Everyone in the world knows Sister Mei in Zhen Huan's biography, but they don't know that her funeral is so ridiculous. On that day, there was a burst of mourning in the Broken Jade Xuan, and Zhen Huan's tears were raining down, but her two younger sisters didn't seem to know how to be polite. Yurao is wearing a pink skirt, Huanbi is talking and laughing, isn't this kind of behavior disrespectful in the eyes of others? However, the truth of the matter is not so simple. The harem of the Qing Dynasty had strict rules, and the funeral of the concubine had its own special features. What is the reason behind Yurao and Huanbi's behavior? Are they really disrespectful to Sister Mei? What are the untold stories? Let's uncover this long-sealed palace secret and explore the truth that has been buried by the years.
Funeral system for the children of the Qing Dynasty
In the Qing Dynasty, the funerals of the emperor, empress and empress dowager were of the highest standard, and the whole country had to mourn. However, the funeral of the concubine was very different. Although the concubine was also beautiful during her lifetime, the treatment after death was greatly reduced due to the difference between the concubines.
The specifications of a concubine's funeral usually depend on her status during her lifetime and the number of children born. If the concubine has no children under her knees and has never raised a prince or daughter, then her funeral may seem much colder. In such cases, usually only a few harem sisters come to the ceremony. In order not to make the funeral too shabby, the emperor would appoint some princes Fujin or other palace personnel to come to the funeral.
The situation is different if the concubine has biological children or adopted sons. In addition to the mourners appointed by the emperor, these children and their spouses were also required to wear linen and filial piety. But even so, the entire harem will not mourn the death of a concubine.
There are also strict rules regarding the ceremonial process of funerals. Mourning halls are usually set up in designated palaces for a series of worship ceremonies. These ceremonies include offering incense in the morning and evening, offering sacrifices, etc. The emperor would decide whether or not to attend the ceremony in person depending on the status of the concubine during her lifetime. If the emperor was present, then the ceremony would be more solemn, but this was not common.
It is important to note that the slaves and maidservants of the concubines were usually not allowed to wear white mourning clothes. This is because the harem of the Qing Dynasty has strict rules, and if slaves and maids walk around the palace in white, it is very easy to cause misunderstandings, and may even be severely punished. Especially those slaves and maids of favored concubines, if they accidentally collide with the emperor in white, the consequences will be unimaginable.
The size and length of a concubine's funeral also varies from person to person. Generally, funerals last for a few days, but never for months like emperors and empresses. During this time, there will be a special official who will be responsible for overseeing the funeral and ensuring that everything is done in accordance with the rules.
After the funeral, the remains of the concubines are usually buried in the annexed areas of the royal mausoleum. Although these areas are also within the imperial mausoleum, their status is significantly lower than that of the emperor's and empress's mausoleum. Some concubines would be buried in special concubine gardens, while others would be buried with other concubines.
In addition, the specifications of the concubine's funeral were closely related to the political situation at the time. If the concubine had been favored during her lifetime, or if her children had a prominent position in the court, then her funeral would have been even more solemn. Conversely, if the concubine has fallen out of favor for many years, or if her family has been defeated, the funeral may be much simpler.
Overall, the funeral system of Qing Dynasty concubines reflected the reality of a hierarchical harem. It is not only a ceremony to bid farewell to the dead, but also a stage to show power relations. On this stage, everyone's behavior is strictly regulated, and any behavior that exceeds the norm can cause an uproar. This also explains why at Sister Mei's funeral, Yurao and Huanbi's behavior caused so much discussion.
The mystery of Yurao's "rudeness".
At Sister Mei's funeral, Yurao's behavior caused a lot of discussion. She was dressed in a pink dress, which contrasted with the plain white around her, and what was even more surprising was that she also carried a needle and thread with her, and had contact with Shenbeiler during the funeral. These actions may seem disrespectful to others, but in fact they have deeper causes.
First of all, Yurao's wearing a pink dress was not unintentional. In the Qing Dynasty, the funeral rules for concubines were not as strict as those for emperors and empresses. Only certain personnel need to wear white mourning clothes, and Yurao, as Zhen Huan's younger sister, is not an immediate family member of Sister Mei, so she is not within the scope of mourning. Zhen Huan also did not ask her sister to mourn, firstly, because although she and Sister Mei have a close relationship, they are not related by blood; Second, the funeral is not a happy event after all, and Zhen Huan doesn't want her sister to be tampered.
