A Monarch’s Notorious Reputation

Emperor Xianfeng (1831–1861), the ninth ruler of the Qing Dynasty, remains one of China’s most controversial emperors. Ascending the throne during a period of imperial decline, his reign was marked by foreign invasions, domestic rebellions, and personal scandals that became the stuff of palace gossip. Among these, the legend of the “Four Springs of Yuanmingyuan” (圆明园四春) stands out—a tantalizing tale of four Han Chinese women reportedly favored by the emperor, each named after flowering plants: Apricot Blossom Spring (杏花春), Peach Grove Spring (武陵春), Peony Spring (牡丹春), and Crabapple Spring (海棠春).

For decades, historians debated whether these women were real or merely romanticized figures from Qing-era folklore. Recent discoveries in the First Historical Archives of China, however, have shed light on this mystery, revealing surprising connections between legend and documented history.

Unearthing the “Four Springs” in Imperial Archives

The breakthrough came with the identification of four concubines whose records align strikingly with the “Four Springs” legend. Key archival entries include:

– Crabapple Spring (海棠春): On April 11, 1859, the Imperial Household Department recorded the promotion of a palace maid named “Haitang Chun” (Crabapple Spring) to Noble Consort Xi (禧贵人). Later documents confirm she became Consort Xi (禧妃), born to a low-ranking cook named Changshun.
– The Other “Springs”: Three additional women—Consort Ji (吉妃), Consort Lu (璷妃), and Consort Qing (庆妃)—appear alongside Consort Xi in records, all elevated from palace maid status. Their backgrounds and promotions mirror the folkloric “Four Springs”:
– Consort Lu: A Manchu woman from the prestigious Nara clan, promoted stepwise from Noble Consort to Consort.
– Consort Ji: Daughter of a Yuanmingyuan gardener, symbolizing the “Peach Grove Spring” connection.
– Consort Qing: The only one denied full consort rites at her funeral, hinting at possible disgrace.

These findings suggest Emperor Xianfeng did indeed have four favored consorts nicknamed after flowers—a poetic practice consistent with his literary inclinations.

Emperor Xianfeng’s Court: Decadence in an Age of Crisis

Xianfeng’s reign (1850–1861) coincided with the catastrophic Taiping Rebellion and the Second Opium War, yet his court became synonymous with escapism. The Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) served as his retreat, where he reportedly indulged in operas, opium, and romantic liaisons. The “Four Springs” epitomized this duality:

– Cultural Context: Naming concubines after flora echoed Tang Dynasty poetry traditions, but selecting Han Chinese women (despite Qing prohibitions) revealed Xianfeng’s disregard for conventions.
– Political Implications: The emperor’s neglect of governance accelerated Qing decline. The burning of Yuanmingyuan by Anglo-French forces in 1860—an event Xianfeng fled rather than confronted—symbolized this era’s tragedies.

Legacy: From Scandal to Cultural Symbol

The “Four Springs” transcended their historical roles to become cultural icons:

– Literature and Gossip: Qing unofficial histories (yeshi) like A Panorama of Qing Dynasty Anecdotes (清朝野史大观) immortalized them as symbols of imperial decadence.
– Modern Scholarship: The archival discoveries validate parts of the legend while complicating narratives—Consort Qing’s diminished burial, for instance, hints at untold palace intrigues.
– Tourism and Media: Today, Yuanmingyuan’s ruins and TV dramas keep the “Four Springs” alive in popular imagination, blending history with myth.

Conclusion: History’s Tangled Vines

The story of the “Four Springs” reflects broader themes in late Qing history: the tension between duty and desire, the porous boundaries between fact and folklore, and the enduring allure of imperial scandal. As archives yield new clues, these women—whether consorts, muses, or cautionary tales—continue to challenge our understanding of China’s last feudal dynasty.