The Story of Ming Lan

Consort Lin glided gracefully to the center of the room, first offering a slight bow to Sheng Hong, then speaking softly to Kong Momo: "Please do not blame me, Mother. I know it is not my place to speak here, but my heart is filled with remorse, and I cannot rest until I speak my mind. I beg your forgiveness. Today's incident was ultimately caused by Mo'er's thoughtlessness. She is the root of it all, especially with Liu Guniang, so young, being implicated and punished. My conscience troubles me deeply. Perhaps Mo'er could take the ten strokes meant for Liu Guniang instead..."

Consort Lin, who already appeared delicate and fragile, now had tears glistening in her eyes. Her tone was full of remorse as she looked sincerely at Sheng Hong, who was quite moved. He turned to look at Mo Lan. Being young, Mo Lan hadn't grasped the situation immediately and stared at Consort Lin in surprise. Meanwhile, Hualan straightened her neck and declared loudly, "I am the eldest sister. If my younger sisters have done wrong, the fault lies with me. Let me take Liu Guniang's punishment."

Minglan sighed inwardly but firmly refused, "No, no, Elder Sister needs to work on her wedding embroidery. I'll bear the strokes myself..." Hualan looked at her with gratitude. At this point, Mo Lan finally understood and hurriedly interjected, "Let me do it, let me..."

For a moment, taking Minglan's punishment became a popular offer.

Seeing his daughters like this, Sheng Hong felt somewhat appeased and was even more impressed by Kong Momo's methods. He gratefully cupped his hands toward her again. Kong Momo nodded in acknowledgment but remained unmoved: "Consort Lin, you are mistaken. I punished all the young ladies together precisely to mend their sisterly bonds. Having shared this punishment today, they can start anew. Showing favoritism would only create more discord. Your intentions are good, Consort Lin, but they lack propriety."

Consort Lin tightly clutched her handkerchief, tears welling in her eyes as she said mournfully, "Mother Kong is right. It was my ignorance. But seeing all the young ladies punished today weighs heavily on my heart. It is all because I failed to teach Mo'er properly. Why not punish me as well? It might slightly make up for my shortcomings."

Sheng Hong found her delicate appearance quite moving, but before he could fully absorb this emotion, he heard Kong Momo let out a cold laugh.

Kong Momo had been waiting for these very words. She said scornfully, "It seems Consort Lin truly needs to learn proper conduct. The more you speak, the more inappropriate you become. You say you should be punished for failing to teach Sister Mo properly, but Hua Jie'er and Ru Jie'er were raised by the Madame, and Ming Jie'er was brought up by Old Madam herself. Are you implying that the Madame and Old Madam should be punished too?! And as for me, the instructing mother, I am even more responsible! Is that what you mean, Consort Lin?"

Consort Lin turned pale and trembled as she spoke, "No, no... that's not what I meant... How would I dare...? It was my ignorance..."

Sheng Hong quickly waved his hands, "Mother, what are you saying..." inwardly blaming Consort Lin for offending others.

Kong Momo wasn't angry but spoke sternly: "Consort Lin, let me say this to you today: one must know one's place. Today, you have shown ignorance in two respects. First, you should know your status. While the Master, Madame, and I were speaking, was it appropriate for you to interrupt so rashly? Fortunately, I have old ties with Old Madam. Had it been someone else, wouldn't it have made the Sheng family a laughingstock for lacking discipline?"

Each word was like a knife, each sentence a sword. Sheng Hong couldn't help but glare at Consort Lin.Kong Momo continued, "The second offense is that you repeatedly commit mistakes despite knowing better. You first admitted you shouldn't have spoken up, yet you insisted on speaking. You kept claiming ignorance, but if you knew you were ignorant, why did you casually interrupt the young ladies' upbringing matters? You clearly know everything, yet you violate every rule - isn't this knowingly breaking the law, making your offense even worse? Are you relying on having borne sons and daughters to consider yourself above others?"

As she spoke, she cast a meaningful glance at Sheng Hong, her eyes carrying subtle reproach.

