In "Empresses in the Palace," why did Hua Fei never consider that her favor stemmed from the power of the Nian family?

At least in the drama, her favor is not derived from the Nian family, but rather, her fall from grace is due to the Nian family…

Before her death, Hua Fei was told by Zhen Huan that the Emperor favored her because of her family’s influence.

How did Hua Fei respond?

“You lowlife, what do you know.”

She then elaborated on the intimate details of her relationship with the Emperor.

Whether or not the other person truly loves you in a relationship is something the involved parties are most aware of.

Sometimes, a person may not even be sure if their own feelings are genuine, but they can keenly sense whether the other’s feelings are true.

In fact, the Emperor did love Hua Fei. The Emperor himself didn’t realize it, nor did the Empress, the Dowager Empress, Zhen Huan, or Consort Duan. Only Hua Fei herself knew.

After the Nian family fell from power, Empress Hua became Nian’s promise. The Emperor could even directly say to the Empress Dowager, “Soni and Shilan have been married for many years.” He also said that as long as she no longer caused trouble, he would give her the position of a noblewoman in the future, allowing her to spend her remaining years in the palace.

Even Yi Xiu said, “She is the Empress, not my wife.”

Is this something the fallen Nian family could achieve?

When Zhen Huan requested posthumous titles for Meizhuang and Qifei, the Emperor suggested posthumously honoring deceased concubines together. The first person that came to mind was Empress Hua, and he wanted to posthumously honor her as the Imperial Noble Consort.

Is this something the fallen Nian family could achieve?

Click, it’s the Year family that’s holding back Lady Huafei from gaining favor. Without the Year family, Lady Huafei would have already given birth to a chubby baby boy in great delight.

In the drama, Da Pangju did indeed have love for her.

Even though she had passed away, Da Pangju still didn’t forget to bestow the title of Imperial Noble Consort upon her.

With her entire family exterminated and being the sister of a criminal, she herself was also a guilty concubine, and her crimes were indisputable. How could she be posthumously honored?

But Da Pangju still bestowed the title upon her.

It can be said that Da Pangju felt guilty towards Hua Fei, and it can also be said that he loved Hua Fei.

The Emperor’s Favor and Hua Fei’s Complex Journey

Because the Emperor had always favored her, even when she made minor mistakes and committed grave ones, he would forgive her. Even before Zhen Huan’s arrival, it was evident in the first episode that she held a special place in the imperial harem. This made her complacent. However, it was only after Zhen Huan’s arrival that she began to feel a real sense of crisis. Despite her involvement in causing Zhen Huan’s miscarriage and her collapsing from heatstroke, the Emperor would still be anxious and call for the imperial physician. Before her death, she mentioned that during her time at the Wangfu (the prince’s residence), she was the Emperor’s exclusive favor. With Song Zhi and Zhou Ninghai present, they dared not speak the truth due to Hua Fei’s personality or perhaps their own timidness. They couldn’t see that the Emperor was gradually reducing his affection for her. In the end, the Emperor killed his brother but had intended to keep her as a Noble Lady for life, even knowing of her wrongdoings.

Due to Nian Gengyao’s position, she was destined to become the Emperor’s consort, but her personality was what the Emperor liked. Just look at how he treated Xiao Yezi. However, no matter how much the Emperor favored her, he would not stop his relationship with Huan Yixiang. Even if they tried again, he would still end her pregnancies because she was from the Nian family.

Among the women in the imperial harem, she was one of the few who had her own circle, with the previous one being Chun Yuan.

Hua Fei: Unwavering Love for the Emperor

Hua Fei first saw herself as the Emperor’s woman and then as Hua Fei; she wasn’t overly concerned with her rank.

This became evident when she was conferred the title of Noble Consort. After dismissing the eunuch who came to thank her, she said, “Whether I am a Noble Consort or not doesn’t matter. As long as I’m in the Emperor’s heart, it’s enough.”

