month, in the forty-eighth year of Kangxi (1709), during the hour of Hai, at the age of twenty-three. Her biological mother was Imperial Noble Consort Zhang of the Gioro clan. Due to her mother's death on July 25th of the thirty-eighth year of Kangxi (1709), the princess was raised by Consort Yi of the Yikun Palace, Guo Luoluo Shi, until her marriage. The previous wife of Consort Yi, Gurun Kejing Princess, was married off to Doro Governor-General Dondo Bodojurji several years earlier.

Life and Marriage

In 1706 (the forty-fifth year of Kangxi), Princess Wenke of Huoshuo married Doroi Prince of the Wengreng Banner, from the Mongolian Ongniud tribe, of the Borjigit clan. Emperor Kangxi personally presided over the betrothal; the princess is also recorded in archives as Ongniud Princess. Details regarding the wedding venue and rituals are documented, but there are no records of war or military affairs related to the event. On the Gui Si day of July, Emperor Kangxi personally inspected Bayan Ertu, where the Mongolian princes and officials of various tribes expressed that peace had been achieved through court guidance. After the princess's marriage, the emperor decided to station himself at the Huoshuo Princess Wenke’s residence, indicating direct imperial attention to this marriage.

Death and Remains

On the hour of Hai, June 21, 1709 (forty-eighth year of Kangxi), Princess Wenke gave birth to twin daughters. Her condition worsened continuously; imperial physicians attempted treatments with ginseng decoction and infant feces, but ultimately she could no longer swallow and died at the age of twenty-three. She is the only princess recorded in Qing official history to have died from difficult childbirth.

Tombs and Artifacts

The tomb of Princess Wenke of Huoshuo is constructed from south to north and features a series of structures, including a white marble and green stone divine bridge, a stele pavilion, carved floral and auspicious cloud motifs, a display arch, and a hall for offerings. Beneath the ground lies an arched brick-and-stone underground palace. Inside the pavilion, standing stones with carved dragon-and-pearl patterns and the inscription "Chastity and perpetual fame" are erected—below which are inscriptions in Manchu, Mongol, and Han characters detailing the princess's life. The front hall contains relics used by the princess during her lifetime, such as a dragon bed, screens, banners, drapes, umbrellas, fans, and sedan chairs. A plaque hanging above the hall bears the inscription "Sincere and cautious as a model," an original inscription from the princess’s residence, personally inscribed by Kangxi. The princess's residence also retains a couplet in Chinese, reading "The stars shine together, illuminating the princess’s mansion; the five blessings descend, bringing joy at the jade-leaf gate."