Sheng Hong felt utterly ashamed under her gaze. He knew Kong Momo was reproaching him for excessively doting on Consort Lin. He also found Kong Momo's words quite reasonable. Recalling Sister Mo's behavior, he deeply felt that Consort Lin's upbringing was improper and her perspective vulgar - after all, romantic frivolity could never compare to proper cultivation. He sternly shouted, "Step aside and watch! With me, Madam, and Kong Momo present, how dare you speak!"

Madam Wang had long stopped crying, her eyes shining as she watched Kong Momo. Consort Lin's face alternated between red and white - never since marrying Sheng Hong had she suffered such humiliation. Though gritting her teeth in hatred, she maintained composure, merely sobbing softly as she stepped aside. Seeing Consort Lin trembling with anger, Hualan and Rulan felt immensely satisfied, thinking even ten more cane strikes would be worth it. Minglan almost wanted to ask Kong Momo for an autograph.

Kong Momo authoritatively addressed the sisters: "Your willingness to show mutual consideration among sisters is good. It seems you've understood your errors. But understanding mistakes is one thing, punishment is another. Very well, extend your left hands!"Sheng Hong stood up and commanded sternly: 'All kneel properly and honestly extend your left hands to receive the caning.' Afterwards, you'll copy texts."

The girls obediently knelt, pitifully eyeing the ruler. With Kong Momo's light command, a series of cracking sounds followed as four rulers flew up and down. Minglan immediately felt a burning pain in her palm. Molan screamed shrilly while Rulan wailed particularly loudly. The thin yet flexible bamboo board striking their palms felt like skin separating from flesh. Even tough Hualan couldn't bear it. By the sixth or seventh strike, Minglan was already in so much pain she could only gasp sharply.

Madam Wang's heart ached, watching with uncontrollable tears. The surrounding maids and matrons all showed expressions of reluctance. Sheng Hong also turned away unwilling to watch. Soon the caning ended. Despite her composure, Consort Lin couldn't restrain herself anymore, throwing herself over Molan while weeping softly. Madam Wang also disregarded decorum, hugging Hualan and Rulan as her precious darlings, unwilling to let go.

But Sheng Hong noticed Minglan's small figure kneeling alone on the cushion, her face pale and covered in cold sweat from pain, appearing helpless and pitiful with no one to comfort her. Only today did Sheng Hong understand what Old Madam had meant that day. Hardening his heart not to look at his other daughters, he first respectfully saw Kong Momo out, then went over and gently picked up Minglan. Coldly ordering everyone to return to their quarters, he carried Minglan toward Longevity and Peace Hall.

After the day's great turmoil, the girls were utterly exhausted. As matters concluded, Rulan and Molan collapsed into their respective mothers' arms and fell asleep. Hualan was also supported by her wet nurse to rest. Minglan, equally exhausted, remembered to instruct Xiaotao waiting outside the door to pack her small book basket when being carried out by Sheng Hong over his shoulder.Sheng Hong couldn't help but chuckle: "Seems the beating didn't hurt enough if you still have energy to worry about your things."

Having knelt for hours, received a caning, and spent the afternoon copying texts, Minglan's mind was muddled by the cold night breeze. Rubbing her small hands, she mumbled dazedly: "I've already copied most of the Women's Precepts. I just need to finish the rest later, so of course I must bring it. Otherwise how shall I face Kong Momo tomorrow?"

By the lantern light, Sheng Hong studied his youngest daughter - her delicate features and ink-black eyes vividly recalling Consort Wei's likeness, while her delicate nose and bright eyes faintly mirrored his own childhood appearance. He remembered holding and doting on her as an infant, but after Consort Wei's tragic death and subsequent events, his feelings had become mingled with guilt and pity, causing him to avoid her presence. While ensuring her material needs were met, he never cherished her as dearly as he did Hualan and Molan.

Now a fresh wave of tenderness washed over him. He smiled kindly and asked: "Aren't you angry with Kong Momo for punishing you? Why rush to suffer more?"

