Empress Xiaozhaoren (1653 – 18 March 1678), of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Niohuru clan, was the second wife of the Kangxi Emperor. She was empress of China during the Qing dynasty from 1677 until her death in 1678. Her father was the regent Ebilun, and she was originally an imperial concubine until her promotion to empress in 1677.

Life

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

Family background

Kangxi era

In 1665, Lady Niohuru entered the Forbidden City and became a mistress (格格) of the Kangxi Emperor. She did not receive any rank or title initially. After the Kangxi Emperor's first wife, Empress Xiaochengren, died on 6 June 1674, the Emperor did not elevate any of his imperial consorts to the position of empress to replace her. On 18 September 1677, Lady Niohuru was first mentioned in official histories when the Kangxi Emperor instated her as the new empress. She died on 18 March 1678 and was interred in the Jing Mausoleum of the Eastern Qing tombs alongside Empress Xiaochengren.

Titles