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Sunday, August 19, 2018

The Three Empresses of Emperor Qianlong

Emperor Qianlong's harem has been cast into the spotlight recently––with a hit tv show airing at the moment and another to come. Coincidentally, the same three women, namely the three empresses of Qianlong, are heavily featured in the two dramas, albeit in entirely different lights.

It occurred to me that a side-by-side comparison between Emperor's Qianlong three Empresses and King Henry VIII's first three wives could be interesting. Of course, given the largely discrepant cultures and historical factors, such a comparison is only superficial at best. Bear in mind that this post by no means suggests that the women were by any means similar in temperament, or shared the exact same motivations and life trajectories.

For a full biography of Henry VIII's first two queens, read Celine's post here.

In the following sections, I will simply refer to the empresses by their family names/more familiar titles for easier identification. (Like honestly who's gonna remember a title like Empress Xiaoxian Chengzheng Dunmu Renhui Weigong Kangshun Futian Changsheng Chun. No, I didn't make this title up.)





Empress Fucha--Katherine of Aragon

Like Katherine of Aragon, Empress Fucha was high-born and brought up accordingly. Though not a member of royalty per se, her family, the Fucha clan, was a member of the "Bordered Yellow Banner", one of the top three banners among the eight Manchurian banners. The Empress' family welded immense power and authority and had matrimonial ties with the royal family.

Katherine of Aragon was known to have been highly educated. The scholar Erasmus noted that the queen was "well instructed"––not just in comparison to other women––and "is no less to be respected for her piety than her erudition". She also ensured her daughter Mary would receive the same comprehensive education as she had.



Similarly, Empress Fucha was well taught and known for her calligraphy skills. According to the memoirs[1] of a descendant of her clan, the Emperor Yongzheng (then still a prince) chanced upon their family home and caught her in the middle of calligraphy practice. He was greatly impressed by her calligraphy skills and by her knowledge of the classics. As he returned home later that day, he summoned his sons (including Fucha's future husband) and admonished them, "You'd better be diligent, else you'd lose out in comparison to a nine-year-old girl!"

Empress Fucha was personally picked out by the Emperor Yongzheng to be the primary wife of his fourth son, Hongli, later crowned as the Emperor Qianlong. Empress Fucha had two sons and two daughters in her marriage. Like Queen Katherine, whose only surviving child was the Princess Mary, Empress Fucha was rather unlucky in this respect: both of her sons and a daughter died in childhood. Her only surviving child was a daughter who lived to the relatively ripe old age of 61 years.

Unlike Queen Katherine, Empress Fucha never lost her husband's favour. Her conduct as queen was blameless; she fitted the archetype of the ideal Confucian wife perfectly. But the death of her only remaining son at the age of two proved too much for her. The Emperor, determined to cheer her up, took her on an excursion to Shantong. The royal couple visited several famous sites and even presided over a grand ceremony at the Confucius temple. All seemed well until they embarked on their return journey to the capital. Empress Fucha had fallen ill. The Emperor wanted to put off their return trip until her recovery; however, the Empress urged the Emperor to proceed with their journey back as scheduled. The journey, compounded by her grief, took its toll on her. She passed away on the boat, aged only 37.

The Emperor never got over his grief. His political style took a sharp turn after the Empress' demise; he admonished two of his sons for 'not displaying the appropriate amount of emotion' and even excluded them from his list of heirs apparent. Nor were his officials exempt from his bad temper. He found fault with the ceremonial offerings, was unhappy with the lack of attendance at the Empress' funeral, and even punished officials for shaving their heads within a hundred days of the Empress' death. In retrospect, this series of incidents could have been a long-awaited-for moment to punish offending officials; though several sources do agree that Qianlong was never the same again.

Empress Nala--Anne Boleyn
The aftermath of Empress Fucha's death was felt strongly by the entire court; no one was to bear the brunt more so than her ill-fated successor, Empress Nala.

At the time of Empress Fucha's death, Empress Nala was the "Noble Consort Xian", two ranks below the Empress. Her title, 'Xian', (娴), meaning "refined and demure", was supposed to be a reflection of her general character. She had been in attendance at the emperor's court ever since she was a girl of sixteen. Her rank and seniority were the highest among the palace ladies; her family background, though less prestigious than the late Empress, was high enough; her character, if official records were anything to go by, was blameless. In other words, she was perfect to assume the role of the new Empress.

