Consort Xi
Consort Xi (禧妃 察哈喇氏; 4 October 1842 – 26 June 1877) was a consort of Xianfeng Emperor.
Life
Family background
Consort Xi was a booi aha of Manchu Plain Yellow Banner Cahala clan. Her personal name was Haitangchun (海棠春, literally: Spring Begony)
Father: Changshun, a cook in the Ministry of Internal Affairs (厨师)[1]
Daoguang era
Consort Xi was born on 4 October 1842.
Xianfeng era
Haitangchun was one of the palace maids of Empress Dowager Cixi living in Changchun palace in the Forbidden City. In 1855, she was promoted to “Noble Lady Xi" (禧贵人, 'xi' meaning "auspicious").[2] It was said that Noble Lady Xi was killed by the Concubine Yi after the birth of Tongzhi Emperor but that event has no confirmation in the history. She formed a clique called "Four Spring Ladies" (四春娘娘) together with Noble Lady Lu, Noble Lady Ji and Noble Lady Qing. The name of the group corresponded personal names of ladies containg character "chun" (spring).[3] In 1861, she was promoted to "Concubine Xi", but the promotion ceremony was held during Tongzhi era.[4]
Tongzhi era
In 1874, lady Cahala was promoted to "Consort Xi".[5]
Guangxu era
Cahala Haitangchun died on 26 June 1877. She was interred at the Ding Mausoleum in the Eastern Qing tombs.
Titles
During Xianfeng era:
- Noble Lady Xi (禧贵人) - from 1855
- Concubine Xi (禧嫔) - from 1861
During Tongzhi era:
- Consort Xi (禧妃) - from 1874
References
- Shang, Si (2018). 垂帘听政:慈禧真相/"The truth about Cixi".
- Wang/ 王, Peihuan/佩環 (1993). "Qing dynasty imperial consorts"/"清宫后妃". Shenyang: 辽宁大学出版社/ Liaoning university press. p. 351.
- Shang, Si (2018). 垂帘听政:慈禧真相/"The truth about Cixi".
- 庄/Zhuang, 吉发/Jifa (2008). "咸丰事典"/"Records of Xianfeng era". p. 242.
- 晏/Yan, 子有/Ziyou (2000). "清东西陵"/"Eastern and Western Qing tombs". 中国青年出版社. p. 328.