Episode 2
Our main character, 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) is being presented to the Emperor and Empress Dowager at the Selection or 选秀 to see if she has a future in the forbidden palace as the emperor’s concubine. The entire time she’s on her knees, looking down as is required by Chinese custom. Basically, you are not allowed to directly look into the eyes of the royals when you are in their presence as a commoner. But she is asked to tilt her head up and both the Emperor and Empress Dowager sit up, shocked.
So, what happens? For this episode, what we’ll do is continue on with this scene, do an analysis because there is a lot to unpack, and then we’ll do a recap of the rest of the episode and additional scenes we want to discuss.
(Cathy)
After 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) lifts her head up, we see the Emperor becoming very intrigued . The Empress Dowager glances at the Emperor. You can see the gears turning in her head. She says 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan)’s last name 甄 Zhen is against the law.
So the rule is that you can’t have a name that sounds like the Emperor’s name. A bit complicated here since we’ve been calling the emperor 雍正 (Yong Zheng). That is his official name that we, in history, know him by. BUT, his birth name is 胤禛 (Ying ZHen)，甄 (Zhen), 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan)’s last name sounds like 禛 (Zhen), from 胤禛 (Ying Zhen) the emperor’s name. By law, you could be punished for it. You need to change your name, even though the written character is different, because they sound similar, it is still taboo. This rule isn’t just reserved for the Emperor, it’s actually taboo to refer to your family elders like that or have similar sounding words in your name. For the Emperor, who has the Mandate of Heaven, it’s on a much grander scale. You change your name. People have been put to death for this.
Well that’s weird, given that her father has been in court for many years and this issue never really came up. 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan), who is still kneeling on the floor, says that her father got a reprieve from Emperor 康熙 (Kang Xi) himself, 雍正 (Yong Zheng)’s father to keep their last name because (and this is additional wordplay) their last name of 甄 sounds like 贞 which means loyal and that’s a good thing and is why this last name shouldn’t be a problem. 雍正 (Yong Zheng) readily agrees, much to the dismay of his mother because she can’t rebuke this answer.
雍正 (Yong Zheng), now, obviously interested, asks the Empress Dowager, “Do you know about the legend from the Three Kingdoms Era? 江南有二乔，河北甄宓俏 Jiang Nan You Er Qiao, He Bi Zhen Fu Qiao. The 甄 family has historically produced beauties”.
(Karen )
OK, let’s translate this piece. What is he trying to say? The first half of this phrase is describing two beautiful ladies from southern China who were very famous for their beauty and marriages during the Three Kingdoms Era. The second part of the phrase is describing a beauty from northern China that is named 甄宓 (Zhen Fu), who has the same last name as 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan).
雍正 (Yong Zheng) just used 甄宓 (Zhen Fu), one of the most famous women in Chinese history as justification for praising 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan), with the implication that the 甄 family produces beautiful women. Not only that but the Three Kingdoms Era is right at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty over 1000 years ago, further pushing the link for 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) as a Han beauty. There’s this whole history for 甄宓 (Zhen Fu) that we won’t get into here, but basically, the emperor is saying that our heroine is related to one of the most beautiful and famous women in chinese history!!
Another fun tidbit – the actress Ada Choi who plays the 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress), actually played 甄宓 (Zhen Fu) in a HK TVB drama from 2002. The show was called 洛神 Luo Shen or in english, where the Legend begins in case anyone is interested.
You can see the Empress Dowager’s disappointment, she drops her eyes but doesn’t give up, she needs 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) out. So she tells her to come up towards them. On cue, a eunuch splashes tea towards her feet, but 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) continues to walk and isn’t perturbed. We’ve got some ominous music in the background as we see how she’ll perform. Next up, the Empress dowager’s maid drops a cat who meows loudly but 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) keeps her composure while another girl screams from fright. If you couldn’t tell, all of these were tests. The empress dowager is looking for any opportunity to dismiss 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan). Both the emperor and empress dowager are watching intently. The Empress Dowager can’t find any fault, relents and says “At least she’s composed”
(Cathy)
Ok what’s interesting is, on first watch, you just think that the Empress Dowager is testing 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) to make sure she’s up for the task. But then why did the Empress Dowager bring up the name rule? When I first watched I didn’t catch it, she does NOT want 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) in the Palace! Why? If we come back to the scene after watching the series, you’ll understand why she’s doing this. We won’t spoil this now but keep it in the back of your head.
