Tongfang Yatou: The special identity and tragic fate of the ancient maid, Sister Feng's punishment of Jia Lian in "Dream of Red Mansions" makes people wonder, why was Jia Lian free to be close to Ping'er before, but now he is forbidden to contact? To answer this question, we must start with an ancient profession - the housemaid. In ancient times, maid was a universal profession that accompanied the evolution of ancient Chinese history.
However, in this profession, the housemaid has a prominent position, but it carries a special mission that is not known. This article will explore the identities and hierarchies of the housemates, their special missions, and their tragic fates. Tongfang maids are the highest-ranking maids in large households, and there is usually only one in each family. They are the close henchmen of the hostess, who have grown up with the hostess since childhood, and understand all their thoughts and preferences.
When the hostess marries, the housemaid naturally becomes part of the dowry and marries into the man's home with the hostess. There are three criteria for the selection of the housemaid: similar age, good facial features, and absolute loyalty to the owner. These standards are directly related to the special mission of the housemaid. The special mission of the housemaid is to be an investigator of the hostess's marriage.
Ancient dignitaries were worried that their daughters would marry a fertile man, so before signing the marriage contract, they sent a housemaid to the man's house to sleep to check the opponent's combat effectiveness. The housemaid will describe it to the hostess in detail, and the hostess will only get married when she is satisfied. This method of premarital inspection ensures that the hostess can be treated appropriately after marrying into the family, and also protects her reputation.
And once the hostess and the man are married, the role of the housemaid also changes. The housemaid becomes another partner of the male host, who needs to serve in the bedroom, impart experience, calm emotions, etc. The loyalty of the housemaids must be strong, they must keep the secrets of the family, and stand up when the hostess is in danger to protect the hostess's safety.
The existence of the housekeeper makes the husband and wife life of the big family more harmonious, and also makes other maids more harmonious to a certain extent. However, behind the scenery of the housemaid, there is a tragic fate. Although they are the chief maids, they are still maids and have no status as masters. They are inferior to concubines, but they are higher than ordinary maids, and their status is embarrassing. Very few girls can turn into concubines, and most people have this status all their lives.
Therefore, their youth is dedicated to a man without a name, and in the end he is just a tool man, while ordinary girls can find equal love. Even if some housemaids can get rid of the shackles of the deep house and enjoy a free life, they will be despised by the world because of the relationship they once had with the male master. Ancient society had high requirements for chaste and martyr women, and it was difficult for a housemaid who lost her virginity to form a family in society, and she could only die alone.
And some of these unfortunate housemaids will even be regarded as private property by the male owner and will be given and transferred at will. The tragic fate of the girls is also manifested in their abuse and abandonment. A typical example is the Jiajing Emperor, who was emotionally unstable after taking pills and often brutally tortured concubines and maids. In order to get rid of this pain, some of the girls even chose to die martyred. They are forced to endure a fate that cannot be changed.
In ancient society, the housemaid was a special and hard existence. Their special status and tragic fate are the product of the ancient social hierarchy and the embodiment of women's low status. For us modern people, understanding the history and fate of Tongfang Yatou can better understand the various systems and realities of ancient society. Although the identity and fate of the girls are embarrassing, we cannot ignore their important role in ancient society.
They play an important role in large families, providing physical and mental support and companionship to their owners. Their presence makes the life of the couple more harmonious and also provides the hostess with an object to talk to. It is the existence of the housemaid that makes the ancient family life more complete and the relationship between men and women more harmonious. In modern society, we should reflect on the oppression and exploitation of women by ancient hierarchies.
The tragic fate of the housemaid is a microcosm of the low status of women, and we should strive for gender equality so that every woman can be treated with respect and equality. Only in a just and inclusive social environment can all people develop their potential and lead happy and fulfilling lives. Before concluding, I would like to ask readers a question: Did the story of the girl touch your heart?
How do you think we should view the status and destiny of ancient women? Please leave your comments to share your thoughts and opinions with us.
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