Tian Xiuying

Imperial Noble Consort Gongshu (Chinese: 恭淑皇貴妃; 1611 – 16 October 1642), also known as Imperial Noble Consort Tian (田皇貴妃), Noble Consort Tian (田貴妃), or Consort Tian (田妃), personal name Tian Xiuying (田秀英), was a Chinese imperial consort of the Ming dynasty. She was married to the Chongzhen Emperor, the last emperor of the Ming dynasty, and was considered his favorite concubine.

Biographical Details

Tian Xiuying was born in 1611 in Shaanxi Province. Her parents were Tian Hongyu and Lady Wu. Some records indicate that she may not have been the biological daughter of Tian Hongyu, with her mother having been known for her skills in music and painting. It is documented that Tian Xiuying was adopted by Tian Hongyu after their marriage. The Tian family later relocated from Shaanxi to Yangzhou Prefecture.

Marriage and Court Life

Tian Xiuying married Chongzhen when he was still the Prince of Xin. After Chongzhen ascended to the throne in 1627, Lady Tian was elevated to the rank of Noble Consort. Her status increased over the years, and in 1641 she was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort.

Her relationship with the emperor was characterized by a high level of favor, although her relationship with Empress Zhou was reportedly tense. Conversely, another concubine, Consort Shu, maintained cordial relations with the empress.

Children

Noble Consort Tian bore several children, though all died young:

- Zhu Cizhao (朱慈炤), Prince Daoyong (永悼王), born in 1632, was her first son. He later posthumously received the title Prince Daoyong. He disappeared during the 1644 invasion of Beijing.

- Zhu Cihuan (朱慈煥), Prince Daoling (悼靈王), born in 1633, died prematurely in 1637.

- Zhu Cican (朱慈燦), Prince Daohuai (悼懷王), born in 1637, died on 5 May 1639 at three years old.

- Prince Daoliang (name not specified), was the seventh son of the emperor.

Titles and Honors

Throughout her life, Tian Xiuying held various titles:

- During the reign of the Wanli Emperor (1572–1620), she was known as Lady Tian.

- During the Tianqi Emperor's reign (1620–1627), she was recorded as a Concubine from 1626.

- Under the Chongzhen Emperor (1627–1644), she was promoted to Noble Consort in 1627.

- In 1641, she attained the title of Imperial Noble Consort.

- Following her death on 16 October 1642, she was posthumously honored as Imperial Noble Consort Gongshu Duanhui Jinghuai (恭淑端惠靖懷皇貴妃).

Death and Legacy

Imperial Noble Consort Gongshu died in the Palace of Heavenly Grace (承乾宫) on 16 October 1642. After her death, her sister, Tian Shuying, was intended to enter the imperial harem.

Following the fall of Beijing in 1644 to Li Zicheng's forces of the Shun dynasty, the bodies of Emperor Chongzhen and Empress Zhou were buried in the tomb of Imperial Noble Consort Tian. The tomb was designated as the Imperial Mausoleum Siling, but it was notably smaller than other Ming imperial mausoleums.

The tomb of Noble Consort Tian was used as a burial site for the last Ming emperor and empress, with the remains of Chongzhen and Zhou interred there after their deaths.