Imperial Noble Consort Shushen

Imperial Noble Consort Shushen (24 December 1859 – 13 April 1904), belonging to the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Fuca clan, was a consort of the Tongzhi Emperor of the Qing dynasty.

Family Background

Her personal name has not been recorded in historical sources. Her father was Fengxiu, who held the rank of fifth-grade literary official (員外郎). Fengxiu was a descendant of Maci's great great great grandson. Her paternal grandfather was Huiji. Her mother was Lady Jiang.

Birth and Early Life

She was born on the first day of the 12th lunar month in the ninth year of the Xianfeng Emperor's reign, which corresponds to 24 December 1859, in the Gregorian calendar.

Honors and Titles

During the reign of the Xianfeng Emperor (1850–1861), she was known simply as Lady Fuca.

In 1872, during the selection process for the Tongzhi Emperor's consorts, Lady Fuca was shortlisted alongside Lady Arute as a candidate for empress. The Empress Dowager Cixi favored Lady Fuca, while Empress Dowager Ci'an preferred Lady Arute. The Tongzhi Emperor ultimately chose Lady Arute as his empress consort.

On 15 October 1872, Lady Fuca entered the Forbidden City and was granted the title "Consort Hui" (慧妃), a fourth-rank consort. By order of Empress Dowager Cixi, she received treatment equivalent to that of a noble consort. On 23 December 1874, she was elevated to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort.

During the reign of the Guangxu Emperor (1875–1908), she held several titles:

- In January 1875, she was granted the title "Imperial Noble Consort Dunyi" (敦宜皇贵妃).

- In 1894, prior to Empress Dowager Cixi's 60th birthday celebrations, she received the honour of "Imperial Noble Consort Dunyi Rongqing" (敦宜荣庆皇贵妃), a rare four-character title among imperial noble consorts.

- In 1904, she was posthumously titled "Imperial Noble Consort Shushen" (淑慎皇贵妃).

Death and Burial

Imperial Noble Consort Shushen died on 13 April 1904. In 1905, she was interred in the Hui Mausoleum located within the Eastern Qing tombs.

In 1928, her tomb was desecrated by grave robbers.

Titles Summary

- During Xianfeng era: Lady Fuca

- During Tongzhi era: Consort Hui (from 15 October 1872), Imperial Noble Consort (from 23 December 1874)

- During Guangxu era: Imperial Noble Consort Dunyi (from January 1875), Imperial Noble Consort Dunyi Rongqing (from 1895), Imperial Noble Consort Shushen (from 1904)

In Fiction and Popular Culture

Imperial Noble Consort Shushen has been portrayed in various television series, including The Rise and Fall of Qing Dynasty (1990) by Chan Pui-san, The Confidant (2012) by Cilla Kung, and The Last Healer in Forbidden City (2016) by Janice Shum.

See Also

- Ranks of imperial consorts in China#Qing

- Royal and noble ranks of the Qing dynasty

References

- Zhao, Erxun. Draft History of Qing (Qing Shi Gao), vol. 214.