Xiao Shen Cheng - Biography

Biography

Empress Xiaoshencheng was born in the Manchu Tunggiya clan. Her personal name is unknown. She was the daughter of Shuminge (舒明阿), Duke of the Third Class (三等承恩公), who was a descendant of Tongtulai (佟圖賴), the maternal grandfather of the Kangxi Emperor. Her family was under the Bordered Yellow Banner of the Eight Banners. Lady Tunggiya's birth date was not recorded in history. She was first mentioned only after the death of the Daoguang Emperor's first consort. In 1808 she was selected as a potential candidate to be a concubine of Mianning (who would become the Daoguang Emperor). She gave birth to a daughter in 1813.

In 1820 Mianning succeeded the Jiaqing Emperor to the throne as the Daoguang Emperor. A year later Daoguang granted Lady Tunggiya's brother Yukuan (裕寬) the title of Marquis of the First Class (一等承恩侯). When the mourning period for the late Jiaqing Emperor had ended, Lady Tunggiya was instated as Empress Consort in 1822. As empress she was in charge of the Daoguang Emperor's concubines. She died in the 13th year of the reign of the Daoguang Emperor, and was interred in the Muling Mausoleum at the Western Qing Tombs.

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