Everyone knows that the nurses of the Qing Dynasty royal family are responsible for feeding the princes and daughters, but they don't know that their status in the palace is much higher than imagined. Nursing mothers are not just nursing their babies, they are also responsible for educating, protecting and caring for the children of the royal family. Some people say that the nurse is the "second mother" of the prince and the princess, which is not an exaggeration. But do you know why nursing mothers are so valued? What role do they play in the royal family? Why did the prince and the princess stay away from their biological mother and be raised by a nursing mother since they were young? What's the secret? Let's uncover the mystery of the Qing Dynasty's royal nurses and see what kind of role they play in this splendid but scheming court?
Everyone in the world knows that nursing mother is an ancient profession, but they don't know that the origin of this profession is so long! If you want to talk about the origin of nursing mothers, it can be traced back to the Warring States period.
At that time, there was a university scholar named Xunzi, who wrote a book called "Xunzi". In this book, he specifically mentions the profession of nursing mother. And guess what? He wrote about the nursing mother in the chapter "Treatise on Etiquette"! This is amazing, you know, what can be written into the "Treatise on Etiquette" is something with a lot of origin!
Xunzi said: "Nursing mother, the one who eats and drinks." At first glance, this sounds like a nurse who is responsible for breastfeeding. But don't rush to conclusions! Taste it carefully, and you will find that Xunzi discusses the nursing mother in the category of "etiquette", which shows that the nursing mother is not just an ordinary nursing mother, but has a special status and important role.
From the Warring States period to the Qing Dynasty, the profession of nursing mother has become more and more important. In the Qing Dynasty, the nursing mother system developed to its peak. Don't underestimate these nurses, they don't just become casual nurses!
The Qing Dynasty royal family chose a nursing mother, which was a big deal. First of all, the nurse must be a Manchu, this is an iron law! Secondly, they conclude that they are noble, preferably from a meritorious official family. In addition, they must be healthy, mild-mannered, and have no bad habits. Think about it, with so many conditions, how many people can meet them?
Speaking of which, I am reminded of an interesting story. Emperor Kangxi's nurse Guerjia is a great figure. She is not only from a famous family, but also Kangxi's aunt. Have you ever heard of the title "Lady Protection"? That's right, it's for her! This title is not given casually, it symbolizes the high status of the nurse in the royal family.
Kangxi respects this nurse very much. It is said that once Kangxi Weifu paid a private visit, passed by the nurse's house, and knelt down to kowtow to the nurse without saying a word. Think about it, the dignified emperor knelt down to a nursing mother, which was an earth-shattering event at that time!
Not only Kangxi, but other emperors of the Qing Dynasty also attached great importance to nursing mothers. Emperor Qianlong once said: "The reason why I can become a generation of Ming monarchs is all due to the teaching of my nursing mother." This is not a polite remark, but a heartfelt gratitude.
You may ask, why did the Qing Dynasty royal family attach so much importance to nursing mothers? There's a university here! First of all, the nurse is responsible for feeding the prince and daughter, which is related to the continuation of the royal bloodline, which is naturally the top priority. Secondly, the nurse took care of the prince and the princess from an early age, which had an important impact on their character formation. In addition, nursing mothers are also an important link between the royal family and the outside world, and their family background often provides important political support for the royal family.
Speaking of which, do you have a new understanding of the nurses of the Qing Dynasty royal family? Yes, they are not just breastfeeding, but they are responsible for maintaining the royal tradition and training future emperors. This tradition, which lasted from the Warring States period to the Qing Dynasty, has a long history!
When it comes to the nurses of the Qing Dynasty royal family, they can't just be regarded as simple wet nurses. You know, the responsibilities of these nurses are varied, and they are far more than just breastfeeding!
First of all, let's talk about the most basic responsibilities of a nursing mother - breastfeeding and daily care. The nurses are on call 24 hours a day, whether it is day or night, as long as the prince and the princess cry, they have to rush over immediately. Don't underestimate this job, you must know that the children of the royal family are very expensive, and the slightest carelessness will cause big trouble.
Interestingly, the nurses were also responsible for observing the excrement of the princess and the princess. That's right, you heard it right! In the absence of modern medical equipment, the observation of excrement was an important way to determine the health of a baby. Nurses must always pay attention to the urine and urine of the prince and princess, and if they find abnormalities, they must immediately report to the imperial doctor.
