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What does the neglected concubine do to overcome her loneliness?

Have you ever wondered what a king with 3000 concubines does when they are abandoned, neglected or lonely? Let's find out!

Administrator

8 March, 2024

101

Finding Happiness in Life

Everyone knows that there are three thousand concubines in the imperial harem, but not everyone is lucky enough to catch the eye of the emperor. When entering the palace in their youth, the palace maids and concubines who have fallen out of favor will find ways to relieve their eternal loneliness. Below are some ways that ancient Chinese palace women met their physiological needs.

At the same time, in that grand palace, there is only one true man, the emperor, while the rest are eunuchs. The palace maids and concubines are not favored by the emperor and are not allowed to interact with the opposite sex in the inner palace. However, they are in their prime, with their instinctual needs at their peak. So, they often have to find their own happiness by engaging in other hobbies such as writing poetry, painting, embroidery, and gardening… Some will drown themselves in sadness, drown their sorrows in alcohol, or come up with tricks in the hope that the king will come and visit them and regain the emperor’s favor.

What did ancient concubines do to satisfy their desires

Reciting Buddhist Scriptures to Distinguish Themselves from Worldly Affairs

Many concubines who were imprisoned in the imperial palace or were ignored by the emperor found joy by reciting Buddhist scriptures and following a vegetarian diet every day to purify their souls. At the same time, through daily Buddhist recitations, their souls were also able to avoid the power struggles, jealousy, and harm within the harem. Many historical records have documented the choices made by many concubines, who shaved their heads or practiced self-cultivation within the palace itself. This was a way for them to continue surviving the cold days in the forbidden palace.

Going Beyond Boundaries with Other Men

Humans have emotions and desires. Palace maids and concubines are also normal people, and many of them are in the youthful spring of their lives. In the absence of men in the imperial palace, they have to face the torment of loneliness.

What did ancient concubines do to fulfill their desires

Some people with high needs or favorable circumstances can engage with the guards in the palace to fulfill their desires. Many concubines had secret affairs with imperial physicians, high-ranking officials, and other close attendants of the king to satisfy their yearnings.

However, this is forbidden in the imperial palace, and if discovered, they may face the most cruel punishments, even death.

Frequently asked questions

Engaging in secret affairs with men outside of the emperor’s approval was forbidden in the imperial palace. If discovered, these concubines and any men involved could face severe punishments, including death. Despite the risks, some concubines with high desires or favorable circumstances chose to fulfill their desires by engaging with guards, imperial physicians, high-ranking officials, or other close attendants of the king.

Many concubines who felt imprisoned or ignored by the emperor found solace in reciting Buddhist scriptures. This practice, coupled with a vegetarian diet, was believed to purify their souls and help them detach from the worldly affairs and power struggles within the harem. It provided them with a sense of peace and a way to survive the challenging life in the forbidden palace.