Legend of the Imperial Consorts of the Great Qing

Author: Shangguan Yunfei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: Do you want to learn more about the Huangfei (imperial consorts), empresses, and Huangtaihou (empress dowagers) in the Qing Dynasty's imperial harem? What were the differences between their lives and those of ordinary people? How did their individual lives vary? Why did the famous Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, who served two reigns, marry her uncle Dorgon? Did the legendary Xiangfei really exist? If so, what kind of extraordinary woman was she? Many mysteries of the imperial harem await answers in this book. The twelve women selected in this book are imperial consorts of the Great Qing, yet their fates differ as greatly as heaven and hell. Life for women in the ancient imperial court was not as carefree and blissful as people imagine. To be close to the emperor is to be close to danger; honor and disgrace can change in an instant, and disasters may strike at any time. Their beauty need not be elaborated upon—though their charm may not have varied greatly—they each played out stories of joy and sorrow, favor and disgrace in the Forbidden City. Moreover, historical changes have shrouded their lives in layers of mystery, leaving their fates uncertain even at their graves. Perhaps it was their "talents" and "virtues" that determined their destinies, or even the fate of the nation.