Although Empress Dowager Cixi consumed only 20 eggs each day, the chefs bought and prepared 500 eggs. So, who were the remaining eggs for?
Empress Dowager Cixi (1833 – 1908) was a figure who held supreme power during the late Qing Dynasty. She was the favored concubine of Emperor Xianfeng, the mother of Emperor Tongzhi, the adoptive mother of Emperor Guangxu, and the nominal matriarch of Emperor Puyi.
According to historical records, Cixi wielded crucial power in the Qing Dynasty for 47 years. During this time, she became known for her extravagant lifestyle. Not only did she adorn herself in luxurious clothing and dazzling jewelry, but Cixi also had high demands for her quality of life, particularly concerning food.
Empress Dowager Cixi held supreme power for many years during the late Qing Dynasty.
Historical accounts indicate that to prevent others from knowing her favorite dish and fearing poisoning, Cixi would only eat no more than three pieces of any dish, and she did not eat every dish presented to her.
After the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912, a eunuch named Xin Tuming wrote a book titled “Palace Secrets”, recounting his life in the palace during the final years of the Qing. This book describes historical changes and life within the palace as observed by the eunuch. It even reveals details about the everyday lives of emperors, high officials, and eunuchs at the end of the Qing Dynasty.
According to “Palace Secrets,” during the reign of Emperor Guangxu, the kitchen in the palace was divided into two departments. One was the Imperial Kitchen, which served Emperor Guangxu, while the other included the Shou Xian Room and Shou Cha Room, set up to serve Empress Dowager Cixi.
Specifically, the Shou Xian Room was responsible for food, while the Shou Cha Room was in charge of preparing fruits, tea, and snacks for Empress Dowager Cixi.
Interestingly, “Palace Secrets” mentions a peculiar task assigned to the Shou Xian Room: they were required to prepare 500 eggs daily for Empress Dowager Cixi.
Empress Dowager Cixi’s meals often consisted of many dishes.
What is the truth behind preparing 500 eggs for Empress Dowager Cixi?
Empress Dowager Cixi had high demands for her meals and daily activities.
In reality, Empress Dowager Cixi only needed about 20 eggs each day. During meals, she would consume just one or two eggs. So, why did her kitchen need to prepare 500 eggs?
During the Qing Dynasty, food was allocated based on each person’s rank. Naturally, given Cixi’s power, it was not unusual for her to receive the privilege of 500 eggs daily.
However, the paradox is that she only needed 20 eggs a day; what about the remaining 480 eggs?
Each day, Empress Dowager Cixi only needed 20 eggs.
According to “Palace Secrets,” chefs were tasked with preparing 500 eggs, but only 20 were actually for Empress Dowager Cixi. The remaining 480 eggs were pocketed by various attendants of different ranks. To ensure everyone received a share, these attendants reported a need for 500 eggs, concealing this from Empress Dowager Cixi. They then sold the surplus eggs and shared the profits.
Although Empress Dowager Cixi was aware of such practices, she never questioned them. The empress was only concerned with the quality and extravagance of her meals. Thus, whether her attendants engaged in covert operations or embezzled a little, she was not overly concerned. For this powerful empress, as long as her attendants could serve her well, there would be no issues.
In fact, the embezzlement of 480 eggs was quite common towards the end of the Qing Dynasty. Not only eggs, but other food items also faced similar situations. The corruption within the Qing administration was prevalent and severe, while the lives of the common people grew increasingly difficult.
The high demands for meals inadvertently created loopholes for Empress Dowager Cixi’s attendants to profit secretly.
The problems facing the Qing Dynasty in its final years were not solely due to Empress Dowager Cixi, but also stemmed from longstanding issues within the administration. Corruption was rampant in many areas. Even the fact that Empress Dowager Cixi consumed eggs allowed for significant sums to be embezzled. Thus, it is not difficult to foresee the ultimate fate of the Qing Dynasty in the early 20th century.
