The beauty that Qianlong favored the most in the harem but was not made empress

Chinese history records that, although the harem had many beauties, Qianlong still favored Imperial Concubine Ling (Wei Jia) the most. Imperial Concubine Ling, also known as Wei Jia, came from the Imperial Banner Baoyi, a class that served the Manchu royal family.

When she came of age, thanks to her membership in the Imperial Household Agency, Lady Wei was chosen to enter the palace during the annual Imperial Household Agency selection. Due to her stunning beauty and exceptional talent in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she became the fastest-rising concubine in Qianlong's harem.

The imperial concubine originally came from the Manchu royal service class. (Illustration: Imperial concubine in the movie Story of Yanxi Palace)

According to the imperial poems of Emperor Qianlong, Wei was educated by Empress Xiaoxianchun, and her becoming a concubine was also recommended by the Empress.

It is unclear when she became the official concubine of Emperor Qianlong. The earliest records of her were recorded during the Qianlong period as a Noble Consort. In the 10th year of Qianlong (1745), on the 23rd day of the first month (lunar calendar), Emperor Qianlong issued an edict to promote Noble Consort Wei to the title of Qin.

From the title of Qin, the concubines would have titles, and the title chosen for Wei Shi was Ling. "Ling" in Manchu means "Intelligent" or "Clever".

Wei Jia was beautiful and proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, so her career path was very quick. (Illustration: Imperial Concubine Ling in the movie Story of Yanxi Palace)

In the 21st year of the Qianlong reign (1756), the Qianlong Emperor decided to promote the harem, and promoted Consort Ling to the position of imperial concubine. In the 24th year of the Qianlong reign (1759), the Qianlong Emperor issued an edict to promote Consort Ling to the position of Imperial Noble Consort Ling. In the 30th year of the Qianlong reign (1765), the Qianlong Emperor visited the Chongqing Empress Dowager, and then, following the Empress Dowager's wishes, issued an edict to promote Consort Ling to the position of Imperial Noble Consort Ling.

After the fall of the empress, Consort Ling held the position of Imperial Noble Consort - the highest-ranking concubine, leading the harem for more than 10 years. She also became the last Imperial Noble Consort under the reign of Emperor Qianlong. Although her highest title during her lifetime was Imperial Noble Consort, because she was the biological mother of the new Emperor, Emperor Jiaqing, she was posthumously honored as Empress upon her death.

Initially, for 10 years after entering the palace, she could not give birth. According to the concept of feudal China, when a woman could not give birth, she would be abandoned by her family, especially her husband, but her position was not threatened. When Consort Ling turned 29, she gave birth to 4 princes and 2 princesses. Thanks to giving birth to many children for Qianlong, Consort Ling received more favor from the king. Many people believe that the reason why the 15th Prince Yongyan, her son, was chosen by Emperor Qianlong to be the next emperor was partly because of his feelings for her.

In the 40th year of the Qianlong reign, Imperial Noble Consort Wei passed away at the age of 47. Qianlong was so sad that he stopped the court for 5 days of mourning and gave her the posthumous title of Imperial Noble Consort Lingyi. He also wrote a poem called "Imperial Noble Consort Lingyi's Late Poem" to commemorate her.

Although he loved Consort Ling very much, Qianlong only appointed her as Imperial Noble Consort. (Illustration: Consort Ling in the film Story of Yanxi Palace)

Not only that, she was the fifth and last person to be buried with Qianlong in the underground palace. Her coffin was placed right next to Qianlong's imperial coffin. This also shows that this emperor deeply loved Lingfei even though he could not give her the highest position in the harem.

Quoc Thai (Source: Sohu)

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Source: https://vtc.vn/my-nhan-duoc-can-long-sung-ai-nhat-hau-cung-nhung-khong-duoc-phong-hoang-hau-ar764414.html