Know Qing dynasty history through TV drama: The stories of the empress Xiaoxian

In the TV drama Ruyi Shouyou Dao, when Empress Xiaoxian was alive, Qianlong didn't like her very much. Besides, she did many bad things. So, in this drama, Xiaoxian was really evil. And be honest, I don't like her in this drama. Well, in the TV drama Yanxi's Palace, the Empress Xiaoxian became Qianlong's true love. And she was so kind, like an angel. I like her. So, in this video, let's see the Empress Xiaoxian in real history. The Empress Xiaoxian was from Fuca family. Started from Muerhachi's time, her clan played important roles in different emperors' time. The Empress Xiaoxian was a well-educated woman. This education included how to manage a big family. When Xiaoxian was 15 years old, she took the eight-banners imperial election and was chosen by the Emperor Yongzheng as the wife of Hongli. Although at that time, Hongli didn't get his principal title yet, but Yongzheng already considered him as the crown prince. So, Yongzheng not only chose a daughter-in-law, but also chose a future empress for the country. In 1727, the 15-year-old Fuca was married with 17-year-old Hongli. Their first home was Chonghua Palace. Before marriage, Hongli already had eight or nine gege. However, this big family stayed in Chonghua Palace until Hongli inherited the throne. In 1735, Hongli became the Empress Qianlong. In the same year, Fuca was promoted to the Empress. As the Empress, Xiaoxian did an excellent job. When Qianlong focused on managing the court, Xiaoxian well managed the inner court. She personally took care of the Empress and was treated as the biological daughter by the Empress. In real history, Xiaoxian had great relationship with Qianlong's other imperial women. She was respected by Qianlong's consorts. As a wife, Xiaoxian was Qianlong's soulmate. According to the historical documents, Xiaoxian know Qianlong very well. In early Qianlong's time, Qianlong didn't like luxury lifestyle. So, in daily life, Xiaoxian didn't use valuable decorations and used artificial flowers to decorate her hair. Once, Xiaoxian accompanied Qianlong to go hunting. Qianlong mentioned, in later Qin and early Qing, royal family members lived a simple life. They used fur on deer's tail to make wear and used in daily life. After several generations, royal family members forgot their ancestors' simple life and spent too much money. Xiaoxian know what Qianlong mean. After came back to the imperial palace, Xiaoxian personally used deer's fur make a hebao for Qianlong. Qianlong used this gift every day until he passed away. Xiaoxian and Qianlong totally had two girls and two boys. Xiaoxian's first kid, who was a little princess, was born in 1728, one year after Xiaoxian's marriage. But this little princess died at one year old. In 1730, Xiaoxian gave birth a boy, Yonglian, who was the second son of Qianlong. But in ancient China, Di Zi, the wife's son, was more important than Shu Zi. So Yonglian's birth gave Qianlong much more happiness than the birth of Yonghuang, who was Qianlong's oldest son. In 1731, Xiaoxian gave birth Qianlong's third daughter, the princess Hejing of the first rank, who was the only surviving kid of Xiaoxian. In 1735, when Xiaoxian became the empress, she had a five-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl. So during this time, she didn't have many pressure at giving birth kids. But only three years, everything changed. In 1738, Yonglian passed away at eight years old. Xiaoxian was extremely sad. Meanwhile, she had a high pressure of giving birth another crown prince. Because different with early time Qing emperors, Qianlong was influenced by Han Chinese culture. He really wanted to pass his throne to his wife's son. After lost Yonglian, Xiaoxian never truly moved on. Meanwhile, she should take the emperor's responsibilities. Xiaoxian waited and waited. Until 1745, seven years after lost Yonglian, Xiaoxian was pregnant again. Qianlong was extremely happy. Near the New Year of 1746, Qianlong canceled his tour to visit Old Summer Palace to celebrate New Year, which he did every year. He stayed with Xiaoxian in the Forbidden City, so Xiaoxian could have a good rest. In spring 1746, Qianlong's seventh son was born. This little prince had the same birthday as the Buddha, and on his birthday, it rained after several drought. In ancient time, people definitely thought this was the sun from the heaven and represented this newborn was special. Qianlong gave this boy a name Yongcong and treated him as the crown prince. Unfortunately, Yongcong only lived for two years. Yongcong's death directly caused the death of Xiaoxian. After lost Yongcong, Xiaoxian was seriously sick, physically and mentally. Two months later, Qianlong took his first solitude. He brought Xiaoxian and hoped a vacation could help Xiaoxian move on. Unfortunately, this didn't work. Xiaoxian passed away on the boat on the way of coming back to Beijing. This year, Xiaoxian was only 36 years old. Thank you for watching this video. See you soon.