Noble Consort Yu


Noble Consort Yu, of the Mongol Bordered Blue Banner Keliyete clan, was a consort of the Qianlong Emperor. She was three years his junior.

Life

Family background

Noble Consort Yu's personal name was not recorded in history.
The future Noble Consort Yu was born on the fourth day of the fifth lunar month in the 53rd year of the reign of the Kangxi Emperor, which translates to 15 June 1714 in the Gregorian calendar.

Yongzheng era

It is not known when Lady Keliyete became a mistress of Hongli, the fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor.

Qianlong era

The Yongzheng Emperor died on 8 October 1735 and was succeeded by Hongli, who was enthroned as the Qianlong Emperor. On 8 November 1735, Lady Keliyete was granted the title "First Attendant". In 1736, she was elevated to "Noble Lady". On 23 March 1741, Lady Keliyete gave birth to the emperor's fifth son, Yongqi. She was elevated in December 1741 or January 1742 to "Concubine Yu", and on 9 December 1745 to "Consort Yu".
Yongqi became the Qianlong Emperor's favourite son because of his diligence and proficiency in various arts. He was the first among the Qianlong Emperor's sons to be made a first rank prince. Following Yongqi's death on 16 April 1766, Lady Keliyete gradually lost the Qianlong Emperor's favour and became neglected. She died on 9 July 1792. In 1793, the emperor granted her the posthumous title "Noble Consort Yu" and had her interred in the Yu Mausoleum of the Eastern Qing tombs.

Titles