Speaking of which, I am reminded of an interesting story about Emperor Qianlong. It is said that Qianlong was very fond of crying when he was a child, and his nurse was not worried about it. Once, Qianlong cried so much that the nurse tried all kinds of methods to no avail. In the end, the nurse had an idea and tied her hair into all kinds of strange shapes, which finally made Xiao Qianlong burst into tears and laughed. Since then, the nurse has become the royal family's most popular "laughing expert".
In addition to taking care of daily life, the nurses also have to be responsible for the food, clothing, housing and transportation of the prince and daughter. Don't think it's easy, you know, there are so many rules in the royal family! For example, the clothes of the prince and the princess cannot be worn casually, and there are specific dress requirements for each season and every occasion. Nurses had to keep these rules in mind and make sure that the princess and the princess were dressed appropriately.
And in terms of food, it is even more particular. The nurses had to prepare suitable food for the prince and the princess according to the instructions of the imperial doctor. And guess what? Even the time to eat is particular! It is said that when Emperor Kangxi was a child, his nurse had to pinch a little milk to feed him every day, and he couldn't leave a day behind.
Speaking of which, we have to mention an important responsibility - disease prevention and control. In that era of backward medical conditions, disease was the worst enemy of the royal family. Nurses must always be vigilant, and if they notice the slightest discomfort of the prince and princess, they must report it immediately.
Of particular note is the prevention of smallpox. Smallpox was a great enemy in the Qing Dynasty, and even the emperor was not spared. Did you know? The nurses also have to be responsible for inoculating the pox of the prince and the princess! That's right, that's what we're talking about vaccination.
There is an interesting story about the Qianlong Emperor who planted pox. It is said that Qianlong wanted to plant pox when he was a child, and his nurse first planted it herself in order to keep him from being afraid. As a result, because of her age, the nurse reacted very badly after the pox and almost died. Qianlong later learned about this and specially gave the nurse the title of "Loyal and Diligent Lady" in recognition of her loyalty.
In addition, the nurses are also responsible for the safety of the prince and the princess. You may ask, the palace is full of guards, do you still need a nurse to protect you? Not necessarily! You must know that there are a lot of intrigues in the palace, and some people don't even let go of children in order to compete for power and profit. Nurses must always be vigilant to prevent anyone from poisoning the prince or other bad tricks.
Speaking of which, I am reminded of a rumor about Emperor Yongzheng. It is said that Yongzheng was almost poisoned when he was a child, thanks to his nurse, who sensed that something was wrong and stopped the conspiracy in time. Although the veracity of this rumor remains to be verified, it also reflects the importance of nursing mothers in protecting the children of the royal family.
In general, the nurse of the Qing Dynasty royal family was not a simple wet nurse, but an "all-round talent" who combined multiple roles such as nanny, bodyguard, nutritionist, and nurse. With their heavy workloads and responsibilities, they can be said to be indispensable and important in the growth of the children of the royal family.
Speaking of the selection of the royal nurse in the Qing Dynasty, it is really a university question! Don't think you can become a royal nurse casually, there are many doorways here.
First of all, the selection of nursing mothers is a major event of the royal family, not only the emperor has to ask, but even the queen mother has to participate in it. The selection criteria can be described as very strict, even more exquisite than the selection of concubines!
If you want to talk about the first condition, it has to be the Manchus. You may ask, why do you have to be Manchus? There's something special about it. The Qing Dynasty was a dynasty founded by the Manchus, and in order to maintain their dominance, they were cautious at every turn. Even such a thing as breastfeeding, they are reluctant to hand it over to the Han people.
The second condition is that the status must be noble. Generally speaking, nursing mothers are selected from the families of meritorious heroes or high-ranking officials. Don't underestimate this, this is a big matter related to the royal bloodline!
There is an interesting story about the nurse of Emperor Qianlong. This nurse is not an ordinary person, she is the sister of Qianlong's father Yongzheng, that is to say, she is Qianlong's aunt! Think about it, a princess-level character to be a nurse, you can imagine how good the treatment is.
The third condition is good health. This is not just talk, the candidate nurse has to go through a rigorous medical examination. The doctors will carefully check their physical condition, especially the quality of their milk. You must know that the prince and the princess are golden branches and jade leaves, and the milk they drink is the best!
There is also an interesting rule that nursing mothers must not have bad habits. For example, you can't eat spicy food, you can't drink alcohol, and you can't even be too grumpy. Why, you may ask? It turned out that the Qing Dynasty believed that everything about the nursing mother would affect the baby through milk. Therefore, in order to ensure the healthy growth of the prince and the princess, the nurses have to be careful everywhere.
