Family Background
Empress Xiaozheyi was born into the Alute (阿魯特) clan, which was under the Mongol Plain Blue Banner. Her personal name is 宝音.
Lady Alute's father Coci (崇綺) was the top candidate in the 1865 imperial examination, and was also the only top candidate of Mongol ancestry in the history of the Qing Dynasty. He was a professor (侍講) in the Hanlin Academy and also served as Minister of Revenue. Lady Alute's mother was a daughter of Duanhua, Prince Zheng, a member of the imperial family, and his wife, a paternal aunt of Empress Dowager Ci'an. Thus, Lady Alute was a first cousin once-removed of Empress Dowager Ci'an.
Alute was tutored by her father since young and she demonstrated high potential and intelligence as a child. She could read "ten lines at a glance". She also showed interest and talent in poetry, literature, music and art. Under the influence of her father, Lady Alute learned to write with both hands aptly. She was famous among the Manchu aristocracy for her talent, moral character and looks.
Read more about this topic: Alute, The Empress Xiao Zhe Yi, Biography
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