Choosing a Chinese Emperor’s Bride Required Intense Scrutiny

It is not the Emperor, but his mother, who chooses his bride; she also ranks his many concubines.

From: CHINA'S FORBIDDEN CITY: The Reign of the Concubine, Part 2

[allergictohumansnotanimals]

Now I know why Mulan hijacked outta there to become a boy

[spiralrose]

No blemishes, no body odor. not really human?

[indiciaobscure]

Empress Lü is definitely the cruelest Empress. Read what she did to her rival.
"After he died, she turned against his concubines. One of them was Qizi, who was very much loved by the Emperor. Qizi had born the Emperor a son, Ru Yi, who was the new heir of the household; something the Empress was displeased with. She had the young boy poisoned to death, and later turned against his mother. She mutilated Qizi by chopping off her hands and feet, scooping out her eyes, making her deaf and dumb with toxins, and abandoning her in a pigsty."

[LOKUTA]

I rather be free and average than be a concubine, what a miserable life.

[ZiggyWhiskerz]

a fifth level concubine would NOT wear as much yellow as they showed here.

[JennyPill]

you got my attention -- now i want to watch the whole episode

[sailormoonserenity]

As someone who studies history, I recommend you all to cast aside modern ideas about what's right before you judge. Obviously from a modern perspective this is awful and backward. But in the context of their time, it was an honour to be concubine, think of it like getting a really good job. And then the higher their concubine rank rises, the higher your job promotion. Those who are more interested in the fun side can go watch the infinite amount of Chinese drama out there. 'Legend of Zhen huan' (not the shit Netflix version) is the best I've seen about the struggles of harem life.

[jonalviar]

These candidates to be the empress came from noble families. Usually from the most favoured clans. These women were raised by their family to be an empress. In reality, their family gave them lavish upbringing. Trained by the best teachers and probably their maids were from lesser nobles. It is considered a family's honour just to be chosen, even as a concubine. The aim was to be closer to the emperor. The rivalry in the harem is a different story though. Just stay away from the dramas to be safe. You see, it's the survival of the fittest. Next thing you know all the other concubines including the empress are dead, then you become the empress.

[mettemarienielsen]

Guiren (5th rank) is not the lowest.. It is actually a pretty decent rank for entering the back palace.

[GiantEagle]

The consorts were not always chosen for beauty but also because of their families.

The beauty contest was not only for Emperor to choose his wife, but also serve as political.bargaining chip. Also to keep the nobles and clans power in check and balance

Eg Emperor wants to gain support of this powerful clan, he will take their daughter.

The emperor wants to make sure his son doesnt get too powerful or overshadow his chosen heir, the Crown Prince, he may chose a girl from a minor clan for his son.

[frostycherry]

only the emperor and empress can wear yellow, she was obviously not yet in rank to wear it.

[ThatGuy]

So many ignorant comments from people who don't care to look at this in historical context.

[rananashi]

Can you imagine being examined for blemishes, bad breath, body odor, and pure virginity before becoming an emperor's bride or concubine?

[minidinocannon]

You may not like what you see in this video as it's against your feminism beliefs or something like that but that was hundreds of years ago and please respect other cultures .

[canigetpsubsforareasonforn]

Not a trace of body odour? WELP if I was there I'd be kicked out within like two seconds

[galleryguide]

The emperor never shared his throne with anyone, despite it size the emperor always sat on the throne alone, even if he was only a child. The empress's throne was in the Hall of Earthly Tranquility and she would also sit on it alone.

[sobaworldwide]

The music they are playing sounds like the first few notes of X-Files lol

[brain_apostrophe_t]

The music hits that iconic X-Files sting at 1:41 😂😂😂

[NuYoukai]

I'm expecting a behind the scenes, juicy drama, to occur. A reality show for Chinese brides in the past. Who won?!

[BlueSwampyCraft]

Lady Yehenara who got to be one of the most powerful women in Chinese history. Empress Dowagwr Cixi baby!