Later, when Hua Fei couldn’t compete with the main character Zhen Huan, she was demoted to the Cold Palace and became a mere concubine. However, she didn’t show any significant signs of despair and continued to maintain her strong demeanor towards others. She always believed that no matter where she was, she held a special place in the Emperor’s heart.

Even before her suicide, she referred to herself as the Emperor’s woman, saying, “Emperor, you’ve made Sī Lán suffer so much.” Therefore, her love for the Emperor was always akin to that of a woman for a man.

Isn’t this explanation clear enough? In the end, she tragically met her demise against a wall because her unwavering belief was shattered. She had always believed that the Emperor loved her, while the Emperor had been deceiving her all along.

Because it’s too beautiful, top-tier beauty brings top-tier confidence.

The Manchu Eight Banners are no match for the exquisite beauty of Empress Hua Fei.

Because upon entering the palace, the Emperor’s favoritism was too obvious.

I remember in the first year of entering the Wang Fu, I was immediately conferred the title of Concubine, becoming the most favored woman by the Emperor. Among all the women in the Wang Fu, everyone was afraid of him, but I wasn’t. He often took me horse riding and hunting, saying that he only liked me.

The exclusive reward of Huan Yi Xiang.

Because falling in love with the Emperor, love makes people blind.

Perceiving Love in Men

Whether a man loves you or not, you can feel it.

Her favor is indeed influenced by her background, but most of it comes from the Emperor’s true heart.

No need to compare her to Pure Yuan or the Mary Sue protagonist. From the moment she entered the palace, before Zhen Huan received favor, there were many years when she was undoubtedly the Emperor’s favorite. Untouchable. There should be no disagreement about this.

She was truly favored by the Emperor among all the palace women, and he genuinely liked her.

If you say you want to be the first, she has been the first. If you want to be the only one, even after Pure Yuan’s death, Hua Fei remained the Emperor’s favorite for many years.

Every bit of the Emperor’s affection was genuine.

Of course, women deeply in love may deceive themselves, but don’t underestimate them; you can tell if someone is not liked. Before Hua Fei’s downfall, she could also sense that the Emperor’s treatment of her had changed.

Conversely, although the women in the harem serve the Emperor the same way, he can also tell whether they love him or not. So, he feels guilty towards Hua Fei, tolerates her mistakes because he can feel her sincerity.

Even if an emperor’s heart is thin, he will at least respect genuine feelings.

When Hua Fei caused Zhen Huan to miscarry and be demoted, while writing a letter of repentance in the palace to the Emperor, he read it seriously, deeply moved.

You may wonder, an emperor has endless affairs of state, would he be willing to take the time to read a letter from Qi Fei if she wrote to him?

When Hua Fei was executed for arson, but truly died, it greatly alarmed the Emperor, and he remained silent for a long time.

These are the aspects Hua Fei couldn’t see. If it wasn’t genuine affection, why bother pretending?

Love, this kind of thing, outsiders may not see clearly, but those involved will definitely feel it.

An Lingrong also had her moments of brilliance, but what did she say?

“Have you ever loved me?”

Hua Fei: A Complex Figure in the Palace

Hua Fei held a position of power but lacked political acumen.

Just like the calm center of a storm, the pressure was actually at its minimum.

Zhen Huan’s assessment of Hua Fei: “Hua Fei is like a fierce tiger, with Cao Gui Ren as her claws. Without Cao Gui Ren, Hua Fei would only rely on force.”

This was the former Hua Fei:

This is the current Hua Fei, Nian Fei? Nian approves.

Even her rivals knew that Hua Fei was not a strategic thinker.

Her approach was simple, relying solely on her courage, acting on emotions.

She knew her illustrious lineage; her brother was highly regarded in the previous dynasty. Among the palace women, not even the Queen, Ulanara, enjoyed such favor. So, she had few concerns.

Think of Mei Jie Jie; her birth was meant for the palace, her family’s duty was to enhance their prestige.

Think of Gua 2; her entry into the palace was a reward, a prize for her mother’s role in bringing down Nian Gengyao, making her the Emperor’s woman.

