Everyone knows that dishes made from fish offer numerous health benefits, but why did the palace maids refrain from eating them?
Many people believe that despite serving the emperor and the imperial concubines, the palace maids lived comfortable lives in the palace. In reality, they had to adhere to a strict set of rules. Thus, from the moment they entered the palace, they were required to learn the palace regulations and court etiquette. If they made a mistake, they could face punishments ranging from corporal punishment and salary deductions to severe penalties, including the loss of their lives.
During the Qing Dynasty, palace maids had to have a clear background and come from families of notable social status, meaning they needed to be the daughters of officials.
The life of palace maids in the palace was incredibly monotonous; they were not allowed to roam freely, and their activities were severely restricted. Their daily tasks included standing by their master’s side, serving water, combing hair, and even staying awake at night to watch over their masters as they slept.
Palace maids were selected to serve the imperial concubines and the emperor. (Photo: Sohu).
Palace maids usually lived together in a small room. Everything in the room was extremely simple. Only those maids who served the queen or high-ranking concubines could be assigned a small room next to their master’s for convenience.
The tasks of palace maids were far from easy. Moreover, every word they spoke or action they took had to be performed with utmost caution to avoid punishment from their superiors. Daily, palace maids had to present themselves impeccably, walk steadily without looking around, and maintain a calm demeanor. Even when facing difficulties or illness, they were not allowed to show a gloomy face. They always had to keep a cheerful expression to avoid angering their masters.
Particularly, palace maids had to pay great attention to their own eating habits.
According to palace regulations, servants were not allowed to have any unusual smells on their bodies. If they ate fish—known for its strong odor—they would leave an unpleasant scent, so no matter how much they craved it, palace maids did not dare to take a bite.
They knew that if their master discovered a fishy smell on them, they would be charged with severe disrespect and punished. If punished, palace maids were not allowed to cry out; they had to endure the pain in silence to avoid harsher penalties.
However, some palace maids, unable to resist, still indulged in fish dishes. After eating, they would eliminate the fishy smell using fragrances or scented oils.
This illustrates that being a palace maid was not an easy position. Even though they lived in the palace and served the emperor and concubines, they had no freedom to live their own lives. Even their preferences for food, such as enjoying fish dishes, were not something they could indulge in freely.
