In the depths of the palace, a forgotten history is hidden. This is a legendary story about the last years of the Qing Dynasty, a story about the "first beauty of the Qing Dynasty". Her beauty still cannot be concealed in the black and white court photos, as if the long river of time cannot take away her suffocating charm. But behind her, there is an unknown secret hidden - her life was completely controlled by the powerful woman Empress Dowager Cixi.
Who was she? Why did she become the last peerless beauty of the Qing Dynasty? How did her beauty pass down through the long river of history? More importantly, what kind of complex and delicate relationship did she have with Cixi? These questions are all hidden in this dusty history.
1. The darling of the dynasty: the childhood of the four grids
In the imperial palace of the late Qing Dynasty, Sigege attracted attention for its beautiful appearance and intelligent mind. Aixin Jueluo Yixuan, her ambitious father, will stop at nothing to please the Empress Dowager Cixi. He believed that through Sigege's talent and beauty, he could further consolidate his position in Cixi's heart, and even bring him greater power.
To this end, he developed a series of rigorous Xi programs. Every morning, Si Gege began her practice of piano, chess, calligraphy and painting under the strict supervision Xi of her master. Her piano skills have become more and more sophisticated, her paintings are full of aura, and her calligraphy has gradually become more and more popular. However, all this achievement did not bring her joy. Her childhood seemed to be swallowed up by this endless Xi and Xi practice.
One evening, Sigege sneaked out of the palace walls, looking at the children outside the palace walls playing carefree, her heart was full of envy. At this time, Xiao Jing, a palace maid of the same age, walked over and asked softly, "Gege, why do you always look outside?" Si Gege sighed and replied, "I envy them, they are so free and happy." ”
Xiao Jing looked at Si Gege and said softly, "But Gege, you have many things that they don't have. Sigege shook his head: "These so-called 'treasures' are heavy shackles to me. ”
At this moment, there was a call in the distance. Sigege glanced helplessly at the outside world, turned around and returned to the palace, continuing her tightly planned life.
Day after day, the four-grid qin, chess, calligraphy and painting became more and more sophisticated, and her women's etiquette also tended to be perfect. Her talents were frequently displayed at various banquets in the palace and won numerous accolades. The Empress Dowager Cixi even praised her personally several times, which made her father Yixuan's position in the palace more stable.
However, all this glory seemed to Sigege as if it were just a distant dream. What she longs for is the simplest happiness and freedom. She often plays the piano alone under the moon in the dead of night, and the sound of the piano is full of her longing for freedom and longing for the future.
2. The pearl in the eyes of Cixi: the youth of the four grids
On the splendid stage of the Forbidden City, Sigege's beauty and talent did quickly win the favor of the Empress Dowager Cixi. Whenever she appeared in front of Cixi, she was always respectful and elegant, and her intelligence and talent made her stand out in the palace. The Empress Dowager Cixi was attracted by her down-to-earth generosity and delicate agility, and decided to keep her by her side as a personal palace maid.
Despite being pampered like never before, Sigege's heart is always full of worry and uneasiness. She knew that the court was a place full of intrigue and intrigue, and that her words and deeds could become a lever for others to attack. In this gorgeous cage, she constantly reminded herself that she must remain flawless in front of Cixi and leave no flaws.
One day, the Empress Dowager Cixi suddenly asked Si Gege at the afternoon tea party: "I heard that you are superb in the piano, why don't you play a song for me?" Si Gege's heart beat suddenly, but she quickly regained her composure, and replied with a slight tremble: "The courtier's piano skills are not enough to be dedicated to the Queen Mother, I am afraid that it will desecrate the Queen Mother's ears and eyes." Cixi smiled and said, "I like your humble attitude, come on, don't be restrained." ”
Under the gaze of everyone, Si Gege gently played a song "Flat Sand and Falling Geese". Her fingertips jumped on the guqin, and the sound of the piano flowed, with both a sense of innocence and a sense of deep and restrained beauty. After hearing this, the Empress Dowager Cixi nodded again and again, with a satisfied smile on her face, and said appreciatively: "Your piano skills are really extraordinary, and you can often play for me in the future." ”
As time passed, Sigege's position in front of the Empress Dowager Cixi became more and more solid. However, such pampering did not bring her peace of mind. She often crept into the corners of the palace at night, looking up at the starry night sky, immersed in her own thoughts. She knew that everything she had built on Cixi's favor would be what would happen to her if she lost it?