雍正 (Yong Zheng), who takes cue from the empress dowager that he can continue, again quotes the poem, 嬛嬛一袅楚宫腰 Huan Huan Yi Niao Chu Gong Yao but says the next line 那更(jing1)春来，玉减香消 Na Jing Chun Lai, Yu Jian Xiang Xiao which translates to “but as she waits for spring the beauty withers”. That’s morbid, 雍正 (Yong Zheng) says the Forbidden Palace is perfect for nurturing beauties, we won’t let you wither. That is his excuse to give her a perfume sachet and keep her in the palace. See? It’s very subtle. Using poetry to convey meaning and to make a point. And with that 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) against all her hopes, gets chosen to stay. I guess praying at the temple didn’t work.
By contrast, the poor girl behind 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) who got scared by the cat unfortunately gets punished for it. She can’t ever be considered for selection again. That’s the power of the Emperor. At first, I’m like she’s 16. What’s the big deal? It’s a huge deal because it’s a stain on her family. Her family name is ruined pretty much. Losing composure what the Empress Dowager was hoping 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) would do. If she had screamed, she would have received a similar fate.
Phew – 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) is officially going to the Palace! So are three other ladies that we know of also entering the palace are 沈眉庄 (Shen Mei Zhuang)，安陵容 (An Ling Rong)，and 夏冬春 (Xia Dong Chun). Let’s recap the episode quickly before diving into other scenes.
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(Karen)
The Empress and the Emperor decide on the titles to give the new concubines. 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) returns home to her parents and younger sister and she’s very sad that she has to leave her family for the palace. 华妃 (Hua Fei) gets mad about another concubine and takes it out on poor 福子 (Fu Zi), the servant girl that the empress had given her to learn manners. Didn’t we say she was dead? Yep, she’s dead. We also see our first formal 后宫 (Hou Gong, Palace Harem) court greeting! We meet most of the ladies in the 后宫 (Hou Gong, Palace Harem) and let’s see the fireworks go! We get our first glimpse of the 后宫 (Hou Gong, Palace Harem) alliances! We’ll dive deep into this scene so we won’t give too much away right now. At her home, 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) invites 安陵容 (An Ling Rong) to stay with her before entering the Palace so that they can prep together. 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan)’s father comes to give her some last minute advice on doing well in the palace and hopes that she has at least a peaceful life, which is pretty touching. But then, he drops a huge bombshell, 浣碧 (Huan Bi), one of 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan)‘s servants (whom she is taking to the palace) is actually her half-sister! Her father basically got 浣碧 (Huan Bi)’s mom pregnant and couldn’t bring her back because she was the daughter of a convicted courtier. What a scummy thing to do, but hey, it’s not his drama so we’ll move on.
An imperial proclamation is delivered to both 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) and 安陵容 (An Ling Rong) by Eunuchs from the Palace telling them what their title is and when to enter the palace. A senior servant lady is also sent from the Palace to teach the two ladies palace etiquette, which is pretty much a plot device for us to learn what’s going on in the palace. She explains the rank system of the consorts and what it takes to be called a “娘娘”. We’ll re-explain this but essentially, there are varying ranks of concubines in the palace based on your matrilineal line, your birth banner, your wealth etc. Additionally, we find out that the emperor was previously married to his first “official wife” when he was still a prince. He was very much in love with her but unfortunately, she died while giving birth. He has been heartbroken ever since. The current empress, or “wife” is the first wife’s sister. He respects her but it doesn’t seem like there’s love.
In the palace, we also find out that 华妃 (Hua Fei)in her jealousy, purposefully put 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan), who 华妃 (Hua Fei) knows is of interest to the emperor, in a living spot that is isolated and destitute. When 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress)，or the empress finds out, she can only sigh and see if she can spruce up the place.
