In the summer of 1424, when Ming Emperor Yongle passed away, thirty concubines who were living among many others in the royal harem were handed the dreaded blood red piece of silk clothing in a square shape. This little piece of fabric meant that these thirty concubines were considered his favorite by the Yongle emperor. It also meant that they were supposed to not live after the emperor.

The life of a concubine in the forbidden city was as dangerous as lavish, as forced as frivolous, and as punishable as pleasurable. How lonely and depressing were their lives? What cruel selection process did they have to go through? What did it take to survive as a concubine in Imperial China?

In today’s video we will find out how depressing were the lives of Imperial Chinese Concubines!