Minglan sighed like a little adult: "All my sisters were punished - how could I alone escape unscathed? When one woman errs, all women share the blame. But perhaps this is good - next time my sisters won't dare quarrel anymore. Ah—"

Greatly amused, Sheng Hong tapped her small nose: "You little rascal, spouting nonsense with your grown-up sighs! What do you know about collective punishment?" He freed one hand to clasp Minglan's left hand, feeling its warm swelling. His heart ached for her suffering as he asked gently: "Does it hurt?"

Minglan sniffled tearfully: "It hurts."After a pause, overwhelmed by grievance, tears unconsciously fell as she sobbed: 'It hurts terribly.'""

Sheng Hong held his daughter tightly, comforting her: "Next time your sisters quarrel, secretly tell your father. If I'm away, hide far away or seek out Old Madam. Our Minglan is a good child who needn't mind them, alright?"

Burying her face in her father's neck, Minglan found warmth against the chilly night breeze, enveloped in his familiar scent that reminded her of childhood days when Yao Father would carry her piggyback. Wrapping her short arms around Sheng Hong's neck, she nodded emphatically: "Mm!"

Chatting and laughing, father and daughter arrived at Longevity and Peace Hall. Upon entering, Sheng Hong instructed Danju waiting at the door: "Go to the second gate and fetch Steward Laifu. Have him retrieve the 'Purple Gold Bruise Ointment' from my study immediately."

Startled, Danju hurried to comply. Carrying Minglan into the main room where Old Madam awaited on the kang bed, Sheng Hong set the girl down. Old Madam immediately drew Minglan close, startled by how cold she felt, and swiftly wrapped her in her own black-and-gold eight-round auspicious soft blanket. After Sheng Hong paid his respects, she said: "Kong Momo already sent someone to explain everything. You've had a taxing day, sir - returning from court without rest. You should retire and recuperate."

With a ashamed expression, Sheng Hong replied: "It wasn't particularly exhausting, but I've troubled Mother. You probably haven't even had supper yet."Old Mrs. Sheng held the drowsy Minglan in her arms, gazing at the child's weary little face before turning to Sheng Hong. "Kong Momo was in charge of palace rules when she served in the imperial court, so her words and actions might seem rather blunt. I hope you won't take offense, sir."

Sheng Hong quickly responded, "Not at all. Even if I were completely foolish, I could still distinguish right from wrong. Kong Momo's health has been poor, and she originally intended to retire and return to her hometown. It was only through your influence that we managed to invite her here. I respect and admire her character and conduct immensely—how could I possibly think otherwise? Ultimately, it's my own incompetence for failing to educate my daughters properly."

Seeing the sincerity in his expression and detecting no pretense, Old Mrs. Sheng felt quite satisfied. Having been mother and son for decades, she understood his character well enough to know he spoke from the heart. Moreover, his earlier affectionate act of carrying Minglan back had somewhat eased her mind.

After conversing a while longer, Sheng Hong took his leave.

Shortly after, Mama Fang directed maids and older servants to bring in several food containers. They retrieved the dinner kept warm in heated cabinets and arranged the dishes on the kang. Old Mrs. Sheng gently shook Minglan awake, saying, "Have your meal first; you can sleep afterward."

Exhausted, Minglan mumbled drowsily, "I'm not hungry. I won't eat." But the old madam wouldn't hear of it and insisted on pulling her up. Mama Fang wrung out a hot towel and pressed it to Minglan's face, rousing her properly. The old madam personally applied a cool cloth to the injured hand while Mama Fang, noticing the redness and swelling on Minglan's small hand, carefully spread the ointment Danju had brought. She grumbled softly, "This Kong Momo is really something! Our young lady wasn't at fault to begin with. Being punished along with the others was unfair enough, yet she didn't even strike lightly!" As she spoke, she gently blew on the hand.

