Youlan (noble)

Youlan (幼兰) (1884–1921), was the mother of the last Chinese emperor Puyi, also known as the Xuantong Emperor. She was married to Zaifeng, Prince Chun and also gave birth to another son, Puyi's younger brother Pujie, and three daughters.

Also known as the Princess Consort Chun or informally as Lady Aisin Gioro, her Manchu given name was Youlan (zh: 幼兰). Youlan was also called Funiu. She was the daughter of the Manchu general Ronglu (荣禄) (b. 1836 - d. 1903) from the Guwalgiya clan. Ronglu was 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. Initially Zaifeng's concubine, she was elevated to the status of consort when his first consort died.

Youlan 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 eunuchs. The role of the mother was replaced by his nurse, Wen-Chao Wang. She lived in her palace in Peking, the Northern Residence (北府), with her husband. Sometime after 1911, her unhappy husband married a concubine, with whom he had several children.

Youlan 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. 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.

References

Bibliography

• Headland, Isaac Taylor (1909). Court life in China. F.H. Revell.