1
顯祖宣皇后繼妃
Empress Xuan of Xianzu and the Succession Consort
2
太祖孝慈高皇后元妃繼妃大妃壽康太妃
Taizu’s Empress Xiaoci the High, Primary Consort, Succession Consort, Grand Consort, and Shoukang Grand Imperial Consort
3
太宗孝端文皇后孝莊文皇后敏惠恭和元妃
Taizong’s Empresses Xiaoduan and Xiaozhuang the Literary, and Primary Consort Minhui Gonghe
4
懿貴妃康惠淑妃
Imperial Noble Consort Yi and Imperial Consort Kanghui
5
世祖廢后孝惠章皇后孝康章皇后孝獻皇后
Shizu’s Deposed Empress, Empresses Xiaohui and Xiaokang the Zhang, and Empress Xiaoxian
6
淑惠妃
Consort Shuhui
7
聖祖孝誠仁皇后孝昭仁皇后孝懿仁皇后孝恭仁皇后
Shengzu’s Empresses Xiaocheng, Xiaozhao, Xiaoyi, and Xiaogong the Ren
8
敬敏皇貴妃惇怡皇貴妃
Imperial Noble Consorts Jingmin and Dunyi
9
世宗孝敬憲皇后孝聖憲皇后敦肅皇貴妃
Shizong’s Empresses Xiaojing and Xiaosheng the Xian, and Imperial Noble Consort Dunsu
10
純慤皇貴妃
Imperial Noble Consort Chunque
11
高宗孝賢純皇后皇后烏拉納喇氏孝儀純皇后
Gaozong’s Empress Xiaoxian the Chun, the Wulanara Empress, and Empress Xiaoyi the Chun
12
慧賢皇貴妃純惠皇貴妃慶恭皇貴妃哲憫皇貴妃
Imperial Noble Consorts Huixian, Chunhui, Qinggong, and Zhemin
13
淑嘉皇貴妃婉貴太妃
Imperial Noble Consort Shujia and Grand Imperial Consort Wangui
14
仁宗孝淑睿皇后孝和睿皇后恭順皇貴妃
Renzong’s Empresses Xiaoshu and Xiaohe the Rui, and Imperial Noble Consort Gongshun
15
和裕皇貴妃
Imperial Noble Consort Heyu
16
宣宗孝穆成皇后孝慎成皇后孝全成皇后孝靜成皇后
Xuanzong’s Empresses Xiaomu, Xiaoshen, Xiaoquan, and Xiaojing the Cheng
17
莊順皇貴妃彤貴妃
Imperial Noble Consort Zhuangshun and Imperial Consort Tong
18
文宗孝德顯皇后孝貞顯皇后孝欽顯皇后
Wenzong’s Empresses Xiaode, Xiaozhen, and Xiaoqin the Xian
19
莊靜皇貴妃端恪皇貴妃
Imperial Noble Consorts Zhuangjing and Duanke
20
穆宗孝哲毅皇后淑慎皇貴妃
Muzong’s Empress Xiaozhe the Yi and Imperial Noble Consort Shushen
21
莊和皇貴妃
Imperial Noble Consort Zhuanghe
22
德宗孝定景皇后端康皇貴妃恪順皇貴妃
Dezong’s Empress Xiaoding the Jing, and Imperial Noble Consorts Duankang and Keshun
23
宣統皇后
The Xuantong Empress
24
太祖初起，草創闊略，宮闈未有位號，但循國俗稱「福晉」。 福晉蓋「可敦」之轉音，史述后妃，後人緣飾名之，非當時本稱也。 崇德改元，五宮並建，位號既明，等威漸辨。 世祖定鼎，循前代舊典。 ，採禮官之議：乾清宮設夫人一，淑儀一，婉侍六，柔婉、芳婉皆三十； 慈寧宮設貞容一、慎容二，勤侍無定數； 又置女官。 循明六局一司之制，議定而未行。
In Taizu’s early rise, institutions were still broadly sketched; the inner palace had no formal ranks and consorts were known only by the national custom as fujin. Fujin is essentially a transliteration of khatun; when later historians speak of empresses and consorts they adorn the record with titles that were not the names actually used at the time. With the adoption of the Chongde reign title, five palaces were established at once; titles were fixed and ranks of precedence gradually took shape. After Shizu established the dynasty at Beijing, he followed the precedents of earlier ages. He took up the ritual officials’ proposals: the Palace of Heavenly Purity was to have one lady, one shuyi, six wanshi, and thirty each of rouwan and fangwan; the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility one zhenrong and two shenrong, with no fixed quota of qinshi; and female palace officers were also to be appointed. Following the Ming model of six bureaus and one office, the scheme was agreed upon but never put into practice.
25
康熙以後，典制大備。 皇后居中宮； 皇貴妃一，貴妃二，妃四，嬪六，貴人、常在、答應無定數，分居東、西十二宮。 東六宮：曰景仁，曰承乾，曰鍾粹，曰延禧，曰永和，曰景陽； 西六宮：曰永壽，曰翊坤，曰儲秀，曰啟祥，曰長春，曰咸福。 諸宮皆有宮女子供使令。 每三歲選八旗秀女，戶部主之； 每歲選內務府屬旗秀女，內務府主之。 秀女入宮，妃、嬪、貴人惟上命。 選宮女子，貴人以上，得選世家女； 貴人以下，但選拜唐阿以下女。 宮女子侍上，自常在、答應漸進至妃、嬪，后妃諸姑、姊妹不赴選。 帝祖母曰「太皇太后」，母曰「皇太后」，居慈寧、壽康、寧壽諸宮。 先朝妃、嬪稱太妃、太嬪，隨皇太后同居，與嗣皇帝，年皆逾五十，乃始得相見。 諸宮殿設太監，秩最高不逾四品，員額有定數，廩給有定量，分領執事有定程。 此其大較也。
From the Kangxi reign onward, the palace regulations were brought to full maturity. The empress occupied the central palace; there was one imperial noble consort, two imperial consorts, four consorts, six ladies, and an open number of noble ladies, attendants, and responders, quartered across the twelve eastern and western palaces. The six eastern palaces were Jingren, Chengqian, Zhongcui, Yanxi, Yonghe, and Jingyang; the six western palaces Yongshou, Yikun, Chuxiu, Qixiang, Changchun, and Xianfu. Each palace had palace women assigned to service. Every three years maidens were chosen from the Eight Banners under the Board of Revenue; and each year maidens from the banners under the Imperial Household Department were chosen by that office. Once inside the palace, promotion to consort, lady, or noble lady rested solely on the emperor’s order. For palace women of noble lady rank and above, daughters of distinguished families could be selected; below that rank only daughters of bondsmen and lower status were taken. Palace women who served the emperor might rise from attendant or responder to lady or consort; the aunts and sisters of empresses and consorts were excluded from selection. The emperor’s grandmother was styled Grand Empress Dowager and his mother Empress Dowager; they lived in the palaces of Compassionate Tranquility, Longevity and Health, and Tranquil Longevity. Consorts and ladies of the previous reign were styled Grand Consort and Grand Lady and lived with the empress dowager; they might meet the new emperor only when both parties were over fifty. Each palace had eunuchs whose highest rank did not exceed the fourth grade; numbers, stipends, and duties were all fixed by regulation. Such, in broad outline, was the system.
26
二百數十年，壺化肅雍，詖謁蓋寡，內鮮燕溺匹嫡之嫌，外絕權戚蠹國之釁，彬彬盛矣。 追尊四代，惟宣皇后著氏族，且有繼室，託始於是。 歷朝居正號者，謹而次之，並及妃、嬪有子若受後朝尊封者。 世祖以漢女為妃，高宗以回女為妃，附書之，以其僅見也。
For more than two centuries the inner court was governed with grave harmony, private petitions were rare, within the palace there was scarcely the jealousy of rival consorts, and without there was no plague of powerful kin corrupting the state—a civil order of rare fullness. Of the four generations raised to posthumous honor, only Empress Xuan is recorded with her clan name and with a succession consort; the narrative begins with her. For each reign those who held the principal title are treated in due order, together with consorts and ladies who bore sons or were honored by a later dynasty. Shizu’s marriage to a Han consort and Gaozong’s to a Hui consort are noted separately, as such cases are uncommon.
27
顯祖宣皇后，喜塔臘氏，都督阿古女。 歸顯祖為嫡妃。 歲己未，太祖生。 歲己巳，崩。 ，與肇祖原皇后、興祖直皇后、景祖翼皇后同時追諡。 子三：太祖、舒爾哈齊、雅爾哈齊。 女一，下嫁噶哈善哈斯虎。
Empress Xuan of Xianzu, of the Xitala clan, was the daughter of Commander Agu. She became Xianzu’s principal consort. In the jiwei year Taizu was born. In the jisi year she died. She was given a posthumous title at the same time as the Original Empress of the Founding Ancestor, the Upright Empress of the Rising Ancestor, and the Wing Empress of the Illustrious Ancestor. She bore three sons: Taizu, Šurhaci, and Yarhači. She had one daughter, who married Gahasan Hasihu.
28
繼妃，納喇氏，哈達部長萬所撫族女。 遇太祖寡恩，年十九，俾分居，予產獨薄。 子一，巴雅喇。
The succession consort, of the Nara clan, was a kinswoman whom Wan, chief of Hada, had raised. Taizu showed her little favor; at nineteen she was set up in a separate household and given a share of property smaller than the rest. She bore one son, Bayara.
29
庶妃，李佳氏。 子一，穆爾哈齊。
Secondary consort Li of the Jia lineage. She bore one son, Murhaci.
30
太祖孝慈高皇后，納喇氏，葉赫部長楊吉砮女。 太祖初起兵，如葉赫，楊吉砮以-{后}-許焉。 楊吉砮為明總兵李成梁所殺，子納林布祿繼為貝勒，又為成梁擊破。 歲戊子秋九月，以-{后}-來歸，上率諸貝勒、大臣迎之，大宴成禮。 是歲，-{后}-年十四。 歲壬辰冬十月，太宗生。 歲癸卯秋，-{后}-病作，思見母，上遣使迎焉，納林布祿不許。 九月庚辰，-{后}-崩，年二十九。
Taizu’s Empress Xiaoci the High, of the Nara clan, was the daughter of Yangginu, chief of Yehe. When Taizu first took up arms and went to Yehe, Yangginu promised him his daughter in marriage. Yangginu was killed by the Ming commander Li Chengliang; his son Narimbulu became beile and was in turn defeated by Chengliang. In the ninth month of the wuzi year she arrived as bride; the sovereign led the beiles and ministers to receive her, and a great feast completed the wedding rites. She was fourteen that year. In the tenth month of the renchen year Taizong was born. In the autumn of the guimao year she fell ill and longed to see her mother; the sovereign sent envoys to fetch her, but Narimbulu refused. On gengchen in the ninth month she died, aged twenty-nine.
31
-{后}-莊敬聰慧，詞氣婉順，得譽不喜，聞惡言，愉悅不改其常。 不好諂諛，不信讒佞，耳無妄聽，口無妄言。 不預外事，殫誠畢慮以事上。 及崩，上深悼之，喪斂祭享有加禮，不飲酒茹葷者逾月。 越三載，葬赫圖阿拉尼雅滿山岡。 ，遷葬東京楊魯山。 ，再遷葬瀋陽石嘴頭山，是為福陵。 ，上諡孝慈昭憲純德真順承天育聖武皇后。 ，祔太廟。 ，改諡。 雍正、乾隆累加諡，曰孝慈昭憲敬順仁徽懿德慶顯承天輔聖高皇后。 子一，太宗。
She was dignified, intelligent, and quick-witted, gentle in speech and bearing; praise did not delight her, and harsh words did not alter her even temper. She disliked flattery, put no faith in slander, and neither listened nor spoke without due cause. She did not meddle in public affairs but gave her whole heart and mind to serving the sovereign. At her death the sovereign grieved deeply; her funeral rites were performed with exceptional honor, and for more than a month he abstained from wine and meat. Three years later she was buried on Niyaman Hill at Hetu Ala. Her remains were later moved to Mount Yanglu in the Eastern Capital. And again to Shizuitou Hill in Shenyang, which became the Fuling mausoleum. She received the posthumous title Empress Xiaoci Zhaoxian Chunde Zhenshun Chengtian Yusheng Wu. Her spirit tablet was enshrined in the Grand Ancestral Temple. Her posthumous title was later revised. Yongzheng and Qianlong added further honorifics until she was styled Empress Xiaoci Zhaoxian Jingshun Renhui Yide Qingxian Chengtian Fusheng Gao. She bore one son, Taizong.
32
元妃，佟佳氏。 歸太祖最早。 子二：褚英、代善。 女一，下嫁何和禮。
Primary consort, of the Tunggiya clan. She was Taizu’s earliest consort. She bore two sons, Cuyen and Daišan. She had one daughter, who married Hohori.
33
繼妃，富察氏。 歸太祖亦在孝慈皇后前。 歲癸巳，葉赫諸部來侵，上夜駐軍，寢甚酣，妃呼上覺曰：「爾方寸亂耶，懼耶？ 九國兵來攻，豈酣寢時耶？」 上曰：「我果懼，安能酣寢？ 我聞葉赫來侵，以其無期，時以為念。 既至，我心安矣。 我若負葉赫，天必厭之，安得不懼？ 今我順天命，安疆土，彼糾九國以虐無咎之人，天不佑也！」 安寢如故。 及旦，遂破敵。 天命五年，妃得罪，死。 子二：莽古爾泰、德格類。 女一，名莽古濟，下嫁鎖諾木杜稜。
Succession consort, of the Fuca clan. She had joined Taizu even before Empress Xiaoci. In the guisi year the Yehe tribes attacked; the sovereign camped for the night and slept deeply. The consort woke him and said, "Is your mind troubled, or are you afraid? Nine states’ armies are upon us—is this a time to sleep so soundly?" He replied, "If I were afraid, how could I sleep so soundly? When I heard Yehe would attack, not knowing when, I kept it constantly in mind. Now that they have come, my mind is at rest. If I had wronged Yehe, Heaven would surely reject me—how could I not fear? Now I follow Heaven’s mandate and secure the realm; they have rallied nine states to harm the innocent—Heaven will not help them!" And he slept on as before. At dawn he routed the enemy. In the fifth year of Tianming she was found guilty and put to death. She bore two sons, Manggūltai and Degelei. She had one daughter, named Mangguji, who married Suonuomu Dulei.
34
大妃，納喇氏，烏喇貝勒滿泰女。 歲辛丑，歸太祖，年十二。 孝慈皇后崩，立為大妃。 七月，太祖有疾，浴於湯泉。 八月，疾大漸，乘舟自太子河還，召大妃出迎，入渾河。 庚戌，舟次靉鷄堡，上崩。 辛亥，大妃殉焉，年三十七。 同殉者，二庶妃。 妃子三：阿濟格、多爾袞、多鐸。 順治初，多爾袞攝政，七年，上諡孝烈恭敏獻哲仁和贊天儷聖武皇后，祔太廟。 八年，多爾袞得罪，罷諡，出廟。
Grand consort, of the Nara clan, was the daughter of Mantai, beile of Ula. In the xinchou year she joined Taizu as his consort, aged twelve. After Empress Xiaoci died, she was made grand consort. In the seventh month Taizu fell ill and went to bathe at the hot springs. In the eighth month his illness worsened; he returned by boat along the Taizi River, summoned the grand consort to meet him, and entered the Hun River. On gengxu the boat stopped at Aigibao Fort, and the sovereign died. On xinhai the grand consort followed him in death; she was thirty-seven. Two secondary consorts died with her. She bore three sons: Ajige, Dorgon, and Dodo. Early in Shunzhi, while Dorgon was regent, in the seventh year the emperor posthumously titled her Empress Xiaolie Gongmin Xianzhe Renhe Zantian Lishèng Wu and enshrined her in the Grand Ancestral Temple. In the eighth year, after Dorgon fell from grace, her posthumous title was stripped and her tablet was removed from the temple.
35
壽康太妃，博爾濟吉特氏，科爾沁郡王孔果爾女。 太祖諸妃中最老壽。 ，聖祖即位，尊為皇曾祖壽康太妃。 ，薨。
The Shoukang grand imperial consort, of the Borjigit clan, was the daughter of Kongguor, prince of the commandery of Khorchin. Of all Taizu's consorts she lived the longest. When Shengzu came to the throne, she was honored as Imperial Great-Great-Grandmother Shoukang Grand Imperial Consort. She died.
36
太祖諸妃稱側妃者四：*伊爾根覺羅氏，子一，阿巴泰，女一，下嫁達爾漢； *納喇氏，孝慈皇后女弟，女一，下嫁固爾布什； *其二皆無出。
Four of Taizu's consorts were styled side consorts: *the Yirgen Gioro clan, one son, Abatai, and one daughter who married Darhan; *the Nara clan, Empress Xiaoci's younger sister, one daughter who married Gurbushi; *the other two bore no children.
37
稱庶妃者五：*兆佳氏，子一，阿拜； *鈕祜祿氏，子二，湯古代、塔拜； *嘉穆瑚覺羅氏，子二，巴布泰、巴布海，女三，下嫁布占泰、達啟、蘇納； *西林覺羅氏，子一，賴慕布； *伊爾根覺羅氏，女一，下嫁鄂托伊。
Five were styled secondary consorts: *the Joogiya clan, one son, Abai; *the Niohuru clan, two sons, Tanggo and Tabai; *the Giamuhu Gioro clan, two sons, Babutai and Babuhai, and three daughters who married Bushan, Daqi, and Suna; *the Silin Gioro clan, one son, Laimubu; *the Yirgen Gioro clan, one daughter who married Etooi.
