Under the feudal system, the emperor was considered the supreme ruler, standing above all others. He possessed an extravagant harem with thousands of beautiful concubines.
However, a rather unique occurrence took place during the Qing Dynasty: whenever it was a concubine’s turn to be summoned by the emperor, they had to adhere to a strict unspoken rule – they were to remain absolutely silent, not uttering a single word. So, why was there such a bizarre and stringent rule within the powerful and mysterious imperial harem?
The Unspoken Rule during the Qing Emperor’s Consort Visits
Many people mistakenly believe that life in the imperial palace is filled with luxury and splendor. However, the reality for the concubines and beauties during China’s feudal dynasty was fraught with pain and strict constraints. They were not only confined by countless palace regulations but also had to follow stringent rules in their private lives, including during consort visits with the emperor.
According to KKNews and Sina, there was an unwritten rule during the Qing Dynasty that consorts had to remain completely silent during the emperor’s sexual encounters. While not officially documented, this rule was considered a tacit law that all consorts understood and had to obey.
The true reason behind this rule lies in the strict supervision of the Jing Shi Fang, the agency in charge of managing the emperor’s consort visits. Eunuchs from this agency would stand guard outside the imperial bedroom to monitor the time and be ready to respond to any requests from the emperor. This lack of privacy created an invisible pressure on both the emperor and his consorts.
To maintain his dignity and avoid being labeled as indulgent in sexual pleasures, the emperor enforced the rule of absolute silence during sexual encounters. Beneath the glamorous facade of imperial life, it was the consorts who bore the brunt, deprived of the right to express their emotions in such an intimate setting.
Furthermore, consort visits were also time-limited – they could not exceed half a candle hour, approximately 30 minutes. These harsh regulations reveal that life in the imperial harem was far from peaceful.
Hence, the old saying: “Those of humble birth have the simple joys of a common life, while those of noble birth bear sorrows that few can understand.” A poignant reminder of the flip side of supreme power.
Concubines Were Not Allowed to Wear Clothing during Consort Visits – A Strict Rule to Protect the Emperor
To receive the emperor’s “grace,” concubines during the Qing Dynasty had to go through an extremely rigorous and harsh process.
The consort visit process began with “flipping the board” – a ritual to select the woman who would attend to the emperor that night. Whether or not a concubine was chosen depended entirely on the emperor’s whim. Some were fortunate enough to be regularly favored, while others waited for years without being noticed.
Once chosen, the concubine had to bathe and wait until nightfall, when she would remove all her clothing, wrap herself in a blanket, and be escorted by a eunuch to the imperial bedroom. Even upon reaching the emperor’s bed, she was not allowed to act freely – she had to crawl from the end of the bed where the emperor’s feet were, get into the blanket, and when it was over, leave in a crouching position with her head bowed. She was then immediately returned to her own chamber and was not allowed to stay the night with the emperor. In some cases, even if a concubine was chosen, the emperor could change his mind midway, and she would not be favored.
The reason for the concubines not being allowed to wear clothes during consort visits was to ensure the absolute safety of the emperor. Chinese history has recorded several assassination attempts by palace maids or concubines, prompting the court to tighten security measures, especially during the tumultuous early Qing period, marked by numerous unjust trials.
Loneliness Behind the Glamour
Despite living in luxury and being free from financial worries, many concubines faced a lonely and pressured life within the harem – a hotbed of intrigue and power struggles. Some spent their entire lives without ever being favored by the emperor, living out their days in cold chambers, forgotten. Unless they possessed exceptional beauty like Yang Guifei or came from a powerful family, they were largely overlooked among the hundreds of other concubines.
In reality, the lives of these concubines were far more harsh than the glamorous portrayal in films. Many spent their youth in solitude and silence, leaving no mark on history or in the memories of future generations.
The Unspoken Rule that Kept Qing Dynasty Consorts Silent in the Bedchamber
“During the Qing Dynasty, consorts were required to maintain absolute silence and refrain from making any sound when visited by the emperor. This strict rule was imposed to uphold the dignity and respect of the imperial court.”
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