Hua Fei was one of the few concubines in the palace who didn’t need to vie for family glory, and she was one of the few whose family supported her.

Conversely, figures like An Lingrong and Xia Dongchun, with no illustrious backgrounds, were the ones most sensitive to the term “family background.”

Without family concerns, Hua Fei’s feelings for the Emperor appeared more sincere.

It all starts from the word “feelings."

In this regard, Hua Fei was very straightforward.

Even when she took bribes and sold offices, her purpose was to have some spending money for herself. Why did she want to look prettier in front of the Emperor? If you say it was to weave a complex web of relationships for her family, you’ve overestimated Hua Fei.

Although this was the direct consequence of her selling offices, it wasn’t her intention.

If she had thought about it from a political perspective and realized that this action would harm Yongzheng’s core interests, she would never have done it.

Even when she tried to gain merit for her nephew Nian Fuxing, there was no sign of the Emperor’s displeasure. She blurted it out. This was her way of valuing family relationships. She thought that if someone deserved merit, it should be rewarded. She couldn’t have foreseen that the Nian family’s great contributions would arouse Yongzheng’s suspicion.

But we can’t blame her. We understand because we are all outsiders, Monday morning quarterbacks who know all the ins and outs.

What Hua Fei grasped was difficult even for her brother and his entourage to comprehend.

Sometimes, even if you understand, what can you do? The current is too strong; it’s challenging to swim against it.

Very few manage to escape.

Throughout history, there have been more birds hiding from a good bow than those in high positions who have met a good end.

The pattern Hua Fei experienced was a convention in feudal dynasties for over two thousand years: noble daughters entered the palace to strengthen family influence. The family repaid them, solidifying their status.

But once their status rose too high, it led to a backlash. Once overthrown, these noble daughters became hostages in the palace, abandoned by their families.

This fate befell Zhen Huan, Duan Fei, Gua 2, and Yuan Chun.

No one could escape it.

The Misconception of Palace Love

Because she treated the Emperor as her husband.

In “Legend of Zhen Huan,” anyone who regards the Emperor as a husband is bound to suffer.

The earlier you realize this, the better chance you have to escape the ordeal, maybe even gain some advantages.

For example, Zhen Huan, Jing Fei, Shen Meizhuang, and An Xiaoniao.

Some people realize it but are unwilling to face the reality head-on. They use the Emperor to their advantage, but when it comes to the crucial moment, marital feelings take precedence, leading to more suffering.

For example, the Empress, Qi Fei, and Cao Qinmo.

Hua Fei falls into the most unfortunate category. Whatever the Emperor’s reaction, she never considers the monarch-subject perspective. Without a second thought, she takes the husband-wife narrative route, which leads to trouble. She blames other concubines when things go awry and continues the cycle until it ruins her.

In the early years of the Han Dynasty, the powerful external family forces led by Empress Lü failed in the power struggle. Subsequently, Prince Liu Heng was enthroned by prominent courtiers and became known as Emperor Wen of Han.

When Emperor Wen traveled from his fiefdom to Chang’an to ascend the throne, he passed through Wei Bridge. Civil and military officials waited on the bridge to welcome his arrival. The Grand Commandant, Zhou Bo, entered Emperor Wen’s carriage, tugged at his sleeve, and said, “I have a personal matter to discuss with Your Majesty.”

Unexpectedly, the Midshipman, Song Chang, replied, “If it’s official, say it in front of everyone. If it’s personal, the Son of Heaven has no personal matters (what’s said officially is official; what’s said personally, the King has no personal matters).”

After hearing this, Zhou Bo quickly knelt down and presented Emperor Wen with the imperial seal.

The point of this example is to illustrate one thing: the monarch has no personal matters.

Someone who doesn’t even have personal matters, can they have marital feelings? Would they talk about so-called marital feelings with a concubine?

The Emperor’s requirements for the harem are simple: bear children, please him, don’t create big scandals, and stay away from his court. Besides that, you can do as you please.