38
太宗孝端文皇后，博爾濟吉特氏，科爾沁貝勒莽古思女。 歲甲寅四月，來歸，太祖命太宗親迎，至輝發扈爾奇山城，大宴成禮。 天聰間，-{后}-母科爾沁大妃屢來朝，上迎勞，錫賚有加禮。 ，上建尊號，-{后}-亦正位中宮。 二年，大妃復來朝，上迎宴。 越二日，大妃設宴，上率後及貴妃、莊妃幸其行幄。 尋命追封後父莽古思和碩福親王，立碑於墓，封大妃為和碩福妃，使大學士范文程等冊封。 世祖即位，尊為皇太后。 四月乙巳，崩，年五十一。 七年，上諡。 雍正、乾隆累加諡，曰孝端正敬仁懿哲順慈僖莊敏輔天協聖文皇后。 女三，下嫁額哲、奇塔特、巴雅思祜朗。
Taizong's Empress Xiaoduan the Literary, of the Borjigit clan, was the daughter of Manggas, beile of Khorchin. In the fourth month of the jiayin year she arrived as bride; Taizu ordered Taizong to meet her in person, and at Hu'erqi Mountain City in Huifa a great feast completed the wedding. During the Tiancong reign the empress's mother, the Khorchin grand consort, came to court repeatedly; the emperor welcomed her with honors and lavished gifts upon her. When he assumed his reign title, the empress also took her rightful place as mistress of the inner palace. In the second year the grand consort came to court again, and the emperor received her with a feast. Two days later the grand consort gave a feast, and the emperor led the empress, the imperial consort, and Consort Zhuang to her traveling tent. He soon ordered the empress's father Manggas posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of the Commandery of the First Rank of Fu, with a stele set up at his tomb; the grand consort was made Princess of the Commandery of the First Rank of Fu, and Grand Secretary Fan Wencheng and others were dispatched to invest her. When Shizu came to the throne, she was honored as empress dowager. On yisi in the fourth month she died, aged fifty-one. In the seventh year the emperor conferred her posthumous title. Yongzheng and Qianlong added further honorifics until she was styled Empress Xiaoduan Zhengjing Renyi Zhezhe Shun Ci Xi Zhuangmin Futian Xiesheng Wen. She had three daughters, who married Eje, Qitata, and Bayasihulang.
39
孝莊文皇后，博爾濟吉特氏，科爾沁貝勒寨桑女，孝端皇后侄也。 二月，來歸。 ，封永福宮莊妃。 三年正月甲午，世祖生。 世祖即位，尊為皇太后。 ，贈太后父寨桑和碩忠親王，母賢妃。 十三年二月，太后萬壽，上制詩三十首以獻。 上承太后訓，撰內則衍義，並為序以進。 聖祖即位，尊為太皇太后。
Empress Xiaozhuang the Literary, of the Borjigit clan, was the daughter of Zaisang, beile of Khorchin, and a niece of Empress Xiaoduan. In the second month she arrived as bride. She was made Consort Zhuang of the Yongfu Palace. On jiawu in the first month of the third year Shizu was born. When Shizu came to the throne, she was honored as empress dowager. Her father Zaisang was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of the First Rank of Zhong, and her mother as Worthy Consort. In the second month of the thirteenth year, for the empress dowager's birthday, the emperor composed thirty poems and presented them to her. At her instruction he compiled the Extended Meaning of the Inner Rules and wrote a preface presenting it to her. When Shengzu came to the throne, she was honored as grand empress dowager.
40
國初故事，-{后}-妃，王、貝勒福晉，貝子、公夫人，皆令命婦更番入侍，至太后始命罷之。 宮中守祖宗制，不蓄漢女。 上命儒臣譯《大學衍義》進太后，太后稱善，賜賚有加。 太后不預政，朝廷有黜陟，上多告而後行。 嘗勉上曰：「祖宗騎射開基，武備不可弛。 用人行政，務敬以承天，虛公裁決。」 又作書以誡曰：「古稱為君難。 蒼生至衆，天子以一身臨其上，生養撫育，莫不引領，必深思得衆得國之道，使四海咸登康阜，綿歷數於無疆，惟休。 汝尚寬裕慈仁，溫良恭敬，慎乃威儀，謹爾出話，夙夜恪勤，以祗承祖考遺緒，俾予亦無疚於厥心。」 十九年四月，上撰大德景福頌進太后。
By an early custom of the dynasty, empresses and consorts, the fujin of princes and beiles, and the wives of beizi and dukes had all been required to take turns in attendance; it was the empress dowager who ordered the practice abolished. The palace kept the ancestral rule and did not keep Han women. The emperor had Confucian scholars translate the Extended Meaning of the Great Learning and present it to her; she praised it and rewarded them generously. She did not take part in government, but when the court made appointments and dismissals the emperor usually informed her before acting. She once urged him, "Our ancestors founded the state through mounted archery; military readiness must never be neglected. In appointing men and governing affairs, be reverent before Heaven and decide with impartial fairness." She also wrote a letter of admonition: "The ancients said that to be a ruler is hard. The people are countless; the Son of Heaven stands alone over them, nourishing and cherishing them, and all look to him in hope. You must deeply consider how to win the people and secure the state, so that all within the four seas may prosper and the dynastic fortune endure without end—this alone is blessedness. Be generous and benevolent, gentle and respectful; guard your bearing, weigh your words, and labor diligently day and night to inherit the legacy of your forebears, so that I too may have no regret in my heart." In the fourth month of the nineteenth year the emperor composed the Ode to Great Virtue and Auspicious Blessing and presented it to her.
41
二十年，上復奉太后幸湯泉。 雲南平，上詣太后宮奏捷。 二十一年，上詣奉天謁陵，途次屢奏書問安，使獻方物，奏曰：「臣到盛京，親網得鰱、𩺀，浸以羊脂，山中野燒，自落榛實及山核桃，朝鮮所進柿餅、松、栗、銀杏，附使進上，伏乞俯賜一笑，不勝欣幸。」 二十二年夏，奉太后出古北口避暑。 秋，幸五台山，至龍泉關。 上以長城嶺峻絕，試輦不能陟，奏太后。 次日，太后輦登嶺，路數折不可上，太后乃還龍泉關，命上代禮諸寺。 二十四年夏，上出塞避暑，次博洛和屯，聞太后不豫，即馳還京師，太后疾良已。
In the twentieth year he again escorted her to the hot springs. When Yunnan was pacified, he went to her palace to report the victory. In the twenty-first year he went to Fengtian to visit the tombs; along the way he repeatedly sent letters asking after her health and dispatched tribute, writing: "I have reached Shengjing and with my own net caught silver carp and whitefish, soaked them in mutton fat, gathered fallen hazelnuts and mountain walnuts from the hills, and also the persimmon cakes, pine nuts, chestnuts, and ginkgo sent from Korea—all sent by messenger for your enjoyment; I humbly beg you to accept them with a smile; nothing could delight me more." In the summer of the twenty-second year he escorted her out through Gubeikou to escape the heat. In autumn he visited Mount Wutai and reached Longquan Pass. Because the Great Wall Ridge was steep and sheer, a trial showed the palanquin could not be taken up it, and he reported this to her. The next day her palanquin set out up the ridge, but the road twisted too steeply to be climbed; she turned back to Longquan Pass and ordered him to perform rites at the temples on her behalf. In the summer of the twenty-fourth year he went beyond the frontier to escape the heat and halted at Boluohetun; when he heard she was unwell he raced back to the capital, and by then she was already much recovered.
42
二十六年九月，太后疾復作，上晝夜在視。 十二月，步禱天壇，請減算以益太后。 讀祝，上泣，陪祀諸王大臣皆泣。 太后疾大漸，命上曰：「太宗奉安久，不可為我輕動。 況我心戀汝父子，當於孝陵近地安厝，我心始無憾。」 己巳，崩，年七十五。 上哀慟，欲於宮中持服二十七月，王大臣屢疏請遵遺誥，以日易月，始從之。 命撤太后所居宮移建昌瑞山孝陵近地，號「暫安奉殿」。 二十七年四月，奉太后梓宮詣昌瑞山。 自是，歲必詣謁。 十二月，世宗即其地起陵，曰昭西陵。
In the ninth month of the twenty-sixth year her illness returned, and he attended her day and night. In the twelfth month he walked in prayer at the Temple of Heaven, asking to shorten his own allotted years to lengthen hers. When the prayer was read, he wept, and the princes and ministers attending the rite wept with him. As her illness grew grave, she told him, "Taizong has long rested in his tomb; you must not disturb him on my account. Moreover my heart is bound to you and your father; lay me to rest near the Xiaoling mausoleum, and only then will I be at peace." On jisi she died, aged seventy-five. He grieved deeply and wished to mourn in the palace for twenty-seven months; the princes and ministers repeatedly memorialized that he follow her testament and observe mourning by days in place of months, and at last he consented. He ordered her residence dismantled and rebuilt near the Xiaoling mausoleum on Changrui Mountain, naming it the Temporary Hall of Repose and Offering. In the fourth month of the twenty-seventh year he escorted her coffin to Changrui Mountain. From then on he visited every year to pay his respects. In the twelfth month Shizong built a mausoleum on that site, naming it the Zhaoxi Mausoleum.
43
聖祖親政，上太后徽號，國有慶，必加上。 至聖祖以雲南平，奏捷，定徽號曰昭聖慈壽恭簡安懿章慶敦惠溫莊康和仁宣弘靖太皇太后，初奉安上諡。 雍正、乾隆累加諡，曰孝莊仁宣誠憲恭懿至德純徽翊天啟聖文皇后。 子一，世祖。 女三，下嫁弼爾塔哈爾、色布騰、鏗吉爾格。
When Shengzu took personal rule, he conferred honorific titles on her, and whenever the state celebrated a great event he added to them. When Shengzu reported victory after the pacification of Yunnan, her honorific title was fixed as Grand Empress Dowager Zhaosheng Cishou Gongjian Anyi Zhangqing Dunhui Wenzhuang Kanghe Renxuan Hongjing, and at her initial enshrinement he conferred her posthumous title. Yongzheng and Qianlong added further honorifics until she was styled Empress Xiaozhuang Renxuan Chengxian Gongyi Zhide Chunhui Yitian Qisheng Wen. She bore one son, Shizu. She had three daughters, who married Birtakhar, Sebuteng, and Kengjierge.
44
敏惠恭和元妃，博爾濟吉特氏，孝莊皇后姊也。 ，來歸。 ，封關睢宮宸妃。 妃有寵於太宗，生子，為大赦，子二歲而殤，未命名。 六年九月，太宗方伐明，聞妃病而還，未至，妃已薨。 上慟甚，一日忽迷惘，自午至酉始瘥，乃悔曰：「天生朕為撫世安民，豈為一婦人哉？ 朕不能自持，天地祖宗特示譴也。」 上仍悲悼不已。 諸王大臣請出獵，遂獵蒲河。 還過妃墓，復大慟。 妃母和碩賢妃來吊，上命內大臣掖輿臨妃墓。 郡王阿達禮、輔國公扎哈納當妃喪作樂，皆坐奪爵。
Primary Consort Minhui Gonghe, of the Borjigit clan, was Empress Xiaozhuang's elder sister. She arrived as bride. She was made Imperial Consort Chen of the Guansui Palace. She enjoyed Taizong's favor; when she bore a son he declared a general amnesty, but the child died at two without ever being named. In the ninth month of the sixth year Taizong was campaigning against the Ming when he heard she was ill and turned back; before he arrived, she had already died. He grieved deeply; one day he suddenly fell into a daze and did not recover until evening; then he reproached himself, "Heaven made me to comfort the age and settle the people—was it for the sake of one woman? That I could not restrain myself—Heaven, Earth, and the ancestors were reproving me." Yet he still mourned without end. The princes and ministers urged him to go hunting, and he hunted on the Pu River. On the way back he passed her tomb and grieved afresh. Her mother, Princess of the Commandery of the First Rank of Xian, came to mourn; the emperor ordered inner ministers to support her palanquin to the consort's tomb. Prince of the Commandery Adali and Assistant State Defender Zahana made music during her mourning; both were stripped of their titles.
45
懿靖大貴妃，博爾濟吉特氏，阿霸垓郡王額齊格諾顏女。 ，封麟趾宮貴妃。 四年，額齊格諾顏及其妻福晉來朝，妃率諸王、貝勒迎宴。 次日，上賜宴清寧宮，福晉入見，稱上外姑。 ，世祖加尊封。 ，薨，聖祖侍太后臨奠。 子一，博穆博果爾。 女一，下嫁噶爾瑪索諾木。 又撫蒙古女，嫁噶爾瑪德參，濟旺子也。
Grand Imperial Noble Consort Yijing, of the Borjigit clan, was the daughter of Eqiger Noyan, prince of the commandery of Abagai. She was made Imperial Consort of the Linzhi Palace. In the fourth year Eqiger Noyan and his wife came to court; the consort led the princes and beiles to welcome and feast them. The next day the emperor gave a banquet at Qingning Palace; the fujin entered for audience and addressed him with the honored title of a maternal in-law. Shizu added further honors. She died; Shengzu accompanied the empress dowager to offer condolences. She bore one son, Bumbutai. She had one daughter, who married Gaermasuonuomu. She also raised a Mongol girl who married Gaermadecan, son of Jiwang.
46
康惠淑妃，博爾濟吉特氏，阿霸垓塔布囊博第塞楚祜爾女。 ，封衍慶宮淑妃。 撫蒙古女，上命睿親王多爾袞娶焉。 ，加尊封，前懿靖大貴妃薨。
Imperial Consort Kanghui Shufei, of the Borjigit clan, was the daughter of Tabunang Bodisechuhu'er of Abagai. She was made Imperial Consort Shufei of the Yansing Palace. She raised a Mongol girl, and the emperor ordered Prince Regent Dorgon to marry her. Further honors were added; by then Grand Imperial Noble Consort Yijing had already died.
47
太宗諸妃：*元妃，鈕祜祿氏，弘毅公額亦都女，子一，洛博會； *繼妃，烏拉納喇氏，子二，豪格、洛格，女一，下嫁旺第。
Taizong's consorts: *Primary Consort, of the Niohuru clan, daughter of Hongyi Duke Eyidu, one son, Luobohui; *Succession Consort, of the Ula Nara clan, two sons, Hooge and Luo'ge, and one daughter who married Wangdi.
48
稱側妃者二：*葉赫納喇氏，子一，碩塞； *扎魯特博爾濟吉特氏，女二，下嫁誇扎、哈尚。
Two were called side consorts: *Yehe Nara clan, one son, Shuose; *Jarud Borjigit clan, two daughters who married Kuazha and Hashang.
49
稱庶妃者六：*納喇氏，子一，高塞，女二，下嫁輝塞、拉哈； *奇壘氏，察哈爾部人，女一，下嫁吳應熊； *顏札氏，子一，葉布舒； *伊爾根覺羅氏，子一，常舒； *其二不知氏族，一生子，韜塞； 一生女，下嫁班第。
Six were called lesser consorts: *Nara clan, one son, Gaose, and two daughters who married Huise and Laha; *Qilei clan, of the Chahar tribe, one daughter who married Wu Yingxiong; *Yanzha clan, one son, Yeibushu; *Irgen Gioro clan, one son, Changshu; *Of the other two the clans are unknown; one bore a son, Taose; The other bore a daughter who married Bandi.
50
世祖廢-{后}-，博爾濟吉特氏，科爾沁卓禮克圖親王吳克善女，孝莊文皇后姪也。 -{后}-麗而慧，睿親王多爾袞攝政，為世祖聘焉。 八月，冊為皇后。 上好簡樸，-{后}-則嗜奢侈，又妒，積與上忤。
The deposed empress of Shizu, of the Borjigit clan, was the daughter of Wu Keqan, Prince of the Commandery of the First Rank of Zhuoliketu of Horqin, and a niece of Empress Xiaozhuang Wen. The empress was beautiful and clever; while Prince Regent Dorgon held the regency, he arranged her betrothal to Shizu. In the eighth month she was invested as empress. The emperor favored simplicity, but the empress loved luxury and was jealous; over time the two grew steadily at odds.
51
十年八月，上命大學士馮銓等上前代廢-{后}-故事，銓等疏諫，上嚴拒，諭以「無能，故當廢」，責諸臣沽名。 即日奏皇太后，降-{后}-為靜妃，改居側宮，下禮部，禮部尚書胡世安、侍郎呂崇烈、高珩疏請慎重詳審，禮部員外郎孔允樾及御史宗敦一、潘朝選、陳棐、張璟、杜果、聶玠、張嘉、李敬、劉秉政、陳自德、祖永傑、高爾位、白尚登、祖建明各具疏力爭。 允樾言尤切，略言：「皇后正位三年，未聞失德，特以『無能』二字定廢嫡之案，何以服皇后之心？ 何以服天下後世之心？ 君-{后}-猶父母，父欲出母，即心知母過，猶涕泣以諫； 況不知母過何事，安忍緘口而不為母請命？」 上命諸王、貝勒、大臣集議，議仍以皇后位中宮，而別立東西兩宮。 上不許，令再議，並責允樾覆奏，允樾疏引罪，諸王大臣再議，請從上指，於是-{后}-竟廢。
In the eighth month of the tenth year the emperor ordered Grand Secretaries Feng Quan and others to bring forward precedents for deposing an empress; Quan and the others memorialized in protest, but the emperor sternly refused, declaring that "she is incompetent and must be deposed," and rebuked the ministers for courting a reputation. That same day he reported to the empress dowager, demoted the empress to Consort Jing, and moved her to a side palace, then referred the matter to the Ministry of Rites. Minister Hu Shi'an and Vice Ministers Lu Chonglie and Gao Heng pleaded for careful review; Section Director Kong Yunyu and censors Zong Dunyi, Pan Chaoxuan, Chen Fei, Zhang Jing, Du Guo, Nie Jie, Zhang Jia, Li Jing, Liu Bingzheng, Chen Zide, Zu Yongjie, Gao Erwei, Bai Shangdeng, and Zu Jianming each submitted memorials arguing forcefully against the decision. Yunyu spoke most forcefully, arguing in essence: "The empress has held her place for three years without any reported lapse in virtue; to settle a case of deposing the primary consort on the single charge of 'incompetence'—how can that satisfy the empress? How can it satisfy the court, the realm, and posterity? The sovereign and empress are like father and mother; if a father wishes to cast out the mother, even knowing she is at fault he still weeps and remonstrates; How much more when one does not even know what fault she has committed—how can one bear to keep silent and not plead for her?" The emperor ordered the princes, beiles, and ministers to confer; they proposed that the empress remain in the central palace while separate eastern and western palaces be established. The emperor refused and ordered them to deliberate again; he also required Yunyu to reply in a memorial, and Yunyu submitted one accepting blame. When the princes and ministers met again they asked to follow the emperor's will, and the empress was at last deposed.