Though inwardly distressed, Old Mrs. Sheng maintained a stern expression. "What does fairness have to do with it? It's common for children to be punished by their instructing momo if they don't learn their manners properly. Even I received plenty of scoldings from my momo when I was young."

Minglan looked bewildered, tilting her head and staring blankly at her grandmother for a moment before suddenly understanding. "Oh, so we were punished because we hadn't learned our manners well? Well, then we deserved it."—thus quietly glossing over the sisters' quarrel.

Mama Fang couldn't help but chuckle at this, and the old madam also secretly found it amusing. Knowing the child had grasped the underlying message, she felt comforted and gently ruffled her granddaughter's hair. "Good child, things will get better from now on."

...

In Linqi Pavilion, the lamplight was dim except for the brightly lit inner room. Mo Lan lay half-reclining on the kang, still weeping, her hand thickly wrapped in pale green medicinal bandages that emitted a distinct herbal scent. Consort Lin held her daughter, speaking softly, "It's all my fault. I kept pushing you to compete and excel but forgot the importance of restraint. Now we've run straight into the storm."

Pale-faced and anxious, Mo Lan fretted, "They all say Father dotes on me, but this time he pleaded for Minglan's sake without saying a single word for me. Could he be angry with me?"

Standing nearby was a fair-complexioned, thin-faced matron wearing a long aubergine surcoat embroidered with apricot-yellow ruyi patterns winding around branches. She smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry, young lady. The master only punished you earlier out of respect for Kong Momo's authority. In his heart, he still cares for you deeply. See, he sent this ointment for you right afterward!"Upon hearing this, Molan felt slightly relieved. Consort Lin let out two cold laughs: "In the past, the master would have come long ago, but today he even scolded me along with them... Hmph, what a formidable Kong Momo, what a formidable Old Madam. Xuening, haven't you noticed?"

Xuening exclaimed in surprise: "What does the young mistress mean by this? Could there be more to this?"

Consort Lin smoothed her hair, a cold smile playing on her lips: "This time I fell into their trap. I was solely focused on having Molan show her merits, but forgot how formidable the one in Longevity and Peace Hall is. Today Kong Momo reprimanded all four girls one by one. Superficially it sounded fair and impartial, but if you analyze it carefully, the implications are vastly different. The two younger ones, Rulan and Minglan, were just going through the motions. What she said to Hua Jie'er sounded strict, but was actually good advice, teaching her how to conduct herself. But what about what she said to Mo'er? Every word struck at the heart, barely stopping short of explicitly saying Mo'er is selfish and disregards her sisters! Hmph, that 'everyone has their own destiny' - what she really meant was: my Mo'er is born of a concubine, don't fantasize about aspiring to a good marriage like Hua Jie'er!"

Xuening thought for a moment and said: "Does the young mistress mean this was all arranged by Old Madam?"

Consort Lin snorted: "Not far from it. Kong Momo said everything Old Madam wanted to say but found inconvenient, did everything Old Madam wanted to do but found difficult. She neither offended her sons and daughters-in-law, yet fulfilled her wishes - truly killing two birds with one stone. Just wait and see, this matter isn't over yet."

Molan turned pale with shock: "If that's really the case, what should I do? Will father come to detest me?"

Consort Lin smiled gently: "Silly child, what are you afraid of? When the enemy attacks, we defend; when floodwaters come, we build dams. As long as we hold onto your father, we need fear nothing. It's Madam who fails to understand this point."

...

In Weirui Pavilion, Madam Wang was already lying down with Rulan, but Hualan was still copying "Admonitions for Women."Madam Wang said painfully: "Haven't you finished your fifty copies long ago?" Why aren't you resting? The ointment the master sent hasn't even been applied yet."

Hualan straightened her neck and declared proudly: "I'm the eldest in the family. If we're talking about faults, mine should be the greatest. Since my younger sisters were punished with fifty copies, I should naturally receive additional punishment."

Madam Wang had always felt seven parts affection and three parts pride for her eldest daughter: "My Hua'er has grown up, to understand such reasoning. Tomorrow when Kong Momo sees your sincerity, she will surely be pleased."

