Yixiang was born on 15 March 1849 to Mianyu's second primary consort, lady Gūwalgiya, daughter of negotiator of the Tianjin treaty Guiliang.[2] In his childhood, Yixiang was sent together with Yixun to the imperial study so as to accompany Tongzhi Emperor.[3] According to the 1855 report, one of his tutors was Li Hongzao, who also tutored the underage emperor.[4]
In 1860, Yixiang was granted a title of Feng'en fuguo gong.[5] He was promoted to Feng'en zhenguo gong next year. Upon the death of his father in 1864, Yixiang inherited the title as prince Hui of the Second Rank because the peerage was not granted perpetual inheritability.[6] The proper promotion ceremony was organised after the 100-day period of mourning according to the tradition.[7] On the 40th birthday of Empress Dowager Cixi, Yixiang was granted a status of Prince of the First Rank, which entitled him to share privileges of qinwang though remaining Prince of the Second Rank.[8] In 1879, Yixiang ordered renovation of the Long'en hall of the Yu mausoleum of the Eastern Qing tombs.[9] In 1881, Yixiang was responsible for construction of the tomb of Empress Dowager Ci'an. Henceforth, he was sent to conduct the funeral of the deceased empress dowager there.[10] In 1885, Yixiang was sent to the Hall of Imperial Longevity in order to burn an incense several times.[11]
Yixiang was also known for his contribution in the Taiping rebellion. In 1863, he pacified Jianning province suffering major losses. His involvement was not mentioned in the imperial chronicles.[12]
Yixiang died on 13 February 1886 at the age of 36 and was posthumously honoured as Prince Huijing of the Second Rank (多罗惠敬郡王, meaning "kind and respectful").[13] After Yixiang's death, a portion of his blood was granted to the members of his family.[14]
