Secrets of Yuqing Palace

Nanny Sun smiled gently as she explained to Wanyu and the maid behind her.

"When the concubines participate in the selection, there will indeed be a uniform arrangement of clothing in the palace."

"The purpose of this behavior is to prevent the princess from making mistakes after entering the palace."

"The clothing etiquette that this servant is talking about is not what the princess wears."

"It's for the princess to enter the palace, to avoid encountering the palace ladies who can't distinguish the rank, causing mistakes when paying respects and breaking the rules."

Xia Lian, who was in charge of Wanyu's makeup, hair, and clothes, asked curiously, "Does the mistress of the harem even have requirements for her attire?"

Nanny Sun smiled and nodded, "Of course."

"Princess, you may not know that the palace has strict rules and regulations. The clothes and jewelry worn by the harem masters are strictly divided into different levels."

"For example, bright yellow and red clothing can only be worn by the queen."

"Noble concubines and concubines are usually allowed to wear golden yellow. As for other concubines of lower ranks, their clothing colors are more plain."

"If a low-ranking master wears something he shouldn't wear, he's committing a serious crime of usurpation and will be punished."

"The size, shape, material and type of gemstones used in the jewelry worn by concubines of different ranks also had different classifications."

"As for the dragon halberds worn by the concubines in the harem, there are strict distinctions in terms of material, color, pattern, decoration, and length."

Although Wanyu felt dizzy after hearing this, she understood what Nanny Sun meant.

For example, in the TV series "The Legend of Zhen Huan", only the queen can use oriental pearls and peonies.

In Story of Yanxi Palace, Concubine Gao resented the difference in rank between herself and the Queen, and treated the division between them as a chasm.

Wanyu was secretly shocked.

"The differences in clothing and jewelry alone clearly show the rank differences between concubines, and the distinction between high and low is clear at a glance."

'No wonder women who enter the harem are desperate to climb up.'

Nanny Sun said, "After I teach you in detail, you will be able to identify your rank by your clothes and appearance."

Seeing that Wanyu took it to heart, Nanny Sun smiled slightly.

"Then I will begin now and explain to you the relevant rules of the Grand Concubine Selection."

Wanyu looked at Xia He behind her.

"Bring Madam an embroidery stool and serve Madam a pot of tea."

Nanny Sun bowed and said gratefully, "Thank you, Princess, for your thoughtfulness."

After Xia He moved the stool and served the tea, Nanny Sun's steady and powerful voice sounded in the room again.

"Princess, the selection of concubines is a major event for the royal family, and it concerns the continuation of the royal bloodline and the reputation of the royal family."

"The process is complex and the rules are strict, which is not trivial."

She looked at Wanyu seriously, "So Princess, please listen carefully."

"If something goes wrong during the selection process, the worst that can happen is that the girl will be disqualified, bringing shame to the family."

"In serious cases, the candidate may be banned from participating for life, and even his family may be implicated."

"The most severe punishments were flogging, exile or imprisonment."

"Even their families may be fined, demoted, or stripped of their official positions."

This is not Nanny Sun trying to scare Wanyu, but something that really happened.

Shi Wanyu suppressed her relaxed expression and said seriously, "I understand. Please explain in detail, Madam."

Nanny Sun nodded.

"The scope of the selection was mainly limited to the daughters of officials from the Eight Banners, including the Manchu Eight Banners, the Mongolian Eight Banners, and the Han Eight Banners."

"Of course, this does not include women from the royal family."

"These women must be between thirteen and seventeen years old, in good health, with decent looks, and a clean family background to be eligible to participate in the selection."

"After the girls register for the selection, each banner's governor will submit their information to the Ministry of Revenue, which will then compile a report and submit it to the emperor, who will then finalize the selection date."

"The day before the selection, the deputy commander and the chief inspector will arrange the carriages first. They will divide the beauties into several groups according to their nationality, age, family background, etc., and arrange them in an orderly manner."

"Wait for the eunuchs to lead the preliminary screening. The convoy of selected beauties will enter the palace."

"Live in a specific palace or courtyard, awaiting further selection."

"During this period, the concubines need to undergo strict etiquette training."

"And you might also be summoned by the concubines in the harem."

Wanyu asked curiously, "Where did the registered concubines live after entering the palace?"

"In previous years, it was always held in Chuxiu Palace. I wonder if the master above will have other arrangements next year."

Wanyu nodded, understanding that the old routine would most likely be followed, and then gestured for the other party to continue.

"When the official selection begins, the girls will line up according to their banner and family status."

"After the eunuchs have called out your names, you will enter the main hall one by one to be scrutinized by the Emperor and the other masters."

"When meeting their masters, the concubines need to perform the ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows, demonstrate their talents, and answer their masters' questions."

Nanny Sun said meaningfully, "Although talent isn't a must, if you can attract the master's attention with a skill, it will definitely add a lot of brilliance to your selection."

"After going through layers of selection, the final selected ladies will be given flowers or special items as a mark, called a 'stay card'."

"Those who are not selected will be put down and go home to get married."

Wanyu asked quickly, "Does being a selected beauty mean being chosen by the Emperor and being taken into the harem to become his concubine?"

Nanny Sun shook her head. "The selected girls will only have three destinations."

"One is to become a concubine in the harem as Gege said."

"The second is according to the emperor's decree, either by betrothal to the princes and grandchildren of the emperor, or by betrothal to the sons of royal nobles, or by betrothal to the sons of ministers."

"What about the third type?"

"The third type is to be selected as a concubine, waiting for the emperor's arrangement."

"If the Emperor can't remember, he can only participate in the selection next year."

"Can't I marry on my own?"

"No! Unless the emperor grants permission, you are not allowed to marry on your own."

Wanyu frowned. "What if the concubines gradually age and exceed the age limit for re-entry?"

Seeing her frown, Nanny Sun comforted her.

"Don't worry, Princess. With your family background, such a thing will never happen to you."

"And the way these women waiting for selection are handled will depend on palace management and specific circumstances."

"She may continue to wait in the palace, or another marriage may be arranged for her."

"Or the master will grant me a reward and allow me to leave the palace and marry on my own."

"If a young lady has a strong desire and possesses special talents, she may stay in the palace and serve as a maid or female official."

Wanyu cursed in her heart, "Bah!"

"The Qing Dynasty truly deserves to be called the feudal dynasty with the strictest restrictions on women!"

'Even matters of marriage are controlled by the rulers!'

"If I'm always forgotten, I'll never get married, and I might even end up in the palace without a proper status, or even be forced to serve as a maid!"

"What a sin!"

But she was also glad that she was reborn into Fucha's belly.

Not only was his father's family powerful, but his mother was also from a Manchu noble family and was deeply favored by the emperor.

Moreover, the burden of the family is not on him.

As long as I find a good man in the future, I will have my family to take care of me and I will never have to worry about food and clothing.

"The most important thing right now is to get through next year's draft and wait for the second round to be picked!"

After listening to Nanny Sun’s talk about the audition, Wanyu once again plunged into the arduous study.

In addition to practicing the greeting etiquette for one hour every day, they also have to spend another hour practicing etiquette rules, such as walking, sitting, kneeling, or squatting in the flower pot.

After a busy period, I felt sore all over.

Not only that, as Nanny Sun became more and more strict, she was now restricted even in walking, eating, and sleeping.

Just when Wanyu was about to collapse, someone appeared to rescue her.