Concubine Yu (Daoguang)


Concubine Yu, of the Han Chinese Plain White Banner Shang clan, was a consort of Daoguang Emperor.

Life

Family background

Concubine Yu was a member of Han Chinese Plain White Banner Shang clan.

Jiaqing era

The future Concubine Yu was born on 20 December 1816.

Daoguang era

Lady Shang entered the Forbidden City in 1834, and was given the title of "First Class Female Attendant Ling". She lived in Yanxi palace together with Noble Consort Cheng and Concubine Tian. In 1839, her palace maid Daniu was beaten forty times for stealing white silk satin. The palace maid also received a corporal punishment from her mistress for killing her cat. Later, Daniu was punished for stepping into a plate in 1840. That same year, lady Shang was demoted to "Second Class Female Attendant Shang". On 21 August 1845, the Palace of Prolonging Happiness burnt down, causing her to move out to Chuxiu palace.

Xianfeng era

In 1850, Lady Shang was restored as "First Class Female Attendant Shang". In 1860, she was rewarded during the celebration of Chinese New Year together with dowager concubines. Unlike Imperial Noble Consort Zhuangshun, Noble Consort Cheng, Noble Consort Jia, Consort Xiang, and First Attendant Cai, she was left in the Forbidden City.

Tongzhi era

In 1861, Lady Shang was promoted to "Noble Lady Shang".

Guangxu era

In 1874, Lady Shang was promoted to "Concubine Yu". Concubine Yu died on 24 September 1897 at the age of eighty-one. She was longest living consort of the Daoguang Emperor. Her coffin was interred at Mu Mausoleum of the Western Qing tombs.

Titles