"However, the ancestors have also left behind some kindness. In the palace, hitting is allowed. Scolding is not allowed. '[We] all came with the dragon*. Scolding anybody is not appropriate.' These are the words of the ancestors. Besides, there are many taboos in the palace. If you scold someone, you might say something that shouldn't be heard."
She chatted on and her voice restored to its original impassive tone. "Because scolding is not allowed, they can only hit you to let off steam. The popping chestnuts (swellings) on our heads often never end. It has become a rule to hit first and speak later. It is not an excessive statement to say that we were beaten into shape."
Translator's Notes:
* "Following the dragon" is an euphuism for Banner people. It invokes the history of the Eight Banners armies who conquered China, overthrew the Ming dynasty and established the Qing dynasty. The dragon refers to the first Qing Emperor who led the Eight Banners armies through a pass in the Great Wall of China to invade the country. Hence, the Banner people are people "who followed the dragon" through the pass.
YOU ARE READING
Memoirs Of A Palace Maid
Non-FictionThis is my attempt at an English translation of the Chinese book "Memoirs Of A Palace Maid". "Memoirs Of A Palace Maid" 《宫女谈往录》is a book published by the Forbidden City Press in July 1992. The authors are Jin Yi and Shen Yiling. The book contains t...
