1. Empress Nara was the empress consort of the Qing dynasty from 1750 until her death in 1766.
15 Facts About Empress Nara
1. 2.
Empress Nara's father was listed as Narbu, found in the Genealogy of the Manchu clans as being a descendant of Wangginu, a leader of the Hoifa clan, and the family's ancestors are listed under the section "People with the surname Nara in the Hoifa area" as having lived in the Hoifa area for generations.
3.
The date of the Step-Empress Nara's birth is a matter of debate, with the book Four Genealogies of the Qing Royal House stating that she was born some time in the second lunar month of an unknown year, and at least one modern book stating that she was born on the 10th day of the 2nd month of the 57th year of Kangxi Emperor's reign.
4.
Empress Nara was born to Narbu, a niru ejen, or assistant captain.
5.
Lady Empress Nara was noted to have gained Hongli's favour during this time.
6.
Qianlong's first wife, Empress Nara Xiaoxianchun, died on the 8th day of the 3rd month of the 13th year of Qianlong at the age of 36, but it was not well documented by historical sources.
7.
Between the 17th year of Qianlong to the 20th year, the Step-Empress Nara gave birth to three children: the 12th prince, Yongji, an unnamed daughter and the 13th prince, Yongjing, respectively.
8.
The Step Empress Nara's action was considered a grave offense, as it was taken as a gesture meant to curse the Emperor and the Empress Nara Dowager.
9.
Empress Nara was commanded to return to the capital; Fulong'an, the husband of the Emperor's fourth daughter, escorted her via the waterways.
10.
Empress Nara argued that the granting of a food portion represents an act of honor and love by the Emperor to his imperial consort, whereas withholding such a grant indicates displeasure.
11.
Empress Nara postulated that the incident happened at some point following breakfast on the 18th day of the leap 2nd month of the 30th year of Qianlong, when the Step-Empress received a portion of assorted meats, and before dinner that same day, when the Step-Empress was not mentioned as having received any portion of food from the Emperor.
12.
Under Qing dynasty's ranking of consorts, an imperial noble consort was only a step below the empress, meaning that while Noble Consort Ling was not explicitly granted administrative powers over the harem, the Step-Empress Nara had definitely fallen out of favour with the Emperor.
13.
The Step-Empress Nara died in the 7th month of the 31st year of Qianlong.
14.
The Step-Empress Nara was already seriously ill by the 6th month of that same year, but despite her illness, Qianlong did not delay his trip to the summer residence in Chengde.
15.
Many historical materials on the Step Empress Nara utilize the ancient Chinese lunisolar calendar, coupled with the Chinese era name system.