No portrait of the empress survives. Perhaps
Qianlong had them destroyed. 
That was what the Empress Dowager had in mind as well. The Emperor, however, was not too eager to have her assume the role. As a compromise, he made her the "Imperial Noble Consort"––a sort of probationary position for her to carry out the responsibilities of an empress without the actual title. Lady Xian passed her probation without event. She was then coronated after the country's official mourning period was over.

At first glance, it would seem that Empress Nala and Anne Boleyn shared no similarities. While Anne Boleyn was witty, vivacious and determined, Empress Nala was set out to be another version of Empress Fucha. She toed the line cautiously, played by the rules, and never gave anyone any reason to doubt the legitimacy of her succession.

Nor was the Emperor ever infatuated with her the way King Henry was with Anne Boleyn; Empress Nala only began to bear children after her coronation as Empress. In other words, the relationship between the Emperor and his new Empress was respectful, proper, and fully fitted the official expectations of a royal couple who were bound together not by passion, but by duty.

It was only after a striking turn of events when Empress Nala's fate converged with that of Anne Boleyn's.

The brewing of the storm, for both Empress Nala and Anne Boleyn, was preceded by a period of apparent normalcy. Anne Boleyn was watching a game of tennis, carrying out her official duties as queen, when she was disturbed by messengers who ordered her to present herself before the privy council. A day before, her husband had left his seat abruptly at the May Day jousts. As argued by the historian Alison Weir, Anne probably had enough time to realize the gravity of her situation. Her situation had been highly precarious ever since her two miscarriages. Jane Seymour's ascension at court was also a threat to Anne, as King Henry began to openly flaunt his affection for her.

The disgrace of Empress Nala was, on the contrary, less obvious. The Emperor and his favourites were on an excursion to Hangzhou. Everything went fine at first with the Emperor celebrated the Empress' birthday en route. They arrived at Hangzhou and breakfasted together; the Emperor even bequeathed her with delicacies from his royal table––a sign of his favor. However, the Empress did not show up for dinner that night. It was soon apparent that she had been sent back to the palace in disgrace on that day itself.

Empress Nala played by Charmaine Seah
What triggered this chain of events is unknown. By the emperor's own admission, the Empress had willfully cut her own hair––a big no-no for Manchurian women. It was akin to cursing the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, for the Empress was only allowed to cut her hair as a sign of mourning at their deaths. Since there were no eyewitness accounts to support or counteract that claim, we have no choice but to take the Emperor at his word.


The reason behind Empress Nala's impulsiveness, given her clean record, is unknown and extremely baffling. There are many speculative theories circulating the net; one of which involves Noble Consort Ling, the "Jane Seymour" of this story. In this narrative, the Empress was greatly threatened by Noble Consort Ling's rapid ascension in the ranks of the Imperial Harem. The decision of the Emperor to promote her to the position of "Imperial Noble Consort" was the last straw that broke the camel's back––Empress Nala's action was, therefore, a desperate defiant act against the Emperor's plans. Though appealing in terms of its dramatic nature, this claim is highly speculative.

Empress Nala as depicted in the TV series
"Ruyi's Royal Love"
Unlike Anne Boleyn, Empress Nala was not put to death. Nor did she lose her position as Empress. However, her treatment was equivalent to demotion. The Emperor confiscated the ceremonial artefacts which marked her four promotions to the positions of Consort, Noble Consort, Imperial Noble Consort and Empress respectively; he also reduced the number of her servants to two, which was the equivalent of the lowest-ranking consort in the palace.

Empress Nala died a year later. Her funeral was simply-done and did not befit her rank. Her coffin was then stuffed into a corner of the tomb of another concubine. No ceremonial plaque was erected in her honor nor were any posthumous titles awarded. The Emperor never showed any sign of grief at the news of his death. In fact, he exiled a hapless officer who was undiscerning enough to propose a proper funeral befitting her rank.




Consort Ling--Jane Seymour
Jane Seymour was arguably King Henry's favorite. She was, after all, the one who begot him his long-wished-for son. King Henry had their family portrait painted together long after her death, effectively leaving the then-reigning queen Katherine Parr out. He even joined her in death, while his other wives, some without their heads, had to content themselves with singlehood for eternity.