In simple terms, the Emperor doesn’t seek the “pleasures of a boudoir with small windows and a dressing table.” He desires a group of ministers who can serve him and bear children.

After losing favor the first time, Zhen Huan understood half of this truth but was severely affected. The second time, although she understood the reality, she was still overwhelmed by the notion of “marital feelings” and went on a vacation to Lingyun Peak.

After these two experiences, Zhen Huan completely grasped the situation. From then on, it was all advantageous moves, each taking what they needed. You want my body, I’ll use your power. It’s that straightforward.

When you perceive Hua Fei as arrogant and domineering, it’s because you unconsciously view the palace from a monarch-subject perspective. If you look at Hua Fei’s relationship with the Emperor from the husband-wife perspective, you might think she’s just occasionally outspoken.

Harming the harem may appear as a colleague’s perspective from the monarch-subject angle. But when viewed from the husband-wife perspective, it’s akin to the first wife confronting a mistress. Hua Fei tore several mistresses into pieces. Are you satisfied?

Being insatiable might seem like arrogance from the monarch-subject perspective. But from the husband-wife perspective, it’s like asking your husband, who holds immense resources, to buy you some luxury items or secure good positions for your relatives. Is it really excessive?

The fall of Nian Gengyao is the same. You may find this person disgusting, but that’s because you see him as a minister. If you look at it from the perspective of relatives, you’ll discover that most of the blame lies with the Emperor. He used his relatives, failed to restrain them, and only resorted to killing them when everyone was furious. Who’s the heartless one?

Before Hua Fei learned the truth about Huan Yi Xiang, she always believed that her favor from the Emperor stemmed from their marital relationship. So, compared to other concubines who cried and made a scene before being executed, Hua Fei calmly requested a death decree.

For one reason only: for a legitimate reason. Just as you married me formally, now you should formally carry out my execution. Nothing else. I want legitimacy.

Who would have thought that Zhen Huan’s revelation would brutally shatter Hua Fei’s belief:

You were just a companion to appease Nian Gengyao; you don’t even have the qualification to bear children.

One moment Hua Fei thought it was the end of her marital feelings and sought a final explanation. The next moment, she realized that this guy had never had marital intentions from the start. Who wouldn’t collapse from such a revelation?

Faking death would be the least you’d expect. Rushing out the door with a knife and going from the Cold Palace to the Palace of Eternal Happiness, and not returning would be considered normal.

So, from Hua Fei’s perspective, her favor wasn’t based on her brother’s military achievements, but rather on marital feelings with the Emperor.

Even more so, in Hua Fei’s eyes, it was her marital feelings with the Emperor that allowed her brother to serve on the frontlines and achieve multiple military successes.

If it weren’t for my deep affection with the Emperor, how could my brother have had the opportunity to serve and excel in Qinghai?

Hua Fei’s mistake wasn’t her cruelty or dominance; there were far more ruthless sisters in the harem, and Hua Fei couldn’t even rank among the top three.

Hua Fei’s mistake was that she genuinely believed the Emperor was her husband.

In the novel, there are only two people who truly captured the Emperor Xuan Ling’s heart. One is Empress Chun Yuan, whose name is Ruoze, and the other is Consort Hua, whose name is Shilan. Zhen Huan has always been a substitute for Ruoze, and in Xuan Ling’s heart, Shilan has always been Shilan.

In fact, in the TV series that downplays the Emperor’s feelings for Consort Hua, when Consort Hua falls out of favor, Empress Jing also mentioned that the Emperor had feelings for Consort Hua. I don’t remember the exact words, but it was something like urging everyone to put in more effort to bring Consort Hua down, or else the Emperor might remember the old feelings, and Consort Hua might have a chance to make a comeback.

Because the emperor does indeed have genuine affection for her… Before our main female lead appeared, the emperor’s ideal life was to have Empress Chunyuan as his wife and Consort Huafei as his concubine; the rest of the harem was like extra decorations. You can say that the emperor truly loves Chunyuan, but you cannot say that he doesn’t like Consort Huafei at all.