Imperial Concubine Chun

The Imperial Concubine Chun (Chinese: 淳嬪), Birth Name Dongiya Er-Chun (Chinese: 董佳爾淳) was a Qing Dynasty concubine during the Jiaqing Emperor period.

Life

Lady Dongiya was the daughter of an Imperial official, and was given the title of "Honoured Lady Chun" (淳貴人) during the early years of the Jiaqing period. On April of Jiaqing 6 (1801), Lady Dongiya was elevated to become The Imperial Concubine Chun (淳嬪), where she remained until her death in 13 October, Jiaqing 24 (1819).

She was the fifth of the six Imperial Concubines (the highest number allowed at any time) to be elevated to the position, and was, according to various sources, much beloved by Jiaqing during her life as an Imperial Concubine.

Portrayal in Popular Media

In the 2004 Cantonese Chinese TV Series War and Beauty (Chinese: 金枝慾孽), the Imperial Concubine was portrayed by Charmaine Sheh. In the TV series, the Imperial Concubine was revealed to be a Han Chinese who was given a false Manchu identity by her adoptive father to enter the Palace and actively gain the favour of the Emperor, which could, in turn, give the Imperial Concubine a chance to petition for a pardon for her adoptive father's treasonous acts in the past.

At the end of the series, The Imperial Concubine was seen leaving the Forbidden City with a Palace Guard to start a new life.

Titles Held from Birth to Death

*Birth-1796?: "Dongiya Er-Chun" (董佳爾淳)
*1796?-April, 1801: "Lady Dongiya, The Honoured Lady Chun" (淳貴人董佳氏)
*April, 1801-Death: "Lady Dongiya, The Imperial Concubine Chun" (淳嬪董佳氏)