The Three Empresses of Qianlong

The Qianlong Emperor, one of China’s longest-reigning monarchs (1735–1796), had three empresses during his rule: Empress Xiaoxian, Empress Xiaoyi, and Empress Nara (Ula-Nara). While Empress Xiaoxian was deeply cherished by the emperor, her untimely death in 1748 during an imperial tour created a vacancy in the imperial harem. Following tradition, Qianlong elevated Ula-Nara to the position of empress, granting her authority over the palace.

For a woman in the secluded Forbidden City, this was an extraordinary opportunity—second only to the emperor in status. Yet, fifteen years later, during the emperor’s fourth southern tour in 1765, Empress Nara committed an act that would lead to her downfall: she cut her hair in protest. This seemingly simple gesture triggered an imperial scandal, resulting in her disgrace, confinement, and eventual death in obscurity.

The Rise and Fall of Empress Nara

Empress Nara’s reign as the primary consort lasted from 1748 to 1765. During this period, she bore three children: the Twelfth Prince Yongji (1752), the Fifth Princess (1753), and the Thirteenth Prince Yongjing (1755). By the time she turned 38, her fertility—and thus her political influence—began to wane.

Meanwhile, Qianlong’s attention shifted to a younger consort, Lady Wei (later Empress Xiaoyi), who bore six children between 1756 and 1766. This rapid succession of births signaled a dramatic shift in imperial favor. By 1765, the 48-year-old Empress Nara was no longer the emperor’s preferred companion, and her position grew increasingly precarious.

The Southern Tour Scandal

In 1765, Qianlong embarked on his fourth southern inspection tour, accompanied by Empress Nara and Lady Wei. On February 10, the empress celebrated her birthday with imperial honors. However, by late March, tensions erupted. Historical records suggest that Qianlong and the Empress Dowager informed Nara of their intention to elevate Lady Wei to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort—a position just below empress.

Fearing displacement, Empress Nara reacted violently. In a shocking act of defiance, she cut off a lock of her hair—an extreme gesture in Manchu culture, reserved only for mourning the death of an emperor or empress dowager. This act was interpreted as a curse upon the throne, enraging Qianlong.

The Emperor’s Wrath and the Empress’s Punishment

Qianlong’s response was swift and brutal:
– Immediate Disgrace: Empress Nara was forcibly sent back to Beijing under guard.
– Loss of Status: All her imperial titles and privileges were revoked.
– Death in Obscurity: She died a year later in confinement, denied proper funeral rites.

The emperor’s vengeance extended beyond her lifetime:
1. Exclusion from the Imperial Tomb: Unlike other empresses, she was buried in a lesser tomb reserved for consorts.
2. Downgraded Funeral: Her burial followed the protocols of an imperial noble consort, not an empress.
3. No Posthumous Honors: She received no posthumous title, a severe dishonor in Qing tradition.
4. Historical Erasure: Official records omitted her burial location, and she was denied memorial rites.

Legacy and Historical Debate

The fall of Empress Nara remains one of the most dramatic episodes of Qing palace intrigue. Historians debate whether her actions stemmed from jealousy, political desperation, or mental distress. Some argue that Qianlong’s harsh punishment reflected deeper tensions—his desire to replace her with Lady Wei and his unwillingness to tolerate defiance.

Her story also highlights the precarious position of imperial women, whose power depended entirely on the emperor’s favor. Once that favor was lost, even an empress could be erased from history.

Modern Reflections

Today, Empress Nara’s fate serves as a cautionary tale about power, gender, and court politics in imperial China. Her dramatic downfall continues to captivate historians and dramatists alike, symbolizing the brutal realities behind the Forbidden City’s gilded walls.

While Qianlong’s reign is often remembered for its cultural achievements, the tragedy of Empress Nara reminds us of the human cost of absolute monarchy—where love, loyalty, and even life itself were subject to the whims of an emperor.