Chapter 43 Chapter 35

The concubine who lives in Chengqian Palace (Yongning Palace), Tian Guifei of Emperor Chongzhen has a lot of stories. Emperor Chongzhen's empress Zhou's father, Zhou Kui, was originally from Suzhou, and later moved to Daxing (now Beijing).Is Tian Guifei related to Queen Zhou?Have.The Ming Dynasty stipulated that when a grand wedding (queen) is selected in the palace, the first empress will be accompanied by two nobles; Repatriation with silver coins.That is to say, when choosing a queen, it is "one principal and two companions", and one of the three is selected.But in reality, the situation is complicated.Some empresses have already been appointed by default, and the escorts are actually "tenders"; some are first concubines, and after the prince inherits the throne, the concubine (Fujin in the Qing Dynasty) will be promoted to empress naturally, and there is no need to go through the tedious cutscenes.

The concubines of Emperor Chongzhen are famously one empress and two concubines: the first empress is Empress Zhou, and the second concubine is Concubine Yuan Guifei and Concubine Tian.Empress Zhou and Concubine Yuan Gui have been introduced in "Three Sadnesses of Chongzhen" in the first volume of "The Forbidden City", but what about Concubine Tian Gui?According to "Yutang Huiji" and other books, he lived in Chengqian Palace.Before the Tian family moved in, the palace was named Yongning Palace, and Emperor Chongzhen changed it to Chengqian Palace, where Concubine Tian lived.In the seventh year of Chongzhen (1634), a plaque was placed in the east side hall called Zhenshunzhai, and the west side hall was called Mingde hall. ("Qing Palace Shuwen") Judging from these measures, Emperor Chongzhen really loved Concubine Tian very much.

In fact, Emperor Chongzhen's name change may not be a good idea, because "Yongning" is for the eternal peace of the harem.For the harem, tranquility—safety and Kangning are the most important. "Yongning" was changed to "Chengqian", and "Qian" was the sky and the emperor. Emperor Chongzhen's original intention may be that Concubine Tian Guifei lived here to accept and inherit the emperor's favor, but if the "favor" is too much, she will also be spoiled. The harem is neither safe nor healthy.Later, it turned out that Concubine Tian Gui was indeed unsafe and unhealthy in Chengqian Palace.

Concubine Tian Gui was originally from Shaanxi, and later came to Yangzhou.Her father, Tian Hongyu, was an official left governor (Zheng Yipin) because of the nobleness of women.When Emperor Chongzhen Zhu Youjian became King Xin, the Tian family went to the mansion of King Xin.In the first year of Chongzhen (1628), Zhu Youjian ascended the throne, and the Tian family was also registered as a concubine, and later Jin noble concubine. Concubine Tian Gui is beautiful: "The concubine was born slender, taciturn, and talented." ("History of the Ming Dynasty: Concubine Biography" Volume 14) It seems that Concubine Tian looks like a southern woman, with beautiful lines and gorgeous face. Quiet outside and dynamic inside, versatile.High literacy: She is good at piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, singing, dancing and poetry, and she is also quite outstanding.The "Picture of Fragrances" and "Picture of Orchids" she painted were especially loved by Emperor Chongzhen.Her handwriting, beautiful and beautiful, also moved Emperor Chongzhen.Can dress up, her dress is very unusual.Concubine Tian Guifei grew up in the south of the Yangtze River. After entering the palace, she also brought Jiangnan clothes to the palace. The palace called her clothes "Su-style".The maids who serve Tian Guifei on weekdays, during the New Year and festivals, most of the ornaments on their heads are put on by Tian Guifei. They are well dressed and have a unique style, which makes other court ladies envious.Interesting: In the lanes of the palace, under the moonlight in summer and summer, riding in a public vehicle or car, under the scorching sun, wearing a woven umbrella cover to block the sun, the eunuchs and maids in the palace enjoy the moonlight and enjoy the shade. Happy.Ability to have children: Emperor Chongzhen had seven sons, the first three sons were born to Queen Zhou, and the last four sons were born to Concubine Tian Gui.

Tian Guifei's lively and alert personality may be related to her father's genetics. "History of the Ming Dynasty" records that her father was "good at wandering, and a light chivalrous man", a person who was good at activities and pompous.Tian Hongyu is both greedy and stingy.He returned to Beijing from Ningbo, loaded thirteen ships with money, made a lot of money, and got thousands of dollars.The Tian family was engaged in large-scale construction projects, but they did not give enough food or wages to the craftsmen. Some craftsmen waited for the opportunity to escape, and there were many complaints about not escaping.

The history book commented on Concubine Tian Gui and said: "She is capable of writing, witty, and she is quite close. That is to say, Concubine Yuan Gui is far behind. So I will not see you in the future." (Volume 2 of "Sin Wei Lu") That is to say, Concubine Tian Gui is good at calligraphy , good at painting, smart and witty, beautiful and charming, Emperor Chongzhen was very close to her, even Concubine Yuan Gui couldn't match it; because Concubine Tian Gui was favored, even the empress rarely saw the emperor. Concubine Tian Gui is favored, charming and handsome, with outstanding talents, she is "envied and hated" by Queen Zhou and Concubine Yuan!In addition, she was favored and proud, and she offended Queen Zhou even more—from "envy" and "jealousy" to "resentment"!How does Queen Zhou treat Concubine Tian Gui?One way is to "bask her".On the first day of the first lunar month of the new year, the weather was extremely cold. Concubine Tian came to pay her respects to Empress Zhou. The car parked under the eaves of the palace and waited for a long time.Concubine Yuan Gui also came to pay New Year's greetings. The two had a great time and talked for a long time.