Jane Seymour was lady-in-waiting to King Henry's first two wives. As for Consort Ling, the details of her life prior to her ascension as the consort is unknown. The tv series Story of Yanxi Palace, (延禧攻略) portray her as the maid-in-waiting to Empress Fucha. This is not without historical basis. In an elegy to the Empress, Emperor Qianlong mentioned that the Consort had benefitted from the 'education' offered by the Empress. The exact meaning of this is unknown. The tv series take it literally to the extent of having Empress Fucha teach Consort Ling calligraphy and literacy skills.

Others have speculated that Consort Ling had not begun her career as a palace maid, but was immediately promoted to the position of guiren, or 'Noble Person', five ranks below the Empress. That would still place her under the guidance of the Empress who was in charge of overseeing the discipline and character of the imperial concubines.

Consort Ling, depicted as the maid-in-waiting to Empress Fucha
in "The Story of Yanxi Palace"

Jane Seymour, though of noble birth, started out from a considerably lower station in life as compared to Katherine of Aragon. In a similar vein, Consort Ling's background was considerably weaker than Empress Fucha, Empress Nala, or many of the other imperial consorts for that matter. Her rapid ascension across the ranks is therefore remarkable. She rose from the fifth rank to the second rank of Noble Consort within fourteen years. After the unexpected fall of Empress Nala, she was made the Imperial Noble Consort, a rare honor commonly reserved for concubines of prominent families.

Consort Ling, as depicted in the 90s TV Series "Princess Returning Pearl".
In this series, she is depicted as a kindly figure who is symphathetic to
the main characters and often intercedes on their behalf.

It was not that easy to be promoted in the Qing imperial harem. For starters, Manchurian women of the foremost banners were more likely to be promoted. The ability to give birth to sons was also a chief determining factor; though the Emperor could promote childless favorites as well. Like Jane Seymour, Consort Ling was the birth mother of the Emperor's immediate successor, though it wasn't entirely evident at that point. As dictated by custom, the Emperor would write his successor's name in a will hidden behind the plaque in his throne room. It was only at the point of the Emperor's death (or abdication) when the will would be retrieved and revealed.

Jane Seymour died shortly after her son's birth. Consort Ling was more fortunate; she lived for quite a long while until her death at 47. Like Jane, she did not live long enough to see her son ascend the throne. In a final display of favor, Emperor Qianlong awarded her the title of 'Empress' posthumously.

Depictions in Popular Culture



The Tudors have long been the favorites of historical fiction and tv series. The same can be said of Emperor Qianlong, though historical dramas in the past had focused solely on his role as emperor and his doings in the politcal scope.

Qianglong's Empire

Unlike Western history, I find that Chinese history has been more secretive about the doings of the Imperial family. Reading the obituaries and biographies of the Qing empresses and concubines brings to mind images of virtuous women, whose sole purpose in life was to serve the king and follow rules. It is hard to guess at their personalities or motivations.

Though frustrating for historians, this lack of information has provided novelists and filmmakers with a blank canvas on which imaginations run wild. And we now find ourselves at this interesting point in Chinese popular culture where not one, but two historically-inspired tv series are being aired/to-be-aired at the point of writing.

Yingluo (Consort Ling) vs Ruyi (Empress Nala).

One of this, Yanxi Gonglue, or "The Story of Yanxi Palace"[2] (延禧攻略) has been taking over the Chinese internet by storm. In this version, Consort Ling is the central character, an ally of Empress Fucha, and the deadly opponent of Empress Nala. In the second version, "Ru Yi's Royal Love in the Palace" (如懿传), Empress Nala, reimagined as Ulanala Ruyi[3], is the central character, while Consort Ling is the main villain. In this retelling of events, Empress Nala is the Emperor's true love, and the couple became estranged after a series of misunderstandings. (which I find really unconvincing)

Promo poster for Ruyi's Royal Love

Better than the power struggle between Empress Nala and Consort Ling is the real-life power struggle between the two tv series, its producers, and fans to emerge as the ultimate winner of the day. While Yanxi promotes itself as an accurate representation of historical dress and accessories, (read a full discussion here and here), Ruyi's crew promotes itself as a faithful reconstruction of the elaborate Qing dynasty palace rituals. (video below)

At the time of writing, things seem a little more challenging for Ruyi, given that the audiences have been won over by Yanxi's depiction of Consort Ling as a fearless, quick-witted and capable young lady.

