In late Imperial China, life inside the Forbidden City was bound by strict rules. When a concubine was chosen to share the emperor’s bed, her day began with indulgence fit for royalty. She was bathed in fragrant water, dressed in the finest silk, and attended by eunuchs and maids who ensured she was flawless. Every gesture, from her walk to her speech, was meant to please the emperor and uphold the dignity of the court. As night fell, ceremony replaced comfort. The chosen woman was stripped of her garments, wrapped in a silk blanket, and carried to the emperor’s chamber by eunuchs. This was not done for elegance but for safety. The blanket served as a precaution, ensuring she concealed no weapon or poison. Even her hairpins and ornaments were removed to prevent harm to the ruler. Once she arrived, attendants unwrapped her before the emperor, then withdrew in silence, leaving her fate to the night. By dawn, she was escorted back to her quarters, recorded in palace logs, and often left wondering if her brief encounter would bring favor or oblivion. The entire ritual reflected a strange mix of power, fear, and pageantry, showing how even intimacy in the imperial court was governed by caution and control. #history #ForbiddenCity #WittyHistorian