The episode ends with 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) heading off to the palace, saying goodbye to her parents and her much younger sister (from the same mother).
(First Scene)
(Cathy)
With that background, let’s go back to discuss our first scene. This scene takes place right after the selection. It’s at night, at his primary residence. 雍正 (Yong Zheng) is still quoting the line in the poem that 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) used to describe her name, obviously smitten. 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) comes in to congratulate him on the new ladies saying that the whole palace is talking about how the emperor met many beautiful women today and that he’s very happy…
(Cathy)
She begins to say 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) is rumored to look like… but 雍正 (Yong Zheng) stares her down and she doesn’t finish the sentence. He says 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) ‘s eyes are similar and that’s about it but doesn’t get mad. The Empress says that’s already very rare.
Similar to whom? What’s the story there? We’ll have a spoiler discussion at the end of the episode for those that want to listen.
Now, 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) comes in not only to congratulate the emperor, she has other business to do, namely managing the titles of the concubines coming in. She asks what title the emperor is looking to give 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan). He says, let’s give her the title of 贵人 (gui ren) (which is a decently high rank and translates to Noble Lady)。
And I love what the 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress)’s response is. She says, that’s great. We have a Mongolian woman coming in with the title of 贵人 (gui ren), a Manchu woman coming in with that title as well. We will also have two Han ladies coming in with this title. The emperor asks who the other Han 贵人is, and we find out it’s 沈眉庄 (Shen Mei Zhuang), the childhood friend of 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan)。皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress)then says, the rank of 沈眉庄 (Shen Mei Zhuang)’s father is much higher than 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan)’s. Next, she says, I understand that you, as emperor, value the Han bannered families, but inter-marriage between Mongolians and the Manchu is tradition. Would it not be too conspicuous if there were two 贵人(gui ren) from the Han Banner? The emperor agrees and demotes 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan) to one step below, to 常在 (Chang Zai), or first-class female attendant.
Do you see what 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) did there? She didn’t outright say that she didn’t agree with giving 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan)too high of a title, but she came at it from a political perspective. It is unclear at this point if she’s doing this really for the sake of the royal family and maintaining balance between the banners, or for other personal reasons.
Even though he demoted 甄嬛 (Zhen Huan), he gives her an official title with the name 莞 (Wan). So how it works is that generally, you are called by your rank plus your last name. If you are special, you get a more special title with a character bestowed upon you by the emperor or the empress dowager. 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) asks is it referring to Tang Dynasty poem? 雍正 (Yong Zheng) says no, I like the way she smiles (莞尔一笑) (Wan’Er Yi Xiao). This 莞 is actually SUPER significant. There’s actually another reason why he chose this but we won’t know about this right now.
Spoiler section: 宛宛 (Wan Wan) is 纯元 Chun Yuan’s nickname. So it’s super similar to 莞 (Wan). Can’t remember if 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) remembers this fact.
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So the main scene that we want to discuss is the first official 请安 (Qing An)。 it’s the 后宫 (Hou Gong, Palace Harem) version of attending court. What happens is that the ladies of the 后宫 (Hou Gong, Palace Harem) are expected to “greet” the 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) every morning.
There is a lot of detail here. 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) sits at the head of the room. The other concubines sit according to their corresponding rank with the highest ranking ladies (below the 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress)) sitting closer to her.
The scene opens and 华妃 (Hua Fei) is the only one late to 请安 (Qing An). All of the other women of the 后宫 (Hou Gong, Palace Harem) are already there. We currently see a total of 5 ladies in addition to the 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress)。 In the grand scheme of things, not a huge 后宫 (Hou Gong, Palace Harem)。There is one other Consort (the same rank as 华妃 (Hua Fei)), called 齐妃 (Qi Fei)， two who are a step below with a rank of Imperial Concubine or 嫔。They are 敬嫔 (Jing Pin) and 丽嫔 (Li Pin). Next is a noble lady called 曹贵人 (Cao Gui Ren) and finally a female class attendant called 欣常在 (Xin Chang Zai)。 There is also another Consort who is sick called 端妃 (Duan Fei) 。 So in total, one 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) and 7 concubines.
