A Qing princess in the Republican era
From the turn of the new century, the Qing empire has been heralded with ominous impediments one after the other. Their miserable defeat at the boxer rebellion only marked the beginning. Inside the walls of the forbidden city, the power struggle between the emperor and the empress dowager was growing ever intense. Outside the walls, nationalists and revolutionaries were clamoring to overthrow the dynasty. The times have gone tumultuous wherein causes of celebration were fleeting. In 1905, a most welcome news from the inner court came. It has been more than a decade since the emperor married and accepted concubines, but he still did not have a son to inherit the throne. With much anticipation, the emperor looked forward to the birth of a prince. However, much to his disappointment, the child was another daughter. In 1912, despite the edict of abdication being issued, the future of Aisin Gioro Wan Li, once known as Gulun Gongzhu Wan Li or Princess Wan Li of the first rank, was still looking bright. Bound by an internal verbal agreement between her mother and the new president of the republic of China, she was promised to marry the 3rd son of the president, Yuan Kezhen, upon reaching adulthood. However, not everything goes as planned. With the assassination of the president and the short-lived restoration of the Qing dynasty, Wan Li had to escape the forbidden city. Wan Li was a princess, but she was still a maiden born in imperial China. Growing up, she was mostly educated only with the moral principles and social code of behaviour called the three obediences and four virtues. Her personality was gentle, kind, shy, and meek. Instilled to her were traits and beliefs of an ideal wife leaning on dependency to a powerful and influential husband. How was she to survive without the privilege of her birthright during the extraordinary times of the republican era? -- This novel will have at least 3 major arcs. (Yes, I have written that far… at least inside my head. Haha!) 1. Wan Li's childhood in the palace/ forbidden city (qing dynasty until early republican era) Age: 0-12 2. After Wan Li escapes the Forbidden city (early republican era/ Warlord era) Age: 12-16 3. Wan Li in Shanghai. (Republican/ Warlord era) Age 16 onwards — What to expect? This novel will have romance, a lot of it later on but it doesn’t revolve entirely on that. There will be politics. Very necessary as it’s what propels the story forward. Character growth, definitely. For the better or the worse, all there but remember each character would be as human as can be. Drama, face slapping, some darkness, adventure, betrayal, all of it will be in this novel. R-18? There will be but definitely not in the early chapters. Oh and this will have a happy ending, though the roads reaching that would be bumpy. — Cover art: the pictures were grabbed from pinterest then edited by me. Important note to readers: Many events in the novel were based from historical facts. Again, many but not all. Some characters were inspired from historical figures. Take note: INSPIRED. Thus, they definitely have different attributes whether looks or personalities. In this regard, please do not assume that they’re one and the same. The characters here were created by me, so if they’re kinda evil or too kind, don’t think that the real historical figure was. Again, though this is historical, it’s still a work of fiction. So a lot of things and reasons leading to certain factual events may have been romanticized by the author (me).
Chapter 18: Of lessons and interactions III
Wan Li thought of lady Yang's question and reexamined what she learned in the three character classic.
"Teacher Yang, it was stated that one must begin with filial piety and to observe the three principles. Then, one must never compromise the five virtues which are benevolence, duty, propriety, wisdom, and truth. After that… uh… study and after finishing the basics, there is the analects, works of Mencius, the four books and the six classics… and lastly, diligence has merit, play has no advantage."
Lady Yang nodded her head, "Yes… what you said were correct, save for the books you mentioned. Although they were specifically indicated in the three character classic, those books were for men to read."
Wan Li felt confused, so she asked, "Why?"
Lady Yang hummed, "Don't you think that men and women are different?"
"Yes…"
"How so?"
Wan Li thought about it, then said, "The front half of a man's head is bald while a woman has a head full of hair?" she tried tentatively.
Lady Yang covered her mouth to stifle her laughter. "Although that is true, men can also have a head full of hair, but our custom doesn't allow them to. Any other observation?"
Wan Li thought about it more. "The chest area…" then she paused. That was not always true though, even for the height, the voice (because eunuchs have high pitch). "ah… ear piercing?"
"How about their qualities aside from their physical appearance?" Lady Yang hinted.
Wan Li pursed her lips. Then she realized that the eunuchs carry the palanquin while she never saw palace maids do so. "Ah, men are stronger."
Lady Yang nodded her head. Strength. They can start from there. "Correct. As you have realized, aside from physical appearance, men and women have different qualities. Because of these, their capabilities also differ. That's why, even during the distant past, society has already designated roles where each gender was more suited."
Wan Li listened in wonder. What teacher Yang said made perfect sense.
"One must understand that each role is equally important because if one does not adhere to their own role, it would be detrimental to social stability and harmony. With this, it is crucial for each gender to learn and perform their respective duties and obligations to the utmost.
In the book of three character classic, we were taught about our main responsibility as children and even as a human being. We have also somehow been given a preview of what the responsibilities of men were. However, when it came to women specifically, it seems that not much has been said.
Do you agree?" Teacher Yang asked to check if Wan Li was still listening.
Wan Li tried to recall all the words in the book only to realize that teacher Yang was right. She said yes as she nodded her head.
"Indeed, that seems to be the case. However, recall the three principles. Can you enumerate them?"
Wan Li who has memorized them to heart answered, "The three principles are, duty between sovereign and subject, love between father and child, harmony between husband and wife."
Lady Yang smiled. "Very good. Now, the first two are the same for everyone, but the third principle has been specifically addressed to women and this is where the role of women comes in. Since you have already learned most of the characters in the San Bai Qian, from today onwards, we will include the first of the four books for women in our study."
Wan Li beamed. She was praised by teacher Yang and there was even a new book to learn from. Based on how teacher Yang explained it, what's inside the book was not only very interesting but also very important. Excited, she enthusiastically asked, "Teacher Yang, is it that one? May I see it?"
Lady Yang was infected by Wan Li's mood. In truth her explanations were based on her own interpretation. Thus, seeing how much Wan Li was hanging onto each of her word made her feel that she was doing good. Anyhow, she only remembered that she was still carrying the book when Wan Li pointed at it.
"Yes, it is this one. Here, how about you try to read the title and the name of the author?"
Wan Li respectfully received the book. Recognizing the characters, she softly read, "Lessons for women, by Ban Zhao"
Wan Li was about to open the book when teacher Yang pressed her hand on top of the title page to prevent her.
"Before we delve on that book, it is important that we first comprehend what is the essence of being a woman and why it is important that we live by them."
Wan Li gently placed the book 'lessons for women' at the side before straightening herself on her seat in apt attention.
--
TBC