Yurao's choice of pink skirt may be to express her respect for Sister Mei without violating the rules. Pink was seen as a light and pastel color in the Qing Dynasty, neither too flamboyant nor too heavy. This delicate balance reflects Yurao's ingenuity and deep understanding of court etiquette.
Secondly, Yurao's habit of carrying needles and threads with her stems from her experience in Ningguta. The Zhen family was wronged that year, and the whole family was exiled to Ningguta. The young Yurao was reduced from a young lady to the daughter of a criminal minister, and had to learn to be self-reliant. During those difficult years, sewing and mending became her daily routine. This habit was retained until she returned to Beijing, and became the thrifty side of her character.
At the funeral, Yurao noticed that Shen Baylor's sleeves were torn and offered to sew them for him. Although this move may seem out of place, it actually reflects Yurao's carefulness and kindness. You must know that Shen Beile, as the emperor's own brother, did not have to attend the funeral of Sister Mei. His appearance is likely to be out of sympathy and support for the Zhen family. Yurao's actions are not only a response to Shen Baylor's kindness, but also a thoughtful consideration to avoid a Baylor Lord from being rude in public.
It is worth noting that the interaction between Yurao and Shen Beile is not as ambiguous as outsiders imagine. In fact, they had only known each other for a short time at this time, and they were far from flirting. Yurao's behavior was more out of politeness and gratitude, after all, Shen Beile had spoken for Zhen Huan about the blood test.
Yurao's behavior seems to be "rude", but in fact, it reflects her wisdom and kindness everywhere. She is proficient in the rules of the court, but she does not lose her heart; She knows how to judge the situation, and she does not forget to be grateful for the newspaper. These qualities are the key to her survival in the treacherous court environment.
In addition, Yurao's actions also reflected certain features of court life during the Qing Dynasty. Although the rules are strict, there is still room for flexibility in some subtleties. The dress code at the funeral of a concubine is a good example. This flexibility provided the palace staff with the opportunity to express their personal wishes and feelings, and also added a touch of humanity to the intricacies of court relations.
Yurao's behavior at the funeral seems to be contrary to common sense, but in fact it is in line with the way of the court. She not only respects Sister Mei, but also loses her dignity; not only took care of her sister Zhen Huan's feelings, but also skillfully conveyed her gratitude to Shen Beiler. This kind of wisdom of surviving in the cracks is exactly the necessary way for court women to survive.
Analysis of Huanbi's faux pas
At Sister Mei's funeral, Huanbi's behavior also caused a lot of criticism. Not only did she not show due condolences, but she frequently talked and laughed during the funeral, and even talked and laughed with King Guojun. This kind of behavior is undoubtedly disrespectful in the eyes of others, but in fact, there are special reasons behind Huanbi's actions.
First of all, the reason why Huanbi and King Guojun laughed is worth investigating. It is rumored that at that time, the king of Guojun was telling Huanbi a story about the strange stories in the palace. The story involves the bizarre incident of a deceased concubine's coffin falling unexpectedly while in transit. King Guojun described this absurd scene in a humorous way, which caused Huanbi to laugh. Although the timing is inappropriate, this behavior also reflects Huanbi's innocent personality.
Huanbi's behavior also reflects her "love brain" and emotional intelligence problems to a certain extent. As a young court maid, Huanbi has a shallow understanding of the complexities of court life. She has a crush on King Guojun, so it is inevitable that she will be overly enthusiastic when talking to him. Although this behavior seems inappropriate at the funeral, it also reflects the simple and honest side of Huanbi.
However, Huanbi's behavior undoubtedly caused trouble to Zhen Huan. As an older sister, Zhen Huan not only has to maintain the solemn atmosphere of Sister Mei's funeral, but also takes care of her sister's face. This contradictory situation has led to subtle changes in the relationship between Zhen Huan and Huanbi.
After the funeral, Zhen Huan privately reprimanded Huanbi harshly. She pointed out that Huanbi's behavior not only damaged Sister Mei's reputation, but also brought unnecessary trouble to the Zhen family. This reprimand had a profound impact on Huanbi, and she began to realize the importance of her words and actions in the palace.