华妃 (Hua Fei) is late and 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress)’s servant suggest they finish the 请安 (Qing An) for today. The Empress holds her ground, she’s the Empress, 华妃 (Hua Fei) is just a Consort, she must come.
Tea is served for the ladies. The ladies begin some small talk about the favoritism of 华妃 (Hua Fei). 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) obviously hears all this.
Well, 华妃 (Hua Fei) struts in not too long after. Pay attention to etiquette in this scene. When she arrives, the 4 ladies who are of lower rank, get on their knees to greet her. 齐妃 (Qi Fei) who is at the same rank as 华妃 (Hua Fei) curtseys but doesn’t get on her knees. 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress)，obviously with the highest rank, does not get up at all.
华妃 (Hua Fei) doesn’t even take time to breathe before launching her attacks. 华妃 (Hua Fei) turns around to one of the ladies, 欣常在 (Xin Chang Zai) and says that it seems like her health is improving, coming to this 请安 so early. 欣常在 (Xin Chang Zai) thanks her but says that even though she felt a little off in the morning, she can’t be late to meet the 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress)。 If you couldn’t tell, a slight nudge to 华妃 (Hua Fei) for being late. We find out the reason she’s unhealthy is because she had a miscarriage. Anyways, 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) thanks 欣常在 (Xin Chang Zai) much to the chagrin of 华妃 (Hua Fei)。
Everyone, at the behest of 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress), sits down. 华妃 (Hua Fei) gives this half hearted curtsey to 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress).
华妃 (Hua Fei)is given a cup of tea, She raises the cup and takes a whiff, only to say that this seems to be last year’s 龙井 tea. No matter how well you try to preserve tea, there will always be a moldy smell. She’s actually given her batch to her servants. If 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) needs new tea, she can always give her some. Her jab is that ugh, you still have this old stuff? What kind of Empress are you?
皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) continues to smile serenely and brushes it off, she is prepared for this. She tells 华妃 (Hua Fei) that she’s also been gifted some of the newer tea by 皇上, the emperor, but has decided to give it to the 3rd prince, who is the son of 齐妃 (Qi Fei) saying that the 3rd prince liked the tea but didn’t want to bother his father for something so simple.
(Cathy)
华妃 (Hua Fei) says that if the 3rd prince likes to read and is a good student, then she’s sure that 皇上 will gift everything to the 3rd prince and smirks while 齐妃 (Qi Fei) scowls. The reason behind this is that the 3rd prince, even though he is the oldest, is not the smartest person and not the favorite of the emperor. Implicitly through this conversation, we find out that the 1st and 2nd princes are no longer alive. 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) says that because the 3rd prince is the oldest, and the 2 younger brothers are still small, the emperor will obviously place his hopes on the 3rd prince. I also want to note that Princes are addressed primarily by their birth order. Even if a prince dies, the birth order does not change. That’s why the 3rd prince is the oldest, but will not be called the 1st prince.
华妃 (Hua Fei)shifts the conversation to the fact that 皇上 (Emperor) ascended the throne very quickly and not much was done in terms of renovation. She says it was a pity that 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress)must live in her current palace called 景仁宫 (Jing Ren Palace). She’ll pick a day to come help 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) refurnish her palace to be nicer and let her live more comfortably. Here, 华妃 (Hua Fei) is disrespecting the 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) by implying her home is too modest and that she needs 华妃 (Hua Fei) to help with renovations, further undercutting the authority of a 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress)。
But instead of being offended, 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) has another rebuke. She serenely and calmly says that the emperor just came to power, everything should be simplified. The renovations can be discussed at a later date. Thereby, calmly not accepting help from 华妃 (Hua Fei) and also implying that having a modest palace is fine/accepted. 华妃 (Hua Fei)on the other hand, says that she feels bad that her own palace, 翊坤宫 (Yi Kun Gong) is so extravagant. She feels self conscious every time she comes to see 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) and her less extravagant palace.
