Imperial Concubine Gong

Honorable Consort Lin, born on the twenty-sixth day of the twelfth month of the 11th year of Yongzheng (1733), died on the twenty-seventh day of the eleventh month of the 10th year of Jiaqing (1805). She was from the Lin clan, daughter of Tang Efenyin, and served as a concubine of the Qianlong Emperor during the Qing Dynasty.

Biographical Highlights: In the first month of the 13th year of Qianlong (1748), she was already titled Lin Changzai ("Consort Lin"), and in May was promoted to Lin Guiren ("Noble Lady Lin"). Before the first month of the 14th year of Qianlong (1749), Lin Guiren was demoted back to Lin Changzai. On the sixth day of the first month of the 16th year of Qianlong (1731), the official records note that Lin was elevated to Lin Guiren; however, this is an error in the records, and she held the rank of Guiren ("Noble Lady") for more than forty years. Starting from the 20th day of the 11th month of the 59th year of Qianlong (1794), Honorable Consort Lin moved to the Chenggan Palace, after which she was officially bestowed the title of Gongpin ("Respectful Consort"). Her formal enshrinement ceremony was held on the 29th day of the 12th month of that same year. In October of the 6th year of Jiaqing (1801), records show that within the inner court, the women of the palace of Gongpin were arranged according to the concubine hierarchy; only Lady Chen Wuan Guifei and Lady Wang Dun Fei were ranked higher than her. She passed away on the 27th day of the 11th month of the 10th year of Jiaqing (1805). On the third day of the 11th month of the 12th year of Jiaqing (1807), her coffin was buried in the YuLing cemetery of the Eastern Qing Tombs.

Mystery of Her Origin: There are claims that Lin was from an external banner household under the command of the Imperial Household Department’s Orphan Flag (Xianghuangqi) under the management of Haqi, not from civilian ancestry. Additionally, her name does not appear on the list of Han women concubines entering the banners in the 58th year of Qianlong. According to the "Archives of the Imperial Household Department," the "Lin Gui" entered the banners, but this was not equivalent to "Lin Guiren." It has been verified that Lin Guiren was actually a talented eunuch from the Southern Palace, who was promoted for his distinguished performance.

In terms of media representations, there are television dramas that mention this person, though specific titles are not listed in available public sources.