Watch the promotional videos below and decide for yourself. Who is the ultimate winner of this 21st-century palace power struggle?

1) Promotional Video for Yanxi Palace
2) Promotional video for Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace

[1]: I am unable to find citations or the original source for this anecdote. This information is lifted from baidu and is uncited. It would be wise to treat this as just a story.

[2]: In my opinion, "A Survival Guide to Yanxi Palace" would be a better translation

[3]: In history, Empress Nala's family name is ‘Hoifa Nala', not 'Ula Nala'. The TV series' version is a common misconception.

55 comments:

  1. Ruyi's royal love in the palace is the more beautiful and better historical drama because great attention on recreation of Qing dynasty palace protocol,costume palace scenes artwork of Qianlong Era, palace intrigue. Very rich emotional drama of love within the walls of Forbidden City. Stunning artistic production. Impressive cinematography too.

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    1. I don't think so. Be logical. It's not easy for an empress to simply be deposed. Also, it's not easy for a maid Yingluo to rise.

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  2. I believe the love story of ruyi as the correct historical version. Yansi palace is more of a love story dictate in between Wei yin lo n fuca fuhen

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    1. La única historia de amor verdadera ahí es qianlong y la emperatriz Fucha.

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  3. Ruyi's royal love in the palace id the better of tge 2 tv drama on Emperor Qianlong. The cinematography impressive and stunning,the palace scenes beautifully created very accurate to history (Palace Museum curators, Beijing advisors), palace rituals informative. In short, Ruyi's story like a beautiful entertaining history lesson. Love it

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    1. I really hated quinglong in ruyi, but came to understand and love him in yanxi palace. the latter was a livlier watch and the clothes were wonderful.

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  4. You cannot help but love and root for wei ling in yanxi palace. I have watched all the episodes and have also did much research into her as a historical person. I have no great like for her villainess rival. I too have researched empress Nala. Nala was a great disaster of a person and caused much harm. It would have meant the real person wei Ling had to be a woman of extrodanary fortitude to rise to the rank she did so very fast. I really liked Yanxi Palace as it gave great insight into what it must have really been like in the forbidden city id highly recommend the series for anyone as it was like stepping back in time.

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    1. i watch yanxi palace&iam sure which one is consort rong fei?can u tell me which one is consort rongfei?

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    3. Yanxi palace is more accurate

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  5. You cannot help but love and root for wei ling in yanxi palace. I have watched all the episodes and have also did much research into her as a historical person. I have no great like for her villainess rival. I too have researched empress Nala. Nala was a great disaster of a person and caused much harm. It would have meant the real person wei Ling had to be a woman of extrodanary fortitude to rise to the rank she did so very fast. I really liked Yanxi Palace as it gave great insight into what it must have really been like in the forbidden city id highly recommend the series for anyone as it was like stepping back in time.

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  6. I think Yanxi more accurate, nice and even the actors and atresses are not famous, they are better than famous one, example Empress Ula nara in Ruyi their voice is horrible and Emprator accent very repetitive.

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  7. Watched both and prefer stories in RUYI than Yanxi. YANXI yin lul character is a bit ridiculous. RUYI has a more beautiful background and a more detailed set up. What i am interested to know if in real history, is consort ling really someone that daring?

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    1. because you like tyrant :D . obviously ruyi create fake lol. yanxi support human rights . ruyi support tyrant and leadership from their ancestor. note. ruyi has grandmother as empress so naturally she will become official cuz her ancestor. yanxi ling come from slavery labourship.

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    2. Fact abt China history =tyrancy . Human rights for woman=zero those days. Not a matter of what audience support.pity the women in ruyi doesn't mean we support tyranny..

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    3. I doubt you logic. Yanxi palace is more reasonable. For a maid to rise so fast, she has to be exceptionally wise and virtuos

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    4. Totally agree! Yanxi's stories are just typical fairy tales of the character YingLuo. More entertaining for sure. But Ruyi's version depicts a more realistic of marital issues and how women were treated in ancient time

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  8. The last episode of Yanxi place. Is consort Ling the Empress?
    I'm so confused

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    1. She died as the Imperial Noble Consort (Huang gui fei).