Here, 齐妃 (Qi Fei) chimes in, obviously annoyed that 华妃 (Hua Fei)made all these jabs earlier about her son and her lack of attention from the emperor. She says that 华妃 (Hua Fei) lives in 翊坤宫 which was where the previous emperor’s favored consort 宜妃 (Yi Fei) had previously lived. Of course, the living space is going to be different. 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) then says that 宜妃 (Yi Fei) had lots of sons so the previous emperor definitely favored her.
At this point, 华妃 (Hua Fei) decides that it’s getting late and she needs to leave. Like what? We’ll explain in a bit. She just sat down. She gets up, curtseys to the 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) and leaves quickly. 丽嫔 (Li Pin), one of the ladies in the group, shoots a glance over to 曹贵人 (Cao Gui Ren) and also gets up to leave shortly after. 曹贵人 (Cao Gui Ren) doesn’t immediately leave and waits to be dismissed with the other ladies. So, here, you see the women partitioning off into factions. 丽嫔 is a follower of 华妃 (Hua Fei). 曹贵人 (Cao Gui Ren) is evidently as well. HOWEVER, 曹贵人 (Cao Gui Ren) isn’t as brash. She hedges her bets and doesn’t leave to follow 华妃 (Hua Fei) until everyone else is dismissed.
Once the ladies leave, 剪秋 (Jian Qiu), 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress)’s main maid comments on 华妃 (Hua Fei)’s brashness. She then says that they’re palace is the best because 皇上 (Empror) personally bestowed it to her.
It’s a completely different story outside. 华妃 (Hua Fei) is livid that 齐妃 (Qi Fei) and 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) used the comparison. The previous occupant 宜妃 (Yi FEi) did have a lot of sons, but the sons also committed treason and led to the downfall of their mother. How dare the Empress curse her in this way! See these aren’t outright insults, there are anecdotes! If you don’t know them, you’ll be viewed as an idiot, but if you do, you get the insult.
丽嫔 (Li Pin) is walking next to the carriage and tries to assuage 华妃 (Hua Fei), saying stuff like she’s not the favorite, you are. She can’t do anything to you.
华妃 (Hua Fei)’s servant 颂芝 (Song Zhi) also adds, our palace 翊坤宫 (Yi Kun Gong) is the only one that has the word 坤。The same word that’s in 坤宁宫 (Kun Ning Gong), which is where 皇上 and 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) were married. You see how much the Emperor values you? The Empress doesn’t even have this privilege!
华妃 (Hua Fei)seems mollified and much more pleased with this answer.
Look at all the meanings you can get just from one word! For both 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) and 华妃 (Hua Fei)the servants have huge sway on their master’s opinions and moods. It really is how you frame it!
(Cathy)
But how fantastic was this scene? You can tell how quickly some of these ladies think on their feet. Each one knows the hierarchy of the 后宫 (Hou Gong, Palace Harem), but they are all vying for attention. Subtle words have huge implications.
华妃 (Hua Fei) is annoyed by 欣常在 (Xin Chang Zai), the first woman she greeted when walking in, the one who had a miscarriage and said she didn’t dare be late to greeting the 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress)， Well, 华妃 (Hua Fei) remembered this, and told the eunuchs that 欣常在 (Xin Chang Zai) was still unhealthy and therefore, cannot be presented to spend the night with the emperor. Even though, when the emperor hears this, he is able to see right through this, he does not alter her actions. Poor 欣常在 (Xin Chang Zai).
What we learn in this episode is that the 后宫 (Hou Gong, Palace Harem) has eyes and ears everywhere. 皇后 (Huang Hou, Empress) and 华妃 (Hua Fei) know everything about the new ladies even though they weren’t at the Selection. They even know what the ladies are like to the servant ladies that teach etiquette. This is a first sign that you have to be exceedingly careful about what you say and do to others and the servants. Additionally, we find out that one of the current ladies of the 后宫 (Hou Gong, Palace Harem) just had a miscarriage. Hmmm….