Imperial Noble Consort Gongsu


Imperial Noble Consort Gongsu, of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Arute clan, was a consort of the Tongzhi Emperor. She was one year his junior.

Life

Family background

Imperial Noble Consort Gongsu's personal name was not recorded in history. Her family originally belonged to the Mongol Plain Blue Banner.
The future Imperial Noble Consort Gongsu was born on the third day of the eighth lunar month in the seventh year of the reign of the Xianfeng Emperor, which translates to 20 September 1857 in the Gregorian calendar.

Tongzhi era

In November 1872, Lady Arute entered the Forbidden City and was granted the title "Concubine Xun" by the Tongzhi Emperor. On 23 December 1874, she was elevated to "Consort Xun".

Guangxu era

The Tongzhi Emperor died on 12 January 1875 and was succeeded by his cousin Zaitian, who was enthroned as the Guangxu Emperor. On 29 May 1895, Lady Arute was elevated to "Noble Consort Xun".

Xuantong era

The Guangxu Emperor died on 14 November 1908 and was succeeded by his nephew Puyi, who was enthroned as the Xuantong Emperor. On 18 November 1908, Lady Arute was elevated to "Dowager Imperial Noble Consort Xun". She moved to Chuxiu Palace in the western part of the Forbidden City.

Republican era

After the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1912, Puyi and the imperial clan were allowed to retain their noble titles and continue living in the Forbidden City. On 12 March 1913, Puyi honoured Lady Arute with the title "Dowager Imperial Noble Consort Zhuanghe".
Lady Arute died of illness on 14 April 1921 and was posthumously honoured as "Imperial Noble Consort Gongsu". She was interred in the Hui Mausoleum of the Eastern Qing tombs.

Titles