Imperial Noble Consort Zhuangshun

Imperial Noble Consort Zhuangshun (29 November 1822 – 13 December 1866) was a consort of the Daoguang Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. She was born into the Manchu Uya clan. Her personal name has not been recorded in historical texts.

Family Background

Her father was Lingshou (1788–1824), who held the position of a sixth rank literary official. Her paternal grandfather was Bailu, and her paternal grandmother was Lady Zhou. Her mother was Lady Weng. She had a younger brother named Xilin.

Life and Titles

Born on the 16th day of the tenth lunar month in the second year of Daoguang’s reign (which corresponds to 29 November 1822 Gregorian calendar), she entered the Forbidden City in March or April 1837. Initially, she was granted the title Noble Lady Lin. On 3 December 1837, she was demoted to First Attendant Xiu, but was restored to Noble Lady Lin on 31 August 1839.

In October 1840, she gave birth to the Daoguang Emperor's seventh son, Yixuan. During that year, she was elevated to Concubine Lin. She gave birth to two more sons: Yihe (born 14 March 1844) and Yihui (born 15 November 1845). She also bore a daughter, Princess Shouzhuang of the First Rank, on 24 March 1842.

Her titles were promoted multiple times: she was elevated to Consort Lin in June or July 1842 and to Noble Consort Lin in January or February 1847.

After the death of the Daoguang Emperor in 1850, her son Yixuan was granted the title Prince Chun of the Second Rank. She received the title Dowager Noble Consort Lin during the reign of the Xianfeng Emperor, who succeeded Daoguang in 1850. When her son ascended as the Tongzhi Emperor in 1861, she was elevated to Grand Dowager Imperial Noble Consort Lin.

Upon her death on 13 December 1866, she was posthumously bestowed the title Imperial Noble Consort Zhuangshun. In 1867, she was interred in the Mu Mausoleum of the Western Qing tombs. Later, during the reign of her grandson, the Guangxu Emperor, she was further honored; in 1875, the Guangxu Emperor increased offerings at her tomb and performed additional ancestral rites.

Issue

Yixuan (1840–1891), her son with the Daoguang Emperor, was granted the title Prince Chun of the Second Rank, later promoted to Prince Chun of the First Rank, and posthumously honored as Prince Chunxian of the First Rank.

Her daughter, Princess Shouzhuang of the First Rank (1842–1884), married Dehui of the Bolod clan.

Her other sons included Yihe (1844–1868), granted the title Prince Zhong of the Second Rank and posthumously honored as Prince Zhongduan; and Yihui (1845–1877), granted the title Prince Fu of the Second Rank and also posthumously honored.

Her recorded issue also includes a miscarriage in 1848.

In popular culture

She was portrayed by Sherry Chen in the 2011 television series "Curse of the Royal Harem".

See also

- Ranks of imperial consorts in China during the Qing Dynasty

- Qing Dynasty noble and imperial ranks