Secrets of the Late Qing Court- Why Did Empress Longyu Never Gain the Favor of Emperor Guangxu-

Hello everyone, welcome to History and Culture. The story of Empress Dowager Longyu and Emperor Guangxu is a tale filled with sadness and twists. They were not only cousins but also husband and wife, yet there was never true love between them. Together, they witnessed the decline of the Qing Dynasty and the rise of the Republic of China. A historical process full of helplessness and suffering. So, why did Empress Dowager Longyu never gain the favor of Emperor Guangxu in her lifetime? One of the palace maids from the late Qing Dynasty, Rong'er, once revealed some clues. Let us explore this topic and uncover the hidden story behind it. Empress Dowager Longyu's birth name was Yehenera Jingfen, and her nickname was Shiga. She hailed from the Manchu-bordered Yellow Banner and was also the niece of Empress Dowager Cixi. A position that conferred immense prestige. Longyu was born on February 3, 1868, and had two brothers and three sisters, one of whom died young. In 1888, Emperor Guangxu's marriage was finalized. At the time, the 17-year-old emperor, in accordance with Qing customs, was required to choose an empress. And Empress Dowager Cixi decided to make her niece, Yehenera Jingfen, the empress. However, Longyu's appearance was unremarkable, one could even say she was plain, and she did not win the favor of Emperor Guangxu. Which resulted in her not bearing any children. On November 14, 1908, Emperor Guangxu passed away. And the next day, Empress Dowager Cixi also died. According to Cixi's will, the emperor's nephew ascended to the throne. And Longyu was honored as Empress Dowager Longyu. Her position surpassing that of all the other imperial consorts of the Tongzhi Emperor. Although she became the highest ruler of the Qing dynasty, Empress Dowager Longyu did not hold real power. The governance of the country relied on Regent Saifeng, who was heavily influenced by Yuan Shikai. In 1911, the Wuchang Uprising broke out. And various provinces declared independence as the Republic of China was gradually established. Faced with the drastic changes, Empress Dowager Longyu failed to take effective action and allowed Regent Saifeng Yuan Shikai to control the government. Eventually, Yuan Shikai reached an agreement with Sun Yat-sen and others to end the imperial reign in exchange for the establishment of the Republic of China. Soon after, at Saifeng's urging, Empress Dowager Longyu reluctantly agreed to abdicate and signed the Conditions for the Favorable Treatment of the Qing Royal Family. Thus, the Qing dynasty, which had ruled China for nearly 300 years, was officially declared extinct, marking the most significant decision of Longyu's life. A year later, Empress Dowager Longyu passed and was buried in the Chongling Tomb at the eastern Qing tombs. Later generations often remember her only as the last Empress Dowager who signed the Conditions for the Favorable Treatment of the Qing Royal Family, marking the end of the Qing dynasty. So, why did Empress Dowager Longyu fail to win the favor of Emperor Guangxu? Many believe it was due to her unattractive appearance. But the truth is more complex. According to the recollections of Ronger, a palace made from the late Qing dynasty, Emperor Guangxu did not dislike Empress Dowager Longyu's appearance. What he truly found unbearable was her constant surveillance of his every move. According to historical records, Emperor Guangxu had already set his heart on another woman as his empress, the daughter of the governor of Jiangxi, De Exian. This talented and beautiful young woman captivated Guangxu at first sight. And he longed to spend his life with her. However, Empress Dowager Cixi would not allow Emperor Guangxu to fulfill his wish. She granted this woman the status of a concubine, known as consort qian. While the position of empress had to be reserved for her own niece, Yehenera Jingfen. Cixi's actions were not merely about family arrangements. But rather about exerting better control over Guangxu, ensuring that he remained under her authority. In other words, Empress Dowager Cixi did not view Longyu as a true relative or ally, but as a pawn to monitor Emperor Guangxu. She used Longyu's position to keep a close watch on his every move. Ensuring that he would never entertain any thoughts or actions against her. In fact, from the moment Emperor Guangxu ascended the throne. Empress Dowager Cixi took control, citing his youth and inexperience as the reason, and governed behind a curtain. She held the real power in the court, interfering in Guangxu's political decisions and tightly controlling his private life. Even the choice of empress and concubines was personally arranged by her. In Cixi's eyes, the most important role for Empress Dowager Longyu was to serve as an informer. Reporting on Guangxu's actions and words to her at all times. So that she could take timely measures to suppress any rebellion or unrest from him. This kind of marriage, under such circumstances, would be difficult for anyone to accept. Of course, sometimes fate lies in one's own hands. Had Empress Dowager Longyu provided some support to Emperor Guangxu in this marriage, perhaps their relationship would have softened, and the outcome might have been different. Yehenera Jingfen was three years older than Guangxu and was, in fact, his cousin. Initially, Emperor Guangxu neither liked nor disliked her. But as the days passed with her constant surveillance and reporting, the distance between them grew, and they eventually became estranged. According to some historical records. In 1898, Emperor Guangxu launched the Hundred Days Reform, hoping to rescue the Qing Dynasty from its troubles through reform. However, Empress Dowager Cixi was extremely displeased with this