Queen Xiaozhuang's personal maid: Su Malagu

Chapter 25 Designing Qing Dynasty Official Clothes
(1)

Less than three months before the grand ceremony on May 1636, 5, official and concubine uniforms became a problem.From the Dajin Kingdom to the Qing Dynasty, from the Great Khan to the Emperor, how can there be no clothes that match the Qing Dynasty emperor?Huang Taiji attached great importance to this grand ceremony, and even felt that it was related to the success of the unification of the Central Plains.

Huang Taiji urged Dorgon in a hurry.Dorgon, who has always had lingering fears about the "Yuxi Incident", is trying to accomplish this perfectly and gain Huang Taiji's trust.He even felt that the reason why Huang Taiji entrusted him with such an important matter was to test him.

When he just received this task, Dorgon immediately explained the matter to the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs also assigned the task to the Guangchu Division.But a week later, when Dorgon asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs about the progress, the Ministry of Internal Affairs replied that it hadn't started yet, and there was no design direction.

Dorgon was in a hurry and had no choice but to go out in person, and immediately called a meeting with the clan relatives and the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to study it.But an hour passed, and the parties were still arguing endlessly, and there was no conclusion to the argument.

"This Qing Dynasty is the Qing Dynasty of our Jurchens. In my opinion, it is better to use our Dajin Kingdom's official uniforms." Some conservatives said.

"Since the name of the country has been changed to the Qing Dynasty, it must be distinguished from the Dajin Kingdom. Our Qing Dynasty must complete the great cause of unification, and we can no longer be limited to Jurchen or Mongolia. We must also consider the Han land and Han people. Because in the future, the Han people will also be the citizens of our Qing Dynasty." Some innovative factions said.

"Whether unified or not, we must not forget our roots. We must always remember that we are the Kingdom of Jin, and we are the Jurchens!" The conservatives insisted on their views and did not back down.

"The title of the emperor is no longer called Great Khan. Of course, our official uniforms must be changed, and we must not continue to use the original ones." The innovation group also argued vigorously.

The two opinions were evenly contested, and Dorgon was upset seeing the noise of the quarrels.He waved his hands to let his clan and the head of the House of Internal Affairs go back first, while he strolled in the garden, thinking about which party to listen to.

"My lord, Concubine Zhuang is here, in my study." The attendant Awang hurried over and whispered to him.

"Concubine Zhuang?" Dorgon frowned, and hurried to the study.

Along the way, he was thinking: Didn't I write to her?Why is she so bold, and even ran directly to my house?

Dorgon wrote a letter to Bumbutai and asked Ngawang to take it there because he heard some rumors recently that the reason why Huang Taiji was indifferent to Bumbutai was because he heard that he had a close relationship with him. .

Dorgon was taken aback when he heard these words just now.He thought of his mother-in-law, Abahai. It was because Nurhachi heard that Abahai had a close relationship with Daishan, so he abolished Abahai's status as a concubine and kicked him out of the palace.Although the identity of Concubine Abahai was restored in the end, it ended in a burial, and Daishan lost the qualification to inherit the throne forever.

"It can't be like this. People in the harem talk a lot. A little carelessness may harm many people." When Dorgon thought of his mother, he felt shuddering.

For Bumbutai, Dorgon has an unspeakable affection, which has been the case since he first met Bumbutai.However, Bumbutai was married to his elder brother Huang Taiji, who eventually succeeded Khan.Therefore, from the day Bumbutai married Huang Taiji, Dorgon suppressed his feelings for Bumbutai to the bottom of his heart, and tried to avoid the two meeting each other.

However, when he went to the Chahar tribe and faced danger, Bumbutai asked his personal maid, Su Mo'er, to deliver a letter for him. This move made his suppressed emotions rekindle.

With gratitude, Dorgon and Bumbutai had their first date alone.Under the moonlight, the two of them warmed the wine with the moonlight, and the more they chatted, the more intoxicated they became. When they smiled knowingly from time to time, they felt each other's feelings.

After that, the two met occasionally, and Bumbutai even gave him a belt that she embroidered carefully.When holding the belt in his hand, Dorgon had the urge to hold Bumu Butai in his arms, but when he thought of Huang Taiji and his mother, he still controlled himself.

But now, Huang Taiji, who is already the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, would have disastrous consequences if he knew of his secret date with Bumbutai.For these reasons, Dorgon wrote a letter to Bumbutai, and in that letter clearly stated that he hoped to reduce contacts, so as to cause unnecessary misunderstandings.When asking Awang to deliver the letter, Dorgon wanted to return the belt to Bumbutai, but in the end he gave up because he was reluctant and afraid of hurting Bumbutai.At the same time, in order to make up for his "ruthlessness", he also asked Awang to bring some supplements to Bumbutai.

But who would have thought that it was only a day after the letter was delivered, but Bumbutai ran to the mansion. Why didn't this make Dorgon anxious?

(2)

With an uneasy mood, Dorgon hurried to the study.Besides Bumbutai, she saw Su Moer, her personal maid, holding a bundle in Su Moer's hand.

"Concubine Zhuang!" Dorgon was a little flustered because he didn't know why Bumbutai was looking for him. After he called out, he didn't know what to say, and kept his head down.