      The Second Empress Nala, remained Empress in title but were stripped off her privileges after the incident at Hangzhou.

      Consort Ling was only elevated to Empress few years after her death. There are no other Empress bethrothed...

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    2. you didn't see how the empress thank ling. she didn't want to be empress at all. she like to live freedom. yanxi support human rights . ruyi support tyrant and leadership from their ancestor. note. ruyi has grandmother as empress so naturally she will become official cuz her ancestor. yanxi ling come from slavery labourship.

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    4. I understand you might not like Ruyi due to series but honestly no need to be this hateful. Having better backup doesn't make you tyrant or evi, as having more humble background doesn't make you necessarily better. If one talks about historical figures based on series s/he watched that is only ridiculous. Btw Consort Ling herself asked to be named Empress posthumously and Emperor granted her wish

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  9. I believe the costumes and hairstyles in Yanxi are more accurate for that period of time, especially during Qianlong's reign judging by the real paintings and portraits. The costumes and hairstyles in Ruyi seems more accurate for the late Qing period, however it's still stunning nonetheless.
    The direction, tone and style of the novels and dramas are very different, both deviate quite a bit from real history to fit their own narrative. Yanxi is very light-hearted and relaxed even unrealistic at times but I believe that's the intention behind it I always feel like Yanxi never really set out to be an a 100% accurate portrayal of history in the first place. While Ruyi is more detailed, dark, realistic and serious like the intention is to be almost like a documentary of Qianlong and his harem.
    That said Yanxi portrayed that Qianlong loved Empress Fuca and Consort Ling the most which isn't without basis since there's clear mentions in historical records to back it up as well, he had both of them also buried alongside him if I'm not mistaken which is a clear indication of his love and favor. While he had the Stem-Empress buried along side Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui much like a servant would be buried with their master. Ouch!
    While I can appreciate that Ruyi's Royal Love is one of the first fictional works to finally portray the Step-Empress in a good light, I find the whole "love story" between her and Qianlong a bit unconvincing as well and I don't think I will ever rewatch Ruyi, not even for Zhou Xun's amazing performance. It's visually stunning and I can appreciate the effort put into the sets, costumes and props but the story itself is so depressing and heartbreaking, it's just so frustrating from start to finish.

    Dramas aside, I actually had a weird thought...If Empress Fuca didn't die and Lady Ulanara/Hoifa-nara had not become the next Empress, would she even have had a chance to bear children at all for Qianlong. After all she only bears her first child after nearly 20 years of serving Qianlong, that's about 2 years after her coronation as Empress, she's about 34 years old at that time and also while their were other princes in the royal family they were actually in need of a 嫡子 ( dí zǐ = meaning the legitimate son of the legal wife, the legal wife is the Empress ). I can't help but wonder what her fate would have been like had Empress Fuca not died, I wonder if she would have had similar fate like Consort Wan, who like her also entered the harem before Qianlong's enthronement and never had the chance to bear him children at all in her lifetime. Wow, one can't help but wonder, guess we'll never know.

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    1. Yeah, too many error of Ruyi's Royal in the palace. Especially at the end when the Qianlong Emperor cut his hair too. It is very ridiculous. The step empress was never record of history very accurate because all of her story clan were removed Included her portrait. This is a solid proof that the emperor still hate her even she's dead.

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  10. These 2 drama i like to watch yanxi. ruyi is noop drama. after i finist few episode. it still noop. nothing interesting at all. beside yanxi is good to watch from the start to the end. moreover yanxi support freedom and human rights . ruyi support tyrant and leadership from their ancestor. note. ruyi has grandmother as empress so naturally she will become official cuz her ancestor. yanxi ling come from slavery labourship.

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  11. I Like RUYI ROYAL LOVE IN THE PALACE than the Xanxi Palace, RU YI CAST ARE MORE APPEALING,the COSTUMES ARE COLORFUL etc, while the Xanxi palace cast is either OLD and no appeal, i dont think EMPEROR QIANLONG is MYOPIC to choose those types of CONCUBINES and the Empresses are looking matured than the EMPEROR, THATS WHY Xanxi Palace is kind of a TURNED OFF for me😊😊😊

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    1. the emperor looked older than all the concubines except the step empress [ I mean the actress ] and yes they look old because the story is set in the qing dynasty , it is a historical drama .

