Youlan, 2nd Princess Chun
Encyclopedia
Youlan (1884–1921), was the mother of the last Chinese emperor Puyi
, also known as the Xuantong Emperor. She was married to Zaifeng, 2nd Prince Chun
and also gave birth to another son, Puyi's younger brother Pujie
, and three daughters.
Also known as the 2nd Princess Chun or informally as Lady Aisin Gioro, her Manchu
given name was Youlan (zh: 幼蘭). Youlan was also called Funiu. She was the daughter of the Manchu general Ronglu
(榮祿) (b. 1836 - d. 1903) from the Guwalgiya clan and his second consort Wanzhen. Initially Ronglu's concubine, she was elevated to the status of consort when Ronglu's first consort died. Ronglu one of the leaders of the conservative faction at the court, and a staunch supporter (and cousin) of Empress Dowager Cixi
. She rewarded him for his support by allowing his daughter to get married into the imperial family. The marriage, however, was an unhappy one, in part because Zaifeng did not like her father.
Lady Aisin-Gioro was separated from her son while he was still very young, when he became emperor. She was only allowed to see him very rarely, his upbringing being undertaken by an army of eunuchs. The role of the mother was replaced by his nurse, Wen-Chao Wang. She lived in her palace in Beijing, the Northern Residence (北府), with her husband. Sometime after 1911, her unhappy husband married a concubine, with whom he had several children.
Lady Aisin-Gioro committed suicide in 1921 by swallowing opium
after being scolded at a public audience by Dowager Consort Duankang (端康太妃) for the misconduct of the young emperor Puyi. Dowager Consort Duankang was the highest ranking woman in the Forbidden City
since the death of Empress Dowager Longyu
in 1913. Puyi was only 15 years old. She was the last surviving member of the Guwalgiya clan. By this time, her father had already died, and Youlan's brother had died young.
Puyi
Puyi , of the Manchu Aisin Gioro clan, was the last Emperor of China, and the twelfth and final ruler of the Qing Dynasty. He ruled as the Xuantong Emperor from 1908 until his abdication on 12 February 1912. From 1 to 12 July 1917 he was briefly restored to the throne as a nominal emperor by the...
, also known as the Xuantong Emperor. She was married to Zaifeng, 2nd Prince Chun
Zaifeng, 2nd Prince Chun
The 2nd Prince Chun was born Zaifeng , of the Manchu Aisin-Gioro clan . He was the leader of China between 1908 and 1911, serving as regent for his son Puyi, the Xuantong Emperor.His courtesy name was Yiyun...
and also gave birth to another son, Puyi's younger brother Pujie
Pujie
-External links:**...
, and three daughters.
Also known as the 2nd Princess Chun or informally as Lady Aisin Gioro, her Manchu
Manchu
The Manchu people or Man are an ethnic minority of China who originated in Manchuria . During their rise in the 17th century, with the help of the Ming dynasty rebels , they came to power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which...
given name was Youlan (zh: 幼蘭). Youlan was also called Funiu. She was the daughter of the Manchu general Ronglu
Ronglu
Ronglu was a Manchu statesman and general during the late Qing dynasty. Born into the powerful Guwalgiya clan of the Plain White Banner in the Eight Banners, he was cousin to Yehenara Lan, who later became Empress Dowager Cixi...
(榮祿) (b. 1836 - d. 1903) from the Guwalgiya clan and his second consort Wanzhen. Initially Ronglu's concubine, she was elevated to the status of consort when Ronglu's first consort died. Ronglu one of the leaders of the conservative faction at the court, and a staunch supporter (and cousin) of Empress Dowager Cixi
Empress Dowager Cixi
Empress Dowager Cixi1 , of the Manchu Yehenara clan, was a powerful and charismatic figure who became the de facto ruler of the Manchu Qing Dynasty in China for 47 years from 1861 to her death in 1908....
. She rewarded him for his support by allowing his daughter to get married into the imperial family. The marriage, however, was an unhappy one, in part because Zaifeng did not like her father.
Lady Aisin-Gioro was separated from her son while he was still very young, when he became emperor. She was only allowed to see him very rarely, his upbringing being undertaken by an army of eunuchs. The role of the mother was replaced by his nurse, Wen-Chao Wang. She lived in her palace in Beijing, the Northern Residence (北府), with her husband. Sometime after 1911, her unhappy husband married a concubine, with whom he had several children.
Lady Aisin-Gioro committed suicide in 1921 by swallowing opium
Opium
Opium is the dried latex obtained from the opium poppy . Opium contains up to 12% morphine, an alkaloid, which is frequently processed chemically to produce heroin for the illegal drug trade. The latex also includes codeine and non-narcotic alkaloids such as papaverine, thebaine and noscapine...
after being scolded at a public audience by Dowager Consort Duankang (端康太妃) for the misconduct of the young emperor Puyi. Dowager Consort Duankang was the highest ranking woman in the Forbidden City
Forbidden City
The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the middle of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum...
since the death of Empress Dowager Longyu
Empress Dowager Longyu
Empress Xiao Ding Jing ; is better known as the Empress Dowager Longyu , . Also , she had the nickname was Xizi （喜子）. Empress Xiao Ding Jing was the Qing Dynasty Empress Consort of the Guangxu Emperor who ruled China from 1875 till 1908...
in 1913. Puyi was only 15 years old. She was the last surviving member of the Guwalgiya clan. By this time, her father had already died, and Youlan's brother had died young.