The Princess's Maid

The Emperor and the Consort's Song: The Emperor took a new consort, who was skilled in song and dance and fond of kumquats. Her beauty was unmatched, and the Emperor adored her. He gave her a pearl crown, sent her kumquats, posthumously ennobled her family for three generations, and even granted her the only Consort Guifei ceremony in the kingdom. He was even considering making her Empress. The consort was bold and unrestrained, disregarded frugality, and flouted palace rules. To loyal officials and renowned scholars, she was a "wicked consort," and they repeatedly petitioned the Emperor to impeach her. With palace rules so strict and rites so severe, it was difficult to have both the realm and the woman he loved. The consort's life was full of hardship. Unlucky and short-lived, she lost three daughters in a row, leaving her wounded in body and spirit, and gradually estranged from the Emperor...

In history books and legends, she always plays the part of a "slandering, wicked seductress." Yet she was also a cherished daughter, adored by her parents, and a confidante and wife her husband wished to spend his life with.

When the consort died, the Emperor was overcome with grief. Defying opposition from the court and the imperial harem, he insisted on making her Empress. In the end, ten years apart in life and death, all she could do was hope to repay his kindness in the next life.

(The Emperor and Consort are also an epic love story between Emperor and Empress. It has a tragic ending, but they reconcile in the end. See: When the Lights Are Almost Out.)

Theme: Under the weight of strict rites and unbreakable palace rules, where can a woman turn?