The Kangxi Emperor, also known by his temple name Emperor Shengzu of Qing, personal name Xuanye, was the forth emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper. His reign of 61 years makes him the longest-reigning emperor in Chinese history and one of the longest-reigning rulers in history. He is considered one of China's greatest emperors.
The Daoguang Emperor, also known by his temple name Emperor Xuanzong of Qing, personal name Mianning, was the seventh emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the sixth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. His reign was marked by "external disaster and internal rebellion". These include the First Opium War and the beginning of the Taiping Rebellion which nearly brought down the dynasty. The historian Jonathan Spence characterizes the Daoguang Emperor as a "well meaning but ineffective man" who promoted officials who "presented a purist view even if they had nothing to say about the domestic and foreign problems surrounding the dynasty".
Bumbutai, of the Khorchin Mongol Borjigit clan, was the consort of Hong Taiji. She was 21 years his junior. She was honoured as Empress Dowager Zhaosheng during the reign of her son, Fulin, the Shunzhi Emperor, and as Grand Empress Dowager Zhaosheng during the reign of her grandson, Xuanye, the Kangxi Emperor.
The Niohuru were a prominent Manchu clan during the Qing dynasty. The clan had inhabited the Changbai Mountains since as early as the Liao dynasty. The clan was well known during the Qing dynasty for producing a variety of consorts of all ranks for emperors, several of whom went on to become mothers to reigning emperors. Prominent people who belonged or trace heritage to the Niohuru clan including famed Manchu warrior Eidu, his son the high official Ebilun, the Empress Dowager Ci'an, the infamous corrupt official Heshen, the contemporary concert pianist Lang Lang and Lang Tsuyun, Taiwanese TV, movie and stage actress, singer and producer.
Yixuan, formally known as Prince Chun, was an imperial prince of the House of Aisin-Gioro and a statesman of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty in China. He was the father of the Guangxu Emperor, and the paternal grandfather of Puyi through his fifth son Zaifeng.
Liu Qing, formally Prince Xiao of Qinghe (清河孝王) or Emperor Xiaode (孝德皇), was a crown prince of the Han dynasty under his father Emperor Zhang who lost his position and his mother Consort Song due to palace intrigue at the hands of his father's wife Empress Dou. He, however, maintained a strong relationship with his half-brother Emperor He, and was able to avenge himself and his mother in conjunction with his brother. During his lifetime, he saw his son Liu Hu (劉祜) become emperor as successor to his nephew Emperor Shang, who died in infancy.
Imperial Noble Consort Zhuangjing, of the Manchu Plain Red Banner Tatara clan, was a consort of the Xianfeng Emperor. She was six years his junior.
Empress Xiaojingcheng, of the Manchu Plain Yellow Banner Borjigit clan, was a posthumous name bestowed to a consort of Mianning, the Daoguang Emperor. She was honoured as Empress Dowager Kangci during the reign of her step-son, Yizhu, the Xianfeng Emperor. She was the only Qing empress dowager who was neither her husband's empress consort nor emperor's mother.
Empress Xiaoyichun, of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Weigiya clan, was a consort of the Qianlong Emperor. Her eldest surviving son became the Jiaqing Emperor.
Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui, of the Han Chinese Plain White Banner Su clan, was a consort of the Qianlong Emperor. She was two years his junior.
The Qing dynasty (1644–1912) of China developed a complicated peerage system for royal and noble ranks.
Noble Consort Zheng (1565–1630), was a Ming dynasty concubine of the Wanli Emperor. She is known for having been his most beloved consort and, in an attempt to please her, he tried to make her son his heir apparent. This act caused over a decade of conflict and factionalism in the imperial court.
Dowager Imperial Noble Consort Quehui, of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Tunggiya clan, was a consort of the Kangxi Emperor. She was 14 years his junior.
Princess Hejing of the First Rank, was a princess of the Qing dynasty as the third daughter of the Qianlong Emperor. Her mother was Empress Xiaoxianchun.
Mingfu was granted to wives of officials, non-imperial aristocrats, and collateral clanswomen. Also, mothers of imperial consorts were granted a title of mingfu according to the rank held by her daughter as well as sisters of imperial consorts. A title was granted to nursemaids of emperors and attendants of imperial consorts. Noblewomen were divided into 7 ranks according to the rank of her husband and her daughter, if her daughter was an imperial consort. If the title held by mingfus' husbands was divided into subclasses, they could be treated equally.
The Qing dynasty developed a complicated system of ranks and titles. Princess's consort was granted a title of efu, meaning "imperial charioter". However, the title was not granted to the spouses of clanswoman. An efu retained his title and privileges as long as the princess remained his primary spouse – even after her death. However, if an efu remarried or promoted another consort to be his primary spouse, he lost all rights obtained from his marriage to the princess.
Feng'en zhenguo gong, translated as "Grace Defender Duke" or "Duke Who Guards the State by the Grace" or "State Duke of the First Rank", was one of the royal and noble titles of the Qing dynasty. A title was created in 1653 by division of the zhenguo gong title into two ranks following the criterion of sharing Eight Privileges. The title was the seventh highest rank in the extended system of ranks and the fifth inheritable rank.
Feng'en fuguo gong, translated as "Grace Bulwark Duke" or "Duke Who Assists to the State by the Grace" or "State Duke of the Second Rank", was one of the royal and noble titles of the Qing dynasty. A title was created in 1653 by division of the zhenguo gong title into two ranks following the criterion of sharing Eight Privileges. The title was the eighth highest rank in the extended system of ranks and the fifth inheritable rank.
Xiangjun, translated as "Lady of the Village" or "Lady of the Third Rank", was a female noble title used in Imperial China. The title was created during the Western Jin dynasty for the grandmother of the Empress Wang Yuanji, Lady Xiahou. During the Song dynasty, the title lost its prestige due to excessive grants and was abolished. Henceforth, the title was considered as part of the lowest tier of Chinese noble ranks.
Consort Kanghuishu, of the Abaga Borjigit clan, was a consort of Hong Taiji. Her personal name was Batmadzoo (巴特瑪璪).
