Empress Xiao Sheng Xian was a daughter of Ling Chu, the First Prince Liang Rong of the Manchu yellow banner corps, and granddaughter of Prince Eidu of the Niuhuru Clan. Lady Niuhuru entered the Yongzheng Emperor's household in 1705. In 1711 she gave birth to Prince Hongli, the future Qianlong Emperor. Niuhuru was granted the title of the 'Consort Xi' in 1723. One year later she was granted the title of the 'Noble Consort Xi'. After the death of her husband in 1735, her son Hongli became the new Emperor. She was thus granted the title of the 'Imperial Dowager Empress Chong Qing'. The Qianlong Emperor often visited his mother. Niuhuru always joined the Emperor on his trips to the North and the South. By all accounts the Dowager Empress was widely respected. When she became too old for travelling, the Emperor stopped and travelled again after her death. The Emperor had great respect for his mother and would often seek her advice. Her sixtieth birthday was lavishly celebrated, poems read in her honour and sacrifices made to the gods by the Emperor and the entire court. Niuhuru died in 1777 at the age of 85 years.