The rise and fall of imperial consorts, their fortunes and misfortunes, all hinge on the emperor.
If the emperor wishes you well, the harem becomes your paradise; if he wishes you ill, it becomes your hell.
Therefore, the emperor's role is paramount, arguably the very core of the entire drama.
In "War and Beauty," the emperor is as insubstantial as a piece of paper, old, ugly, lecherous, greasy, and utterly repulsive, with no redeeming qualities.
In contrast, the emperor in "Pure Yuan Musk Chronicle" is far more intriguing.
Firstly, as the ultimate victor of the Nine Princes' struggle for succession, his wisdom and shrewdness are undeniable, evident in how he both supported and undermined the Nian family and schemed against Consort Hua.
Secondly, the emperor possesses excellent literary talent, effortlessly reciting poetry and adept at playing the xiao, with Zhen Huan remarking his hearing was comparable to Zhou Yu.
Lastly, the emperor's aesthetic sense is truly exceptional.
Among the twelve Qing emperors, Yongzheng had the best taste, as can be seen from his porcelain.
He would criticize Consort Qi's fans for being too delicate, suggest they wear lake blue or sapphire green, and even advised Zhen Huan on the "jiao li" makeup and suitable attire, a stark contrast to some clueless, unromantic, and utterly literal men. This is from Kuai Shu Ge.
This cultured, aesthetically discerning, and charming mature man is infinitely superior to those shallow, immature young men.
Beyond showcasing the emperor's multifaceted charm, his personal tragedy is equally profound.
Separated from his birth mother, he was raised by Empress Xiaoyi Ren. After Empress Xiaoyi Ren's death, he returned to his birth mother, only to find she already had a younger son and showered all her maternal love upon him.
Unloved by his father and neglected by his mother, Yongzheng developed a reticent, cold, and indifferent disposition.
The drama repeatedly mentions his jealousy of his younger brother's favor with their father, who personally taught him archery.
Fortunate people heal their childhood with their lives; the unfortunate spend their lives healing from childhood.
Jiang Ling watched "Pure Yuan Musk Chronicle" for the first time without noticing anything amiss. However, upon rewatching it multiple times, she discovered the foreshadowing planted early on.
When Consort Mei Zhuang was framed for faking a pregnancy to gain favor, Zhen Huan rushed to find the emperor. Annoyed, the emperor refused to see her and instead summoned Consort Cao and her daughter Wen Yi.
Consort Cao sang a tune to entertain her daughter in front of the emperor.
The emperor smiled broadly, his eyes crinkling, but his gaze was deep. He said, "That tune is very pleasant to hear. Sing it again for Wen Yi."
In reality, it was the emperor himself who wished to hear Consort Cao sing, not Wen Yi.
This foreshadowing mirrors the scene where, after the Empress Dowager's death, the emperor kneels by her bedside, his voice heavy with sorrow and choked with emotion, saying, "Sleep well, grow up quickly. Grow up and draw the bowstring. Imperial Mother, you never sang a lullaby like this for me. Could you sing it for me once more?"
The emperor, despite being the sovereign, was so pathetic that he couldn't even request a children's song and had to eavesdrop on his own daughter. The thought of it was heartbreaking.
And the cause of all this tragedy was the decadent and backward feudal system.
When the Empress Dowager gave birth to the emperor, she was merely a concubine of low status in Emperor Kangxi's reign. She had to abide by the harem rules and send her child to be raised by a higher-ranking consort.
Because she lost custody, the Empress Dowager's maternal love had no outlet, so she compensated by doting excessively on her younger son, making him her spiritual anchor. This led to the estrangement between her and her elder son.
This is the cannibalistic feudal etiquette, the ruthless harem system.
Even the emperor and the Empress Dowager could not escape the poisonous effects of this corrupt system.