Yongxuan

Yongxuan (永璇; 31 August 1746 – 1 September 1832) was a prince during the Qing Dynasty and the eighth son of the Qianlong Emperor. He was born at the Palace of Eternal Spring within the Forbidden City. His mother was Noble Consort Jia.

He participated in notable ceremonial events, including the funeral of Empress Xiaoyichun in 1775, alongside his consorts. In 1777, he attended the funeral of his elder brother, Yongcheng. In 1779, Yongxuan was granted the title Prince Yi of the Second Rank. His title was elevated to Prince Yi of the First Rank in 1797. Following the downfall of Heshen in 1799, he was appointed to supervise the Ministry of Personnel.

Yongxuan died on 1 September 1832, at the age of 86, making him the longest-lived imperial prince of the Qing Dynasty. Posthumously, he was honored with the title Prince Yishen of the First Rank (仪慎亲王), which translates to "virtuous and prudent prince."

He was married to Lady Janggiya, a daughter of Yengišan. Later, he also took his palace maid Wang Yuying as a secondary consort.

His family included his primary consort and subsequent children. His primary consort was titled Imperial Princess Consort Yishen of the Janggiya clan, and her titles evolved from Consort of the Eighth Prince to Princess Consort Yi of the Second Rank, then to Princess Consort Yi of the First Rank, and finally to Imperial Princess Consort Yishen of the First Rank.

His secondary consort was Wang Yuying, from the Wang clan. Her titles also evolved from Mistress of the Eighth Prince to Concubine of Prince Yi of the Second Rank, then to Concubine of Prince Yi of the First Rank, and ultimately as Secondary Consort of Prince Yishen of the First Rank.

Yongxuan’s offspring included:

- Mianzhi (绵志; 3 May 1768 – 19 May 1834), his first son, who held the title Prince Yishun of the Second Rank.

- His first daughter (born 9 December 1769; died 9 January 1820), who married Gongsaishang'a of the Barin Borjigin clan in July 1785.

- A second daughter (15 May 1772 – 28 December 1774).

- A third daughter (19 August 1774 – 13 October 1776).

- Mianmao (绵懋; 9 February 1776 – 29 November 1777), his second son.

- A fourth daughter (5 February 1777 – 8 October 1777).

References for further scholarly research include "Eminent Chinese of the Ch'ing Period" edited by Arthur W. Sr. Hummel, published in 1943 by the United States Government Printing Office.