She often recalls her days in the village, where life was ordinary but full of freedom and tranquility. On the bustling stage of the court, she is like a bird trapped in a cage, longing for the freedom to fly to the sky. Sigege couldn't help but sigh that the trajectory of life is so unpredictable, and all the glory and favor are like passing clouds, which will eventually dissipate in the long river of history.
3. Manipulative Marriage: Four-Grid Love
In the unfathomable power game of the court, the four-grid marriage became a pawn controlled by the Empress Dowager Cixi. She was betrothed to Yuroku's ninth son, Hee-joon, the handsome and talented prince. Although this marriage seems glamorous to outsiders, it is full of helplessness and restraint for Sigege.
The life after marriage is unexpectedly calm and happy for Sigege. Hee-jun is different from the royal nobles in ordinary people's imagination, he is gentle and elegant, and has a deep love for Sigege. Their time together, though simple, is full of affection and understanding. In their little world, Si Gege finally finds the peace and tranquility that he has not seen for a long time.
However, this happy time did not last long. One day, the Empress Dowager Cixi suddenly ordered Sigege to be recalled to the palace on the grounds that she needed to assist in some affairs in the palace. Sigege understood that this was a decision made by the Empress Dowager Cixi in order to control her. She had to say goodbye to Hee-joon and return to the splendid but intriguing palace.
At the moment of parting, Hee-jun held Si Gege's hand tightly, and his eyes were full of reluctance. He whispered, "No matter what happens, I will remember our days." Si Gege tearfully replied: "I will too, this time will be the best memory of my life." ”
Back in the palace, Sigege was once again embroiled in the complicated strife of the court. She often misses Hee-joon alone in the dead of night, missing that brief period of happiness. She understands that her fate is always in the hands of the Empress Dowager Cixi, and she can only try her best to find her place in this complex world.
4. The end of life: the old age of Si Gege
With the death of the Empress Dowager Cixi, Sigege, a beauty who was once favored in the court, was finally freed from the manipulative life. Her influence and status quickly dissipated with the death of Cixi, as if she were a wisp of smoke in the court, passing away with the wind.
Sigege has chosen a very different way of life. She left the world of power and luxury in seclusion in a secluded village, pursuing an ordinary and peaceful life. In this small world, she found the freedom and peace that she had not seen for a long time, and life seemed to return to its purest essence.
Her daily routine becomes simple and calm, taking a walk along the trail every morning and enjoying the tranquility of nature. The sun had just risen, the dew was still hanging on the grass, and she walked slowly along the village path with a light step. In these quiet days, she regained her passion for the piano. Her piano sound, clear and melodious, often echoes in the village, distant and sad, making the listener feel a deep and restrained that is different from the magnificence of the court.
One evening in autumn, Si Gege sat in her yard, stroking the guqin that had accompanied her all her life. She played softly, the sound of the piano wafting in the night breeze. At this moment, a passer-by was attracted by the sound of her piano and stopped. He looked at the ordinary woman in front of him and couldn't help asking, "Auntie, who are you with such a beautiful piano sound?" Si Gege smiled slightly, her eyes flashed with a faint sadness, and replied: "I am just an ordinary village woman here, everything that used to be has gone with the wind. ”
The pedestrian didn't know that the ordinary village woman in front of him was once a peerless beauty in the court. The story of Sigege, like a meteor, left a short and dazzling light in the long history of the Qing Dynasty. Over time, her name and story have been forgotten, but her desire for freedom and the pursuit of a better life have forever been etched in the hearts of those who know her story.
In this far-flung corner, Si Gege lives a real and peaceful life. There is no bustle of the court, no struggle for power, only simple sunrise and sunset, and the melodious sound of the piano. She found her peace in this small village and found her true self deep inside.
Although the rest of Sigege's life is unremarkable, it is this ordinariness that shows the truest longing in her heart. Although her story is no longer remembered by the world, it has left a deep imprint on that era and has become a unique landscape in the history of the Qing Dynasty. Her life is like a guqin song that echoes for a long time, telling a story of freedom, tranquility and truth.
Reference: Cixi of the Qing Dynasty