Speaking of which, I am reminded of a rumor about the nursing mother of Emperor Kangxi. It is said that Kangxi's nursing mother is particularly fond of spicy food, but in order to take care of Kangxi, she has quit spicy food for three years. Later, Kangxi knew about this, and specially rewarded her with a large sum of silver, and gave her the title of "Loyal Lady".
The selection process is quite rigorous. First of all, the palace will issue a "recruitment order" for various high-ranking officials to send eligible female dependents into the palace. These candidates are then screened through a number of tests, including physical examinations, personality tests, and even a family history check to see if there is anything unsightly.
In the end, the nursing mother who can be selected can be described as one in a thousand. But don't think that becoming a nurse is a step to the sky. Although the treatment of nursing mothers is indeed good, they also pay a huge price.
First of all, once the nurse is selected, she has to move into the palace immediately and be separated from her family. Think about how uncomfortable it must be for a woman who has just given birth to a child to suddenly leave her own flesh and blood! It is said that some nursing mothers will not even see their biological children for life, which is really embarrassing.
Secondly, the life of a nursing mother is strictly controlled. Their every move is under the surveillance of the emperor and the queen mother, and the slightest carelessness may cause serious trouble. There is a rumor that one of Yongzheng's nurses was killed directly after being found out because she secretly dated a lover in the palace. Although the veracity of this rumor has yet to be verified, it is enough to show how dangerous the situation of nursing mothers is.
However, the treatment of nursing mothers is indeed quite good. Not only do they get a lot of money, but they also enjoy a variety of privileges. For example, they were allowed to enter and leave the emperor's palace at will, a privilege that even some ministers did not have.
What's more, nursing mothers often received special preferential treatment from the emperor. Many emperors will knight their nurses, and some will even promote the nurse's family to important positions. Take Kangxi as an example, he once promoted his nurse's son to a university scholar, which is an important position in the imperial court!
In general, the selection of nurses in the Qing Dynasty royal family can be described as strict and cruel, and their treatment is a combination of favor and restriction. For those chosen nurses, this is both an honor and an inescapable fate.
Speaking of the relationship between the royal nurse and the royal family in the Qing Dynasty, it is really a difficult scripture to read! In this relationship, there is both grace and jealousy, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it is complicated.
First of all, we have to understand that a nurse is not an ordinary slave. In traditional Chinese culture, nursing mothers are regarded as "nursing mothers like mothers", and this relationship is closer than blood relationship. Do you think, the prince and the princess have been eating the milk of the nursing mother since they fell to the ground, and the nursing mother is taking care of them day and night, can this feeling not be deep?
An interesting example is Emperor Kangxi and his nurse Tong Jiashi. Kangxi is known for his filial piety, and he is even more caring for his nursing mother. It is said that once Kangxi went to Jiangnan Weifu for a private visit, passed by the nurse's hometown, and made a special detour to visit the nurse's family. Think about it, the king of a country did not hesitate to change his itinerary for the sake of the nursing mother's family, and this friendship can be seen!
But don't think that a nurse can do whatever she wants. Although the emperor was very kind to the nurses, he was also quite jealous of their influence. After all, nurses have been by the side of the prince and daughter since childhood, and their words and deeds may affect the future ruler.
Here's an interesting story about Emperor Yongzheng and his nurse. After Yongzheng ascended the throne, he found that his nurse was forming a party in the palace for personal gain, and even tried to influence the government. Yongzheng is not a master to be messed with, so he drove the nurse out of the palace without saying a word. This incident was a sensation at the time, and everyone said that Yongzheng was too ruthless. But think about it, if you let the nurse behave in the court, then what's the point?
Speaking of which, I have to mention an important rule - nursing mothers are not allowed to interfere in politics. This is not just talk, it is clearly stipulated. Although nursing mothers have a special status, they cannot overstep their responsibilities and meddle in government affairs. If you are caught meddling in politics, it will be a big crime to lose your head!
There is a rumor that in Qianlong's later years, a nurse relied on her relationship with Qianlong to accept bribes in private and help others intercede. As a result, after being discovered by Qianlong, he sent the nurse to the frontier without saying a word. Although there was no execution, the punishment was heavy enough.
However, don't think that nursing mothers are only passively beaten. Clever nurses are often able to skillfully use their influence to get a head start in court battles.
For example, there is a rumor about the Empress Dowager Cixi. It is said that Cixi's nurse had a particularly good relationship with her when she was a child. Later, Cixi became the queen mother, and this nurse became her right-hand man, helping Cixi take care of affairs in the palace. Although this nurse never shows her face in the open, her influence should not be underestimated.