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  12. I think Yanxi Palace more accurate than Ruyi.

    Imperial Noble Consort Ling was never be villain based on true history. While the Step Empress Nara (maiden name still debate, ulanara or hoifa nara) was removed of the records by Qianlong himself.

    If Qianlong Emperor really love The Step Empress why he deleted all of the records of her clan?

    It's ridiculous when the writer of Ruyi's Royal in The Palace make the love strong story between those two. 😁

    And if you look over the other drama like My Fair Princess and the reboot version, all the story are the same. The step empress is the main villain. Not the consort Ling. And the Consort Ling was one of the Qianlong Emperor favoured.

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    1. history is written by winners. i believe ru yi show is trying to make us question the past, maybe all along ulunara (or whatever her name is) is a good person and that she deserves more and her story should be told out

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    2. You need to remember that in almost all the human history the woman was always the bad person. Ruyi it's more accurate with dates and some facts. Maybe they did not love each other but I don´t think that the step empress was the villain, she must have had real reasons for cutting her hair, and obviously the emperor was never going to admit he made a mistake.

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    3. But to be fair, why assume he 'made a mistake'. That emperor lived a very long life, lots of time to rethink his choices good and bad. He had Consort Ling and Empress Fuca buried next to him. That speaks volumes. The drama of " Ruyi" was beautifully done, and the FL was awesome, but it seems clear it was less accurate than "Yanxi " drama. imo

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  13. The Story of Yanxi Palace more accurate and based of true story rather than Ruyi's Royal in The Palace. Although in history record there was no affair between Consort Ling and Fuca Fuheng.

    But after look of Ruyi story line, there was so many error and debate.

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  14. I don't like Ruyi's story line. Since the stories have too many error and inaccurate. Most the unacceptable is when the emperor cut his hair at the end. It's too imaginary. ��

    No wonder, the Story of Yanxi Palace gain more fanbase rather than Ruyi.

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    1. That's because ruyis story does not exist, in books of qianlobg there is a blank page which is identified to be the page of ruyis accounts, plus in the end of ruyis rlitp qianlong ends up removing all the accounts of her, so technically ruyi has a bit more historical reference however this also means both ruyis and yanxis story lines are both invalid

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  15. Can you find the story how Consort Ling died ? I think Ruyi is more accurate story than Yanxi ..

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    1. Do you know why Ruyi has no place near the tomb of the Emperor. Reflect on your logic 😏

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  16. I haven't seen the series entitled 'The story of yanxi palace' but saw many video clips in youtube. Honestly, I love the series Ruyi Royal Love in Palace, it gave me a lot of lesson in life and taught me that no one will remind like they used to be, people will change and how man change through the years.

    I can't move on from the series since I kept on watching some of it's clips and I am really wondering what really happen to ruyi, and other girls but it's all in the history. I couldn't change it and I myself didn't witness it so say that this thing happen. History will remain a history but we should learn from it for us not to repeat it. God bless you all.

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  17. nothing could ever be better than the story of yanxi palace❤️❤️

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  18. Ruyi's Royal Love in Palace is nearest to real story of Qing Dynasty harem lifes.

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  19. If ruyi story is true, it promotes consistency of human being. I think once a person is closed to Buddhism, it will show this person will not be too aggressive to other people. It is good for the human being. The aggressive attitude, greed, and other desire will disapate. Society will be more harmonic.

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  20. I love "ruyi's love ' even if it is innacurate to the history ..

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  21. No one know which is more accurate. The second Empress had her first prince at age of 34...why took so long? In the Ruyi's story, she was tricked to wear the bracelet with basil seed to prevent pregnancy. Good imagination!
    When Ruyi cut her hair that angered the Emperor. She was unofficially demoted to the lowest rank. However, the Emperor DID NOT promote anyone else to be the third Empress (30 years without an Empress), meaning he had deep feeling for the second Empress. Perhaps, the Emperor accepted the divorce (instead of anger) and removed her existent from the imperial record because they were no longer husband and wife.
    About the Imperial Noble Consort Ling .... It is hard to believe that a person with a low status rose to the high rank in a short time without getting her hands dirty. It's reasonable to suspect her for committed dirty deed.
    The Emperor had many wives and children. The empire had royal physicians and best medicine at that time period, why wives and princes and princess died young? Natural causes? No way!
    I enjoy the Ruyi's love in the palace because the Emperor is so handsome! Which is very inaccurate! ... If the 15th prince get to be king, something was very wrong in that harem.