Speaking of Kong Momo, Hualan suddenly became animated: "Mother, only today did I truly witness what it means to be formidably subtle! Look at Kong Momo - she never even raises her voice normally, always the most amiable and kind-hearted person. But when punishing people, she's utterly logical, leaving those reprimanded speechless and listeners completely convinced. And observe her methods - knowing we had done wrong, she didn't rush to attack, but used slow fire to gradually subdue us. Tsk tsk, truly formidable! Before saying a word, she had already prepared the kneeling cushions, the ruler for striking palms, and even prepared ice cloths for applying to hands afterward - one could call it leaving no detail unaccounted for! Starting tomorrow, I must redouble my efforts learning from Kong Momo to broaden my knowledge!"

Speaking with great animation, she suddenly glanced at her mother and sighed: "Mother, if you had even half of Kong Momo's ability, that woman Lin wouldn't be able to act so arrogantly.""You really ought to mind that tongue of yours. I worry you'll carry on like this even after marrying into your husband's family," Madam Wang fretted instead.

Hualan gave a delicate smile: "I take after my mother."

This only deepened Madam Wang's concern: "What I fear most is this temperament of yours - fearing neither heaven nor earth. At best, it's forthright and decisive; at worst, sharp-tongued and acerbic. When I married your father, it was considered marrying beneath me. But you're marrying above your station. Do you think every mother-in-law will be as easygoing and hands-off as your grandmother? Forcing concubines into your chambers, showing favoritism to other daughters-in-law, withholding silver... all sorts of troubles await you."

Hualan lifted her chin proudly: "I'm not afraid. In the future, whether inside or outside the household, no one will be able to interfere!"

※※※

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[Author's Note]

Regarding the status of women in ancient times.

We needn't discuss the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, nor the short-lived Qin dynasty. The status of women during the Han and Tang dynasties was actually quite high. The successive empress dowagers of the Han dynasty wielded extremely powerful authority, frequently coercing the court and controlling imperial governance. Empress Lü wasn't the only one - she was just the most prominent.

Princesses of that era often took their mother's surname as their title after their emperor father's passing. For instance, Chen A'jiao's mother, Princess Liu Piao of Guantao, was also known as Dou Wengzhu. Wei Zifu's eldest daughter's title was Princess Weichang. This somewhat reflects matrilineal clan characteristics.

Furthermore, as we all know, Han dynasty politics were dominated by maternal relatives, which to some extent elevated women's status. Don't be deceived by Ban Zhao who wrote "Lessons for Women" - her writings contradicted her own actions. After being widowed, she established schools, took disciples, engaged in scholarly discussions with great Confucians day and night, and never avoided interactions with men while assisting her father and brother in compiling the "Book of Han."

Incidentally, "Lessons for Women" was written by Ban Zhao under Emperor He of Han's decree - she probably treated it merely as an official assignment.

...

As for the Tang dynasty, it's truly an era one can only admire from afar. First, the Tang imperial family itself contained substantial non-Han ancestry - both Li Shimin's mother and wife were of non-Han ethnicity. Additionally, after nearly four centuries of the Five Barbarians overwhelming China and the Northern and Southern Dynasties preceding Sui and Tang, many non-Han customs had permeated Han society.

Most importantly, after three Tang generations, Empress Wu Zetian emerged spectacularly. Her ascent not only elevated women's domestic status but, more significantly, she habitually appointed many women as palace officials. Those interested can watch the documentary "Daming Palace," which vividly illustrates how Wu Zetian's document officials and palace guards included numerous women - she even established women's football teams. Consequently, women's social status was greatly enhanced.

