The legend of Xiangfei: A story of beauty and Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty

In Chinese history, there are countless stories about emperors and beauties, and the legend of Xiangfei during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty is particularly fascinating. It is said that Xiangfei was the first beauty of the Qing Dynasty, and her beauty not only made the Emperor Qianlong fall in love with her, but also had a legendary story about her children that was well-known to every household. This article will explore the story of Xiangfei in this historical legend and her relationship with Emperor Qianlong.

I. The Mystery of Xiangfei's Identity

Xiangfei, also known as Rongfei, originally named Hezhuoshi, was a noblewoman from the Hui people in Xinjiang. Her beauty was famous in the Qing Dynasty and was praised as "the most beautiful woman in the country." However, there is no definite record of Xiangfei's true identity in history, and her story mostly comes from folk legends and literary works.

II. The Meeting of Xiangfei and Emperor Qianlong

According to legend, Xiangfei was chosen into the palace because of her outstanding appearance and became a concubine of Emperor Qianlong. Emperor Qianlong doted on her and even built a palace named Baoyuelou to cater to her preferences. Xiangfei's fragrance was said to be able to attract butterflies and bees, making her stand out in the palace.

III. The Legend of Xiangfei's Children

There is a widely circulated story about Xiangfei's children. It is said that after Xiangfei became pregnant, Emperor Qianlong, in order to ensure the purity of the child's bloodline, placed her in a specially made tent surrounded by exotic flowers and plants to maintain the freshness and fragrance of the air. This child was later named "Xiangbeizi" and became a household name in folk stories.

IV. Distinguishing History from Legend

Although the story of Xiangfei is widely circulated among the people, historians are cautious about it. In fact, Emperor Qianlong did have many concubines, but whether Xiangfei really existed and whether her children received the special treatment described in the legend are both lacking in conclusive historical evidence. Many stories about Xiangfei are later artistic processing and imagination of scholars and writers.

Conclusion:

As the legend of the first beauty of the Qing Dynasty, Xiangfei lacks solid historical support, but her story is deeply rooted in people's memories. Whether it is real history or fictional legend, the story of Xiangfei and Emperor Qianlong reflects people's eternal fascination with beautiful love and royal secrets. The image of Xiangfei and her story have become a romantic symbol in Chinese history and culture, inspiring countless people to fantasize about that era.

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