Empress Xiaoshurui (孝淑睿皇后), of the Manchu Plain White Banner Hitara clan (喜塔臘氏) was a posthumous name bestowed to the wife and first empress consort of Yongyan, the Jiaqing Emperor. She was empress consort of Qing from 1796 until her death in 1797, having been empress for barely a year.

Life

Family background

Empress Xiaoshurui's personal name was not recorded in history.

Qianlong era

The future Empress Xiaoshurui was born on the 24th day of the eighth lunar month in the 25th year of the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, which translates to 2 October 1760 in the Gregorian calendar. On 5 June 1774, Lady Hitara married Yongyan, the 15th son of the Qianlong Emperor, and became his primary consort. She gave birth on 2 June 1780 to his second daughter, who would die prematurely on 6 September 1783, on 16 September 1782 to his second son, Minning, and on 20 October 1784 to his fourth daughter, Princess Zhuangjing of the First Rank. According to Qing dynasty imperial medical records, Empress Xiaoshurui was of good health, but after giving consecutive birth of child, her body started having health problems.

Jiaqing era

On 9 February 1796, the Qianlong Emperor abdicated in favour of Yongyan and became a Retired Emperor, while Yongyan was enthroned as the Jiaqing Emperor. On 12 February 1796, Lady Hitara, as the emperor's primary consort, was instated as empress consort. The Empress died of illness on 5 March 1797, having been empress for barely a year. On 12 March 1797, cabinet drafted her posthumous title and submitted to Emperor Qianlong for approval. With the following approval of the title, she is honoured with the posthumous title "Empress Xiaoshu".

Daoguang era

The Jiaqing Emperor died on 2 September 1820 and was succeeded by Minning, who was enthroned as the Daoguang Emperor. In April or May 1821, he extended his mother's posthumous title to "Empress Xiaoshu Duanhe Renzhuang Ciyi Guangtian YouSheng Rui". In his last reign year, he extended the posthumous title with "Dunyu". ** Xianfeng era ** Her posthumous title is extended with "Zhaosu"

Titles

Issue

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