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    1. agree, we never know which is more accurate, i love Ruyi’s royal love in the palace drama. love their act. i believe Empress Nara is a good person and i believe the love story between Emperor and Empress Nara as the correct historical version based on the Emperor chose her to be the next empress and did not promote anyone else after that and the Emperor did not divorce her after ruyi cut her hair.

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    2. Ruyi's version is a flawed story.

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    3. Your assumptions about what things happened could easily be explained the opposite of what you are surmising. Perhaps she had her child at an old age because the emperor did not like her. They were married for 20 yrs before she gave birth. And it is written that he did not want an Empress after his first Empress, who he loved, died. He didn't feel a need for one. His mother coerced him into it. When she did , he could have learned his lesson and done what he wanted in the first place, not have an empress. That didn't have to mean he had a great feeling for Empress Nara, but perhaps, it left a bad taste in his mouth and didn't want to repeat it. They don't know when Consort Ling entered the palace, but think she entered at a higher rank than portrayed in the movie, 5th rank under the empress. She could have risen more quickly because she was enjoyable to the emperor and he didn't find fault with her. He had her buried beside him along with his first beloved empress, I think that says it very clearly.

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  22. I noticed yanxi first because in my late teens I have been a big fan of nie yuan and followed him for some time but what i do not like about yanxi is that the costumes and the set looks like those old chinese dramas in the early 90s, the lighting is horrible. It makes the background look cheap and unreal. The series is like a romantic comedy- with a ligher tone. This was when I heard about Ruyi, I only know about wallace coz he was my friend's crush when she watched love at the dolphin bay. I guess the biggest part of what drew me into the drama is the main actress, Zhou Xun. Her acting skills are just superb, she does not over -act out scenes. You can see sadness, happiness and all other emotions in hee eyes, I guess this is the reason the make up artist give much emphasis on making her eyes standout, notice how they over emphasized her eye shape in this drama compares to the normal zhou xun. Also, the costumes though not historically accurate are beautiful and elaborate.Technically speakinf, the production was almost flawless. Though I know Ruyi is the least accurate account based on history,but it gives a new twist on this story that has been told so manh times. Who would ever thought to give another perpective from empress ula nara's POV. I guess she really stood up to what she believed in back then whatever it was though I agree it was quite impossible that the emperor was inlove with her as they only had kids after she was declared empress. History aside, i prefer Ruyi too though it is very sad, but to me its something new and real. There are many woman nowadays like her, those who got fed up with men and standing up on their own

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    1. Think of how ruyi fell. Reflect on your life and never comment on historical fallacy😏

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  23. Honestly, I see Ruyi as being more realistic, and the fact that less is known about Ulanara seems to also discredit in a way what we already know. Think about it, during that time when women had to be attached to a man to live, why would she cut her hair knowing what could happen to her. I do believe that the Emperor may not have loved her, but I do not believe that she was a bad person, I feel that she may have loved him and not realized she was just another woman in his harem. Also, I do love yanxi palace I don't believe that in a time like that, someone low born with a "pure heart" wouldve lived long enough to even climb that fast, she would've been killed or her children hurt. Something in me finds Empress Ling fishy. Maybe also because her song did become Emperor 🤷🏾‍♀️ we only hear good things, and Naras children all died young. Realistically you'd need to think about how back then justice and good endings hardly ever came for the good, and we never witnessed it ourselves, and Leaders ALWAYS had the power to change history then. The good people may be painted as evil and the evil as good. We never know, because even the people who lived through day to day life and citizens didn't know much either.

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    1. Exactly! IMO the Ruyi's version is more believable but the reason why Qianlong destroyed any evidence of her is a bit of a stretch. The real reason could be he was such an ego-maniac that she cut ties with him aka dumped him, thus the rage.

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  24. Yanxi Palace's version is everyone's fairy tale. Ruyi's version is more realistic - depicting marital problems and how women were treated in ancient time.

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  25. Correction: "Yanxi Palaces's version is everyone's favorite fairy tale

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