Preface
What is the true self? The true self is the truest voice and desire in our hearts, the unique thoughts and opinions that we have as an independent individual.
When we are in an environment where power relations are unequal, the true self can easily be suppressed and distorted. Especially a woman, when she steps into a male-dominated space, her true self is in danger of being destroyed.
So, in a palace where power is highly centralized, how can a woman preserve her true self in the midst of complex and unpredictable relationships?
The will of the emperor is the law, to keep the true self in front of him, which is tantamount to dancing in the crater. However, among those palace maids who calculate each other for favor, there is indeed such a different woman. She is Zhen Huan's sister, Zhen Yurao. How does a woman preserve her true self in a harem environment?
Yurao was born bright and moving, but she doesn't win by her appearance.
Yurao grew up in a prominent bureaucratic family, and her father lived in three official homes. However, the good times did not last long, because his father was involved in the party dispute at that time, and the whole family was assigned to Ningguta. At a young age, Yurao witnessed the cruelty of imperial power and the destruction of her family, but she handled it indifferently and was not defeated by fate. Many years later, she returned to the palace with her sister Zhen Huan and began her life in the harem.
When she was twenty-eight years old, she met Emperor Yongzheng for the first time. Yurao is bright and moving, and the emperor fell in love at first sight and tried to bring the relationship between the two closer. However, Yurao's face did not change, she took a deep look, both to express respect and keep a distance.
In several interactions, the emperor tried to bring the relationship closer with gifts, but Yurao was able to skillfully refuse. Her clever mind and clever manners make her as comfortable as a fish in the harem.
Yurao has both a feminine and feminine side, as well as wisdom and decisiveness that transcends gender. She knew that the Emperor's good intentions were not reliable, and that falling into his favor meant losing her freedom. So she carefully maintained a delicate state that neither offended the emperor nor was too close---- which was an important strategy for her to preserve her true self.
A simple gesture to draw a line to imperial power.
When the emperor clearly proposed to Yurao in Zhen Huan's bedroom to admit her into the palace, Yurao did not have the slightest fear, but used a simple gesture to clarify her attitude. She picked up the blue handkerchief in her hand and circled her fingers.
This seemingly random action actually hints at a lot of meanings. It both expresses Yurao's childish and indifferent attitude, and shows that she is blind to the emperor's pursuits. At the same time, she did not directly refuse the emperor, so as not to offend his dignity, but also clearly drew her own bottom line.
Yurao used this small gesture to convey a simple but clear message to the emperor: I respect you, but I have my own opinions and will not choose to enter the palace. With a simple gesture, Yurao draws the boundaries of her life to the emperor who represents power. This ability to express oneself without exceeding the norm is impressive.
Elegant speech, skillfully defusing the approach of power.
In addition to her steady and generous demeanor, Yurao's conversation is also very personable. In the face of the emperor's pursuit, she is neither humble nor arrogant, and pays attention to proportion. Her words are like dew in the morning light, expressing both gratitude and refusal.
Yurao's words are gentle and beautiful, but also firm. She expressed both gratitude and pertinent rejection; She was neither arrogant nor rude, nor low-voiced. In the language game of the harem, she is neither humble nor arrogant, and she is at ease.
Through precise words, Yurao successfully defused the pressure from power without hurting the emperor's pride. This kind of eloquence that is gentle and wise has deeply touched everyone around him.
Stick to your original intention and shine in the face of adversity.
Yurao is not as flattering as other women in the harem, she sticks to her inner voice and is not confused by power. She always retains her own judgment and choices, and her wisdom and courage make her a unique presence in the harem.
In an environment where it is difficult for women to protect themselves, Yurao has found a world of her own. When other women fought openly and secretly for the emperor's favor, she always handled it calmly. Her humble and unpretentious attitude and wise speech make her comfortable in the political struggle of the harem.
Yurao understands that in the palace, a place of prestige and power, women can easily lose themselves. Therefore, she is always rational and sober, not confused by the aura of power, and does not get involved in various political battles, which is what distinguishes her from other women. It can be said that she has created a clear sky in a sinister environment, where she can be her true self again.
In the end, Yurao married her beloved as a royal Doroggege, which was almost impossible under the circumstances of the time. But with her wisdom and courage, she opened a broad road of her own. Yurao proved with practical actions that even in adversity, a woman can create a new destiny through her inner strength. Her success clearly tells people that self-preservation starts with uncompromise.
epilogue
Yurao is just a passerby in "The Legend of Zhen Huan", her story is not as ups and downs as the main plot, but her unswerving true self provides valuable inspiration for women in distress. In an era when it is difficult for women to have the right to speak, Yurao relies on her own judgment to create her destiny, which is extremely valuable. She did not compromise her heart, nor was she changed by the external environment, which many women cannot do.
Yurao proves that even in an environment where there is an imbalance of power, women can achieve their own happiness through wisdom and courage while preserving themselves. Her success comes from her inner perseverance and clear awareness of the outside world. This is also a valuable quality that every woman should learn in this day Xi and age.
Zhen Yurao, with her wisdom and courage, wrote her destiny like a splash of ink, outlining a picture that belongs to her. Her story is a model of a woman's self-redemption and self-realization in a complex environment, like a flower that blooms in the face of adversity, resilient and beautiful.
In the twists and turns of fate, Zhen Yurao shows how women emerge at the bottom of society and use their own efforts and wisdom to find a path of their own. She is not satisfied with the arrangement of fate, but dares to pursue her dreams. It is in the face of adversity that she shows tenacity and courage to defy hardships, and proves with practical actions that women can also shine in difficult situations.