Yet interestingly, precisely during these high-tides of female power in Han and Tang, the status of concubines was particularly low.In the "Yonghui Code" of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, the "Household and Marriage" section stipulates: "If a man with an official wife marries another wife, he shall be sentenced to one year of penal servitude, and the family of the second wife shall receive a reduced punishment by one degree. If the marriage is contracted through deception, the man shall be sentenced to one and a half years of penal servitude, while the second wife's family shall not be punished. In both cases, the marriage shall be annulled." This means that if a man already had a formally wedded wife and took another through proper ceremonies, he would be sentenced to one year of penal servitude, and the family of the second wife would also face punishment, albeit to a lesser extent. Therefore, the term "three wives and four concubines" does not imply that one could have three wives simultaneously. Rather, it meant that if a wife died, a man could remarry, but he could not have two wives at the same time. Otherwise, not only would he face punishment, but he would also be forced to divorce the second wife. The "Guliang Commentary" states: "A concubine must not be elevated to the status of a wife." This meant that a concubine was not qualified to be promoted to the position of a wife. A man with concubines but no official wife was still considered an unmarried "diamond bachelor." If the principal wife died, even if the husband had numerous concubines, he was regarded as a widower without a wife and had to seek another proper family to marry a principal wife.

The "Tang Code with Commentaries" explicitly stipulated: "Concubines are of low status," "Concubines may be bought and sold," and "Taking a concubine or guest woman as wife shall be punished with one and a half years of penal servitude." This meant that if your wife died and you wished to elevate your beloved concubine to the status of wife, you would be violating criminal law. Once discovered, both parties would serve one and a half years of imprisonment, and after completion, they would still be forced to separate.

...

Moving on to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, the dances choreographed by Empress Da Zhou, the incense blended by Empress Xiao Zhou, and the allure of Consort Huarui illustrate the relatively liberal social customs of that era. Then came the inept Song Dynasty.

...

Do not assume that just because the detestable Zhu Xi lived during the Song Dynasty, it was a society strictly bound by Confucian moral codes. This was not the case. Zhu Xi was actually quite unpopular in the Song Dynasty; his theories gained prominence during the Ming Dynasty. This was because the Song Dynasty, especially the Southern Song, had a commercial sector that outweighed agriculture. To pay the heavy annual tribute, the Song Dynasty vigorously developed maritime trade. Their fleets traveled across the Pacific, bringing immense profits to the imperial court. This allowed the Song Dynasty to pay extortion fees while supporting a large bureaucracy and military, with the common people still managing a basic livelihood.

One can refer to Song Ci's "Collected Records of Redressing Wrongs"—not for the forensic techniques, but for the cases recorded within—to understand the everyday lives and social customs of the people at the time, which were still rather romantic and graceful, though no longer comparable to the Han and Tang Dynasties.

Those interested may read the slice-of-life novels "Northern Song Life Advisor" or "Southern Song Life Advisor."

As for the status of concubines in the Song Dynasty, the most famous example is Su Dongpo trading his beloved concubine for a fine horse, even though she was pregnant at the time.

...

The progenitor of slice-of-life novels can be said to be "Dream of the Red Chamber." Cao Xueqin is truly the greatest "pit master" of all time, with countless readers still trapped in his unfinished work to this day.

The Ming and Qing Dynasties were periods of maturation and refinement for feudal society. Whether under the Han-ruled Ming Dynasty or the Manchu-ruled Qing Dynasty that adopted Han Confucian customs, social practices were quite similar. Women's status declined further, while the status of concubines saw a slight rise. Practices such as the Chastity Arch and drowning in a pig cage emerged as part of clan-based moral codes. However, it is important to note that the Manchu court was not more respectful of women's status. In fact, women's status in the Ming Dynasty was undoubtedly higher than in the Qing Dynasty.

Why? First, the Ming Dynasty's ruling house was the Zhu family. Starting from Zhu Yuanzhang, they elevated their clansman Zhu Xi to the status of a sage. Before the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Xi was not considered a sage. This old man spent his life advocating "preserving heavenly principles and eliminating human desires," yet he himself engaged in inappropriate relationships with his daughter-in-law and seduced a beautiful nun, who later left the clergy and married him (which also reflects the social customs of the Song Dynasty). However, because Zhu Xi was a clansman of the Zhu imperial family, he was elevated to sainthood.

