The Palace Museum Mystery

This book explores unsolved cases and secret affairs of the Qing imperial palace. Topics include the origins of the imperial surname Aisin Gioro; the struggle for the khan's throne between Qing Taizong and Hong Taiji; the Kangxi Emperor's appointment and dismissal of the crown prince; an assassination attempt in the imperial palace during the Jiaqing Emperor's reign; the cause of the Guangxu Emperor's death; and the education of princes in the Qing court. Chronologically, these mysteries span the entire Qing Dynasty. Geographically, they involve Xingjing's Hetu Ala, Shengjing, now Shenyang, and Beijing. Their subject matter ranges from affairs of state to the emperor's family life. Some of these mysteries were obscured out of deference to the powerful, while others remain unclear because the historical records are incomplete. Many versions of events have circulated, leaving outsiders with little chance of learning the full story. Conflicting accounts in unofficial histories and novels have only made matters more obscure. Drawing on the perspective of official histories, the author uses primary sources, the latest archaeological findings, and scientific research to examine the evidence in detail, trace clues left by history, and uncover the truth behind the events. The book also features more than 200 beautiful, high-definition images and is packed with substantial material.