52
孝惠章皇后，博爾濟吉特氏，科爾沁貝勒綽爾濟女。 五月，聘為妃，六月，冊為-{后}-。 貴妃董鄂氏方幸，-{后}-又不當上恉。 十五年正月，皇太后不豫，上責-{后}-禮節疏闕，命停應進中宮箋表，下諸王、貝勒、大臣議行。 三月，以皇太后旨，如舊制封進。
Empress Xiaohui Zhang, of the Borjigit clan, was the daughter of Beile Chuo'erji of Horqin. In the fifth month she was betrothed as consort; in the sixth month she was invested as empress. Imperial Noble Consort Donggo was then in favor, and the empress again failed to please the emperor. In the first month of the fifteenth year the empress dowager fell ill; the emperor blamed the empress for lapses in ritual propriety, halted the memorials due from the central palace, and referred the matter to the princes, beiles, and ministers for deliberation. In the third month, at the empress dowager's order, the honors were submitted again according to the old regulations.
53
聖祖即位，尊為皇太后，居慈仁宮。 上奉太皇太后謁孝陵，幸盛京，謁福陵、昭陵，出古北口避暑，幸五臺山，皆奉太后侍行。 ，上奉太皇太后出塞，太后未侍行，中途射得鹿，斷尾漬以鹽，並親選榛實，進太后。 二十六年，太皇太后不豫，太后朝夕奉侍。 及太皇太后崩，太后悲痛。 諸妃主入臨，太后慟甚，幾-{仆}-地。 上命諸王大臣奏請太后節哀回宮，再請乃允。 歲除，諸王大臣請太后諭上回宮，上不可。 二十七年正月，行虞祭，上命諸王大臣請太后勿往行禮，太后亦不可。 二十八年，建寧壽新宮，奉太后居焉。
When Shengzu acceded to the throne, she was honored as empress dowager and took up residence in the Ciren Palace. Whether visiting the Xiaoling Mausoleum with the grand empress dowager, traveling to Shengjing, paying respects at the Fuling and Zhaoling mausoleums, leaving through Gubeikou to escape the summer heat, or visiting Wutai Mountain, the emperor always had the empress dowager accompany him. On one journey beyond the frontier with the grand empress dowager, the empress dowager did not go along; midway the emperor shot a deer, cut off its tail and cured it with salt, personally selected hazelnuts, and sent them to the empress dowager. In the twenty-sixth year the grand empress dowager fell ill, and the empress dowager attended her morning and evening. When the grand empress dowager died, the empress dowager was overcome with grief. When the consorts and ladies came to mourn, the empress dowager grieved so deeply she nearly collapsed. The emperor ordered the princes and ministers to plead with the empress dowager to restrain her grief and return to the palace; only after they asked again did she consent. At year's end the princes and ministers asked the empress dowager to urge the emperor to return to the palace, but he refused. In the first month of the twenty-seventh year, when the yu rites were performed, the emperor ordered the princes and ministers to ask the empress dowager not to attend; she too refused. In the twenty-eighth year the Ningshou New Palace was built, and the empress dowager was installed there.
54
三十五年十月，上北巡，太后萬壽，上奉書稱祝。 駐麗蘇，太后遣送衣裘，上奉書言：「時方燠，河未冰，帳房不須置火，俟嚴寒，即歡忭而服之。」
In the tenth month of the thirty-fifth year the emperor toured the north; on the empress dowager's birthday he sent a letter of congratulation. While encamped at Lisu, the empress dowager sent fur garments; the emperor replied in a letter, "The season is still warm, the rivers are not yet frozen, and the tent need not be heated; wait until the bitter cold, then put them on with joy."
55
三十六年二月，上親征噶爾丹，駐他喇布拉克。 太后以上生日，使賜金銀茶壺，上奉書拜受。 噶爾丹既定，羣臣請上加太后徽號壽康顯寧，太后以上不受尊號，亦堅諭不受。
In the second month of the thirty-sixth year the emperor personally campaigned against Galdan and encamped at Talaburak. On the emperor's birthday the empress dowager sent a gold and silver teapot as a gift; the emperor replied with a letter of grateful acceptance. After Galdan was subdued, the ministers asked that the emperor add the honorific Shoukang Xianning to the empress dowager's title; because the emperor himself refused honorific titles, she also firmly declined to accept them.
56
三十七年七月，奉太后幸盛京謁陵，道喀喇沁。 途中以太后父母葬發庫山，距蹕路二百裡，諭內大臣索額圖擇潔地，太后遙設祭。 十月，次奇爾賽畢喇，值太后萬壽，上詣行宮行禮，敕封太后所駐山曰壽山。
In the seventh month of the thirty-seventh year he accompanied the empress dowager to Shengjing to pay respects at the mausoleums, traveling by way of Kharachin. On the journey, because the empress dowager's parents were buried at Faku Mountain, two hundred li from the imperial route, he ordered Inner Minister Songgotu to select a suitable site, and the empress dowager offered rites from afar. In the tenth month he halted at Qiersai Bila on the empress dowager's birthday; the emperor went to the traveling palace to perform the rites and decreed that the mountain where she was staying be named Shou Mountain.
57
三十八年，上奉太后南巡。
In the thirty-eighth year the emperor accompanied the empress dowager on a southern tour.
58
三十九年十月，太后六十萬壽，上製《萬壽無疆賦》，並奉佛像，珊瑚，自鳴鐘，洋鏡，東珠，珊瑚、金珀、禦風石，念珠，皮裘，羽緞，哆羅呢，沈、檀、芸、降諸香，犀玉、瑪瑙、赩、漆諸器，宋、元、明名畫，金銀、幣帛； 又令膳房數米萬粒，號「萬國玉粒飯」，及餚饌、果品以獻。 四十九年，太后七十萬壽，亦如之。
In the tenth month of the thirty-ninth year, on the empress dowager's sixtieth birthday, the emperor composed the "Wanshou Wujiang Fu" and presented Buddha images, coral, self-ringing clocks, foreign mirrors, eastern pearls, golden amber, imperial wind stones, prayer beads, fur garments, feathered satin, doro ni, aloeswood, sandalwood, artemisia, and eaglewood incense, rhinoceros horn, jade, agate, cinnabar, and lacquer vessels, famous Song, Yuan, and Ming paintings, and gold, silver, and silks; He also had the imperial kitchen count out ten thousand grains of rice, called "Wanguo Yuli Fan," along with delicacies and fruits as offerings. In the forty-ninth year, on her seventieth birthday, he did the same.
59
五十六年十一月，太后不豫。 是歲，上春秋六十有四，方有疾，頭眩足腫，聞太后疾，以帕纏足，乘輭輿詣視，跪床下，捧太后手曰：「母后，臣在此！」 太后張目，畏明，障以手，視上，執上手，已不能語。 上力疾，於蒼震門內支幄以居。 丙戌，太后崩，年七十七。 上號慟盡禮。
In the eleventh month of the fifty-sixth year the empress dowager fell ill. That year the emperor was sixty-four; he himself was ill, dizzy and with swollen feet, but when he heard the empress dowager was ill he bound his feet with cloth, rode in a palanquin to see her, knelt beside the bed, took her hand, and said, "Mother Empress, I am here!" The empress dowager opened her eyes; she feared the light and shielded it with her hand, looked at the emperor, took his hand, but could no longer speak. Despite his illness the emperor pitched a tent and stayed within the Cangzhen Gate. On bingxu day the empress dowager died, aged seventy-seven. The emperor wailed and observed every rite of mourning.
60
五十七年三月，葬孝陵之東，曰孝東陵。 初上太后徽號，國有慶，必加上。 至雲南平定，曰仁憲恪順誠惠純淑端禧皇太后。 及崩，上諡，大學士等初議誤不系世祖諡，上令至太廟、奉先殿瞻禮高皇后、文皇后神位，大學士等引罪； 又以所擬諡未多留徽號字，命更議。 雍正、乾隆累加諡，曰孝惠仁憲端懿慈淑恭安純德順天翼聖章皇后。
In the third month of the fifty-seventh year she was buried east of the Xiaoling Mausoleum, at what is called the Xiaodong Mausoleum. When the emperor first granted her an honorific title, additional characters were appended whenever the state celebrated a great occasion. By the time Yunnan was pacified she was styled Empress Dowager Renxian Keshun Chenghui Chunshu Duanxi. After her death the emperor granted a posthumous title; the grand secretaries' initial proposal wrongly failed to link it to Shizu's posthumous title, and the emperor ordered them to pay respects at the spirit tablets of Empress Gao and Empress Wen in the Imperial Ancestral Temple and the Hall for Venerating Ancestors; the grand secretaries accepted blame; He also said the proposed posthumous title retained too few characters from her honorific title and ordered them to deliberate again. Yongzheng and Qianlong added further posthumous honorifics until she was styled Empress Xiaohui Renxian Duanyi Cishu Gong'an Chunde Shuntian Yisheng Zhang.
61
孝康章皇后，佟佳氏，少保、固山額真佟圖賴女。 -{后}-初入宮，為世祖妃。 春，妃詣太后宮問安，將出，衣裾有光若龍繞，太后問之，知有姙，謂近侍曰：「朕姙皇帝實有斯祥，今妃亦有是，生子必膺大福。」 三月戊申，聖祖生。 聖祖即位，尊為皇太后。 康熙二年二月庚戌，崩，年二十四。 初上徽號曰慈和皇太后。 及崩，葬孝陵，上諡。 雍正、乾隆累加諡，曰孝康慈和莊懿恭惠溫穆端靖崇天育聖章皇后。 后家佟氏，本漢軍，上命改佟佳氏，入滿洲。 后族擡旗自此始。 子一，聖祖。
Empress Xiaokang Zhang, of the Tunggiya clan, was the daughter of Junior Guardian and Gushan Ejen Tuwalai. When she first entered the palace she was a consort of Shizu. In spring the consort went to the empress dowager's palace to pay her respects; as she was leaving, light like a dragon coiling appeared on the hem of her robe. The empress dowager asked about it, learned she was pregnant, and said to those near at hand, "When I was pregnant with the emperor there was truly this auspicious sign; now the consort has it too—her child will surely receive great fortune." In the third month, on wushen day, Shengzu was born. When Shengzu acceded to the throne, she was honored as empress dowager. In the second month of Kangxi 2, on gengxu day, she died, aged twenty-four. When first granted an honorific title she was styled Empress Dowager Cihe. After her death she was buried at the Xiaoling Mausoleum, and the emperor granted a posthumous title. Yongzheng and Qianlong added further posthumous honorifics until she was styled Empress Xiaokang Cihe Zhuangyi Gonghui Wenmu Duanjing Chongtian Yusheng Zhang. The empress's clan, the Tong clan, had originally been Han Banner; the emperor ordered that they be changed to the Tunggiya clan and enrolled in the Manchu banners. The practice of elevating an empress's clan to a higher banner began with her. She bore one son, Shengzu.
62
孝獻皇后，董鄂氏，內大臣鄂碩女。 年十八入侍，上眷之特厚，寵冠後宮。 八月，立為賢妃。 十二月，進皇貴妃，行冊立禮，頒赦。 上皇太后徽號，鄂碩本以軍功授一等精奇尼哈番，進三等伯。 十七年八月，薨，上輟朝五日。 追諡孝獻莊和至德宣仁溫惠端敬皇后。
Empress Xiaoxian, of the Donggo clan, was the daughter of Inner Minister Eshu. At eighteen she entered service; the emperor favored her above all others, and her favor surpassed every woman in the rear palace. In the eighth month she was made Worthy Consort. In the twelfth month she was advanced to Grand Imperial Noble Consort; the investiture rites were performed and a general amnesty was proclaimed. When the emperor granted the empress dowager an honorific title, Eshu, who had originally been granted a first-rank jingqi nihaan for military merit, was advanced to a third-rank earl. In the eighth month of the seventeenth year she died; the emperor suspended court for five days. She was posthumously titled Empress Xiaoxian Zhuanghe Zhide Xuanren Wenhui Duanjing.
63
上親製行狀，略曰：「-{后}-婗靜循禮，事皇太后，奉養甚至，左右趨走，皇太后安之。 事朕，晨夕候興居，視飲食服御，曲體罔不悉。 朕返蹕晏，必迎問寒暑，意少𠙏，則曰：『陛下歸晚，體得毋倦耶？』 趣具餐，躬進之，命共餐，則辭。 朕值慶典，舉數觴，必誡侍者，室無過燠，中夜罝罝起視。 朕省封事，夜分，未嘗不侍側。 諸曹循例章報，朕輒置之，-{后}-曰：『此雖奉行成法，安知無當更張，或有他故？ 奈何忽之！』 令同閱，起謝：『不敢干政。』 覽廷讞疏，握筆未忍下，-{后}-問是疏安所云，朕諭之，則泣曰：『諸辟皆愚無知，豈盡無冤？ 宜求可矜宥者全活之！』 大臣偶得罪，朕或不樂，-{后}-輒請霽威詳察。 朕偶免朝，則諫毋倦勤。 日講後，與言章句大義，輒喜。 偶遺忘，則諫：『當服膺默識。』 蒐狩，親騎射，則諫：『毋以萬邦仰庇之身，輕於馳驟。』 偶有未稱旨，朕或加譙讓，始猶自明無過； 及聞姜-{后}-脫簪事，即有宜辯者，但引咎自責而已。 -{后}-至節儉，不用金玉。 誦四書及易已卒業； 習書，未久即精。 朕喻以禪學，參究若有所省。 -{后}-初病，皇太后使問安否，必對曰：『安。』 疾甚，朕及今-{后}-、諸妃、嬪環視之，-{后}-曰：『吾殆將不起，此中澄定，亦無所苦，獨不及酬皇太后暨陛下恩萬一。 妾歿，陛下宜自愛！ 惟皇太后必傷悼，奈何？』 既又令以諸王賻施貧乏，復屬左右毋以珍麗物斂。 歿後，皇太后哀之甚。」 行狀數千言，又命大學士金之俊別作傳。 是歲，命秋讞停決，從-{后}-志也。
The emperor personally composed a biographical account, which in summary says: "The empress was gentle, quiet, and observant of ritual; in serving the empress dowager she attended her with utmost devotion, ever at her side, and the empress dowager was at ease. In serving me she attended morning and evening to my rising and resting, watched over my food, drink, and apparel, and left no detail unattended. When I returned late from the road she always came to ask after the cold or heat; if I seemed slightly weary she would say, 'Your Majesty returned late—are you not tired?' She would hasten to prepare a meal and serve it herself; when ordered to dine together she would decline. When I attended a celebration and drank several cups she always admonished the attendants that the room must not be too warm, and at midnight she would rise again and again to look in on me. When I reviewed sealed memorials late into the night she never failed to stay at my side. When the various offices submitted routine reports according to precedent I would set them aside; the empress would say, 'Though these follow established regulations, how can one know that nothing needs revision, or that there is no other cause? How can you neglect them!' She would have me review them together, then rise and apologize: 'I dare not interfere in governance.' When I reviewed court verdict memorials and held the brush, unable to bring myself to sign, the empress would ask what the memorial concerned; when I explained it she would weep and say, 'Those condemned are all foolish and ignorant—can none of them be wrongfully accused? You should seek out those who may be pitied and spared and preserve their lives!' When a minister occasionally gave offense and I was displeased, the empress would always ask that I clear my wrath and examine the matter carefully. When I occasionally excused myself from court she would remonstrate that I must not weary of diligence. After the daily lecture, when I discussed with her the larger meaning of the passages she would always rejoice. When I occasionally forgot, she would remonstrate: 'You should take it to heart and commit it to silent memory.' When I went hunting and rode and shot myself, she would remonstrate: 'Do not lightly expose the body on which all the realm relies for shelter to galloping and racing.' When something occasionally displeased me, I might reprove and blame her; at first she would still insist she had done nothing wrong; After she heard of Empress Jiang's removing-her-hairpin affair, even when there were matters that called for defense, she would only take blame upon herself. The empress was extremely frugal and did not use gold or jade. She had completed the Four Books and the Changes; In calligraphy, before long she became accomplished. When I taught her Chan Buddhism and she studied it with me, she seemed to gain some insight. When the empress first fell ill, the empress dowager sent someone to ask after her health; she always replied: 'Well.' When the illness grew severe, I together with the present empress, the various consorts and ladies-in-waiting gathered around her; the empress said: 'I fear I shall not rise again; within I am clear and at peace and feel no pain; only that I cannot repay even one ten-thousandth of the empress dowager's and Your Majesty's grace. When I am gone, Your Majesty should take care of yourself! The empress dowager will surely grieve deeply—what is to be done?' She then also ordered that the funeral gifts from the princes be given to the poor, and again charged those near her not to bury her with precious and fine objects. After her death the empress dowager grieved for her deeply." The biographical account ran to several thousand characters, and he also ordered Grand Secretary Jin Zhijun to write a separate biography. That year he ordered that autumn criminal verdicts be suspended, in accordance with the empress's wish.
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時鄂碩已前卒，-{后}-世父羅碩，授一等阿思哈尼哈番。 及上崩，遺詔以-{后}-喪祭逾禮為罪己之一。 ，合葬孝陵，主不祔廟，歲時配食饗殿。 子一，生三月而殤，未命名。
By then Eshu had already died; the empress's great-uncle Luoshuo was granted a first-rank ashan i haan. When the emperor died, his testamentary edict listed excessive mourning sacrifices for the empress as one of his self-reproaches. She was buried together at the Xiaoling Mausoleum; her tablet was not enshrined in the ancestral temple; at the seasonal sacrifices she received offerings in the Hall of Communal Feasting. She bore one son, who died in infancy at three months and was never given a name.
65
貞妃，棟鄂氏，一等阿達哈哈番巴度女。 殉世祖。 聖祖追封為皇考貞妃。
Consort Zhen, of the Donggo clan, was the daughter of Badu, a first-rank adaha haan. She followed Shizu in death. Shengzu posthumously enfeoffed her as Imperial Father's Consort Zhen.
66
淑惠妃，博爾濟吉特氏，孝惠皇后妹也。 ，冊為妃。 ，尊封皇考淑惠妃。 妃最老壽，以五十二年十月薨。
Imperial Consort Shuhui, of the Borjigit clan, was a younger sister of Empress Xiaohui. She was invested as consort. She was honored as Imperial Father's Imperial Consort Shuhui. She lived longer than any of the others, dying in the tenth month of the fifty-second year.