Concubine Tian Gui gave New Year's greetings to Empress Zhou. She was treated coldly and hated in her heart. To whom should she cry?He could only confide to Emperor Chongzhen: "Cry to the emperor!" When Emperor Chongzhen heard this cry, he felt sorry for his beloved concubine, and took revenge on Queen Zhou.How to retaliate?One day, Emperor Chongzhen was talking to Empress Zhou in the Jiaotai Hall. He was angry and did not agree with each other. Emperor Chongzhen pushed and Empress Zhou fell to the ground.Empress Zhou was angry, wept unceasingly, and did not eat.This is not the way!Emperor Chongzhen took the initiative to ease, and sent eunuchs to send mink fur jackets to the queen, and asked the queen to live. Only when the conflict between the emperor and the queen was eased.

Emperor Chongzhen had the skills to control his wife. He not only showed favor to Empress Zhou, but also restrained Concubine Tian Gui. Soon, he took advantage of the stubble to reprimand Concubine Tian Gui and asked her to move to Qixiang Palace (Tai Chi Palace).But things always turn around. One day, Empress Zhou accompanied Emperor Chongzhen to see flowers and asked Concubine Tian to be summoned.Emperor Chongzhen did not speak.Queen Zhou sent eunuchs to welcome Concubine Tian Gui in a car.When Emperor Chongzhen met Concubine Tian Gui, it is recorded in the history books: "It is the same as before."

Concubine Tian Gui has a plan.In the thirteenth year of Chongzhen (1640), there was a conflict between Concubine Tian Gui and Queen Zhou, which was caused by Concubine Tian Gui's complaint to Queen Zhou.According to "Zaolin Zazu" records: One day, Emperor Chongzhen summoned Concubine Tian.The custom is that the imperial concubine rides on the phoenix and is carried by the little eunuch.On this day, Concubine Tian Gui was carried by a court lady. Emperor Chongzhen felt very strange when he saw it, asked why, and replied: "Little Dang is so wanton and shameless." Let her give an example.Concubine Tian Gui said: "I heard that the little princess of Kunning Palace is a maidservant in the palace, so I heard it far away." After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen felt that Concubine Tian Guifei understood etiquette, and ordered to search the residence of the little eunuch of Kunning Palace, and found out that the eunuch and the maid could not see each other. people stuff.This is because most of the eunuchs and maids in the palace have their own "pairs", called "pairs of food", also called "vegetable households".In this matter, Tian Guifei won the secret fight between Concubine Tian and Queen Zhou.Concubine Shitian conspired to seize the heir to frame Empress Zhou.Later, sex tools were also found in the imperial concubine's palace. ("Zaolin Zazu")

But soon, Concubine Tian Gui made a big taboo and offended Emperor Chongzhen.What's going on here? Cao Huachun, the great eunuch of the Ming Dynasty, sent people to Nanjing and Yangzhou, and spent a lot of money to get singing and dancing girls to sacrifice. Emperor Chongzhen loved him very much. He didn't see his concubine for several months.When there was a severe drought again, Emperor Chongzhen "did a fast in the Wuying Hall because of the drought".It was Tian Guifei's birthday, and Emperor Chongzhen planned to return to the palace.Concubine Tian Gui wrote memorials and remonstrances.Emperor Chongzhen was very unhappy, and criticized: "I haven't seen you for several months, and my knowledge has made great progress. As far as singing and dancing, my ancestors have it all over the dynasty, and it didn't start with me. Concubine Gai also threatened to go to the cloud with righteousness." (Volume 2 of "The Record of Crimes")

The house was leaking and it rained continuously.Concubine Tian Gui was hit by the bereavement of her children: she gave birth to four princes in total, except for the fourth son Yong Wang Cizhen who disappeared after Li Zicheng invaded Beijing. Also unnamed, all died early one after another.Among them, Cihuan, the fifth son of the emperor, "Ming History" records a story: "Mourning Wang Cihuan, the fifth son of Emperor Zhuang Lie. He was sick at the age of five, and the emperor looked at him. I mourn all my sons.' Suiyu. The Nine Lotus Bodhisattva, the mother of Shenzong, is also the Empress Dowager Li Xiaoding. The Empress Dowager loves Buddha, and the statue in the palace is made of nine lotus seats, so it is said. Ciying Zhenjun ordered the ministers of rites to discuss the names of filial piety and the Empress Dowager, Concubine Zhuang, and Concubine Yi. The Ritual Division gave the matter to Li Yun: "All empresses and concubines worship the first hall, and do not worship evil religions and call them chaotic emblems." Don't listen. Ten In December of the sixth year, the title of Xuanxian Ciying Mourning King was changed to "Zhenjun"." ("Ming History Mourning Wang Cihuan Biography" Volume 120) In March of the 15th year of Chongzhen (1642), Concubine Tian Guifei lost her sons one after another, and was neglected by the emperor. She was overly sad, and entrusted the only remaining emperor's fourth son, Zhu Cizhen, to Empress Yi'an, Emperor Tianqi, to raise her. She was seriously ill and returned to the Qian Palace. , in July of the same year (1642), died of illness in Chengqian Palace. Concubine Tian was at peace after her death.Buried in Tianshou Mountain of the Ming Tombs in Changping, Beijing.After the death of Emperor Chongzhen, the Qing army entered the pass, and Prince Rui Dorgon, the regent of the Qing Dynasty, mourned Emperor Chongzhen.Empresses and concubines of the Ming Dynasty were buried with the emperor, but only the empress of Emperor Chongzhen was buried with her concubine.Emperor Chongzhen and Concubine Tian were not concubines from the imperial mausoleum, but the imperial concubine's garden. Emperor Chongzhen and Empress Zhou were buried together in the dormitory of Concubine Tian, ​​named Siling.