At the end of China's feudal imperial system, the private life of Pu Yi, the last emperor, became a microcosm of an era. In 1925, Pu Yi took his empress Wanrong and concubine Wenxiu from the glory of the Forbidden City to the ordinary life of Tianjin. Despite the loss of imperial power, Pu Yi still maintained the honorific title of emperor, but behind this honorific title, there is an intricate emotional entanglement.
Wen Xiu, the concubine who had lived in harmony with Pu Yi, felt the growing pressure from Wanrong as time passed. Wanrong aspires to be the only one in Pu Yi's life, and the existence of Wen Xiu is undoubtedly a threat to her. In 1931, Wen Xiu finally couldn't bear this life, she chose to leave, and left a letter to Pu Yi, expressing her loneliness and misfortune for nine years, and her last request to Pu Yi: to have sex with her twice a month, or else choose to divorce.
Wenxiu's departure not only shocked Puyi, but also shocked the entire Tianjin and even the whole country. Her divorce request made headlines in major newspapers and sparked countless speculations and discussions. In the whirlpool of public opinion, Pu Yi and Wen Xiu's representatives began difficult negotiations. Wenxiu insisted that Pu Yi share sex with her at least twice a month and pay her 500,000 yuan in alimony.
Faced with Wenxiu's request, Pu Yi struggled inwardly. He agreed to Wenxiu's first condition, but he felt unacceptable to the amount of alimony. Wanrong was even more angry at Wen Xiu's request, and she firmly opposed Wen Xiu's continued contact with Pu Yi in any form. In the tug-of-war between the two sides, the relationship between Pu Yi and Wen Xiu deteriorated further.
In this battle of emotion and power, Pu Yi's image has also been scrutinized by the public. He tried to maintain order in his family as emperor, but his efforts were powerless in the face of the values of modern society. Wenxiu's insistence is not only a defense of personal dignity, but also a challenge to the traditional concept of marriage.
After a series of negotiations, a compromise was finally reached. Wenxiu waived her hefty alimony demand, while Pu Yi agreed to pay 6,000 yuan a month for living expenses and allowed Wenxiu to take her personal belongings in the Jingyuan with her. On October 22, 1931, Wenxiu and Pu Yi officially signed a divorce agreement, and she became the only concubine in China's more than 2,000-year imperial history to divorce the emperor.
Wenxiu's divorce is not only a relief of personal emotions, but also a footnote to the changes of the times. Her story has become a page in history, allowing people to have a deeper understanding of the complex emotions of that era. Wenxiu died of illness in 1953 at the age of 44, her life is the interweaving of courage and helplessness, and the collision of personal fate and the torrent of the times. Her name and story have become an indelible mark on China's modern history, reminding us to courageously pursue our happiness and dignity even in the most difficult of times.
Text/Compendium