Another interesting example is the nurse of the Tongzhi Emperor. Tongzhi was a short-lived emperor and did not reign for a long time, but his nurse has been enjoying high-grade treatment in the palace because of her good relationship with Cixi. It is said that this nurse later participated in the election of Emperor Guangxu, which shows her great influence.
But don't think that all nurses have such good luck. Many nurses were sent home when the emperor grew up and lived an uneventful life. Some nurses will even suffer because of the palace struggle and end up in a tragic end.
There is a rumor that it is about a nurse of Emperor Daoguang. Because she offended the ministers of the palace, the nurse was framed as a collaborator and finally died in the palace. Although Daoguang later found out the truth and returned the nurse's innocence, everyone was already dead, so what was the use?
In general, the relationship between the royal nurse and the royal family in the Qing Dynasty can be said to be both favor and jealousy. On the one hand, nursing mothers received special preferential treatment from the emperor because of their nurturing grace; On the other hand, their special status often leads to suspicion and vigilance. In this complex palace relationship, the nurses can be said to be walking on a tightrope, and the slightest carelessness may be doomed.
Speaking of the decline of the royal nursing mother system in the Qing Dynasty, it is really an embarrassing story! This once played a pivotal role in the court, but finally quietly withdrew in the torrent of the times, which has to be said to be a kind of historical helplessness.
To talk about the decline of the nursing mother system, we have to start from the last years of the Qing Dynasty. At that time, the strong ships and sharp cannons of the Western powers had opened the door to China, and all kinds of new ideas and concepts poured in like a tide. Even the Deep Palace compound was not spared, and some new parenting ideas began to affect the life of the royal family.
An interesting example is the time of Emperor Guangxu. It is said that during the reign of Emperor Guangxu, some Western parenting books were introduced into the palace. These books talk about breastfeeding in a big way, saying that breast milk is the most nutritious and the best for the child. And guess what? This can cause a lot of trouble to the nurses in the palace.
There is also a rumor that when the Empress Dowager Cixi was in her later years, a Western doctor came to the palace. The doctor couldn't get used to the nursing mother system in the palace, and said that this is not good for the child's physical and mental development. Although Cixi did not express her position on the spot, it is said that since then, the selection of nursing mothers in the palace has not been so strict.
But don't think that the decline of the nursing system will happen overnight. There are a lot of twists and turns!
Take Pu Yi as an example, he was the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty. It stands to reason that by the time he arrived, the nursing mother system should have been out of business. But guess what? Pu Yi still had a nurse when he was a child! It is said that this was because the Queen Mother at the time insisted on following the old rules. However, Puyi's nurse is not as beautiful as before. They are not allowed to live in the palace, nor can they enjoy any privileges, just like ordinary wet nurses.
Speaking of which, I have to mention an interesting story. It is said that Pu Yi had a nurse who was particularly favored when he was a child, and often called for wind and rain in the palace. As a result, one day, she accidentally offended the Empress Dowager Cixi and was kicked out of the palace without saying a word. You see, is the status of this nurse much worse than before?
There is also a rumor that during the Xuantong period, the palace considered completely abolishing the nursing mother system. At that time, a minister wrote to say that the nursing mother system was outdated, and the prince and the princess should be allowed to drink milk directly. This proposal caused quite a stir in the palace, and it is said that it almost sparked a controversy. But in the end, it didn't work, probably because I thought it was too troublesome to change.
In the Republic of China period, the nursing mother system can be said to have come to an end. Although Pu Yi was still the emperor in the Forbidden City for a few years, the nurse at that time had completely lost the scenery of the past. It is said that some of the original royal nurses had to go outside to be ordinary nurses in order to make a living, which is really embarrassing!
There is an interesting episode, which is about the early years of the Republic of China, a former royal nurse placed an advertisement in the newspaper, saying that she had the experience of a royal nurse and was willing to go to a rich and noble family to be a wet nurse. As soon as this advertisement came out, it caused quite a stir. Some people say that this is a violation of the dignity of the royal family, while others say that this is the dawn of a new era. In any case, this incident also reflects the decline of the nursing mother system.
Finally, let's talk about the impact of the decline of the nursing system. First of all, the way the royal family raised children has changed a lot. In the past, it was the nurses who took care of the children, but now it is good that the princes and princesses have begun to receive a more modern education.
Secondly, the power structure in the court also changed. In the past, nurses were important players in the court, but now their status has plummeted, which has had a great impact on court politics.
Finally, the decline of the nursing mother system also reflects the changes in society as a whole. In a way, it marked the decline of China's traditional imperial system and heralded the dawn of a new era.