The Mystery of Concubine Zhen's Death

Answer 1

The following is a plot setting of a novel about the death of Concubine Zhen:

" The Death of Concubine Zhen: The Wraiths Within the Palace Walls "

In the Forbidden City during the reign of Emperor Guangxu, Concubine Zhen appeared like a bright light in this depressing palace. She and Emperor Guangxu were in love, and the relationship between the two was particularly precious and dangerous under the strict palace rules.

Concubine Zhen was intelligent and open-minded. She supported Emperor Guangxu's reform, which attracted the dissatisfaction of Empress Dowager Cixi. Empress Dowager Cixi was the controller of power in the palace. Her niece, Empress Longyu, was jealous of Guangxu's love for Concubine Zhen. She often complained about Concubine Zhen's faults in front of Empress Dowager Cixi, which made her dislike Concubine Zhen deepen day by day.

During the reform of 1898, Concubine Zhen angered Empress Dowager Cixi by actively supporting Emperor Guangxu. She was imprisoned in the North Third Institute in the northeast of the Forbidden City and lost her freedom. However, an even greater disaster came as the Eight-Nation Alliance closed in.

On August 14th, 1900, the Eight-Nation Alliance Army broke into Beijing, and the entire palace fell into extreme chaos. Empress Dowager Cixi decided to flee. She knew the status of Concubine Zhen in Guangxu's heart and was worried that leaving Concubine Zhen behind would pose a threat to her rule after the foreigners entered the capital. Empress Dowager Cixi decided to secretly execute Concubine Zhen.

Cixi had arranged everything in advance. She sent away the eunuchs and palace maids around her and sneaked out of the Hall of Happiness and Longevity while everyone was resting during the lunch break. At this time, Consort Zhen was still trapped in her own prison. She was brought to Cixi. Cixi sat on the throne of Jingqi Pavilion and looked coldly at Consort Zhen. She claimed that the foreigners had entered the capital and wanted her to jump into the well to commit suicide. Consort Zhen felt that she was innocent and should not be executed, so she argued with Cixi. However, Cixi had made up her mind. She ordered Cui Yugui to drag Consort Zhen to the well on the west side of Jingqi Pavilion. Concubine Zhen was unable to break free and was pushed down the well by Cui Yugui. Then Cui Yugui covered the well cover and Concubine Zhen died at the age of 25.

Emperor Guangxu was currently in Yangxin Palace Hall and was unaware of all of this. A tragedy quietly occurred in this chaotic situation. The death of Concubine Zhen also became an eternal mystery in the palace. The well of Concubine Zhen seemed to be telling the history of this injustice.

Of course, there were many different versions of Concubine Zhen's death, and different plots could be constructed around these versions:

For example, in another way, the plot of the novel:

" Concubine Zhen's Survival and Despair "

Concubine Zhen had always been at the forefront of the storm in the palace. Her love with Emperor Guangxu was the only comfort in the palace, but she did not expect to attract endless disasters. Concubine Zhen had been regarded as a thorn in Empress Dowager Cixi's side because she supported Emperor Guangxu's reform.

The allied forces of the Eight Nations were at the city gates, and the palace was in chaos. Empress Dowager Cixi had already decided to flee west. Everyone changed their clothes and prepared to leave. Concubine Zhen, however, was weak because she had been infected with smallflower. She knew that she would die on the bumpy journey to the west, so she asked Cixi to return to her mother's house to take refuge. Cixi was already upset when she saw Consort Zhen's disheveled hair and cheongsam, and when she heard her request, she was furious.

Cixi believed that Concubine Zhen's actions were deliberately disobeying her orders, and she was worried that Concubine Zhen might do something unfavorable to her after returning to her mother's house. In addition, Empress Longyu was fanning the flames by saying that Concubine Zhen was pretending to be sick and wanted to stay and collude with foreigners. In a fit of anger, Empress Dowager Cixi summoned Cui Yugui and ordered him to throw Consort Zhen headfirst into the well and then cover it. Concubine Zhen's desperate cry was swallowed by the deep well, and the truth of her death became confusing in the rumors of the palace.

Or from the point of view of the legendary Consort Zhen's request for the Emperor to stay in the capital, which angered Cixi:

"Concubine Zhen's Admonitions and Death."

Concubine Zhen had been accompanying Emperor Guangxu in the palace. She knew that Emperor Guangxu was worried about the fate of the country and also understood that the emperor was eager to make a difference in this turbulent situation. When the news of the Eight-Nation Alliance Army entering the capital spread, the people in the palace were in a state of panic.

Empress Dowager Cixi decided to take Emperor Guangxu away by force. Before leaving, Concubine Zhen was worried. She knew that if Emperor Guangxu left with Cixi, it might be difficult to have a chance to revive the country, so she boldly asked Cixi to let Emperor Guangxu stay in the capital. This request angered Empress Dowager Cixi, who felt that Concubine Zhen was disturbing the harem, not abiding by her duty, and wanted to destroy her control over Emperor Guangxu.

Cixi was already dissatisfied with Consort Zhen because of her deep relationship with Emperor Guangxu and her support for the emperor's party. This time, new and old hatred surged in her heart. She ignored Concubine Zhen's pleading and ordered the eunuch to push Concubine Zhen into the well to drown her. Emperor Guangxu witnessed all this but was powerless. Concubine Zhen became a victim of the power struggle and chaos in the palace. Her death also became a mystery shrouded in the fog of history.
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