The Ming Dynasty was a contradictory and fascinating era. On one hand, women began to be bound by layers of rules and moral codes. On the other hand, laws were explicitly enacted granting women certain rights, such as property rights (including partial inheritance rights for unmarried daughters), personal rights, and even the right to divorce.The legal status of "being a wife" in the Ming Dynasty largely followed the traditional societal role and position of housewives since the Han Dynasty, adhering to the principle of "the husband as the guide for the wife"—one of the Three Bonds—thus creating a legal framework of "husband superior, wife inferior." However, the scope of divorce rights in the Ming Dynasty expanded, revealing some protection of women's rights.

See, isn't the Ming Dynasty fascinating? So why was it so contradictory? Now, let me formally introduce a true sage—Wang Shouren, also known as Master Yangming.

He was a genuine polymath, proficient in literature, politics, classics, history, military strategy, philosophy, and even astronomy and geography. He even understood farming; during his exile in Guizhou, he learned about peasant agriculture. The "Learning of the Mind" he founded revised the rigid and oppressive "preserving heavenly principles and eliminating human desires" advocated by that old fossil Zhu Xi (who, for instance, starved his five-year-old daughter to death because her betrothed had died—such absurdity). Master Yangming emphasized that heavenly principles and human desires are equally important, with "extending innate knowledge" at the core.

Against this backdrop, a segment of the scholar-official class, from top to bottom, sparked a trend of sympathy for women's suffering. They opposed the clichés that "women are the root of disaster" and "a woman without talent is virtuous," advocated for widow remarriage, and supported marital freedom and the liberation of individuality.

Of course, this intellectual trend was only partial and never dominated Ming thought, but it still brought some rights to Ming women, albeit limited.

Please remember Master Yangming! A bow and thank you.

Additionally, with the development of the commodity economy and the emergence of capitalism in the mid to late Ming Dynasty, social customs and values inevitably changed, and these new customs and values, in turn, spurred anti-Confucian thoughts and behaviors.

...

Finally, the Qing Dynasty—have you heard the saying: "The collaborator often outdoes the oppressor"?

After the Manchus conquered the realm, they fully embraced orthodox Confucianism. To legitimize their rule, they intensified their promotion of Confucian rituals and rules. Starting from Kangxi, the constraints on women in the Qing Dynasty grew increasingly severe.

In an episode of the program "Exploration and Discovery" about chastity arches, clear data showed that the entire Ming Dynasty had only a few dozen chastity arches, while the Qing Dynasty had hundreds. Each chastity arch was built on the blood and tears of countless women—and these were just the ones officially recognized. With such societal trends, how many hundreds of times more widows suffered, especially in the late Qing? As Mr. Lu Xun said, the "cannibalistic rituals" were extremely dark.

Moreover, the Qing Dynasty's system of wives and concubines became further distorted. In novels like "The Struggle of the Nine Princes," you'll notice an interesting phenomenon: before a prince married his primary imperial consort, he would often first take a secondary imperial consort, and by the time the primary imperial consort entered the household, the secondary consort had usually already borne children (and don't cite the Eighth Prince as an exception). This imperial custom fundamentally conflicted with the Confucian marital system.Among Han Chinese men, even if they had bedroom servants before formal marriage, these servants could not be elevated to the status of Concubine. A Concubine must be formally acknowledged by drinking tea offered by the principal wife. As for bedroom servants giving birth before the principal wife's arrival—such a scenario was unthinkable. If it actually occurred, the man would find it extremely difficult to marry a young lady of comparable social standing.

Of course, the Qing imperial family did not promote their internal system of Secondary imperial consort to the general populace, but as subordinates often emulate their superiors, high-ranking officials and nobles somewhat adopted similar practices.

Therefore, as a woman, no matter how many handsome men existed during the "Nine Dragons Contending for the Throne" era, I would never wish to time-travel to the Qing Dynasty.

...

To reiterate, this story is set in a fictional world, roughly following Ming and Qing dynasty customs.