Noble Consort Ying

Noble Consort Ying (1731–1800) was a consort of the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing dynasty.

Life

Noble Consort Ying was born in the Mongol Barin (巴林) clan, which was under the Mongol Bordered Red Banner. Her father, Nachin (納親), was a banner commander (都統) who held the title of a qingche duwei.

Lady Barin entered the Forbidden City around the 1740s after she was selected to join the Qianlong Emperor's imperial harem. She was given the rank of Noble Lady under the title "Noble Lady Ying" (穎貴人) in 1748. She was subsequently promoted to "Imperial Concubine Ying" (穎嬪) in 1751 and "Consort Ying" (穎妃) in 1759.

In 1796, the Qianlong Emperor abdicated in favour of his 15th son Yongyan, who was enthroned as the Jiaqing Emperor. However, the Qianlong Emperor remained in power as a Retired Emperor. Two years later, the Qianlong Emperor issued an imperial decree promoting Lady Barin to "Noble Consort Ying". The Jiaqing Emperor honoured Lady Barin as "Dowager Noble Consort Ying" (穎貴太妃) and let her and Dowager Noble Consort Wan live in Shoukang Palace (壽康宮).

In 1800, during Lady Barin's 70th birthday, Yonglin, the Jiaqing Emperor's only full brother who was raised by Lady Barin, sent her birthday gifts. Lady Barin had no children of her own and had been leading a rather lonely life in the palace, so she was very happy to see Yonglin. However, the Jiaqing Emperor was furious when he found out, and he scolded his brother for not seeking his permission first. Lady Barin's birthday celebrations were thus rendered meaningless. She died not long after her 70th birthday. In 1801, she was interred in the Yuling Mausoleum at the Eastern Qing tombs.

See also

• Ranks of imperial consorts in China#Qing
• Royal and noble ranks of the Qing dynasty

References

• Zhao, Erxun (1928). Draft History of Qing (Qing Shi Gao) (in Chinese). Volume 214.