and ultimately staged a coup to completely suppress the reform. As Empress Dowager Cixi's niece, Empress Dowager Longyu had the opportunity to act as a mediator between the two, easing the conflict. However, she chose to remain silent. During the crisis, Empress Dowager Cixi not only imprisoned Emperor Guangxu but also executed six reformist officials. Throughout this turmoil, Empress Dowager Longyu never took her husband's side. She neither spoke up for Guangxu nor took any action, she merely watched coldly from the In the struggle for imperial power, sometimes, inaction itself becomes a stance. Longyu's attitude clearly indicates that she chose to comply with Empress Dowager Cixi rather than support her own husband. Furthermore, Emperor Guangxu's affections were always directed toward consort Chen. And his marriage to Longyu was far from happy. However, this does not mean that he was indifferent or unkind toward her. It was Longyu's attitude in this power struggle that ultimately led Emperor Guangxu to give up on her entirely, even developing feelings of disdain. However, despite Longyu's decision to comply with Cixi, she did not earn the Empress Dowager's favor. Her position in the palace was not high, she had neither prestige nor power. She was gentle by nature and dared to not engage in palace intrigue. Which not only caused Empress Dowager Cixi to pay little attention to her. But also led Emperor Guangxu to look down upon her. In 1900, when the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded Beijing, the Qing dynasty faced the prospect of extinction. Empress Dowager Cixi hastily fled Beijing with Emperor Guangxu, Longyu, and other members of the imperial household. During their flight, Empress Dowager Cixi ordered the execution of consort Chen. Upon hearing the news, Emperor Guangxu was devastated, while Longyu was left bewildered and frightened. It can thus be said that Longyu's life was also ruined by Empress Dowager Cixi. It is worth noting that Longyu's state funeral was a grand event of mourning in the early years of the Republic of China. On February 22, 1913, the 17th day of the first lunar month in the second year of the Republic, Longyu passed away in the Chongchun Palace's Tai Chi Hall. Her coffin was temporarily placed at the Huangji Hall of the Ningxiu Palace. Longyu's death caused national mourning. The then President of the Republic of China, Yuan Shikai, ordered that flags be flown at half-mast for three days, and that government officials wear mourning attire. The Senate even held a special one-day recess on February 26, and a memorial ceremony was held on February 28. More notably, Yuan Shikai himself wore a black armband and personally went to pay respects. Military and political leaders sent telegrams to express condolences to the Qing imperial family. At the initiative of Senate Chairman Wu Jinglian, memorial activities were organized nationwide. With representatives from places such as Chongchun, Liaoyang, Fenghuang, Tiling, and Inko traveling to Beijing to participate in the memorial. From March 18 to 19, a national mourning assembly of unprecedented scale was held in front of the Taihe Gate in Beijing, attended by as many as 50,000 people. On March 19, the Republic of China government also held a public mourning ceremony at the Taihe Hall. In the center of the mourning hall hung an image of Longyu. With a white banner above reading a woman of Yao and Shan, symbolizing respect for her. The pillars of the hall were wrapped in white cloth, and the area was filled with wreaths and condolence messages. The honor guard was composed of soldiers wearing both traditional Qing mourning attire and modern military uniforms, standing solemnly in front of the hall. The assembly also decided to erect a bronze statue of Longyu to honor her meritorious deeds. Not only did public opinion in China mourn her passing, but foreign diplomats in Beijing also expressed their condolences. They not only visited the Taihe Hall to pay their respects but also flew their flags at half-mast at their embassies. Since Emperor Guangxu's Chongling Tomb was not yet completed, Longyu's coffin had to be temporarily placed elsewhere. The Republic of China government organized a solemn transfer ceremony with an honor guard and military band leading the procession. Traditional Manchu funeral attendants lined up, and the coffin was carried by 96 bearers on a grounded yellow imperial palanquin to the front gate of the railway station, West Station. Subsequently, Longyu's coffin was placed on a special train, which had previously been used by Empress Dowager Cixi, and transported to the Yizhou area in Hebei, where it was temporarily stored at the Liangguozhuang Palace, awaiting the completion of Chongling, where she would eventually be buried alongside Emperor Guangxu. Longyu's state funeral became one of the most significant events in the early years of the Republic of China. Afterward, the government published a special stone-printed book titled National Mourning Record, which included Longyu's portrait. The imperial edict for the abdication of the Qing emperor, photographs of the Taihe Hall mourning ceremony, as well as condolence telegrams, eulogies, mourning lyrics, and lists of foreign diplomats who expressed their sympathy. These elaborate ceremonies reflected the special attitude the early Republic of China had toward the Qing royal family and also highlighted Longyu's symbolic role at a historical turning point. Although she never held real power, her action in announcing the abdication of the Qing emperor granted her a certain historical status. And she was ultimately accorded such a grand state funeral. This is the History and Culture channel. Liking and subscribing are the greatest help and support to us. Thank you everyone and see you in the next time.