The Emperor’s Only Daughter: A Life of Privilege and Affection
Emperor Qianlong’s affection for Empress Xiaoxianxian was well-known, but his love for their only surviving daughter, Princess Hejing of Gurun, was equally profound. Born in 1731 to Empress Xiaoxianxian (then known as Fu Satin), Princess Hejing was the apple of her father’s eye from the moment she entered the world.
Qianlong cherished his daughter deeply, and when he ascended the throne, she became the only surviving child of the Empress. According to the rules of the Qing Dynasty, only a princess born to the Empress herself could be bestowed the title of “Gurun Princess,” a rank equivalent to that of a prince.
Princess Hejing of Gurun was bestowed with a title usually reserved for princes, reflecting her father’s immense love for her. (Illustration).
Even before her marriage, Princess Hejing was given a title, a rare exception to the rule that only married princesses receive such an honor. This exception speaks volumes about how dearly she was cherished by her father, the Emperor.
A Life of Privilege and Imperial Favor
As the only daughter of Emperor Qianlong, Princess Hejing of Gurun enjoyed a life of unparalleled privilege. Her father, smitten with his daughter, arranged a suitable match for her with the Khalkha Mongolian Prince, Seboteng Baljur, the Jarud Prince of the Khorshem Khan.
Seboteng Baljur, brought up in the imperial palace alongside Qianlong’s sons, was no ordinary prince. At the young age of nine, he was bestowed the title of “Fuguo Gong,” the youngest person in the history of the Qing Dynasty to receive this honor.
In the 10th year of Qianlong’s reign, the Emperor officially betrothed Princess Hejing to Seboteng Baljur. However, unable to bear the thought of his daughter leaving for Mongolia, Qianlong permitted the couple to reside in the princess’s palace in the capital, a first for any princess.
Two years later, in the 12th year of Qianlong’s reign, Princess Hejing and Seboteng Baljur were formally married. Their union was a happy one, and they soon welcomed five children into the world, including a son who became a particular favorite of the Emperor. So much so that he personally named his grandson “Eletietemur Enger Kababai.”
The length of the grandson’s name, with its powerful resonance, and the use of “Baba,” meaning treasure in Mongolian, reflect the depth of Qianlong’s affection for his grandson.
Princess Hejing’s married life was one of comfort and happiness, free from the typical constraints faced by women of her time. (Illustration)
Qianlong’s indulgence of his daughter and grandson knew no bounds, and when Seboteng Baljur faced punishment for military failures and sheltering evildoers, the Emperor showed leniency. Instead of the death penalty prescribed by law, he spared his son-in-law’s life, ensuring that Princess Hejing and their grandson would not suffer the loss of their husband and father.
Princess Hejing of Gurun lived a long and illustrious life, passing away at the age of 62 in the 57th year of Qianlong’s reign (1792). She was the longest-lived of all Qianlong’s children and enjoyed a life of opulence and power that inspired awe in those around her.
Her remains were interred alongside her husband, Seboteng Baljur, in a tomb known as the “Princess Mausoleum” in Dongba, just outside Beijing.
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