It is worth noting that Huanbi's behavior, although seemingly rude, also reflected certain characteristics of court life in the Qing Dynasty to some extent. In that hierarchical environment, everyone was given a specific role and identity. As a palace maid with a low status, although Huanbi's behavior has caused criticism, it will not have a substantial impact on the entire funeral. This also reflects from the side that in the Qing court, people of different ranks were given different standards of behavior on certain occasions.
In addition, Huanbi's behavior has also triggered an interesting phenomenon. After the funeral, various rumors began to circulate in the palace about Huanbi. Some people say that she did it on purpose to get the attention of King Guojun; Some people also say that she was instructed by someone to sabotage Sister Mei's funeral. Although most of these rumors lack factual basis, they reflect the characteristics of court life where rumors are rife and it is difficult to distinguish between right and wrong.
Huanbi's "faux pas" also laid the groundwork for her future life in the palace. On the one hand, she was severely reprimanded by Zhen Huan for this, which made her begin to realize the complexity of court life; On the other hand, her interaction with King Guojun also attracted the attention of other people, planting the seeds for her future love life.
In general, Huanbi's behavior at Sister Mei's funeral, although it seems to be rude, actually reflects many factors. It not only reflects the young and simple character traits of Huanbi, but also reflects some characteristics of court life in the Qing Dynasty. This incident not only affected Huanbi herself, but also had a subtle impact on the interpersonal relationships of the entire court.
In the days that followed, Huanbi gradually learned to be cautious in her words and deeds in the palace. She began to understand the importance of court rules, and she also cherished her relationship with her sister Zhen Huan even more. The "disrespectful" behavior at this funeral has become an important turning point in Huanbi's growth.
Concubine Hua's behavior of competing for favor
Concubine Hua's behavior at Sister Mei's funeral is undoubtedly the most striking in the whole incident. Not only did she not show due mourning, but she took the opportunity to show favor to the emperor, and even presented the emperor with hand-sewn sachets during the funeral. This series of behaviors not only caused dissatisfaction among everyone present, but also caused a court turmoil.
Concubine Hua's actions, on the surface, seem to be disrespectful to the deceased, but in fact reflect her shrewd calculations in the palace struggle. As a concubine who was well versed in the rules of the court, Concubine Hua knew that in this hierarchical environment, no opportunity should be missed. Although Sister Mei's funeral was a sad occasion, it was a rare opportunity for Concubine Hua to get close to the emperor.
On the day of the funeral, Concubine Hua was carefully dressed and wore a lilac dress, which contrasted sharply with the plain white around her. Although her clothing did not directly violate the funeral rules, this subtle difference hinted at her attitude towards the funeral. Concubine Hua understood that on this occasion, she had to attract the emperor's attention without violating taboos.
Concubine Hua's act of offering incense sachets to the emperor was a move she carefully planned. This sachet is said to have been made by her day and night, and it contains a variety of precious spices, which are said to have a calming effect. Concubine Hua chose to offer this sachet at the funeral, firstly, to take the opportunity to show her talent and intentions, and secondly, to take this opportunity to have close contact with the emperor.
However, these actions of Hua Fei are not without risks. The other concubines and ministers present were quite critical of her actions. Some people think that she is taking the opportunity to show off, and some people think that she is deliberately provoking Zhen Huan. Some people even secretly admonished the emperor, believing that Concubine Hua's behavior violated the etiquette law and should be punished.
In the face of these criticisms, Hua Fei took a series of ingenious countermeasures. She first explained to the emperor that the reason why she offered the sachet was because she was worried that the emperor would be too sad at the funeral, hoping to relieve the emperor's mood a little. Although this explanation is a bit far-fetched, it cleverly wraps his behavior as a concern for the emperor.
At the same time, Concubine Hua did not ignore the opinions of others. After the funeral, she took the initiative to apologize to Zhen Huan, saying that she did not mean to be offended, but only made inappropriate behavior in a moment of confusion. Although this gesture cannot completely eliminate Zhen Huan's dissatisfaction, it at least superficially alleviates the contradictions between the two sides.
