Empress Xiaoquancheng

Empress Xiaoquancheng (24 March 1808 – 13 February 1840), of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Niohuru clan, was the second empress consort of the Daoguang Emperor of the Qing dynasty. She was empress consort from 1834 until her death in 1840.

Life Family background Empress Xiaoquancheng's personal name was not recorded in history. Her family originally belonged to the Plain Red Banner.

Father: Yiling , served as a first rank military official in Suzhou, and held the title of a third class duke Paternal grandfather: Mukedengbu (; d. 1803) Mother: Lady Uya One brother: Enxu (恩绪)

Jiaqing era The future Empress Xiaoquancheng was born on the 28th day of the second lunar month in the 13th year of the reign of the Jiaqing Emperor, which translates to 24 March 1808 in the Gregorian calendar. She spent her early youth in Suzhou.

Daoguang era In 1821, Lady Niohuru attended the Elegant Ladies' Selections and when the Daoguang Emperor first saw her, he fell in love immediately. She entered the Forbidden City and was granted the title "Noble Lady Quan" by the Emperor. She was elevated on 28 December 1822 to "Concubine Quan", and on 26 December 1823 to "Consort Quan". On 8 April 1825, she gave birth to the emperor's third daughter, Princess Duanshun of the First Rank, who would die prematurely on 27 December 1835.

On 30 May 1825, Consort Quan was elevated to "Noble Consort Quan". She gave birth on 12 May 1826 to the emperor's fourth daughter, Princess Shou'an of the First Rank, and on 17 July 1831 to his fourth son, Yizhu. Reports on her pregnancy in 1831 suggest that the bulk of the medical attention she received was during the last five weeks, when a physician and a midwife were in constant attendance to await the onset of labour.

The Daoguang Emperor's first empress consort, Empress Xiaoshencheng, died on 16 June 1833, and Noble Consort Quan was placed in charge of the emperor's harem as the highest rank concubine in that time. On 28 September 1833, during the Mid Autumn Festival, Noble Consort Quan was elevated to "Imperial Noble Consort". On 18 November 1834, she was officially instated as the new empress consort.

The young Empress was greatly favored by the Emperor, and this caused him to often ignore the other palace women. As Empress, it was expected of her to encourage the Emperor to visit multiple women, but she never did this. Lady Niohuru always found excuses to punish the palace women, and her behavior was frowned upon. The only woman who stood a threat to her in the Forbidden City was Empress Xiaojingcheng, who was greatly favored and had given birth to a large amount of imperial children.

The Empress died on 13 February 1840. Her exact cause of death was not recorded in history, and many believe that she was murdered by Empress Xiaoherui, the Empress Dowager during Daoguang's reign, because of her bad behavior and their rocky relationship. On 2 May 1840, she was granted the posthumous title "Empress Xiaoquan". On 20 November 1840, she was interred in the Mu Mausoleum of the Western Qing tombs.

Xianfeng era The Daoguang Emperor died on 26 February 1850 and was succeeded by Yizhu, who was enthroned as the Xianfeng Emperor. On 26 October 1850, he honoured his mother with the posthumous title "Empress Xiaoquancheng".

Titles During the reign of the Jiaqing Emperor (r. 1796–1820): Lady Niohuru (from 24 March 1808) During the reign of the Daoguang Emperor (r. 1820–1850): Noble Lady Quan (; from 1821), sixth rank consort Imperial Concubine Quan (; from 28 December 1822 ), fifth rank consort Consort Quan (; from 26 December 1823 ), fourth rank consort Noble Consort Quan (; from 30 May 1825 ), third rank consort Imperial Noble Consort (; from 28 September 1833 ), second rank consort Empress (; from 18 November 1834 ) Empress Xiaoquan (; from 2 May 1840 ) During the reign of the Xianfeng Emperor (r. 1850–1861): Empress Xiaoquancheng (; from 26 October 1850 )

Issue As Consort Quan: Miscarriage (2 January 1824) Princess Duanshun of the First Rank (; 8 April 1825 – 27 December 1835), the Daoguang Emperor's third daughter As Noble Consort Quan: Princess Shou'an of the First Rank (; 12 May 1826 – 24 March 1860), the Daoguang Emperor's fourth daughter Married Demchüghjab (; d. 1865) of the Naiman Borjigit clan on 15 November 1841 Yizhu (; 17 July 1831 – 22 August 1861), the Daoguang Emperor's fourth son, enthroned on 9 March 1850 as the Xianfeng Emperor

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In fiction and popular culture Portrayed by Choi Sin-yu in The Rise and Fall of Qing Dynasty (1988) Portrayed by Dai Chunrong in Sigh of His Highness (2006) Portrayed by Jessica Hsuan in Curse of the Royal Harem (2011)