The captivating tale of a Ming dynasty concubine who miraculously survived 15 days of torment in the cold palace without food sent shockwaves through the imperial harem.
The Cold Palace – The Fear of Concubines
In the world of ancient harem politics, banishment to the cold palace was every concubine’s worst nightmare. Entering this place meant losing one’s freedom, and their fate rested solely in the hands of those in power. However, during the Ming dynasty, one concubine stood out for her resilience, surviving a period of extreme deprivation over 15 days. This remarkable woman lived during the reign of the Ming Hyzong emperor.
How did she endure such hardship?
The Scheming of Nurse Ke
Ming Hyzong is known for two notable aspects. Firstly, he was a talented carpenter, possessing exceptional skill despite a lack of formal training. Secondly, his unique romantic relationship with his nurse, Ke. Perhaps, Ming Hyzong was the only emperor in history so influenced by his nurse. Despite having a large harem, he remained firmly under her control.
To what extent did Nurse Ke interfere in state affairs? She and Wei Zhongxian colluded to manipulate power, and Ming Hyzong not only failed to intervene but also approved when she had concubines killed. A concubine who fell out of favor with Nurse Ke was falsely accused and banished to the cold palace, and the emperor went along with it without question.
With power in her hands, Nurse Ke manipulated the entire harem. She employed cruel tactics to ensure Ming Hyzong remained her “puppet,” including restricting his ability to have children with other concubines. Naturally, Ming Hyzong, like any man, desired children, but to prevent future instability, many children born to concubines suffered tragic fates, and some concubines did not survive. The harem was engulfed in anxiety until one concubine emerged to change the dynamics.

With Power in Her Hands, Nurse Ke Manipulated the Entire Harem
Twice Banished to the Cold Palace
Consort Li, initially an unassuming concubine, had a special skill that set her apart: her ability to communicate and build relationships. From a young age, her heroic character and commoner background helped her forge strong connections with maids and eunuchs.
With their support, Consort Li gained favor with Ming Hyzong and bore him children. However, this also marked the beginning of her conflict with Nurse Ke. At first, Nurse Ke had no intention of confronting Consort Li. But when Consort Li’s first child was born, the rivalry escalated. Mysteriously, the child passed away, coinciding with an earthquake, which led to Consort Li being blamed for bringing bad luck to the royal family.
After a few subtle hints, she was banished to the cold palace. Of course, Nurse Ke wouldn’t let this situation persist. Although Consort Li returned, Nurse Ke had countless ways to send her back to the cold palace. With her manipulation, Ming Hyzong once again decided to exile Consort Li. But this time, Nurse Ke had a cruel plan to bring down the concubine.
As soon as Consort Li was banished, Nurse Ke ordered the doors to be locked with iron chains, prohibiting anyone from entering or exiting for half a month, and no food was to be provided. She intended to starve Consort Li to death, so that even if Ming Hyzong later regretted his decision, he would only receive a cold corpse. However, Nurse Ke could not have foreseen the grave mistake she had made.

Nurse Ke Could Not Have Foreseen the Grave Mistake She Had Made
Consort Li, anticipating such a move, had secretly prepared. Although she deeply resented Nurse Ke, Consort Li knew she couldn’t directly confront the powerful nurse. Unable to fight back, she focused on protecting herself. Consort Li understood that Nurse Ke wouldn’t let her go easily and would likely try to starve her again, as she had done with other concubines.
With this in mind, Consort Li instructed her trusted maid to hide a large supply of food and water in the cold palace. Through her regular bribery of maids and eunuchs, she was able to execute this plan successfully. So, while Nurse Ke waited for news of Consort Li’s starvation, the concubine had access to ample food and water.
Nurse Ke was satisfied, believing she could rule the harem without competition. But just a few months later, she was shocked to discover that Consort Li had returned to the harem. Upon investigation, she realized that Ming Hyzong had orchestrated everything. Although he had initially given in to Nurse Ke’s demands, he soon longed for Consort Li and secretly arranged for her release. This couldn’t be kept secret forever, and eventually, Ming Hyzong restored Consort Li’s position.
The 15 days passed quickly. When the doors to the cold palace were finally opened, people were astonished by what they saw. Consort Li sat there, her eyes sparkling with life and her complexion rosy, showing no signs of deprivation. She even greeted those around her.
A eunuch exclaimed in amazement, “Are you truly a goddess? To endure starvation for half a month and still be so full of life.” Perhaps due to the tendency to associate the unexplained with the divine, rumors spread throughout the palace that Consort Li was protected by the gods, causing even Nurse Ke to let go of her hatred.
However, instead of returning to Ming Hyzong’s side, Consort Li chose to live as an ordinary maid, never appearing by his side again. The power struggle in the harem came to a close.
During the reign of Ming Hyzong, the emperor’s blind obedience to Nurse Ke led to the deaths of many. While Consort Li was banished, her family also suffered greatly. After the emperor’s death, Nurse Ke faced justice at the hands of Ming Sizong and ultimately met her end in the Laundry Bureau. It is said that after her death, no one—neither eunuch nor maid—dared to take care of her funeral arrangements.
Why the Ancient Well in the Forbidden City Remains Unexplored Despite its Treasured Contents
The Forbidden City, a majestic and enigmatic attraction, beckons visitors with its stunning aesthetics and a myriad of secrets veiled within its walls. This iconic destination, a treasure trove of historical mysteries, captivates the curious explorer seeking not just visual splendor but also the intrigue of untold tales.