67
同時尊封者：浩齊特博爾濟吉特氏為恭靖妃，阿霸垓博爾濟吉特氏為端順妃，皆無所出； 棟鄂氏為寧慤妃，在世祖時號庶妃，子一，福全。 又恪妃，石氏，灤州人，吏部侍郎申女。 世祖嘗選漢官女備六宮，妃與焉。 居永壽宮。 薨，聖祖追封皇考恪妃。
Those honored at the same time were Haqit Borjigit as Imperial Consort Gongjing and Abagai Borjigit as Imperial Consort Duanshun—neither bore children; The Donggo woman was made Imperial Consort Ningque; during Shizu's reign she was called a lesser consort; she bore one son, Fuquan. Also Imperial Consort Ke, née Shi, a native of Luanzhou, daughter of Vice Minister Shen of the Board of Civil Office. Shizu once selected daughters of Han officials to fill the six palaces; the consort was among them. She resided in the Yongshou Palace. When she died, Shengzu posthumously enfeoffed her as Imperial Father's Imperial Consort Ke.
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又在三妃前，世祖庶妃有子女者，又有八人：*穆克圖氏，子永幹，八歲殤； *巴氏，子鈕鈕，為世祖長子，二歲殤，女二，一六歲殤，一七歲殤； *陳氏，子一，常寧； *唐氏，子一，奇授，七歲殤； *鈕氏，子一，隆禧； *楊氏，女一，下嫁納爾杜； *烏蘇氏，女一，八歲殤； *納喇氏，女一，五歲殤。
Also, before these three consorts, among Shizu's lesser consorts who had children, there were eight more: *Muketu clan, son Yonggan, died in infancy at eight; *Ba clan, son Niuniu, Shizu's eldest son, died in infancy at two; two daughters, one died at six and one at seven; *Chen clan, one son, Changning; *Tang clan, one son, Qishou, died in infancy at seven; *Niohuru clan, one son, Longxi; *Yang clan, one daughter who married Naerdu; *Usu clan, one daughter, died in infancy at eight; *Nara clan, one daughter, died in infancy at five.
69
孝誠仁皇后，赫舍里氏，輔政大臣、一等大臣索尼孫，領侍衛內大臣噶布喇女。 七月，冊為皇后。 十三年五月丙寅，生皇二子允礽，即於是日崩，年二十二。 諡曰仁孝皇后。 二十年，葬孝東陵之東，即景陵也。 ，改諡。 乾隆、嘉慶累加諡，曰孝誠恭肅正惠安和淑懿恪敏儷天襄聖仁皇后。 子二：承祐，四歲殤； 允礽。
Empress Xiaocheng Ren, of the Heseri clan, was the daughter of Grand Secretary of the Interior Gabul'a, grandson of the regent minister and first-rank minister Suoni. In the seventh month she was invested as empress. In the thirteenth year, on bingyin day in the fifth month, she bore the second imperial son Yunreng, and died that same day, aged twenty-two. She was posthumously titled Empress Renxiao. In the twentieth year she was buried east of the Xiaodong Mausoleum, at what is called the Jing Mausoleum. Her posthumous title was later revised. Qianlong and Jiaqing added further posthumous honorifics until she was styled Empress Xiaocheng Gongsu Zhenghui Anhe Shuyi Kemin Litian Xiangsheng Ren. She bore two sons: Chengyou, who died in infancy at four; and Yunreng.
70
孝昭仁皇后，鈕祜祿氏，一等公遏必隆女。 初為妃。 八月，冊為皇后。 十七年二月丁卯，崩。 二十年，與仁孝皇后同葬。 上每謁孝陵，輒臨仁孝、孝昭兩-{后}-陵奠醊。 乾隆、嘉慶累加諡，曰孝昭靜淑明惠正和安裕端穆欽天順聖仁皇后。
Empress Xiaozhao Ren, of the Niohuru clan, was the daughter of first-rank duke Ebilun. At first she was a consort. In the eighth month she was invested as empress. In the seventeenth year, on dingmao day in the second month, she died. In the twentieth year she was buried together with Empress Renxiao. Whenever the emperor visited the Xiaoling Mausoleum, he would always go to the tombs of Empresses Renxiao and Xiaozhao to offer libations. Qianlong and Jiaqing added further posthumous honorifics until she was styled Empress Xiaozhao Jingshu Minghui Zhenghe Anyu Duanmu Qintian Shunsheng Ren.
71
孝懿仁皇后，佟佳氏，一等公佟國維女，孝康章皇后侄女也。 ，為貴妃。 二十年，進皇貴妃。 二十八年七月，病篤，冊為皇后。 翌日甲辰，崩。 諡曰孝懿皇后。 是冬，葬仁孝、孝昭兩-{后}-之次。 雍正、乾隆、嘉慶累加諡，曰孝懿溫誠端仁憲穆和恪慈惠奉天佐聖仁皇后。 女一，殤。
Empress Xiaoyi Ren, of the Tunggiya clan, was the daughter of first-rank duke Tong Guowei and a niece of Empress Xiaokang Zhang. She was made Noble Consort. In the twentieth year she was advanced to Grand Imperial Noble Consort. In the seventh month of the twenty-eighth year, gravely ill, she was invested as empress. The next day, on jiachen day, she died. She was posthumously titled Empress Xiaoyi. That winter she was buried beside Empresses Renxiao and Xiaozhao. Yongzheng, Qianlong, and Jiaqing added further posthumous honorifics until she was styled Empress Xiaoyi Wencheng Duanren Xianmu Heke Cihui Fengtian Zuosheng Ren. She bore one daughter, who died in infancy.
72
孝恭仁皇后，烏雅氏，護軍參領威武女。 後事聖祖。 十月丁酉，世宗生。 十八年，為德嬪。 二十年，進德妃。 世宗即位，尊為皇太后，擬上徽號曰仁壽皇太后，未上冊。 五月辛丑，崩，年六十四。 葬景陵。 上諡，曰孝恭宣惠溫肅定裕慈純欽穆贊天承聖仁皇后。 子三：世宗，允禵，允祚。 允祚六歲殤。 女三：其二殤，一下嫁舜安顏。
Empress Xiaogong Ren, of the Uya clan, was the daughter of Deputy Commander of the Guards Weihe. Later she attended Shengzu. In the tenth month, on dingyou day, Shizong was born. In the eighteenth year she was made Lady of Virtue. In the twentieth year she was advanced to Consort of Virtue. When Shizong acceded to the throne, she was honored as empress dowager; an honorific title of Empress Dowager Renshou was prepared, but the investiture ceremony was never performed. In the fifth month, on xinchou day, she died, aged sixty-four. She was buried at the Jing Mausoleum. The emperor granted a posthumous title, styling her Empress Xiaogong Xuanhui Wensu Dingyu Cichun Qinmu Zantian Chengsheng Ren. She bore three sons: Shizong, Yunti, and Yunzuo. Yunzuo died in infancy at six. She bore three daughters: two died in infancy; one married Shun'anyan.
73
敬敏皇貴妃，章佳氏。 事聖祖為妃。 康熙三十八年，薨。 諡曰敏妃。 雍正初，世宗以其子怡親王允祥賢，追進封。 妃又生女二，下嫁倉津、多爾濟。
Imperial Noble Consort Jingmin, of the Zhangjia clan. She attended Shengzu as consort. In Kangxi 38 she died. She was posthumously titled Consort Min. In the early Yongzheng reign Shizong, because his son Prince Yi Yunxiang was worthy, advanced her posthumous enfeoffment. The consort also bore two daughters, who married Cangjin and Duo'erji.
74
定妃，萬琉哈氏。 事聖祖為嬪。 世宗尊為皇考定妃。 就養其子履親王允祹邸。 高宗朝，歲時伏臘，輒迎入宮中上壽，然未進尊封。 薨年九十七。
Imperial Consort Ding, of the Wanliuha clan. She attended Shengzu as lady-in-waiting. Shizong honored her as Imperial Father's Imperial Consort Ding. She was supported at the residence of her son Prince Lu Yunyou. During the Gaozong reign, at the seasonal festivals she was always invited into the palace to receive birthday felicitations, yet no further honored enfeoffment was granted. She died aged ninety-seven.
75
通嬪，納喇氏。 事聖祖為貴人。 雍正二年，世宗以其壻喀爾喀郡王策稜功，尊封。 乾隆九年，薨。 子二：萬黼，五歲殤； 允禶，二歲殤。 女一。
Lady Tong, of the Nara clan. She attended Shengzu as noble lady. In Yongzheng 2 Shizong honored her because her son-in-law, Khalkha Prince of the Commandery of the First Rank Celeng, had rendered meritorious service. In Qianlong 9 she died. She bore two sons: Wanfu, who died in infancy at five; and Yuntao, who died in infancy at two. She bore one daughter.
76
惇怡皇貴妃，瓜爾佳氏。 事聖祖為和妃。 世宗尊為皇考貴妃。 高宗尊為皇祖溫惠皇貴太妃。 ，薨，年八十六。 諡曰惇怡皇貴妃。 葬景陵側皇貴妃園寢。 女一，殤。 聖祖諸妃，妃薨最後。
Imperial Noble Consort Dunyi, of the Guwalgiya clan. She attended Shengzu as Consort He. Shizong honored her as Imperial Father's Noble Consort. Gaozong honored her as Imperial Grandfather's Grand Imperial Consort Wenhuic. She died, aged eighty-six. She was posthumously titled Imperial Noble Consort Dunyi. She was buried in the imperial noble consort garden tomb beside the Jing Mausoleum. She bore one daughter, who died in infancy. Of Shengzu's consorts, she was the last to die.
77
乾隆初，同時尊封者：慤惠皇貴妃，佟佳氏，孝懿皇后妹。 事聖祖為貴妃。 世宗尊為皇考皇貴妃。 高宗尊為皇祖壽祺皇貴太妃。 薨，諡曰慤惠皇貴妃。
Early in Qianlong, those simultaneously honored included Imperial Noble Consort Quehui, of the Tunggiya clan, younger sister of Empress Xiaoyi. She attended Shengzu as Imperial Consort. Shizong honored her as Imperial Father's Imperial Noble Consort. Gaozong honored her as Imperial Grandfather's Grand Imperial Consort Shouqi. She died and was posthumously titled Imperial Noble Consort Quehui.
78
順懿密太妃，王氏。 初為密嬪，自密妃尊封。 子三：允琶、允祿、允祄，允祄八歲殤。
Grand Imperial Consort Shunyi Mi, of the Wang clan. She was initially Lady Mi and was promoted from Consort Mi. She bore three sons: Yunpa, Yunlu, and Yunxie; Yunxie died in infancy at eight.
79
純裕勤太妃，陳氏。 初為勤嬪，自勤妃尊封。 子一，允禮。 襄嬪，高氏。 自貴人尊封。 子一，允禕。 女一，殤。
Grand Imperial Consort Chunyu Qin, of the Chen clan. She was initially Lady Qin and was promoted from Consort Qin. She bore one son, Yunli. Lady Xiang, of the Gao clan. She was promoted from Lady of Attendance. She bore one son, Yunxi. She bore one daughter, who died in infancy.
80
謹嬪，色赫圖氏。 自貴人尊封。 子一，允祜。
Lady Jin, of the Sehetu clan. She was promoted from Lady of Attendance. She bore one son, Yunhu.
81
靜嬪，石氏。 自貴人尊封。 子一，允祁。
Lady Jing, of the Shi clan. She was promoted from Lady of Attendance. She bore one son, Yunqi.
82
熙嬪，陳氏。 自貴人尊封。 子一，允禧。
Lady Xi, of the Chen clan. She was promoted from Lady of Attendance. She bore one son, Yunxi.
83
穆嬪，陳氏。 自貴人卒後追尊封。 子一，允祕。
Lady Mu, of the Chen clan. After her death she was posthumously promoted from Lady of Attendance. She bore one son, Yunmi.
84
其卒於康熙中及雖下逮雍正、乾隆而未尊封者，又有：溫僖貴妃，鈕祜祿氏，孝昭皇后妹。 子一，允䄉。 女一，殤。
Those who died during the Kangxi reign, and those who lived on into Yongzheng and Qianlong but received no posthumous honors, included Imperial Consort Wenxi, of the Niohuru clan, younger sister of Empress Xiaozhao. She bore one son, Yungeng. She bore one daughter, who died in infancy.
85
惠妃，納喇氏。 子二：承慶，殤； 允禔。
Consort Hui, of the Nara clan. She bore two sons: Chengqing, who died in infancy; and Yunti.
86
宜妃，郭絡羅氏。 當聖祖崩時，妃方病，以四人舁軟榻詣喪所，出太后前，世宗見之，又傲，世宗為詰責宮監。 子三：允祺、允禟、允禌，允禌十二歲殤。
Consort Yi, of the Guwalgiya clan. When Shengzu died the consort was ill; four men carried her on a couch to the mourning hall. When she appeared before the empress dowager, Shizong saw it and was again displeased, and he reprimanded the palace eunuchs. She bore three sons: Yunqi, Yuntang, and Yunxi; Yunxi died in infancy at twelve.
87
榮妃，馬佳氏。 子五：承瑞，為聖祖長子，四歲殤； 賽音察渾，長華，長生皆殤； 允祉。 女一，下嫁烏爾滾。
Consort Rong, of the Majia clan. She bore five sons: Chengrui, Shengzu's eldest son, who died in infancy at four; Saiyinchahun, Changhua, and Changsheng, all of whom died in infancy; and Yunshe. She bore one daughter, who married Wuergun.
88
成妃，戴佳氏。 子一，允祐。
Consort Cheng, of the Daijia clan. She bore one son, Yunyou.
89
良妃，衛氏。 子一，允禩。
Consort Liang, of the Wei clan. She bore one son, Yunsi.
90
平妃，赫舍里氏，孝誠皇后妹。 子一，允禨，殤。
Consort Ping, of the Hesheli clan, younger sister of Empress Xiaocheng. She bore one son, Yunxi, who died in infancy.
91
端嬪，董氏。 女一，殤。
Lady Duan, of the Dong clan. She bore one daughter, who died in infancy.
92
貴人，兆佳氏。 女一，下嫁噶爾臧。
Lady of Attendance, of the Zhaojia clan. She bore one daughter, who married Ga'erzang.
93
郭絡羅氏，宜妃妹。 子一，允䄔，殤。 女一，下嫁敦多布多爾濟。
Of the Guwalgiya clan, younger sister of Consort Yi. She bore one son, Yungeng, who died in infancy. She bore one daughter, who married Dunduobuduo'erji.
94
袁氏，女一，下嫁孫承運。
Of the Yuan clan: one daughter, who married Sun Chengyun.
95
陳氏，子一，允禐，殤。
Of the Chen clan: one son, Yunyi, who died in infancy.
96
庶妃，鈕祜祿氏，女一；
Lesser consort, of the Niohuru clan, one daughter;
97
張氏，女二；
Of the Zhang clan, two daughters;
98
王氏，女一；
Of the Wang clan, one daughter;
99
劉氏，女一：皆殤。
Of the Liu clan, one daughter: all died in infancy.
100
世宗孝敬憲皇后，烏喇那拉氏，內大臣費揚古女。 世宗為皇子，聖祖冊-{后}-為嫡福晉。 ，冊為皇后。 九年九月己丑，崩。 時上病初癒，欲親臨含斂，諸大臣諫止。 上諭曰：「皇后自垂髫之年，奉皇考命，作配朕躬。 結褵以來，四十餘載，孝順恭敬，始終一致。 朕調理經年，今始全愈，若親臨喪次，觸景增悲，非攝養所宜。 但皇后喪事，國家典儀雖備，而朕禮數未周。 權衡輕重，如何使情文兼盡，其具議以聞。」 諸大臣議，以明會典皇后喪無親臨祭奠之禮，令皇子朝夕奠，遇祭，例可遣官，乞停親奠，從之。 諡孝敬皇后。 及世宗崩，合葬泰陵。 乾隆、嘉慶累加諡，曰孝敬恭和懿順昭惠莊肅安康佐天翊聖憲皇后。
Empress Xiaojing Xian of Shizong, of the Ula Nara clan, was the daughter of Grand Secretary Feiyanggu. When Shizong was a prince, Shengzu invested her as primary consort. When he acceded, she was invested as empress. In the ninth year, ninth month, on jichou day, she died. The emperor had just recovered from illness and wished to attend the laying-in-state in person, but the ministers remonstrated and stopped him. The emperor issued an edict saying: "Since the empress was a child, by my father's command she was joined to me as consort. Since our marriage more than forty years ago, she has been filial, obedient, and reverent, consistent from first to last. I have been convalescing for years and have only now fully recovered; if I personally attend the mourning hall, the sight will increase my grief, which is not suitable for my recuperation. Yet in the empress's funeral, though the state's canonical rites are complete, my personal observances are not thorough. Weigh what is light and heavy, and deliberate on how to fulfill both feeling and ritual completely; submit a detailed report." The ministers deliberated that according to the Ming Statutes there was no ritual for the emperor to personally attend memorial offerings at an empress's funeral; princes should offer morning and evening libations, and when sacrifices occurred officials could be dispatched as precedent permitted; they begged that personal attendance be stopped, and the emperor assented. She was posthumously titled Empress Xiaojing. When Shizong died, she was buried with him at the Tai Mausoleum. Qianlong and Jiaqing added further posthumous honorifics until she was styled Empress Xiaojing Gonghe Yishun Zhaohui Zhuangsu Ankang Zuotian Yisheng Xian.
