Life
Family background
Noble Consort Cheng's personal name wasn't recorded in history. Her family belonged to the Plain Red Banner. Most Qing dynasty sources doesn't ponder her family background.
Jiaqing era
Lady Niohuru was born on the 21st day of the 2nd lunar month of the 17th year, which translates to 10 March 1813 in the Gregorian calendar.
Daoguang era
Lady Niohuru entered the Forbidden City at the age of sixteen in 1828 and was bestowed a title "Noble Lady Cheng" (成贵人; "Cheng" meaning "virtuous, perfect").[1] She lived in the side hall of the Palace of Prolonging Happiness (延禧宫). At that time, she was rather naïve and did not adjust well to the imperial life. Noble Lady Cheng offended the Daoguang Emperor and was demoted to "First Class Female Attendant Yu" (余常在; "Yu" meaning "balanced") shortly after the entry.[2] Her previous title was restored in 1837.
In 1845, a fire burnt down Yanxigong so Lady Niohuru moved to the Palace of Universal Happiness (Xianfugong) in the Forbidden City.[3] In 1846, she was promoted to "Concubine Cheng" (成嬪).[4] One time, Concubine Cheng failed to show respect to Imperial Noble Consort Jing and this greatly infuriated Daoguang. Thus, she was demoted to "Noble Lady Cheng" (成貴人)[5] in 1849. Noble Lady Cheng remained childless. In 1850, Daoguang Emperor passed away.
Xianfeng era
According to the tradition, every new emperor was supposed to confer a higher title to the predecessor’s concubines. Lady Niohuru was elevated to "Concubine Cheng" (成嬪), and moved to the Eastern Longevity Palace. She was one of the five dowager consorts who fled to Rehe.[6]
Tongzhi era
Concubine Cheng was promoted to "Consort Cheng" (成妃). Her former residence in the Forbidden City, Yanxi Palace, was not restored because of tight budget in 1872.[7] She moved to Shou'an palace and lived there together with Noble Consort Jia.
Guangxu era
Consort Cheng was promoted to "Noble Consort Cheng" (成貴妃) in 1875. Lady Niohuru died in 1888 in Shou'an Palace on the western side of the Forbidden City. She was interred at Mu Mausoleum at Western Qing Tombs in 1891.[8]