She learns her fellow concubines are her enemies, each aspiring to be the emperor's favorite and bear him a son. She is not allowed to leave the Forbidden City or see her family. She is waited on hand and foot by eunuchs and maids. Initially ecstatic, Orchid soon discovers her life is one of boredom and loneliness. Nuharoo, a beautiful and educated young woman, is chosen as Feng's future bride, while Orchid is chosen as an imperial consort of the fourth rank. Feng eventually chooses a total of seven concubines for his wedding on June 26, 1852. The emperor will eventually have a total of 3,000 concubines with whom he may have a son if his wife is unable. Emperor Hsien Feng will choose 200 girls as finalists from among 5,000 applicants. Orchid qualifies because she is 17 and Manchurian and because her father was from the royal Bannerman tribe. The emperor has issued a decree that he is looking for concubines. Orchid has one chance to escape a life of certain misery. Because they are so poor, the family receives help from an uncle, who tells Orchid she must marry his retarded son. The family is first seen bringing the coffin of their deceased father to Beijing for burial. The climb from poverty by a young woman unsure of herself is remarkable. It was her ancestor's tribe that conquered China in 1644 and whose tribal leader became the first emperor of the Ch'ing Dynasty. Yehonala (who is called Orchid) is born into a poor family whose members are direct descendants of Manchu Bannerman.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |