A new ray of sunlight shines on the palace walls of the Forbidden City, and the golden warmth reflects this ancient building, which represents the highest power and dignity. However, its history is full of tragedy.
The princesses of the Qing Dynasty, despite their noble families, often did not have control over their own life trajectories. Like a bargaining chip in a political marriage, they are forced to leave the bustling capital and go to the distant and unfamiliar Mongolian steppe.
This vast grassland was an important barrier for the rulers of the Qing Dynasty to ensure peace on the border. And the marriage of the princesses has become a link between the two worlds.
During the Kangxi period, this marriage policy reached its peak. Even Kangxi's most favored daughters, such as Princess Duanjing, had to make this step.
Their stories are typical of the intricate relationship between power, emotion, the state and the individual.
In the early hours of the morning, the slow sound of court music in the Forbidden City signaled that an important moment was approaching. In the spacious hall, Emperor Kangxi sat on the dragon chair, frowning slightly, and his eyes flashed with complex emotions.
His beloved daughter, Princess Duanjing, stood in front of him, her eyes both uneasy and expectant. She whispered to her father: "Father, I am about to go to the grassland and become someone else's wife, but I still love this capital in my heart. ”
Emperor Kangxi was silent for a moment, he knew that this was for the sake of the stability of the Qing Dynasty and a necessary move to unite Manchu and Mongolian relations. Although he was reluctant to keep the princess away, he understood that this was the princess's responsibility and the need of the Qing Dynasty.
He gave the princess a deep look, then nodded, expressing his understanding and support. The princess is about to marry far away, but her heart is still in the capital, and although the emperor is reluctant, he still supports the princess's decision for the sake of the country.
He looked at Princess Duanjing, his eyes were full of affection, and he slowly spoke: "I understand the regret in your heart, but as the daughter of the royal family, this is your mission. I guarantee that your life on the grassland will be no different from life in the capital. ”
After Emperor Kangxi's careful consideration, Princess Duanjing, who was about to leave the capital, would live in a magnificent princess's mansion.
This mansion is not only a symbol of his deep love for Princess Duanjing, but also a manifestation of trust and respect for her future husband, Garzang.
The Princess's Mansion is divided into two courtyards, the East Garden is the Horse Mansion, and the West Garden is specially designed for Princess Duanjing. Every piece of masonry, every painting, is imbued with royal splendor and sophistication.
In the center of the princess's mansion, there is a relief plaque carved with nine dragons, which is engraved with the words "IKEA Changhou" given by Emperor Kangxi himself, implying the ardent expectation of Princess Duanjing's beautiful life in the future.
In addition, Emperor Kangxi also specially instructed that the architectural style of the princess's mansion be similar to that of the capital, so as to alleviate Princess Duanjing's loneliness and discomfort in a foreign place.
Whether it is the layout of the mansion or the style of decoration, it restores the atmosphere of the capital as much as possible, so that Princess Duanjing can feel a trace of home warmth and cordiality even if she is in the grassland.
And Princess Duanjing's dowry is an expression of Emperor Kangxi's deep love for her.
Gold and silver jewelry, delicate silk, each piece contains the deep affection of the father. When Princess Duanjing set foot on the road to the grassland, her heart was filled with complicated emotions.
Although the new home of Princess Duanjing, who lived in the grassland after marriage, was luxurious, it could not fill the emptiness in her heart. Far away from the hustle and bustle of the capital, her life became cold and lonely.
As the leader of the tribe, Garzang was busy with government affairs and often left home for long periods of time, leaving Princess Duanjing alone to face the silence of the grassland.
Princess Duanjing stood in front of the window, looking at the boundless grassland, full of homesickness and uneasiness. She longs to return to the bustling capital, where there is the love of her father and the familiar atmosphere.
I really want to go home. She whispered, her eyes revealing a melancholy that could not be concealed. Even though Garzang was at home, the communication between the two seemed cold and reluctant.
Why are you always so depressed? Is life here bad? Garzang asked with a frown. "It's completely different from the capital, I'm just not used to it. ”
Princess Duanjing replied in a low voice, her tone revealing a deep sense of loss.
Emperor Kangxi's policy of reducing land caused Garzang's anger, which not only affected his political stance, but also changed his attitude towards Princess Duanjing.
He began to transfer this dissatisfaction to Princess Duanjing, making her life on the grassland more and more difficult.
Whenever Princess Duanjing returned to the capital to report according to the emperor's order, although it was out of duty, in Garzang's opinion, it was a betrayal of her again and again. He felt that Princess Duanjing was monitoring his every move and secretly reporting what he had done to Emperor Kangxi.
Every time you go back to the capital, you always bring back so much news, don't you think it's a sign of a lack of trust in me? Garzang asked coldly.
I'm just doing my duty as a princess and wife. Princess Duanjing replied in a low voice, her eyes full of helplessness.
Garzang pointed out mercilessly: "Your heart is not here, it has always been in the capital." ”
This long-term suspicion and misunderstanding has made the relationship between the two increasingly estranged. Princess Duanjing's heart is gradually eroded by loneliness and loneliness, and her life on the grassland is full of melancholy and heaviness.
Despite this, Princess Duanjing still struggled to find a balance between Emperor Kangxi and Garzang. But this balance is so fragile that it can be shattered at the slightest bit of wind and grass.
Under the pressure of this emotion, Princess Duanjing's mood became heavier and heavier, and her daily life was like waiting endlessly on the grassland, expecting a touch of warm sun to dispel this haze.
In the harsh life on the Karaqin grassland, Princess Duanjing was in the company of yellow sand and cold winds, and established a deep friendship with the guard Erdun beside her.
Erdun was her entourage on the day of her wedding, he was handsome and dashing, tall, and a fellow villager with Duanjing, which gave Duanjing, who did not know Mongolian, a bridge of communication.
However, their intimate relationship has attracted misunderstandings and rumors from others. These rumors eventually reached Garzang's ears and caused him to be deeply angry.
That night, Garzang suddenly returned early, and happened to bump into Duanjing and Erdun having dinner together, and there were still drinks and food on the table. "What are you doing? "Garzang roared, his eyes burning with suspicion.
Princess Duanjing hurriedly explained"We're just gossiping about our hometown, not what you might think. "
But Garzang's anger could not be calmed, and he asked angrily"Do you dare to say that there is nothing between you? What did you do behind my back? "
Princess Duanjing tried her best to appease him:"My affection for you is unswerving, and you must believe me. "
Anger burned like wildfire in Garzang's heart, and he brandished his sword and rushed towards Erdun. Princess Duanjing rushes forward in the chaos to try to stop him, but Garzang is furious and acts violently towards the princess.
He had been practicing martial arts since he was a child, and kicked the princess in the abdomen, causing her to fall to the ground immediately, spitting blood from her mouth. This tragedy caused Princess Duanjing to die with deep regret and pain, and she left this world forever at the age of thirty-seven.
Afterwards, the panicked Garzang made up a lie about the death of a princess due to illness and reported the matter to Emperor Kangxi.
Fourth, the death of Princess Duanjing caused an uproar in the capital in the 49th year of Kangxi, and Emperor Kangxi was deeply suspicious of the explanation of the princess's "violent death", which seemed to hide an unknown secret.
After Hou Bahunde, the minister of the guard, and others exposed Garzang's misdeeds during the princess's funeral, Emperor Kangxi's anger was completely ignited. He said angrily, "How can there be such a ridiculous thing! ”
and immediately sent someone to Karaqin to investigate the matter. After a thorough investigation, Garzang's crimes were revealed one by one, including having fun during the princess's funeral, stealing other people's wives, and embezzling silver taels used for the princess's funeral.
In the face of these crimes, Emperor Kangxi's anger was beyond words.
Emperor Kangxi's anger burned like a raging fire: "How dare he do this!" He announced that he would be stripped of his title and even publicly beheaded as an example.
However, under the persuasion of many ministers, the Kangxi Emperor finally made a major decision that he did not intend to execute Garzang so as not to spoil the relationship between the Mongol tribes and the imperial family.
Garzang will be imprisoned in the capital forever until the end of his life. In this unique way, Emperor Kangxi avenged his beloved daughter, Princess Duanjing, while also maintaining the delicate balance between the royal family and the tribe.
Garzang became the only one who was punished during the reign of Emperor Kangxi, and the capital that Princess Duanjing missed day and night became Garzang's eternal cage.
Princess Duanjing spent eighteen years on the grassland with people who didn't love her, and her experience was not only her personal tragedy, but also a portrayal of the fate of countless women in the feudal era.
They, like the Tranquility, are used as the bonds and pawns of the family and political peace, but their personal happiness and wishes are often disregarded.
During the Qing Dynasty, Manchu and Mongolian marriages were not only a political strategy, but also a key means to maintain peace and friendship between the two ethnic groups.
Since the Nurhachi period, Manchu-Mongolian marriage has been established as an important strategy to consolidate relations between the Mongolian steppes, which distinguishes it from the harmony of other dynasties and highlights the mutual benefit of both sides.
During the nearly 300-year history of the Qing Dynasty, this marriage strategy was widely adopted, with an average of two marriages per year, further strengthening friendly ties with the Mongolian steppe through blood ties.
According to statistics, a total of 432 Qing Dynasty princesses Gege married Mongolians, and 163 daughters of Mongolian princes entered the Qing court.
Behind these marriages, whether they are the princesses of the Qing Dynasty or the daughters of Mongolian princes, they have all left their homeland and carried great missions and responsibilities.
Their personal destinies are often overshadowed by the torrent of history, but they exist as a bridge to maintain peace and friendship between the two peoples. This disregard for women's individual rights and happiness is undoubtedly a deep regret of feudal society.
Princess Duanjing's experience reveals the challenges and powerlessness of women in the feudal period. With the status of a princess, she did not enjoy happiness and respect because of this, but fell into the whirlpool of fate.
The trajectory of her life is dictated by power and interests, and her emotions and wishes are forced to be subordinated to the interests of the country and her family.