Youlan, 2nd Princess Chun

Lady Aisin-Gioro(幼蘭) (1884 - 1921), was the mother of the last Chinese emperor Pu Yi, also known as the Xuantong Emperor. She was married to the 2nd Prince Chun and also gave birth to another son, Pu Yi's younger brother Pujie.

Also known as the 2nd Princess Chun, her Manchu given name was Youlan (zh: 幼蘭). She was the daughter of the Manchu general Ronglu (榮祿) (b. 1836 - d. 1903) from the Guwalgiya clan, one of the leaders of the conservative faction at the court, and a staunch supporter 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.

Lady Aisin-Gioro 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 an army of eunuchs. The role of the mother was replaced by his nurse, Ar Mo. She lived in her palace in Beijing, the Northern Residence (北府), with her husband. Sometime after 1911, her unhappy husband married a concubine, with whom he had several children.

Lady Aisin-Gioro committed suicide in 1921 by swallowing opium after being scolded at a public audience by Princess Dowager Duankang (端康太妃) for the misconduct of the young emperor Pu Yi. Princess Dowager Duankuang was the highest ranking woman in the Forbidden City since the death of Empress Dowager Longyu in 1913. Pu Yi was only 15 years old.

The tragic story of Lady Aisin-Gioro featured in the 1987 movie "The Last Emperor", played by actress Liang Dong. The role of the nurse Ar Mo was played by Jade Go.

References

* [http://www.romanization.com/books/courtlifeinchina/chap11.html Princess Chun, witnessed by Isaac Taylor Headland (1859 - 1942)]