Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui

Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui (13 June 1713 – 2 June 1760), of the Han Chinese Plain White Banner Su clan, was a consort of the Qianlong Emperor. She was two years his junior.

Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui
Born(1713-06-13)13 June 1713
(康熙五十二年 五月 二十一日)
Died2 June 1760(1760-06-02) (aged 46)
(乾隆二十五年 四月 十九日)
Forbidden City
Burial
Yu Mausoleum, Eastern Qing tombs
Spouse
(before 1760)
IssueYongzhang, Prince Xun of the Second Rank
Yongrong, Prince Zhizhuang of the First Rank
Princess Hejia of the Second Rank
Posthumous name
Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui (純惠皇貴妃)
HouseSu (蘇氏; by birth)
Aisin Gioro (by marriage)
FatherSu Zhaonan
Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui
Traditional Chinese純惠皇貴妃
Simplified Chinese纯惠皇贵妃
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinChúnhuì Huángguìfēi

Life

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Family background

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Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui's personal name was not recorded in history.

  • Father: Zhaonan (召南)
  • Two brothers

Kangxi era

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Lady Su was born on the 21st day of the fifth lunar month in the 52nd year of the reign of the Kangxi Emperor, which translates to 13 June 1713 in the Gregorian calendar. She grew up in Suzhou.

Yongzheng era

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It is not known when Lady Su was gifted to the Yongzheng Emperor by local government officials, but Yongzheng decided to give her as a concubine to his fourth son, Hongli. On 15 July 1735, she gave birth to his third son, Yongzhang.

Qianlong era

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Part of the painting "Qianlong Emperor and his consorts", featuring Consort Chun

The Yongzheng Emperor died on 8 October 1735 and was succeeded by Hongli, who was enthroned as the Qianlong Emperor. On 8 November 1735, Lady Su was granted the title of "Concubine Chun". On 23 January 1738, she was elevated to "Consort Chun", making her the fourth highest ranking consort of the emperor, behind Consort Xian, the Noble Consort, and the Empress. On 28 January 1744, she gave birth to the emperor's sixth son, Yongrong.

On 9 December 1745, Consort Chun was elevated to the rank of "Noble Consort" alongside Consort Xian. This was the first time in the dynasty that there were two noble consorts at the same time. On 24 December 1745, she gave birth to the emperor's fourth daughter, Princess Hejia of the Second Rank. Noble Consort Chun became really ill, on 25 May 1760, she was elevated to "Imperial Noble Consort".

Lady Su died on 2 June 1760 and was granted the posthumous title of "Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui". On 16 December 1762, she was interred in the Yu Mausoleum of the Eastern Qing tombs.

Error in name

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The 20th-century historical text Draft History of Qing incorrectly recorded Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui's family name as "Sugiya" (蘇佳). While some Qing dynasty imperial consorts who were of Han Chinese origin changed their family names to Manchu-sounding names after marrying the emperors, Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui never changed hers. This was because she came from a commoner background, and her family was hence not eligible to be placed under a Manchu banner.

Titles

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  • During the reign of the Kangxi Emperor (r. 1661–1722):
    • Lady Su (蘇氏; from 13 June 1713)
  • During the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor (r. 1722–1735):
    • Mistress (格格; date unknown)
  • During the reign of the Qianlong Emperor (r. 1735–1796):
    • Concubine Chun (純嬪; from 8 November 1735),[1] fifth rank consort
    • Consort Chun (純妃; from 23 January 1738),[2] fourth rank consort
    • Noble Consort Chun (純貴妃; from 9 December 1745),[3] third rank consort
    • Imperial Noble Consort (皇貴妃; from 25 May 1760),[4] second rank consort
    • Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui (純惠皇貴妃; from June/July 1760)[5]

Issue

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ 雍正十三年 九月 二十四日
  2. ^ 乾隆二年 十二月 四日
  3. ^ 乾隆十年 十一月 十七日
  4. ^ 乾隆二十五年 四月 十一日
  5. ^ 乾隆二十五年 五月

References

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  • Rawski, Evelyn S.; Rawson, Jessica (2006). China: The Three Emperors 1662-1795. Harry N. Abrams. ISBN 1903973694.
  • Zhao, Erxun (1928). Draft History of Qing (Qing Shi Gao) (in Chinese).