Imperial Noble Consort Gongshun

Imperial Noble Consort Gongshun (恭順皇貴妃) was a consort of the Qianlong Dynasty of the Qing Empire. She belonged to the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Niohuru clan (鈕祜祿氏). Her personal name has not been recorded in historical sources.

Family Background:

Her father was Shanqing (善慶), who served as a sixth-rank literary official (主事). Her mother was Lady Yang. Specific details regarding her early life and upbringing are not documented.

Birth and Early Life:

She was born on the 12th day of the fourth lunar month in the 52nd year of the Qianlong Emperor’s reign, corresponding to 28 May 1787 in the Gregorian calendar. Her birth occurred during the late Qianlong era.

Entry into the Qing Imperial Court:

In 1801, Lady Niohuru entered the Forbidden City and was granted the title "Noble Lady Ru" (如貴人), a sixth-rank consort. On 8 March 1805, she gave birth to the eighth daughter of the Jiaqing Emperor. The daughter died prematurely in December 1805 or January 1806.

Progression of Titles:

In May or June 1805, she was elevated to "Concubine Ru" (如嬪), a fifth-rank consort. Later, on 18 October 1810, her title was further upgraded to "Consort Ru" (如妃), a fourth-rank consort.

Children:

She bore the Jiaqing Emperor a total of two children:

- On 18 February 1811, she gave birth to Princess Huimin of the First Rank, the emperor’s ninth daughter. She died young in June or July 1815.

- On 8 March 1814, she gave birth to Mianyu (綿愉), the emperor’s fifth son. Mianyu was granted the title Prince Hui of the Second Rank in 1820, promoted to Prince Hui of the First Rank in 1839, and was posthumously honored as Prince Huiduan of the First Rank in 1865.

Later Life and Titles:

Following the death of the Jiaqing Emperor on 2 September 1820, her son succeeded as the Daoguang Emperor. In January or February 1821, she was promoted to "Dowager Noble Consort Ru" (如貴太妃) and resided in Shou'an Palace (壽安宮).

She was further elevated in 1846 to "Dowager Imperial Noble Consort Ru" (如皇貴太妃). When the Daoguang Emperor died on 26 February 1850, his successor Yizhu became the Xianfeng Emperor. During his reign, she was granted the posthumous title "Imperial Noble Consort Gongshun" (恭順皇貴妃).

Death and Burial:

Imperial Noble Consort Gongshun died on 23 April 1860. She was interred in the Chang Mausoleum (長陵) of the Western Qing tombs.

Titles Summary:

- 1787: Lady Niohuru (from 28 May)

- 1801: Noble Lady Ru (如貴人), sixth rank consort

- 1805: Concubine Ru (如嬪), fifth rank

- 1810: Consort Ru (如妃), fourth rank

- 1821: Dowager Noble Consort Ru (如貴太妃), third rank

- 1846: Dowager Imperial Noble Consort Ru (如皇貴太妃), second rank

- 1860: Imperial Noble Consort Gongshun (恭順皇貴妃)

In Fiction and Popular Culture:

She has been portrayed by Sheren Tang in the television dramas "War and Beauty" (2004) and "Beauty at War" (2013). Katherine Ho portrayed her in "Succession War" (2018).

See Also:

- Ranks of imperial consorts in China during the Qing Dynasty

- Royal and noble ranks of the Qing dynasty

References:

Zhao, Erxun (1928). Draft History of Qing (Qing Shi Gao), Vol. 214.