101
孝聖憲皇后，鈕祜祿氏，四品典儀凌柱女。 -{后}-年十三，事世宗潛邸，號格格。 八月庚午，高宗生。 雍正中，封熹妃，進熹貴妃。 高宗即位，以世宗遺命，尊為皇太后，居慈寧宮。 高宗事太后孝，以天下養，惟亦兢兢守家法，重國體。 太后偶言順天府東有廢寺當重修，上從之。 即召宮監，諭：「汝等嘗侍聖祖，幾曾見昭聖太后當日令聖祖修蓋廟宇？ 嗣後當奏止！」 宮監引悟真庵尼入內，導太后弟入蒼震門謝恩，上屢誡之。 上每出巡幸，輒奉太后以行，南巡者三，東巡者三，幸五台山者三，幸中州者一。 謁孝陵，獮木蘭，歲必至焉。 遇萬壽，率王大臣奉觴稱慶。
Empress Xiaosheng Xian, of the Niohuru clan, was the daughter of Fourth-rank Dianyi Lingzhu. At thirteen she attended Shizong's princely household and was styled gege. In the eighth month, on gengwu day, Gaozong was born. During Yongzheng she was made Consort Xi and advanced to Noble Consort Xi. When Gaozong acceded to the throne, by Shizong's testament she was honored as empress dowager and resided in the Cining Palace. Gaozong was filial toward the empress dowager and provided for her with the wealth of the realm, yet he also carefully upheld household discipline and the dignity of the state. The empress dowager casually mentioned that east of Shuntian Prefecture there was an abandoned temple that should be restored, and the emperor agreed. He immediately summoned the palace eunuchs and instructed them: "You once attended Shengzu—when did you ever see Empress Dowager Zhaosheng in her day have Shengzu repair or build temples? Hereafter you must memorialize to stop it!" The palace eunuchs brought nuns from Wuzhen Nunnery into the palace and guided the empress dowager's younger brother through the Cangzhen Gate to offer thanks; the emperor repeatedly admonished them. Whenever the emperor went on tour he always brought the empress dowager along: three southern tours, three eastern tours, three visits to Wutaishan, and one tour of the Central Plains. Paying respects at the Xia Mausoleum and hunting at Mulan, he went every year without fail. On her birthday celebrations he led princes and ministers to offer toasts and offer congratulations.
102
四十二年正月庚寅，崩，年八十六。 葬泰陵東北，曰泰東陵。 初尊太后，上徽號。 國有慶，屢加上，曰崇德慈宣康惠敦和裕壽純禧恭懿安祺寧豫皇太后。 既葬，上諡。 嘉慶中，再加諡，曰孝聖慈宣康惠敦和誠徽仁穆敬天光聖憲皇后。 子一，高宗。
In the forty-second year, first month, on gengyin day, she died, aged eighty-six. She was buried northeast of the Tai Mausoleum, called the Taidong Mausoleum. When she was first honored as empress dowager, an honorific title was conferred. When the state had celebrations, additional honorifics were repeatedly added until she was styled Empress Dowager Chongde Cixuan Kanghui Dunhe Yushou Chunxi Gongyi Anqi Ningyu. After burial the emperor granted a posthumous title. During Jiaqing further posthumous honorifics were added until she was styled Empress Xiaosheng Cixuan Kanghui Dunhe Chenghui Renmu Jingtian Guangsheng Xian. She bore one son, Gaozong.
103
敦肅皇貴妃，年氏，巡撫遐齡女。 事世宗潛邸，為側福晉。 ，封貴妃。 三年十一月，妃病篤，進皇貴妃。 並諭妃病如不起，禮儀視皇貴妃例行。 妃薨逾月，妃兄羹堯得罪死。 諡曰敦肅皇貴妃。 乾隆初，從葬泰陵。 子三：福宜、福惠、福沛，皆殤。 女一，亦殤。
Imperial Noble Consort Dunsu, of the Nian clan, was the daughter of Governor Xialling. She attended Shizong's princely household as side primary consort. She was made Imperial Consort. In the eleventh month of the third year, gravely ill, she was advanced to Imperial Noble Consort. It was also decreed that if her illness proved fatal, the funeral rites should follow the precedent for an imperial noble consort. More than a month after she died, her elder brother Nian Gengyao was found guilty and executed. She was posthumously titled Imperial Noble Consort Dunsu. Early in Qianlong she was buried with him at the Tai Mausoleum. She bore three sons: Fuyi, Fuhui, and Fupei; all died in infancy. She bore one daughter, who also died in infancy.
104
純慤皇貴妃，耿氏。 事世宗潛邸，為格格。 雍正間，封裕嬪，進裕妃。 高宗時，屢加尊為裕皇貴太妃。 ，薨，年九十六。 諡曰純慤皇貴妃。 葬妃園寢，位諸妃上。 子一，弘晝。
Imperial Noble Consort Chunque, of the Geng clan. She attended Shizong's princely household as gege. During Yongzheng she was made Lady Yu and advanced to Consort Yu. During Gaozong's reign she was repeatedly honored as Grand Imperial Consort Yu. She died, aged ninety-six. She was posthumously titled Imperial Noble Consort Chunque. She was buried in the consort garden tomb, placed above the other consorts. She bore one son, Hongzhou.
105
世宗諸妃，又有：*齊妃，李氏。 事世宗潛邸，為側室福晉。 雍正間，封齊妃。 子三：弘盼、弘昀，皆殤； 弘時。 女一，下嫁星德。 *謙妃，劉氏。 事世宗潛邸，號貴人。 雍正間，封謙嬪。 高宗尊為皇考謙妃。 子一，弘適。 *懋嬪，宋氏。 事世宗，號格格。 雍正初，封懋嬪。 女二，皆殤。
Shizong's consorts also included: *Consort Qi, of the Li clan. She attended Shizong's princely household as side chamber primary consort. During Yongzheng she was made Consort Qi. She bore three sons: Hongpan and Hongyun, both of whom died in infancy; and Hongshi. She bore one daughter, who married Xingde. *Consort Qian, of the Liu clan. She attended Shizong's princely household and was styled Lady of Attendance. During Yongzheng she was made Lady Qian. Gaozong honored her as Imperial Father's Consort Qian. She bore one son, Hongshi. *Lady Mao, of the Song clan. She attended Shizong and was styled gege. Early in Yongzheng she was made Lady Mao. She bore two daughters, both of whom died in infancy.
106
高宗孝賢純皇后，富察氏，察哈爾總管李榮保女。 高宗為皇子，，世宗冊-{后}-為嫡福晉。 ，冊為皇后。 -{后}-恭儉，平居以通草絨花為飾，不御珠翠。 歲時以鹿羔沴毧制為荷包進上，仿先世關外遺制，示不忘本也。 上甚重之。 十三年，從上東巡，還蹕，三月乙未，-{后}-崩於德州舟次，年三十七。 上深慟，兼程還京師，殯於長春宮，服縞素十二日。
Empress Xiaoxian Chun of Gaozong, of the Fuca clan, was the daughter of Chahar Commander Li Rongbao. When Gaozong was a prince, Shizong invested her as primary consort. When he acceded, she was invested as empress. The empress was respectful and frugal; in daily life she adorned herself with tongcao velvet flowers and did not wear pearls or kingfisher feathers. At New Year she made pouches from deerskin and down for the emperor, imitating the old customs beyond the pass to show she did not forget her origins. The emperor greatly valued this. In the thirteenth year, accompanying the emperor on an eastern tour, on the return journey, third month on yiwei day, the empress died aboard ship at Dezhou, aged thirty-seven. The emperor grieved deeply, hurried back to the capital by forced marches, laid her in state at the Changchun Palace, and wore unhemmed white mourning for twelve days.
107
初，皇貴妃高佳氏薨，上諡以慧賢，-{后}-在側，曰：「吾他日期以「孝賢」，可乎？」 至是，上遂用為諡。 並製《述悲賦》，曰：「《易》何以首乾坤？ 《詩》何以首《關睢》？ 惟人倫之伊始，固天儷之與齊。 念懿-{后}-之作配，廿二年而於斯。 痛一旦之永訣，隔陰陽而莫知。 昔皇考之命偶，用掄德於名門。 俾逑予而屍藻，定嘉禮於渭濱。 在青宮而養德，即治壺而淑身。 縱糟糠之未歷，實同甘而共辛。 乃其正位坤寧，克贊乾清。 奉慈闈之溫凊，為九卿之儀型。 克儉於家，爰始繅品而育繭； 克勤於邦，亦知較雨而課晴。 嗟予命之不辰兮，痛元嫡之連棄。 致黯然以內傷兮，遂邈爾而長逝。 撫諸子如一出兮，豈彼此之分視？ 值乖舛之疊遘兮，誰不增夫怨懟？ 況顧予之傷悼兮，更怳悢而切意。 尚強歡以相慰兮，每禁情而制淚。 制淚兮淚滴襟，強歡兮歡匪心。 聿當春而啟轡，隨予駕以東臨。 抱輕疾兮念衆勞，促歸程兮變故遭。 登畫舫兮陳翟褕，由潞河兮還內朝。 去內朝兮時未幾，致邂逅兮怨無已。 切自尤兮不可追，論生平兮定於此。 影與形兮難去一，居忽忽兮如有失。 對嬪嬙兮想芳型，顧和敬兮憐弱質。 望湘浦兮何先徂，求北海兮乏神術。 循喪儀兮愴徒然，例展禽兮諡孝賢。 思遺徽之莫盡兮，詎兩字之能宣。 包四德而首出兮，謂庶幾其可傳。 驚時序之代謝兮，屆十旬而迅如。 覩新昌而增慟兮，陳舊物而憶初。 亦有時而暫弭兮，旋觸緒而欷歔。 信人生之如夢兮，了萬事之皆虛。 嗚呼，悲莫悲兮生別離，失內位兮孰予隨？ 入淑房兮闃寂，披鳳幄兮空垂。 春風秋月兮盡於此已，夏日冬夜兮知復何時？」
Earlier, when Imperial Noble Consort Gao died, the emperor granted the posthumous epithet Huixian; the empress was at his side and said, "When my time comes, might you style me Xiaoxian?" Now the emperor adopted it as her posthumous title. He also composed the "Lamentation of Grief," which says: "Why does the Changes begin with Qian and Kun? Why does the Poetry begin with 'Guanju'? Only at the outset of human relations are heaven's paired partners joined as one. Remembering when the worthy empress became my consort—twenty-two years have passed to this day. I grieve that in one morning she parted forever, divided by yin and yang with no knowledge of each other. Of old my father commanded my marriage, selecting virtue from a distinguished clan. He gave her to me to serve at the ancestral altar and established the auspicious rites on the Wei riverbank. In the eastern palace she cultivated virtue and governed the inner household with modest conduct. Though we had not yet shared coarse fare, we truly shared sweetness and bitterness alike. Then she took her place in the Kun Ning Palace and helped uphold the Qian Qing Hall. She attended the empress dowager with warm care in winter and cool in summer, and was a model for the nine ministers. Frugal in the household, she began by reeling silk and raising silkworms; diligent in state affairs, she also concerned herself with comparing rainfall and assessing clear skies. Alas that my fate is ill-starred—I mourn that my sons by the primary consort were taken one after another. This inward sorrow leaves me wan, and she has passed far away. She treated all the sons as one—how could she have regarded them with partiality? When misfortune piled upon misfortune, who did not increase in resentment? Yet when she saw my grief, she grew only more anxious and tender toward me. She still forced herself to console me, each time restraining emotion and holding back tears. Restraining tears—tears soaking my collar; forcing joy—joy that was not from the heart. Just as spring opened the reins, she followed my carriage eastward. Bearing a slight illness, mindful of the labor of the multitude, she urged a quick return—and sudden calamity befell. Boarding the painted barge draped in red, by the Lu River we returned to the inner court. Leaving the inner court, little time had passed before we encountered this bitter parting with unending grief. I can only blame myself—it cannot be undone; our life together is fixed at this. Shadow and form can scarcely be separated; living in a daze as though something were lost. Facing the palace ladies I recall her graceful bearing; looking on Hejing I pity her delicate nature. Gazing toward the Xiang River—who has departed first? Seeking the North Sea—I lack divine skill. Following mourning rites only deepens sorrow in vain; following precedent for Zhanqin, the posthumous title is Xiaoxian. Thinking that her remaining virtue cannot be exhausted—how can two characters suffice to proclaim it? Embracing the four virtues and standing foremost—I thought this could be passed down. Startled by the seasons' succession—ten days pass swift as this. Seeing the new hall adds to my grief; placing out old things recalls the beginning. Sometimes grief is briefly stilled, but at once touching the thread of memory brings sobs. Truly human life is like a dream—all ten thousand affairs are empty. Alas, nothing is more sorrowful than parting in life; losing the inner consort—who will follow me? Entering the quiet inner chamber, parting the phoenix canopy—it hangs empty. Spring wind and autumn moon—all end here; summer days and winter nights—when will they come again?"
108
十七年，葬孝陵西勝水峪，後即於此起裕陵焉。 嘉慶、道光累加諡，曰孝賢誠正敦穆仁惠徽恭康順輔天昌聖純皇后。 子二：永璉、永琮。 女二：一殤，一下嫁色布騰巴爾珠爾。
In the seventeenth year she was buried at Shengshui Valley west of the Xiao Mausoleum; afterward the Yu Mausoleum was built there. Jiaqing and Daoguang added further posthumous honorifics until she was styled Empress Xiaoxian Chengzheng Dunmu Renhui Huigong Kangshun Futian Changsheng Chun. She bore two sons: Yonglian and Yongcong. She bore two daughters: one died in infancy; one married Sebutengba'erzhu'er.
109
皇后，烏喇那拉氏，佐領那爾布女。 -{后}-事高宗潛邸，為側室福晉。 ，封嫻妃。 十年，進貴妃。 孝賢皇后崩，進皇貴妃，攝六宮事。 十五年，冊為皇后。 三十年，從上南巡，至杭州，忤上旨，-{后}-剪髮，上益不懌，令-{后}-先還京師。 三十一年七月甲午，崩。 上方幸木蘭，命喪儀視皇貴妃。 自是遂不復立皇后。 子二，永璂、永璟。 女一，殤。
The empress, of the Ula Nara clan, was the daughter of Banner Captain Na'erbu. She attended Gaozong's princely household as side chamber primary consort. She was made Consort Xian. In the tenth year she was advanced to Imperial Consort. When Empress Xiaoxian died, she was advanced to Imperial Noble Consort and acted as mistress of the six palaces. In the fifteenth year she was invested as empress. In the thirtieth year, accompanying the emperor on a southern tour to Hangzhou, she offended the emperor's will; the empress cut her hair; the emperor was further displeased and ordered the empress to return first to the capital. In the thirty-first year, seventh month, on jiawu day, she died. The emperor was then at Mulan; he ordered funeral rites to follow the precedent for an imperial noble consort. From then on he never again established an empress. She bore two sons: Yongji and Yongjing. She bore one daughter, who died in infancy.
110
四十三年，上東巡，有金從善者，上書，首及建儲，次為立-{后}-。 上因諭曰：「那拉氏本朕青宮時皇考所賜側室福晉，孝賢皇后崩後，循序進皇貴妃。 越三年，立為-{后}-。 其後自獲過愆，朕優容如故。 國俗忌剪髮，而竟悍然不顧，朕猶包含不行廢斥。 -{后}-以病薨，止令減其儀文，並未削其位號。 朕處此仁至義盡，況自是不復繼立皇后。 從善乃欲朕下詔罪己，朕有何罪當自責乎？ 從善又請立-{后}-，朕春秋六十有八，豈有復冊中宮之理？」 下行在王大臣議從善罪，坐斬。
In the forty-third year, during the eastern tour, one Jin Congshan submitted a memorial, first on establishing an heir, second on establishing an empress. The emperor therefore issued an edict saying: "The Nara clan was originally the side chamber primary consort my father granted me during my years in the eastern palace; after Empress Xiaoxian died, she was advanced in due order to Imperial Noble Consort. Three years later she was established as empress. Afterward, though she had committed faults, I still treated her with the same forbearance. By national custom hair-cutting was taboo, yet she brazenly disregarded this; I still contained myself and did not depose or dismiss her. The empress died of illness; I only ordered her funeral rites reduced and did not strip her rank or title. I have been benevolent to the utmost; moreover, from then on I did not again establish an empress. Congshan would have me issue an edict blaming myself—what crime do I have for which to reproach myself? Congshan also asked that an empress be established; I am sixty-eight years old—how could there be reason to invest another empress in the central palace?" The emperor ordered the princes and ministers traveling with him to deliberate on Congshan's crime; he was sentenced to execution.
111
孝儀純皇后，魏佳氏，內管領清泰女。 事高宗為貴人。 封令嬪，累進令貴妃。 年十月丁丑，仁宗生。 三十年，進令皇貴妃。 四十年正月丁丑，薨，年四十九。 諡曰令懿皇貴妃，葬勝水峪。 六十年，仁宗立為皇太子，命冊贈孝儀皇后。 嘉慶、道光累加諡，曰孝儀恭順康裕慈仁端恪敏哲翼天毓聖純皇后。 -{后}-家魏氏，本漢軍，擡入滿洲旗，改魏佳氏。 子四：永璐，殤； 仁宗； 永璘； 其一殤，未命名。 女二，下嫁拉旺多爾濟、札蘭泰。
Empress Xiaoyi Chun, of the Weijia clan, was the daughter of Interior Manager Qingtai. She attended Gaozong as Lady of Attendance. She was made Lady Ling and repeatedly advanced to Noble Consort Ling. In the tenth month, on dingchou day, Renzong was born. In the thirtieth year she was advanced to Imperial Noble Consort Ling. In the first month of the fortieth year, on dingchou day, she died, aged forty-nine. She was posthumously titled Imperial Noble Consort Lingyi and buried at Shengshui Valley. In the sixtieth year Renzong was established as crown prince, and she was posthumously invested as Empress Xiaoyi. Jiaqing and Daoguang added further posthumous honorifics until she was styled Empress Xiaoyi Gongshun Kangyu Ciren Duanke Minzhe Yitian Yusheng Chun. The empress's clan Wei was originally Han Banner; it was elevated into the Manchu Banner and changed to Weijia. She bore four sons: Yonglu, who died in infancy; Renzong; Yonglin; and one who died in infancy, unnamed. She bore two daughters, who married Lawangduo'erji and Zhalanduo.
112
慧賢皇貴妃，高佳氏，大學士高斌女。 事高宗潛邸，為側室福晉。 乾隆初，封貴妃。 薨，諡曰慧賢皇貴妃。 葬勝水峪。
Imperial Noble Consort Huixian, of the Gaojia clan, was the daughter of Grand Secretary Gao Bin. She attended Gaozong's princely household as side chamber primary consort. Early in Qianlong she was made Imperial Consort. She died and was posthumously titled Imperial Noble Consort Huixian. She was buried at Shengshui Valley.
113
純惠皇貴妃，蘇佳氏。 事高宗潛邸。 即位，封純嬪。 累進純皇貴妃。 薨，諡曰純惠皇貴妃。 葬裕陵側。 子一，永瑢。 女一，下嫁福隆安。
Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui, of the Sujia clan. She attended Gaozong's princely household. Upon his accession she was made Lady Chun. She was repeatedly advanced to Imperial Noble Consort Chun. She died and was posthumously titled Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui. She was buried beside the Yu Mausoleum. She bore one son, Yongrong. She bore one daughter, who married Fulong'an.
