Empress Xiaochengren (3 February 1654 – 6 June 1674), of the Manchu Plain Yellow Banner Hešeri clan, was a posthumous name bestowed to the wife and first empress consort of Xuanye, the Kangxi Emperor. She was empress consort of Qing from 1665 until her death in 1674. Although her marriage was a purely political one, the Kangxi Emperor was very fond of her and left the position of empress vacant for about three years after her death. Life Family background Empress Xiaochengren's personal name was not recorded in history. Father: Gabula (d.1681), served as a first rank military official (), and held the title of a first class duke () Paternal grandfather: Sonin (1601–1667), served as one of the Four Regents of the Kangxi Emperor, and held the title of a first class duke () Third paternal uncle: Songgotu (1636–1703) Fifth paternal uncle: Xinyu, held the title of a first class earl () Sixth paternal uncle: Fabao, held the title of a first class duke () Two younger brothers Second younger brother: Changtai, served as a first rank military official, and held the title of a first class duke. Three sisters younger sister: Consort Ping (d.1696) Lady Hešeri's grandfather, Sonin (索尼; 1601–1667), served as one of the Four Regents of the Kangxi Emperor, and held the title of first class duke. Her father, Gabula (噶布喇; d.1681), served as a military general and also held a title of duke. One of her aunts married with the grandson of Nurhaci, Yolo (岳樂; 1625–1689), Prince of the first rank (和碩安親王); another aunt married with the grandson of Nurhaci, the son of Dodo (多鐸), Cani (察尼; 1640–1688), Prince of the third rank (多羅貝勒). Shunzhi era The future Empress Xiaochengren was born on the 17th day of the 12th lunar month in the tenth year of the reign of the Shunzhi Emperor, which translates to 3 February 1654 in the Gregorian calendar. Kangxi era In October or November 1665, Lady Hešeri married the Kangxi Emperor and became empress consort because her powerful family could help the emperor on his rules. Although it was a purely political marriage, the Kangxi Emperor was very fond of the Empress. On 4 January 1670, she gave birth to a son, Chenghu, who would die prematurely on 3 March 1672. The death of Prince Chenghu hit the Empress very much, and she became very sick. The Emperor who was staying