Empress Xiaochengren (3 February 1654 – 6 June 1674), of the

Manchu The Manchus (; ) are a Tungusic East Asian ethnic group native to Manchuria in Northeast Asia. They are an officially recognized ethnic minority in China and the people from whom Manchuria derives its name. The Later Jin (1616–1636) an ...

Plain Yellow Banner The Plain Yellow Banner () was one of the Eight Banners of Manchu military and society during the Later Jin and Qing dynasty of China. The Plain Yellow Banner was one of three "upper" banner armies under the direct command of the emperor himsel ...

Hešeri clan, was a posthumous name bestowed to the wife and first empress consort of Xuanye, the Kangxi Emperor. She was Empress consort of Qing from 1665 until her death in 1674. Although her marriage was a purely political one, the Kangxi Emperor was very fond of her and left the position of empress vacant for about three years after her death.

Life

Family background

Empress Xiaochengren's personal name was not recorded in history. * Father: Gabula (d.1681), served as a first rank military official (), and held the title of a first class duke () ** Paternal grandfather: Sonin (1601–1667), served as one of the Four Regents of the Kangxi Emperor, and held the title of a first class duke () ** Third paternal uncle: Songgotu (1636–1703) ** Fifth paternal uncle: Xinyu, held the title of a first class earl () ** Sixth paternal uncle: Fabao, held the title of a first class duke () * Two younger brothers ** Second younger brother: Changtai, served as a first rank military official, and held the title of a first class duke. * Three sisters ** younger sister: Consort Ping (d.1696) Lady Hešeri's grandfather, Sonin (索尼; 1601–1667), served as one of the Four Regents of the Kangxi Emperor, and held the title of first class duke. Her father, Gabula (噶布喇; d.1681), served as a military general and also held a title of duke. One of her aunts married with the grandson of Nurhaci, Yolo (岳樂; 1625–1689), Prince of the first rank (和碩安親王); another aunt married with the grandson of Nurhaci, the son of

Dodo The dodo (''Raphus cucullatus'') is an extinct flightless bird that was endemic to the island of Mauritius, which is east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. The dodo's closest genetic relative was the also-extinct Rodrigues solitaire. ...

(多鐸), Cani (察尼; 1640–1688), Prince of the third rank (多羅貝勒).

Shunzhi era

The future Empress Xiaochengren was born on the 17th day of the 12th

lunar Lunar most commonly means "of or relating to the Moon". Lunar may also refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Lunar'' (series), a series of video games * "Lunar" (song), by David Guetta * "Lunar", a song by Priestess from the 2009 album ''Prior t ...

month in the tenth year of the reign of the

Shunzhi Emperor The Shunzhi Emperor (15 March 1638 – 5 February 1661) was the second emperor of the Qing dynasty of China, and the first Qing emperor to rule over China proper, reigning from 1644 to 1661. A committee of Manchu princes chose him to succe ...

, which translates to 3 February 1654 in the

Gregorian calendar The Gregorian calendar is the calendar used in most parts of the world. It was introduced in October 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII as a modification of, and replacement for, the Julian calendar. The principal change was to space leap years d ...

Kangxi era

In October or November 1665, Lady Hešeri married the

Kangxi Emperor The Kangxi Emperor (4 May 1654– 20 December 1722), also known by his temple name Emperor Shengzu of Qing, born Xuanye, was the third emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper, reigning from 1661 to ...

and became empress consort because her powerful family could help the emperor on his rules. Although it was a purely political marriage, the Kangxi Emperor was very fond of the Empress. On 4 January 1670, she gave birth to a son, Chenghu, who would die prematurely on 3 March 1672. The death of Prince Chenghu hit the Empress very much, and she became very sick. The Emperor who was staying in Chicheng heard that Lady Hešeri was seriously ill, and he set off for Beijing immediately to take care of Lady Hešeri. After the Empress recovered, she became pregnant again. The Empress died on 6 June 1674 shortly after giving birth to the emperor's second son, Yunreng. The emperor was extremely sad about the Empress's death, so he made her son the

crown prince A crown prince or hereditary prince is the heir apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The female form of the title is crown princess, which may refer either to an heiress apparent or, especially in earlier times, to the w ...

. After her death, the Kangxi Emperor left the position of empress vacant for about three years before instating one of his consorts, Lady Niohuru, as Empress, on 18 September 1677.

Titles

* During the reign of the

(r. 1643–1661): ** Lady Hešeri (from 3 February 1654) * During the reign of the

(r. 1661–1722): ** Empress (; from October/November 1665) ** ''Empress Renxiao'' (; from 1674) * During the reign of the

Yongzheng Emperor The Yongzheng Emperor (13 December 1678 – 8 October 1735), also known by his temple name Emperor Shizong of Qing, born Yinzhen, was the fourth Emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the third Qing emperor to rule over China proper. He reigned from ...

(r. 1722–1735): ** ''Empress Renxiaoren'' (; from June 1723) ** ''Empress Xiaochengren'' (; from July 1723雍正元年六月)

Issue

* As Empress: ** Chenghu ( (嫡长子); 4 January 1670 – 3 March 1672), the Kangxi Emperor's second son ** Yunreng ( (嫡次子); 6 June 1674 – 27 January 1725), the Kangxi Emperor's seventh (second) son, Crown Prince for his lifetime, posthumously honoured as Prince Limi of the First Rank

In fiction and popular culture

* Portrayed by Li Chentao in '' Kangxi Dynasty'' (2001) * Portrayed by Zhou Jia in ''

Huang Taizi Mishi ''Huang Taizi Mishi'' is a 2004 Chinese television series produced by You Xiaogang. The series is the second instalment in a series of four television series about the history of the early Qing dynasty. It was preceded by '' Xiaozhuang Mishi'' (200 ...

'' (2004) * Portrayed by Chae Rim in '' Secret History of Kangxi'' (2006) * Portrayed by

Maggie Shiu Maggie Shiu (born February 27, 1965) is a prominent Hong Kong actress. Career Her career began in 1985 when she joined Hong Kong TVB. As her career developed, she took on variety of roles in TV series and movies. Hong Kong audiences still remembe ...

in ''

Palace A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence, or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word is derived from the Latin name palātium, for Palatine Hill in Rome which ...

'' (2011) * Portrayed by Zhang Weina in '' Legend of Dragon Pearl'' (2017)

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Xiaochengren, Empress 1654 births 1674 deaths Deaths in childbirth Qing dynasty empresses Manchu people 17th-century Chinese women 17th-century Chinese people Consorts of the Kangxi Emperor Hešeri clan