Although Concubine Hua's actions caused a lot of turmoil at the time, in the long run, they won her some benefits. Although the emperor did not express his position on the spot, in the following period of time, Concubine Hua obviously received more favor. This also confirms that Concubine Hua's calculation was successful.
However, Concubine Hua's behavior also brought some negative effects to her. Her image among other concubines and ministers was tarnished, and many began to speak secretly about her character. Although this negative evaluation did not immediately affect her status, it laid a hidden danger for future court struggles.
Concubine Hua's behavior at Sister Mei's funeral is actually a microcosm of Qing Dynasty court politics. In this maelstrom of power, everyone is fighting for their own interests, even on occasions like funerals. Although Concubine Hua's behavior seems rude, it actually reflects her deep understanding and skillful application of court rules.
After this incident, although Concubine Hua's status in the palace has improved in the short term, the contradictions between her and other concubines have also deepened. Especially the relationship with Zhen Huan, which has fallen into a subtle hostile state. This change in relationship laid the groundwork for a series of events in the court in the future.
The change in the court pattern after Sister Mei's funeral
Although Sister Mei's funeral was only a short-lived event, its effects did not dissipate in the court for a long time. The funeral became an important turning point, triggering a series of changes in the court landscape that had far-reaching consequences.
First of all, Zhen Huan's status has undergone subtle changes. As the elder sister of Sister Mei, Zhen Huan's performance at the funeral was praised by the emperor. The emperor thought that Zhen Huan handled the funeral properly, not only maintaining the court etiquette, but also showing sincere feelings for his relatives. This balance made the emperor's impression of Zhen Huan greatly changed. In the days that followed, Zhen Huan obviously got more favor, and her words and deeds began to have more influence in the harem.
Secondly, Concubine Hua's situation has become more complicated. Although her behavior at the funeral earned her a brief attention from the emperor, it also caused displeasure among other concubines and ministers. Especially those who have been at odds with Concubine Hua have seized this opportunity to make a big fuss. Rumor has it that a respected old minister once admonished the emperor, believing that Concubine Hua's behavior violated the law of etiquette and should be punished. Although the emperor did not express his position publicly, Concubine Hua's situation in the palace did become more difficult.
Huanbi was also affected by this turmoil. Her faux pas, while not causing much repercussions, did make her aware of the complexities of court life. In the days that followed, Huanbi became more cautious, and she began to study court etiquette in an effort to fit into this complex environment. This transformation has affected not only herself, but also her relationships with other people, especially with King Guojun.
In addition, Sister Mei's funeral also sparked a discussion about court etiquette. Some people believe that the current court etiquette is too cumbersome and not conducive to the true expression of emotions; There are also those who insist that strict etiquette is a necessary means to maintain order in the court. Although this discussion did not lead to a definitive conclusion, it influenced later court life to some extent.
At the political level, Sister Mei's funeral also had some unexpected effects. Some court forces that had not been in contact with each other began to come into contact because of their common position at the funeral. For example, a minister who has been at odds with the Zhen family praised Zhen Huan's performance at the funeral, which laid the groundwork for future cooperation between the two parties.
At the same time, the cause of Sister Mei's death has also become a topic that has been mentioned repeatedly. Although on the surface this matter has come to an end, there are still people secretly investigating the truth. This undercurrent situation made the entire palace shrouded in a tense atmosphere.
At the cultural level, Sister Mei's funeral also triggered a wave of nostalgia. Many people began to recall the bits and pieces of Sister Mei's life, and some even began to imitate her poetic style. This phenomenon, although seemingly inconsequential, affected the cultural atmosphere of the time to some extent.
It is worth noting that these changes after Sister Mei's funeral were not immediate, but gradually manifested over the next few months and even years. For example, Zhen Huan's status promotion was not achieved overnight, but went through a series of twists and turns. Although Concubine Hua's situation became difficult, she did not admit defeat and took a series of measures to maintain her position.
The interweaving of these changes forms a complex picture of the court. The balance between the forces was broken and re-established, new alliances were formed, and old contradictions deepened. This change not only affected the internal pattern of the court, but also had a profound impact on the political ecology of the entire court.
In this change, everyone is looking for their place. Some people take the opportunity to rise, and some people lose ground and sink; Some people choose to wait patiently, while others fight hard. This complex situation is a true portrayal of Qing court politics.