114
慶恭皇貴妃，陸氏。 初封慶嬪。 累進慶貴妃。 薨。 仁宗以嘗受妃撫育，追尊為慶恭皇貴妃。
Imperial Noble Consort Qinggong, of the Lu clan. She was initially made Lady Qing. She was repeatedly advanced to Imperial Consort Qing. She died. Because Renzong had once been raised by her, she was posthumously honored as Imperial Noble Consort Qinggong.
115
哲憫皇貴妃，富察氏。 事高宗潛邸。 ，薨。 乾隆初，追封哲妃，進皇貴妃。 諡曰哲憫皇貴妃，葬勝水峪。 子一，永璜，為高宗長子。 女一，殤。
Imperial Noble Consort Zhemin, of the Fuca clan. She attended Gaozong's princely household. She died. Early in Qianlong she was posthumously made Consort Zhe and advanced to Imperial Noble Consort. She was posthumously titled Imperial Noble Consort Zhemin and buried at Shengshui Valley. She bore one son, Yonghuang, Gaozong's eldest son. She bore one daughter, who died in infancy.
116
淑嘉皇貴妃，金佳氏。 事高宗潛邸，為貴人。 乾隆初，封嘉妃，進嘉貴妃。 薨，諡曰淑嘉皇貴妃，葬勝水峪。 子四：永珹，永璇，永瑆； 其一殤，未命名。
Imperial Noble Consort Shujia, of the Jinjia clan. She attended Gaozong's princely household as Lady of Attendance. Early in Qianlong she was made Consort Jia and advanced to Noble Consort Jia. She died and was posthumously titled Imperial Noble Consort Shujia; she was buried at Shengshui Valley. She bore four sons: Yongcheng, Yongxuan, and Yongxing; and one who died in infancy, unnamed.
117
婉貴太妃，陳氏。 事高宗潛邸。 乾隆間，自貴人累進婉妃。 嘉慶間，尊為婉貴太妃。 壽康宮位居首。 薨，年九十二。
Grand Imperial Consort Wangui, of the Chen clan. She attended Gaozong's princely household. During Qianlong, from Lady of Attendance she was repeatedly advanced to Consort Wan. During Jiaqing she was honored as Grand Imperial Consort Wangui. She held first rank in the Shoukang Palace. She died, aged ninety-two.
118
穎貴太妃，巴林氏。 亦自貴人累進穎貴妃。 尊為穎貴太妃，亦居壽康宮。 薨，年七十。
Grand Imperial Consort Yinggui, of the Balin clan. She too was repeatedly advanced from Lady of Attendance to Imperial Noble Consort Ying. She was honored as Grand Imperial Consort Yinggui and also resided in the Shoukang Palace. She died, aged seventy.
119
貴人：西林覺羅氏，柏氏，皆自常在進尊為貴人。 晉太妃，富察氏。 事高宗為貴人。 逮道光時，猶存。 宣宗尊為皇祖晉太妃。
Ladies of Attendance: the Xilin Gioro clan and the Bai clan; both were promoted from First Class Attendant to Lady of Attendance. Grand Imperial Consort Jin, of the Fuca clan. She attended Gaozong as Lady of Attendance. By Daoguang's time she was still living. Xuanzong honored her as Imperial Grandfather's Grand Imperial Consort Jin.
120
高宗諸妃有子女者：*忻貴妃，戴佳氏，總督那蘇圖女。 女二，皆殤。 *愉貴妃，珂裡葉特氏。 子一，永琪。 *舒妃，葉赫那拉氏。 子一，殤，未命名。 *惇妃，汪氏。 嘗笞宮婢死，上命降為嬪。 未幾，復封。 女一，下嫁豐紳殷德。 *又有容妃，和卓氏，回部台吉和札賚女。 初入宮，號貴人。 累進為妃。 薨。
Among Gaozong's consorts who had children: *Consort Xin, of the Daijia clan, daughter of Governor Nasutu. She bore two daughters, both of whom died in infancy. *Consort Yu, of the Korot clan. She bore one son, Yongqi. *Consort Shu, of the Yehe Nara clan. She bore one son, who died in infancy, unnamed. *Consort Dun, of the Wang clan. She once beat a palace maid to death; the emperor ordered her demoted to Lady. Before long her rank was restored. She bore one daughter, who married Fengshenyinde. *Also Consort Rong, of the Hezhuo clan, daughter of Hui tribal chieftain Hezhai. Upon entering the palace she was styled Lady of Attendance. She was repeatedly advanced to consort. She died.
121
仁宗孝淑睿皇后，喜塔臘氏，副都統、內務府總管和爾經額女。 仁宗為皇子，，高宗冊-{后}-為嫡福晉。 四十七年八月甲戌，宣宗生。 仁宗受禪，冊為皇后。 二月戊寅，崩，諡曰孝淑皇后，葬太平峪，後即於此起昌陵焉。 道光、咸豐累加諡，曰孝淑端和仁莊慈懿敦裕昭肅光天祐聖睿皇后。 子一，宣宗。 女二：一殤，一下嫁瑪尼巴達喇。
Empress Xiaoshu Rui of Renzong, of the Hitara clan, was the daughter of Deputy Commander and Interior Department Director He'erjing'e. When Renzong was a prince, Gaozong invested her as primary consort. In the forty-seventh year, eighth month, on jiaxu day, Xuanzong was born. When Renzong received the abdication, she was invested as empress. In the second month, on wuyin day, she died; she was posthumously titled Empress Xiaoshu and buried at Taiping Valley, and afterward the Chang Mausoleum was built there. Daoguang and Xianfeng added further posthumous honorifics until she was styled Empress Xiaoshu Duanhe Renzhuang Ciyi Dunyu Zhaosu Guangtian Yousheng Rui. She bore one son, Xuanzong. She bore two daughters: one died in infancy; one married Manibadala.
122
孝和睿皇后，鈕祜祿氏，禮部尚書恭阿拉女。 -{后}-事仁宗潛邸，為側室福晉。 仁宗即位，封貴妃。 孝淑皇后崩，高宗敕以-{后}-繼位中宮。 先封皇貴妃。 嘉慶六年，冊為皇后。 二十五年八月，仁宗幸熱河崩，-{后}-傳旨令宣宗嗣位。 宣宗尊為皇太后，居壽康宮。 十二月甲戌，崩，年七十四。 宣宗春秋已高，方有疾，居喪哀毀，三十年正月，崩於慎德堂喪次。 ，葬後昌陵之西，曰昌西陵。 初尊皇太后，上徽號。 國有慶，累加上，曰恭慈康豫安成莊惠壽禧崇祺皇太后。 逮崩，上諡。 咸豐間加諡，曰孝和恭慈康豫安成欽順仁正應天熙聖睿皇后。 子二：綿愷、綿忻。 女一，殤。
Empress Xiaohe Rui, of the Niohuru clan, was the daughter of Minister of Rites Gong'ala. She attended Renzong's princely household as side chamber primary consort. When Renzong acceded to the throne, she was made Imperial Consort. When Empress Xiaoshu died, Gaozong ordered her to succeed to the central palace. She was first made Imperial Noble Consort. In Jiaqing 6 she was invested as empress. In the twenty-fifth year, eighth month, Renzong died at Rehe; the empress transmitted an edict ordering Xuanzong to succeed to the throne. Xuanzong honored her as empress dowager, and she resided in the Shoukang Palace. In the twelfth month, on jiaxu day, she died, aged seventy-four. While Xuanzong was already advanced in years and was ill, she was consumed by grief in mourning; in the thirtieth year, first month, she died at the mourning hall in Shende Hall. She was buried west of the Chang Mausoleum, at what is called the Changxi Mausoleum. When she was first honored as empress dowager, the court conferred honorific titles upon her. Whenever the state had cause for celebration, further titles were added until she was styled Grand Empress Dowager Gongci Kangyu Ancheng Zhuanghui Shouxi Chongqi. After her death the emperor conferred a posthumous title. During the Xianfeng reign further honorifics were added, and she was styled Empress Xiaohe Gongci Kangyu Ancheng Qinshun Renzheng Yingtian Xisheng Rui. She bore two sons: Mian Kai and Mian Xin. She bore one daughter, who died in infancy.
123
恭順皇貴妃，鈕祜祿氏。 嘉慶初，選入宮，為如貴人。 累進如妃。 宣宗尊為皇考如皇妃，居壽安宮。 文宗尊為皇祖如皇貴太妃。 薨，年七十四，諡曰恭順皇貴妃。 子一，綿愉。 女二，殤。
Imperial Noble Consort Gongshun, of the Niohuru clan. Early in Jiaqing she was selected for the palace and styled Lady Ru of Attendance. She was promoted in stages to Consort Ru. Xuanzong honored her as his father's Consort Ru the Imperial Consort, and she resided in the Shou'an Palace. Wenzong honored her as his grandfather's Consort Ru the Grand Imperial Noble Consort. She died at seventy-four and was posthumously titled Imperial Noble Consort Gongshun. She bore one son, Mian Yu. She bore two daughters, both of whom died in infancy.
124
和裕皇貴妃，劉佳氏。 事仁宗潛邸。 嘉慶初，封諴妃。 進諴貴妃。 宣宗尊為皇考諴禧皇貴妃。 薨，諡曰和裕皇貴妃。 子一，未命名，殤。 女一，下嫁索特納木多布齋。
Imperial Noble Consort Heyu, of the Liujia clan. She attended Renzong's princely household. Early in Jiaqing she was made Consort Xian. She was promoted to Imperial Consort Xian. Xuanzong honored her as his father's Imperial Noble Consort Xianxi. After her death she was posthumously titled Imperial Noble Consort Heyu. She bore one son, unnamed, who died in infancy. She bore one daughter, who married Sodnomdorji.
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仁宗諸妃有子女者：*華妃，侯佳氏。 事仁宗潛邸。 嘉慶初，封瑩嬪。 改進封。 女一，殤。 *簡嬪，關佳氏； 遜嬪，沈佳氏：皆事仁宗潛邸，號格格。 嘉慶初，追封。 女各一，皆殤。
Among Renzong's consorts who had children: *Consort Hua, of the Houjia clan. She attended Renzong's princely household. Early in Jiaqing she was made Dame Ying. Her rank was subsequently raised. She bore one daughter, who died in infancy. *Dame Jian, of the Guanjia clan; and Dame Xun, of the Shenjia clan: all attended Renzong's princely household and were styled gege. Early in Jiaqing they were posthumously enfeoffed. Each bore one daughter; all died in infancy.
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仁宗嬪御至宣宗朝尊封者，又有*信妃，劉佳氏； 恩嬪，烏雅氏； 榮嬪，梁氏：皆自貴人進。 *安嬪，蘇完尼瓜爾佳氏，自常在進。
Among Renzong's dames and attendants who received honored ranks in the Xuanzong reign, there were also *Consort Xin, of the Liujia clan; Dame En, of the Uya clan; and Dame Rong, of the Liang clan: all had risen from the rank of Lady of Attendance. *Dame An, of the Suwan Guwalgiya clan, promoted from Lady of the Presence.
127
宣宗孝穆成皇后，鈕祜祿氏，戶部尚書、一等子布顏達賚女。 宣宗為皇子，，仁宗冊-{后}-為嫡福晉。 十三年正月戊午，薨。 宣宗即位，追冊諡曰孝穆皇后。 初葬王佐村，移寶華峪，以地宮浸水，再移龍泉峪，後即於此起慕陵焉。 咸豐初，上諡。 光緒間加諡，曰孝穆溫厚莊肅端誠恪惠寬欽孚天裕聖成皇后。
Empress Xiaomu Cheng of Xuanzong, of the Niohuru clan, was the daughter of Buyandabai, Minister of Revenue and Baron of the First Rank. While Xuanzong was still a prince, Renzong invested her as his primary fujin. In the first month, on wuwu day of the thirteenth year, she died. When Xuanzong acceded to the throne, she was posthumously invested and titled Empress Xiaomu. She was first buried at Wangzuo Village, then moved to Baohua Valley; when the underground chamber flooded, she was moved again to Longquan Valley, where the Mu Mausoleum was later built. Early in the Xianfeng reign the emperor conferred a posthumous title. During the Guangxu reign further honorifics were added, and she was styled Empress Xiaomu Wenhou Zhuangsu Duancheng Kehui Kuanqin Futian Yusheng Cheng.
128
孝慎成皇后，佟佳氏，三等承恩公舒明阿女。 宣宗為皇子，嫡福晉薨，仁宗冊-{后}-繼嫡福晉。 宣宗即位，立為皇后。 四月己巳，崩，諡曰孝慎皇后，葬龍泉峪。 咸豐初，上諡。 光緒間加諡，曰孝慎敏肅哲順和懿誠惠敦恪熙天詒聖成皇后。 女一，殤。
Empress Xiaoshen Cheng, of the Tunggiya clan, was the daughter of Shuming'a, Duke of the Third Rank of Chengen. While Xuanzong was still a prince, after the primary fujin died Renzong invested her to succeed as primary fujin. When Xuanzong acceded to the throne, she was installed as empress. In the fourth month, on jisi day, she died; she was posthumously titled Empress Xiaoshen and buried at Longquan Valley. Early in the Xianfeng reign the emperor conferred a posthumous title. During the Guangxu reign further honorifics were added, and she was styled Empress Xiaoshen Minshu Zhezhe Shunhe Yicheng Huidun Ke Xitian Yisheng Cheng. She bore one daughter, who died in infancy.
129
孝全成皇后，鈕祜祿氏，二等侍衛、一等男頤齡女。 -{后}-事宣宗，冊全嬪。 累進全貴妃。 六月己丑，文宗生。 十三年，進皇貴妃，攝六宮事。 十四年，立為皇后。 二十年正月壬寅，崩，年三十三。 宣宗親定諡曰孝全皇后，葬龍泉峪。 咸豐初，上諡。 光緒間加諡，曰孝全慈敬寬仁端慤安惠誠敏符天篤聖成皇后。 子一，文宗。 女二：一殤，一下嫁德穆楚克扎布。
Empress Xiaoquan Cheng, of the Niohuru clan, was the daughter of Yiling, Second-Rank Bodyguard and Baron of the First Rank. She attended Xuanzong and was invested as Dame Quan. She was promoted in stages to Imperial Consort Quan. In the sixth month, on jichou day, Wenzong was born. In the thirteenth year she was made Imperial Noble Consort and placed in charge of the inner palace. In the fourteenth year she was installed as empress. In the first month, on renyin day of the twentieth year, she died, aged thirty-three. Xuanzong personally fixed her posthumous title as Empress Xiaoquan, and she was buried at Longquan Valley. Early in the Xianfeng reign the emperor conferred a posthumous title. During the Guangxu reign further honorifics were added, and she was styled Empress Xiaoquan Cijing Kuanren Duanyin Anhui Chenmin Futian Dusheng Cheng. She bore one son, Wenzong. She bore two daughters: one died in infancy; one married Demuchukezhabu.
130
孝靜成皇后，博爾濟吉特氏，刑部員外郎花良阿女。 -{后}-事宣宗為靜貴人。 累進靜皇貴妃。 孝全皇后崩，文宗方十歲，妃撫育有恩。 文宗即位，尊為皇考康慈皇貴太妃，居壽康宮。 七月，太妃病篤，尊為康慈皇太后。 越九日庚午，崩，年四十四。 上諡，曰孝靜康慈弼天撫聖皇后，不系宣宗諡，不祔廟。 葬慕陵東，曰慕東陵。 穆宗即位，祔廟，加諡。 光緒、宣統累加諡，曰孝靜康慈懿昭端惠莊仁和慎弼天撫聖成皇后。 子三：奕綱、奕繼、奕訢。 女一，下嫁景壽。
Empress Xiaojing Cheng, of the Borjigit clan, was the daughter of Hualiang'a, Section Director of the Ministry of Punishments. She attended Xuanzong as Lady Jing of Attendance. She was promoted in stages to Imperial Noble Consort Jing. When Empress Xiaoquan died, Wenzong was only ten; the consort raised him with devoted kindness. When Wenzong acceded to the throne, she was honored as his father's Grand Imperial Noble Consort Kangci and resided in the Shoukang Palace. In the seventh month, when she fell gravely ill, she was honored as Empress Dowager Kangci. Nine days later, on gengwu day, she died, aged forty-four. She was posthumously titled Empress Xiaojing Kangci Bitian Fusheng; the title was not linked to Xuanzong's posthumous name, and her tablet was not enshrined in the ancestral temple. She was buried east of the Mu Mausoleum, at what is called the Mudong Mausoleum. When Muzong acceded to the throne, her tablet was enshrined in the ancestral temple and further honorifics were added. Under Guangxu and Xuantong further honorifics were added until she was styled Empress Xiaojing Kangci Yizhao Duanhui Zhuangren He Shen Bitian Fusheng Cheng. She bore three sons: Yi Gang, Yi Ji, and Yi Xin. She bore one daughter, who married Jingshou.
131
莊順皇貴妃，烏雅氏。 事宣宗，為常在。 進琳貴人，累進琳貴妃。 文宗尊為皇考琳貴太妃。 穆宗尊為皇祖琳皇貴太妃。 同治五年，薨，命王公百官持服一日，諡曰莊順皇貴妃，葬慕東陵園寢。 德宗朝，迭命增祭品，崇規制，上親詣行禮。 封三代，皆一品。 子三，奕譞、奕詥、奕譓。 女一，下嫁德徽。
Imperial Noble Consort Zhuangshun, of the Uya clan. She attended Xuanzong as Lady of the Presence. She was promoted to Lady Lin of Attendance and eventually to Imperial Consort Lin. Wenzong honored her as his father's Grand Imperial Consort Lin. Muzong honored her as his grandfather's Grand Imperial Noble Consort Lin. In Tongzhi 5 she died; princes, dukes, and officials were ordered to wear mourning for one day; she was posthumously titled Imperial Noble Consort Zhuangshun and buried in the garden tomb at the Mudong Mausoleum. During the Guangxu reign, orders were repeatedly issued to increase sacrificial offerings and elevate ritual standards, and the emperor personally went to perform the rites. Three generations of her forebears were enfeoffed, all at the First Rank. She bore three sons: Yi Huan, Yi He, and Yi Hui. She bore one daughter, who married Dehui.
