The Imperial Woman
In 1852, a Manchurian girl, Orchid, clan name Yehonala, was summoned to be viewed by the Emperor of China. On the twentieth day of the sixth moon, the last Empress of China was chosen. By right, her cousin, Sakota, was the Emperor’s consort, but she gave birth to a girl. Yehonala gave birth to a boy and became the Empress, Tzu Hsi. Once the Son of Heaven dies, Tzu Hsi and the consort, Tzu An, became the Empress Mother and Regent. Since Tzu Hsi was the stronger of the two, it seemed as if she was the only Empress. Her son grew up to be the Emperor of China. All his decisions were still made by his mother, but he died young. Tzu Hsi had to find the next heir before any trouble started. ...
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wanted to marry her third cousin, Jung Lu, but the Emperor of China chose her to be one of his concubines. His mother opposed this decision because she noticed Yehonala had a strong spirit. Concubines were not meant to have ambitions, they were meant to be pretty and serve the Emperor in any way. Yehonala’s cousin, Sakota was chosen to the Consort. Earlier, an older Sakota was Emperor’s chosen one, but she had died. By tradition, the Emperor must fulfill his duties to the dead Consort by choosing Sakota to be his new Consort. Once Sakota conceived, the Emperor’s duties were done and he turned to Yehonala. The Emperor did not leave his bedchamber for three days. According to the records, no concubine or consort had stayed with the Emperor Hsien Feng for such a long time. Yehonala became pregnant, but she did not say anything. If Sakota bore a son, then Yehonala would be useless. However, if Yehonala bore a son and Sakota bore a girl, then Yehonala would have the ...
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the females from Manchu race, so there were many rebels ready to overthrow the dynasty. Foreigners were trying to take over businesses and convert China to a more Western lifestyle. All of this was her burden to take of and she was only twenty-six years old. As her son grew up, there was some speculation about the little emperor’s paternity. Tzu Hsi had made Jung Lu the new Grand Councilor and there was talk about who was the real father. Once the little Emperor was in his teens, he became the Emperor of China, but Tzu Hsi still had power behind the throne.
The Dowager Mother did not want foreigners taking over her country, so she forbade any sort of foreign object in her court. ...
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The Imperial Woman. (2008, September 21). Retrieved November 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Imperial-Woman/90231
"The Imperial Woman." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 21 Sep. 2008. Web. 23 Nov. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Imperial-Woman/90231>
"The Imperial Woman." Essayworld.com. September 21, 2008. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Imperial-Woman/90231.
"The Imperial Woman." Essayworld.com. September 21, 2008. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Imperial-Woman/90231.
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