132
彤貴妃，舒穆嚕氏。 事宣宗，為彤貴人。 累進彤貴妃。 復降貴人。 文宗尊為皇考彤嬪。 穆宗累尊為皇祖彤貴妃。 女二，一下嫁扎拉豐阿，一殤。
Imperial Consort Tong, of the Sumuru clan. She attended Xuanzong as Lady Tong of Attendance. She was promoted in stages to Imperial Consort Tong. She was later demoted back to Lady of Attendance. Wenzong honored her as his father's Dame Tong. Muzong repeatedly honored her as his grandfather's Imperial Consort Tong. She bore two daughters: one married Zhala Feng'a; one died in infancy.
133
宣宗諸妃有子女者：*和妃，納喇氏。 初以宮女子，事宣宗潛邸。 ，子奕緯生。 仁宗特命為側室福晉。 道光初，封和嬪。 進和妃。 *祥妃，鈕祜祿氏。 事宣宗，為貴人。 進嬪，復降。 文宗尊為皇考祥妃。 穆宗追尊為皇祖祥妃。 子一，奕誴。 女二，一殤，一下嫁恩醇。
Among Xuanzong's consorts who had children: *Consort He, of the Nara clan. Originally a palace maid, she served in Xuanzong's princely household. She gave birth to the son Yi Wei. Renzong specially ordered that she be made side chamber primary consort. Early in the Daoguang reign she was made Dame He. She was promoted to Consort He. *Consort Xiang, of the Niohuru clan. She attended Xuanzong as Lady of Attendance. She was promoted to dame, then demoted again. Wenzong honored her as his father's Consort Xiang. Muzong posthumously honored her as his grandfather's Consort Xiang. She bore one son, Yi Zai. She bore two daughters: one died in infancy; one married Enchun.
134
他無子女而受尊封者：*佳貴妃，郭佳氏； 成貴妃，鈕祜祿氏：皆事宣宗，為貴人，進嬪，復降。 ;歷咸豐、同治二朝進封：*常妃，赫捨哩氏，以貴人進封； 順嬪，失其氏，以常在進封。 *恆嬪，蔡佳氏； 豫妃，尚佳氏； 貴人李氏，那氏：以答應進封。
Others who had no children but received honored ranks: *Imperial Consort Jia, of the Guojia clan; and Imperial Consort Cheng, of the Niohuru clan: all attended Xuanzong as Ladies of Attendance, were promoted to dame, and were later demoted again. ; promoted through the Xianfeng and Tongzhi reigns: *Consort Chang, of the Hesheli clan, advanced from Lady of Attendance; Dame Shun, her clan unknown, advanced from Lady of the Presence. *Dame Heng, of the Caijia clan; Consort Yu, of the Shangjia clan; Lady of Attendance Li and Lady Na: advanced from Lady-in-Waiting.
135
文宗孝德顯皇后，薩克達氏，太常寺少卿富泰女。 文宗為皇子，，宣宗冊-{后}-為嫡福晉。 二十九年十二月乙亥，薨。 文宗即位，追冊諡曰孝德皇后。 權攢田村，同治初，移靜安莊，旋葬定陵，上諡。 光緒、宣統屢加諡，曰孝德溫惠誠順慈莊恪慎徽懿恭天贊聖顯皇后。
Empress Xiaode Xian of Wenzong, of the Sakda clan, was the daughter of Futai, Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. While Wenzong was still a prince, Xuanzong invested {her} as primary fujin. In the twelfth month, on yihai day of the twenty-ninth year, she died. When Wenzong acceded to the throne, she was posthumously invested and titled Empress Xiaode. She was provisionally interred at Tiancun Village; early in Tongzhi she was moved to Jing'an Village, then buried at the Ding Mausoleum, and the emperor conferred a posthumous title. Under Guangxu and Xuantong further honorifics were added until she was styled Empress Xiaode Wenhui Chengshun Cizhuang Keshen Huiyi Gongtian Zansheng Xian.
136
孝貞顯皇后，鈕祜祿氏，廣西右江道穆揚阿女。 事文宗潛邸。 ，封貞嬪，進貞貴妃。 立為皇后。 十年，從幸熱河。 十一年七月，文宗崩，穆宗即位，尊為皇太后。 是時，孝欽、孝貞兩宮並尊，詔旨稱「母后皇太后」、「聖母皇太后」以別之。 十一月乙酉朔，上奉兩太后御養心殿，垂簾聽政。 ，內監安得海出京，山東巡撫丁寶楨以聞，太后立命誅之。 十二年，歸政於穆宗。 十三年，穆宗崩，德宗即位，復聽政。 三月壬申，崩，年四十五，葬定陵東普祥峪，曰定東陵。 初尊為皇太后，上徽號。 國有慶，累加上，曰慈安端康裕慶昭和莊敬皇太后。 及崩，上諡。 宣統加諡，曰孝貞慈安裕慶和敬誠靖儀天祚聖顯皇后。
Empress Xiaozhen Xian, of the Niohuru clan, was the daughter of Muyang'a, Intendant of the Right River Circuit in Guangxi. She attended Wenzong's princely household. She was made Dame Zhen and promoted to Imperial Consort Zhen. She was installed as empress. In the tenth year she accompanied the court to Rehe. In the seventh month of the eleventh year Wenzong died; Muzong acceded to the throne and honored her as empress dowager. At that time the two palaces of Xiaojin and Xiaozhen were honored together; edicts styled them "Empress Dowager the Mother" and "Empress Dowager the Sacred Mother" to distinguish them. On the first day of yiyou in the eleventh month the emperor escorted the two empresses dowager to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to hold court behind the curtain. When the eunuch An Dehai left the capital, Shandong Governor Ding Baozhen reported it, and the empress dowager immediately ordered his execution. In the twelfth year she returned government to Muzong. In the thirteenth year Muzong died; Guangxu acceded to the throne, and she again held court. In the third month, on renshen day, she died, aged forty-five; she was buried at Puxiang Valley east of the Ding Mausoleum, at what is called the Dingdong Mausoleum. When she was first honored as empress dowager, the court conferred honorific titles upon her. Whenever the state had cause for celebration, further titles were added until she was styled Grand Empress Dowager Ci'an Duankang Yuqing Zhaohe Zhuangjing. After her death the emperor conferred a posthumous title. Under Xuantong further honorifics were added, and she was styled Empress Xiaozhen Ci'an Yuqing Hejing Chengjing Yitian Zuo Sheng Xian.
137
孝欽顯皇后，葉赫那拉氏，安徽徽寧池廣太道惠徵女。 咸豐元年，后被選入宮，號懿貴人。 四年，封懿嬪。 六年三月庚辰，穆宗生，進懿妃。 七年，進懿貴妃。 十年，從幸熱河。
Empress Xiaoqin Xian, of the Yehe Nara clan, was the daughter of Huizheng, Circuit Intendant of Huining-Chiguang-Tai in Anhui. In Xianfeng 1 she was selected to enter the palace and styled Lady Yi of Attendance. In the fourth year she was made Dame Yi. In the sixth month, on gengchen day of the sixth year, Muzong was born, and she was promoted to Consort Yi. In the seventh year she was promoted to Imperial Consort Yi. In the tenth year she accompanied the court to Rehe.
138
十一年七月，文宗崩，穆宗即位，與孝貞皇后並尊為皇太后。 是時，怡親王載垣、鄭親王端華、協辦大學士尚書肅順等以文宗遺命，稱「贊襄政務王大臣」，擅政，兩太后患之。 御史董元醇請兩太后權理朝政，兩太后召載垣等入議，載垣等以本朝未有皇太后垂簾，難之。 侍郎勝保及大學士賈楨等疏繼至。 恭親王奕訢留守京師，聞喪奔赴，兩太后為言載垣等擅政狀。 九月，奉文宗喪還京師，即下詔罪載垣、端華、肅順，皆至死，並罷黜諸大臣預贊襄政務者。 授奕訢議政王，以上旨命王大臣條上垂簾典禮。
In the seventh month of the eleventh year Wenzong died; Muzong acceded to the throne, and she was honored together with Empress Xiaozhen as empress dowager. At that time Prince Yi Zaiyuan, Prince Zheng Duhua, Associate Grand Secretary and Minister Sushun, and others, citing Wenzong's deathbed command, styled themselves "Princes and Ministers Assisting in Government" and monopolized power; the two empresses dowager were troubled by this. Censor Dong Yuanchun asked the two empresses dowager to manage court affairs provisionally; they summoned Zaiyuan and the others to discuss it, but Zaiyuan and his allies objected that the dynasty had never had an empress dowager hold court behind the curtain. Vice Minister Shengbao, Grand Secretary Jia Zhen, and others sent memorials in succession. Prince Gong Yi Xin had remained at the capital; hearing of the mourning he rushed to join the funeral train, and the two empresses dowager told him how Zaiyuan and the others had monopolized power. In the ninth month, after escorting Wenzong's coffin back to the capital, an edict immediately condemned Zaiyuan, Duhua, and Sushun to death and dismissed all the ministers who had participated in assisting government. Yi Xin was appointed Prince Regent, and by imperial command the princes and ministers were ordered to submit in detail the rites for holding court behind the curtain.
139
十一月乙酉朔，上奉兩太后御養心殿，垂簾聽政。 諭曰：「垂簾非所樂爲，惟以時事多艱，王大臣等不能無所禀承，是以姑允所請。 俟皇帝典學有成，即行歸政。」 自是，日召議政王、軍機大臣同入對。 內外章奏，兩太后覽訖，王大臣擬旨，翌日進呈。 閱定，兩太后以文宗賜同道堂小璽鈐識，仍以上旨頒示。 旋用御史徐啟文奏，令中外臣工於時事闕失，直言無隱； 用御史鍾佩賢奏，諭崇節儉，重名器； 用御史卞寶第奏，諭嚴賞罰，肅吏治，慎薦舉。 命內直翰林輯前史帝王政治及母后垂簾事跡，可為法戒者，以進。
On the first day of yiyou in the eleventh month the emperor escorted the two empresses dowager to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to hold court behind the curtain. An edict stated: "Holding court behind the curtain is not what we take pleasure in; only because affairs are so difficult and the princes and ministers cannot be left without someone to report to have we provisionally granted the request. When the emperor has completed his classical studies, government will at once be returned to him." Thereafter the Prince Regent and the Grand Councilors were summoned daily to audience together. Memorials from within and without the court were read by the two empresses dowager; the princes and ministers drafted rescripts, which were presented the next day. After review the two empresses dowager affixed the small seal of the Tongdao Hall granted by Wenzong, and the rescripts were still promulgated as imperial commands. Soon, acting on Censor Xu Qiwen's memorial, officials within and without the court were ordered to speak frankly without concealment concerning current shortcomings; acting on Censor Zhong Peixian's memorial, an edict urged frugality and respect for ranks and honors; and acting on Censor Bian Baodi's memorial, an edict urged strict rewards and punishments, rectification of official discipline, and careful recommendations. Hanlin academicians on palace duty were ordered to compile from earlier histories examples of imperial governance and of empresses dowager holding court behind the curtain that could serve as models or warnings, and submit them.
140
同治初，寇亂未弭，兵連不解，兩太后同心求治，登進老成，倚任將帥，粵、捻蕩平，滇、隴漸定。
Early in Tongzhi bandit turmoil had not yet been quelled and warfare continued unabated; the two empresses dowager sought good government with one mind, advanced seasoned men, relied on generals, and the Yue and Nian rebels were swept away while Yunnan and Gansu were gradually pacified.
141
十二年二月，歸政於穆宗。
In the second month of the twelfth year she returned government to Muzong.
142
十三年十二月，穆宗崩，太后定策立德宗，兩太后復垂簾聽政。 諭曰：「今皇帝紹承大統，尚在沖齡，時事艱難，不得已垂簾聽政。 萬幾綜理，宵旰不遑，矧當民生多蹙，各省水旱頻仍。 中外臣工、九卿、科道有言事之責者，於用人行政，凡諸政事當舉，與時事有裨而又實能見施行者，詳細敷奏。 至敦節儉，袪浮華，宜始自宮中，耳目玩好，浮麗紛華，一切不得上進。」 「封疆大吏，當勤求閭閻疾苦，加意撫恤； 清訟獄，勤緝捕。 辦賑積穀，飭有司實力奉行； 並當整飭營伍，修明武備，選任賢能牧令，與民休息。」 用御史陳彝奏，黜南書房行走、侍講王慶祺； 用御史孫鳳翔等奏，黜總管內務府大臣貴寶、文錫； 又罪宮監之不法者，戍三人，杖四人。 一時宮府整肅。
In the twelfth month of the thirteenth year Muzong died; the empress dowager decided policy and installed Guangxu, and the two empresses dowager again held court behind the curtain. An edict stated: "The present emperor has succeeded to the great succession and is still of tender years; affairs are difficult, and holding court behind the curtain is unavoidable. The myriad affairs must be managed comprehensively, leaving no leisure from dawn to dusk, all the more when the people's livelihood is strained and floods and droughts recur in the provinces. Officials within and without the court, the Nine Ministers, and the censorate with their duty to speak on affairs should, regarding appointments and administration and all policies that ought to be undertaken, set forth in detail whatever would benefit current affairs and can truly be put into practice. As for practicing thrift and rejecting extravagance, this should begin in the palace; objects for amusement and ornament, gaudy and florid, must not in any case be presented." "Frontier governors and territorial officials should diligently inquire into the hardships of the common people and give special care to relief; clear lawsuits and prisons, and diligently pursue arrests. Carry out famine relief and grain storage, and order local officials to enforce these in earnest; and they should also rectify the garrisons, improve military readiness, select capable magistrates, and let the people rest." Acting on Censor Chen Yi's memorial, Hanlin Bachelor and Lecturer Wang Qingqi was dismissed; acting on Censor Sun Fengxiang and others' memorial, Supervising Ministers of the Imperial Household Department Guibao and Wenxi were dismissed; and palace eunuchs who had violated the law were punished: three were sent into exile and four were beaten. For a time the palace and government were brought into good order.
143
光緒五年，葬穆宗惠陵。 吏部主事吳可讀從上陵，自殺，留疏乞降明旨，以將來大統歸穆宗嗣子。 下大臣王議奏，王大臣等請毋庸議，尚書徐桐等，侍讀學士寶廷、黃體芳，司業張之洞，御史李端棻，皆別疏陳所見。 諭曰：「我朝未明定儲位，可讀所請，與家法不合。 皇帝受穆宗付託，將來慎選元良，纘承統緒，其繼大統者為穆宗嗣子，守祖宗之成憲，示天下以無私，皇帝必能善體此意也。」
In Guangxu 5 Muzong was buried at the Hui Mausoleum. Section Director Wu Kedu of the Ministry of Personnel, accompanying the tomb visit, killed himself and left a memorial begging that a clear edict be issued that the future succession should return to Muzong's heir. The matter was referred to the princes and ministers for deliberation; they asked that no deliberation be needed, but Ministers Xu Tong and others, Hanlin Readers Baoting and Huang Tifang, Vice Director of the Directorate Zhang Zhidong, and Censor Li Duansun each submitted separate memorials stating their views. An edict stated: "Our dynasty has not fixed the heir apparent in advance; Kedu's request does not accord with dynastic law. The emperor received Muzong's entrustment; in future he will carefully choose a worthy heir to continue the succession, and whoever succeeds to the great succession will be Muzong's heir, observing the established laws of the ancestors and showing the empire impartiality; the emperor will surely be able to grasp this intent well."
144
六年，太后不豫，上命諸督撫薦醫治疾。 八年，疾愈。 孝貞皇后既崩，太后獨當國。
In the sixth year the empress dowager was unwell; the emperor ordered governors and governors-general to recommend physicians to treat her illness. In the eighth year her illness abated. After Empress Xiaozhen died, the empress dowager alone directed the state.
145
十年，法蘭西侵越南。 太后責恭親王奕訢等因循貽誤，罷之，更用禮親王世鐸等； 並諭軍機處，遇緊要事件，與醇親王奕譞商辦。 庶子盛昱、錫珍，御史趙爾巽各疏言醇親王不宜參豫機務，諭曰：「自垂簾以來，揆度時勢，不能不用親藩進參機務。 諭令奕譞與軍機大臣會商事件，本專指軍國重事，非概令與聞。 奕譞再四懇辭，諭以俟皇帝親政，再降諭旨，始暫時奉命。 此中委曲，諸臣不能盡知也。」 是年，太后五十萬壽。
In the tenth year France invaded Vietnam. The empress dowager blamed Prince Gong Yi Xin and others for procrastination and delay, dismissed them, and replaced them with Prince Li Shikuo and others; and instructed the Grand Council that on urgent matters they should consult with Prince Chun Yi Huan. Sub-Reader Sheng Yu and Xizhen and Censor Zhao Erxun each memorialized that Prince Chun should not participate in confidential affairs; an edict stated: "Since holding court behind the curtain, judging the times and circumstances, it has been impossible not to employ princes of the blood in confidential affairs. The order for Yi Huan to consult with the Grand Councilors on affairs was originally limited to important military and state matters, not a general command to hear of everything. Yi Huan repeatedly begged to decline; he was instructed that when the emperor personally took government a further edict would be issued, and only then did he temporarily accept the command. The full circumstances here cannot be completely known by the ministers." That year was the empress dowager's fiftieth birthday celebration.
146
十一年，法蘭西約定。 醇親王奕譞建議設海軍。 十三年夏，命會同大學士、直隸總督李鴻章巡閱海口，遣太監李蓮英從。 蓮英侍太后，頗用事。 御史朱一新以各直省水災，奏請修省，辭及蓮英。 太后不懌，責一新覆奏。 一新覆奏，言鴻章具舟迎王，王辭之，蓮英乘以行，遂使將吏迎者誤為王舟。 太后詰王，王遂對曰：「無之。」 遂黜一新。
In the eleventh year the treaty with France was concluded. Prince Chun Yi Huan proposed establishing a navy. In the summer of the thirteenth year he was ordered, together with Grand Secretary and Zhili Governor-General Li Hongzhang, to inspect the coastal defenses, and Eunuch Li Lianying was sent to accompany them. Lianying attended the empress dowager and wielded considerable influence. Censor Zhu Yixin, citing floods in the provinces, memorialized asking for self-examination and repentance, and his language touched on Lianying. The empress dowager was displeased and ordered Yixin to submit a follow-up memorial. Yixin submitted a follow-up memorial saying that Hongzhang had prepared a boat to welcome the prince, but the prince declined; Lianying took advantage of this to travel along, causing the officers who came to welcome them to mistake the boat for the prince's. The empress dowager questioned the prince, and he replied: "There was none." Yixin was then dismissed.
147
太后命以次年正月歸政，醇親王奕譞及王大臣等奏請太后訓政數年，德宗亦力懇再三，太后乃許之。 王大臣等條上訓政典禮，命如議行。 請上徽號，堅不許。
The empress dowager ordered that government be returned in the first month of the following year; Prince Chun Yi Huan and the princes and ministers memorialized asking the empress dowager to continue tutelary rule for several years, and Guangxu also earnestly pleaded again and again, whereupon the empress dowager consented. The princes and ministers submitted in detail the rites for tutelary rule, and an order was issued to carry them out as proposed. They asked to confer honorific titles upon her, but she firmly refused.
148
十五年，德宗行婚禮。 二月己卯，太后歸政。 御史屠仁守疏請太后歸政後，仍披覽章奏，裁決施行。 太后不可，諭曰：「垂簾聽政，本萬不得已之舉。 深宮遠鑒前代流弊，特飭及時歸政。 歸政後，惟醇親王單銜具奏，暫須徑達。 醇親王密陳：『初裁大政，軍國重事，定省可以禀承。』 並非著為典常，使訓政永無底止。」 因斥仁守乖謬，奪官。
In the fifteenth year Guangxu performed the marriage rites. In the second month, on jimao day, the empress dowager returned government. Censor Tu Renshou memorialized asking that after the empress dowager returned government she should still review memorials and decide and implement them. The empress dowager would not agree and issued an edict stating: "Holding court behind the curtain was originally a measure of last resort. From deep within the palace, looking far back at the abuses of earlier ages, I specially ordered the timely return of government. After the return of government, only Prince Chun may submit memorials under his own signature, which for the time being must be sent directly. Prince Chun privately stated: 'At the beginning of assuming great affairs, on important military and state matters, morning and evening greetings may be used to report and receive instructions.' This is not established as a permanent rule, making tutelary rule endless." Renshou was therefore rebuked as perverse and dismissed from office.
149
同治間，穆宗議修圓明園，奉兩太后居之，事未行。 德宗以萬壽山大報恩延壽寺，高宗奉孝聖憲皇后三次祝釐於此，命葺治，備太后臨幸，並更清漪園為頤和園，太后許之。 既歸政，奉太后駐焉。 歲十月十日，太后萬壽節，上率王大臣祝嘏，以為常。
During Tongzhi Muzong proposed restoring the Old Summer Palace for the two empresses dowager to reside in, but the plan was not carried out. Guangxu, because Qianlong had thrice offered blessings for Empress Xiaosheng the Xian at the Great Bao'en Temple of Longevity on Longevity Hill, ordered it repaired for the empress dowager's visits, and also renamed the Qingyi Garden the Summer Palace; the empress dowager consented. After government was returned, he had the empress dowager take up residence there. Each year on the tenth day of the tenth month, the empress dowager's birthday, the emperor led the princes and ministers in offering congratulations, and this became customary.
150
十六年，醇親王奕譞薨。 二十年，日本侵朝鮮，以太后命，起恭親王奕訢。 是年，太后六十萬壽，上請在頤和園受賀，仿康熙、乾隆間成例，自大內至園，蹕路所經，設彩棚經壇，舉行慶典。 朝鮮軍事急，以太后命罷之。
In the sixteenth year Prince Chun Yi Huan died. In the twentieth year Japan invaded Korea; by the empress dowager's command Prince Gong Yi Xin was recalled to office. That year was the empress dowager's sixtieth birthday; the emperor asked to receive congratulations at the Summer Palace, following the precedents of the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns, and from the Forbidden City to the garden along the imperial route colored pavilions and scripture altars were set up to hold the celebration. Because the Korean military situation was urgent, by the empress dowager's command it was canceled.
151
二十四年，恭親王奕訢薨。 上事太后謹，朝廷大政，必請命乃行。 顧以國事日非，思變法救亡，太后意不謂然，積相左。 上期以九月奉太后幸天津閱兵，訛言謂太后將勒兵廢上； 又謂有謀圍頤和園劫太后者。 八月丁亥，太后遽自頤和園還宮，復訓政。 以上有疾，命居瀛臺養疴。
In the twenty-fourth year Prince Gong Yi Xin died. The emperor served the empress dowager with care; on great affairs of court he always asked her command before acting. But because state affairs grew daily worse he thought to reform the laws to save the dynasty; the empress dowager did not agree, and over time they grew opposed. The emperor had planned in the ninth month to escort the empress dowager to Tianjin to review troops; rumors said the empress dowager would mobilize troops to depose him; and others said there was a plot to surround the Summer Palace and seize the empress dowager. In the eighth month, on dinghai day, the empress dowager suddenly returned from the Summer Palace to the palace and resumed tutelary rule. Because the emperor was ill, he was ordered to convalesce on the Ying Terrace.
152
二十五年十二月，立端郡王載漪子溥儁繼穆宗為皇子。
In the twelfth month of the twenty-fifth year Prince Duan's son Pujun was installed as heir to Muzong.
153
二十六年，義和拳事起，載漪等信其術，言於太后，謂為義民，縱令入京師，擊殺德意志使者克林德及日本使館書記，圍使館。 德意志、奧大利亞、比利時、日斯巴尼亞、美利堅、法蘭西、英吉利、義大利、日本、和蘭、俄羅斯十國之師來侵。 七月，逼京師。 太后率上出自德勝門，道宣化、大同。 八月，駐太原。 九月，至西安。 命慶親王奕劻、大學士總督李鴻章與各國議和。
In the twenty-sixth year the Boxer affair arose; Zaiyi and others believed in their arts and told the empress dowager they were righteous people; they were allowed to enter the capital, killed the German minister Ketteler and a Japanese legation secretary, and besieged the legations. Armies of ten powers—Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, the United States, France, Britain, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and Russia—came to invade. In the seventh month they pressed on the capital. The empress dowager led the emperor out through Desheng Gate, taking the route through Xuanhua and Datong. In the eighth month they halted at Taiyuan. In the ninth month they reached Xi'an. Prince Qing Yi Kuang and Grand Secretary and Governor-General Li Hongzhang were ordered to negotiate peace with the various powers.
154
二十七年，各國約成。 八月，上奉太后發西安。 十月，駐開封。 時端郡王載漪以庇義和拳得罪廢，溥儁以公銜出宮。 十一月，還京師。 上仍居瀛臺養疴。 太后屢下詔：「母子一心，勵行新政。」 三十二年七月，下詔預備立憲。
In the twenty-seventh year treaties with the various powers were concluded. In the eighth month the emperor escorted the empress dowager and departed Xi'an. In the tenth month they halted at Kaifeng. At that time Prince Duan Zaiyi was condemned and dismissed for shielding the Boxers, and Pujun left the palace with the rank of duke. In the eleventh month they returned to the capital. The emperor still convalesced on the Ying Terrace. The empress dowager repeatedly issued edicts: "Mother and son are of one mind; vigorously carry out the new policies." In the seventh month of the thirty-second year an edict was issued to prepare constitutional government.
155
三十四年十月，太后有疾。 上疾益增劇。 壬申，太后命授醇親王載灃攝政王。 癸酉，上崩於瀛台。 太后定策立宣統皇帝，即日尊為太皇太后。 甲戌，太后崩，年七十四，葬定陵東普陀峪，曰定東陵。 初尊爲皇太后，上徽號國有慶，累加上曰慈禧端佑康頤昭豫莊誠壽恭欽獻崇熙皇太后。 及崩，即以徽號爲諡。 子一，穆宗。
In the tenth month of the thirty-fourth year the empress dowager fell ill. The emperor's illness grew much worse. On renshen day the empress dowager ordered Prince Chun Zaifeng appointed regent. On guiyou day the emperor died on the Ying Terrace. The empress dowager decided policy and installed the Xuantong emperor, and that same day was honored as grand empress dowager. On jiaxu day the empress dowager died, aged seventy-four; she was buried at Putuo Valley east of the Ding Mausoleum, at what is called the Dingdong Mausoleum. When she was first honored as empress dowager, honorific titles were conferred; whenever the state had cause for celebration further titles were added until she was styled Grand Empress Dowager Cixi Duanyou Kangyi Zhaoyu Zhuangcheng Shougong Qinxian Chongxi. Upon her death her honorific titles became her posthumous title. She bore one son, Muzong.
156
莊靜皇貴妃，他他拉氏。 事文宗，爲貴人，累進麗妃。 穆宗尊封爲皇考麗皇貴太妃。 薨，諡曰莊靜皇貴妃。 女一，下嫁符珍。
Imperial Noble Consort Zhuangjing, of the Tatara clan. She attended Wenzong as Lady of Attendance and was promoted in stages to Consort Li. Muzong honored her as his father's Grand Imperial Noble Consort Li. After her death she was posthumously titled Imperial Noble Consort Zhuangjing. She bore one daughter, who married Fu Zhen.
157
玫貴妃，徐佳氏。 事文宗，爲貴人，進玫嬪。 穆宗尊爲皇考玫貴妃。 子一，未命名，殤。
Imperial Consort Mei, of the Xujia clan. She attended Wenzong as Lady of Attendance and was promoted to Dame Mei. Muzong honored her as his father's Imperial Consort Mei. She bore one son, unnamed, who died in infancy.
158
端恪皇貴妃，佟佳氏。 事文宗，爲祺嬪。 同治間尊爲皇考祺貴妃。 宣統初，尊爲皇祖祺貴太妃。 薨，諡曰端恪皇貴妃。
Imperial Noble Consort Duanke, of the Tunggiya clan. She attended Wenzong as Dame Qi. During Tongzhi she was honored as his father's Imperial Consort Qi. Early in Xuantong she was honored as his grandfather's Grand Imperial Consort Qi. After her death she was posthumously titled Imperial Noble Consort Duanke.
159
文宗諸妃，未有子女而同治、光緒兩朝尊封者，婉貴妃、璷妃、吉妃、禧妃、慶妃、雲嬪、英嬪、容嬪、璹嬪、玉嬪，皆自貴人進封。 婉貴妃，索綽絡氏。 雲嬪，武佳氏。 英嬪，伊爾根覺羅氏。 餘不知氏族。
Among Wenzong's consorts who had no children but received honored ranks in the Tongzhi and Guangxu reigns were Imperial Consort Wan, Consort Lu, Consort Ji, Consort Xi, Consort Qing, Dame Yun, Dame Ying, Dame Rong, Dame Shu, and Dame Yu; all had risen from the rank of Lady of Attendance. Imperial Consort Wan, of the Suochuoluo clan. Dame Yun, of the Wujia clan. Dame Ying, of the Irgen Gioro clan. Of the rest the clans are unknown.
160
孝哲毅皇后，阿魯特氏。 戶部尚書崇綺女。 九月立爲皇后。 十三年十二月，穆宗崩，德宗即位。 以兩太后命封爲嘉順皇后。 二月戊子崩，梓宮暫安隆福寺。 二年五月，御史潘敦儼因歲旱上言，請更定諡號，謂：「后崩在穆宗升遐百日內，道路傳聞，或稱傷悲致疾，或云絕粒霣生，奇節不彰，何以慰在天之靈？ 何以副兆民之望？」 太后以其言無據，斥為謬妄，奪官。 五年三月，合葬惠陵，上諡。 宣統加諡，曰孝哲嘉順淑慎賢明恭端憲天彰聖毅皇后。
Empress Xiaozhe Yi, of the Arut clan. She was the daughter of Minister of Revenue Chongqi. In the ninth month she was installed as empress. In the twelfth month of the thirteenth year Muzong died and Guangxu acceded to the throne. By command of the two empresses dowager she was enfeoffed as Empress Jiashun. In the second month, on wuzi day, she died; her coffin was temporarily placed at Longfu Temple. In the fifth month of the second year Censor Pan Dunyi, citing drought, memorialized asking that her posthumous title be revised, saying: "The empress died within the hundred days after Muzong's death; rumors in the streets say either that grief brought on illness or that she starved herself to death; if such extraordinary virtue is not made known, how can the spirit in Heaven be comforted? How can the hopes of the myriad people be fulfilled?" The empress dowager, holding his words groundless, rebuked them as absurd and dismissed him from office. In the third month of the fifth year she was buried with him at the Hui Mausoleum, and the emperor conferred a posthumous title. Under Xuantong further honorifics were added, and she was styled Empress Xiaozhe Jiashun Shushen Xianming Gongduan Xiantian Zhangsheng Yi.
161
淑慎皇貴妃，富察氏。 穆宗立-{后}-，同日封慧妃。 進皇貴妃。 德宗即位，以兩太后命，封為敦宜皇貴妃。 進敦宜榮慶皇貴妃。 ，薨。 諡曰淑慎皇貴妃。
Imperial Noble Consort Shushen, of the Fuca clan. When Muzong installed her as empress, on the same day she was made Consort Hui. She was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort. When Guangxu acceded to the throne, by command of the two empresses dowager she was made Imperial Noble Consort Dunyi. She was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort Dunyi Rongqing. She died. She was posthumously titled Imperial Noble Consort Shushen.
162
莊和皇貴妃，阿魯特氏，大學士賽尚阿女，孝哲毅皇后姑也。 事穆宗，為珣嬪，進妃。 光緒間，進貴妃。 宣統皇帝尊為皇考珣皇貴妃。 孝定景皇后崩未逾月，妃薨。 諡曰莊和皇貴妃。
Imperial Noble Consort Zhuanghe, of the Arut clan, was the daughter of Grand Secretary Saishang'a and an aunt of Empress Xiaozhe Yi. She attended Muzong as Dame Xun and was promoted to consort. During Guangxu she was promoted to Imperial Consort. The Xuantong emperor honored her as his father's Imperial Noble Consort Xun. Less than a month after Empress Xiaoding Jing died, the consort died. She was posthumously titled Imperial Noble Consort Zhuanghe.
163
敬懿皇貴妃，赫捨裡氏。 事穆宗，自嬪進妃。 光緒間，進貴妃。 宣統間，累進尊封。
Imperial Noble Consort Jingyi, of the Hesheli clan. She attended Muzong and was promoted from dame to consort. During Guangxu she was promoted to Imperial Consort. During Xuantong she was repeatedly advanced in honored rank.
164
榮惠皇貴妃，西林覺羅氏。 事穆宗，自貴人進嬪。 光緒間，進妃。 宣統間，累進尊封。
Imperial Noble Consort Ronghui, of the Xilin Gioro clan. She attended Muzong and was promoted from Lady of Attendance to dame. During Guangxu she was promoted to consort. During Xuantong she was repeatedly advanced in honored rank.
165
德宗孝定景皇后，葉赫那拉氏，都統桂祥女，孝欽顯皇后侄女也。 十月，孝欽顯皇后為德宗聘焉。 十五年正月，立為皇后。 二十七年，從幸西安。 二十八年，還京師。 三十四年，宣統皇帝即位。 稱「兼祧母后」，尊為皇太后。 上徽號曰隆裕。 十二月戊午，以太后命遜位。 越二年正月甲戌，崩，年四十六。 上諡，曰孝定隆裕寬惠慎哲協天保聖景皇后，合葬崇陵。
Empress Xiaoding Jing of Guangxu, of the Yehe Nara clan, was the daughter of Commander-in-Chief Guixiang and a niece of Empress Xiaoqin Xian. In the tenth month Empress Xiaoqin Xian arranged her betrothal to Guangxu. In the first month of the fifteenth year she was installed as empress. In the twenty-seventh year she accompanied the court to Xi'an. In the twenty-eighth year they returned to the capital. In the thirty-fourth year the Xuantong emperor acceded to the throne. Styled "Empress Dowager of the Dual Succession," she was honored as empress dowager. She was granted the honorific title Longyu. In the twelfth month, on wuwu day, by the empress dowager's command, she abdicated. Two years later, in the first month, on jiaxu day, she died, aged forty-six. She was posthumously titled Empress Xiaoding Longyu Kuanhui Shenzhe Xietian Baosheng Jing and buried with him at the Chong Mausoleum.
166
端康皇貴妃，他他拉氏。 ，選為瑾嬪。 二十年，進瑾妃。 以女弟珍妃忤太后，同降貴人。 二十一年，仍封瑾妃。 宣統初，尊為兼祧皇考瑾貴妃。 遜位後，進尊封。 歲甲子，薨。
Imperial Noble Consort Duankang, of the Tatara clan. She was selected as Dame Jin. In the twentieth year she was promoted to Consort Jin. Because her younger sister Consort Zhen offended the empress dowager, both were demoted to Lady of Attendance. In the twenty-first year she was again made Consort Jin. Early in Xuantong she was honored as his father's Imperial Consort Jin of the Dual Succession. After the abdication she was advanced in honored rank. In the jiazi year she died.
167
恪順皇貴妃，他他拉氏，端康皇貴妃女弟。 同選，為珍嬪。 進珍妃。 以忤太后，諭責其習尚奢華，屢有乞請，降貴人。 逾年，仍封珍妃。 二十六年，太后出巡，沈於井。 二十七年，上還京師。 追進皇貴妃。 葬西直門外，移祔崇陵。 追進尊封。
Imperial Noble Consort Keshun, of the Tatara clan, was the younger sister of Imperial Noble Consort Duankang. Selected together with her sister, she was made Dame Zhen. She was promoted to Consort Zhen. Because she offended the empress dowager, an edict rebuked her luxurious habits and repeated petitions, and she was demoted to Lady of Attendance. After more than a year she was again made Consort Zhen. In the twenty-sixth year, when the empress dowager went on tour, she was drowned in a well. In the twenty-seventh year the emperor returned to the capital. She was posthumously advanced to Imperial Noble Consort. She was buried outside Xizhi Gate and later moved to be enshrined at the Chong Mausoleum. She was posthumously advanced in honored rank.
168
宣統皇后，郭博勒氏，總管內務府大臣榮源女。 遜位後，歲壬戌，冊立為皇后。 淑妃，額爾德特氏。 同日冊封。
Empress of Xuantong, of the Gobulo clan, was the daughter of Supervising Minister of the Imperial Household Department Rongyuan. After the abdication, in the renxu year, she was invested as empress. Imperial Consort Shu, of the Erdete clan. On the same day she was invested and enfeoffed.