"My lord, I heard from Awang that my lord is in a hurry to make costumes for the grand ceremony, and I have brought you a man." Bumbutai said with a smile on his face.

"Bring someone? Make clothes?" Dorgon didn't react for a while.

"Didn't the lord send Awang to deliver a letter to me yesterday? I asked about the lord's situation by the way. Awang told me that the lord is in a hurry about the costumes for the grand ceremony, so I found someone who can do this for you today." The person responsible for the matter." Bumbutai said lightly, but his eyes looked at Dorgon affectionately.

When Bumbutai received the past letter and supplements from Ngawangna yesterday, Bumbutai was filled with sadness and joy.

"He is so considerate! I am afraid that it will have a bad influence on me, and I hope to see you less. He must have known about the cold reception I received in the harem, and sent some supplements to nourish my body."

The more Bumbutai thought about it, the more he felt for Dorgon.When she learned from Awang that Dorgon was worrying about the costumes for the grand ceremony, she also wanted to help Dorgon solve her troubles. Finally, she thought of Su Moer, who was good at female celebrities, and even often designed and made clothes by herself.

After Su Mo'er agreed, Bumbutai would bring her to see Dorgon the next day.

Su Mo'er knew that Bumbutai wanted to use this incident to meet Dorgon, and she wanted to stop it, but she couldn't bear it, so she had to follow.

Dorgon glanced at Bumbutai, then immediately looked away, looking aside, he didn't dare to look at the affectionate Bumbutai.

"Thank you, ma'am! I'm really worried about the costumes for the grand ceremony. I don't know who the majesty brought?" Dorgon tried to make his voice casual and flat.

Bumbutai pointed to Su Moer next to him.

"Her?" Dorgon looked at her in disbelief.

"She's the most talented woman in our Horqin Grassland. Her embroidery is perfect, and she often makes clothes." Bumbutai said, asking Su Moer to open the bag in her hand , In the baggage, there are all clothes made by Su Mo'er.

Dorgon took it over and looked at it carefully, and then looked at Su Mo'er again.

"You made these? You did all the embroidery on it?" he asked.

Su Mo'er lowered her head and said in a low voice, "My lord, it was done by slaves."

Dorgon nodded.

"It's not bad, but..." Dorgon didn't know how to get Su Mo'er to join in the design and production of grand ceremony costumes.

Bumbutai seemed to know that he would be worried about this, so he said: "You can ask Su Mo'er to draw a sample for you to see. If she thinks it's okay, she doesn't have to go to the Guangchu Division, but just do it in the palace's bedroom." That's it."

Dorgon thought to himself that this would be a good way when he had no idea, so he agreed.

After explaining some things to Su Mo'er, the three of them didn't know what to say.Su Mo'er saw the embarrassment, and wanted to create an opportunity for them to say a few more words, so she found an excuse and went out.However, she did not go far, but watched anxiously not far from the door, she wanted to prevent others from seeing Bumbutai and Dorgon alone together.

Time passed by every minute, and Su Moer was also praying, hoping that they could finish talking as soon as possible.

A few minutes later, Bumbutai came out of the study, and Su Moer rushed to meet him.

Bumbutai's expression was very calm, without the excitement and anxiety before coming here.Su Mo'er let out a long breath of relief.

After walking out of Dorgon's prince's mansion, Bumbutai said to Su Mo'er: "Su Mo'er, when you go back, draw a picture first, and then show it to... the prince."

Su Mo'er nodded.

(3)

After Su Mo'er went back, she began to prepare for the design of the costumes for the grand ceremony.In the past few years, Su Mo'er not only learned Manchu and Chinese, but also practiced calligraphy and painting.

After a few years in Shengjing, Su Mo'er's Manchu proficiency and calligraphy amazed the Manchu teacher in the palace, but she did not forget embroidery.In order to make the things she embroiders lifelike, she thought of learning painting.After Bumbutai knew her idea, he was very supportive, and specially hired a painting teacher named Lu Shan for her.Lu Shan used to be the painter of the Guangchu Division and the teacher of his brothers. He is a good person and has excellent painting skills.

In order to be able to teach Su Moer, an unusual student, Lu Shan not only used up his rest time, but also gave Su Moer many painting books.Although she has no drawing foundation, Su Moer, who is smart and studious, learned to draw quickly.I originally learned painting just to make my embroidery more perfect, but I didn't expect it to come in handy in designing clothes and drawing samples.

"Ah! It's a pity that Teacher Lu Shan passed away, otherwise he would definitely give you a lot of good advice." Bumbutai said with a sudden sigh.

Su Mo'er's heart tightened.Although it has been more than a year since Lu Shan passed away, she still feels sad when she thinks about it.

"It's okay. If you need anything, I'll ask them to get it for you at the Guangchu Division." Bumbutai comforted Su Mo'er.She seemed to be Su Mo'er's maid, asking her what she needed.

"Your Majesty, you should have a good rest. The slaves don't need anything." Su Mo'er advised her to go back to her room to rest.

"Okay, okay, I won't bother you anymore. Think about it carefully, and you will definitely draw a satisfactory sample." Bumbutai said as he walked outside.

After walking out of the study, she also ordered her maid, Jiu'er, to stand guard outside the study.

"You help her get whatever she needs, and you've been following her for a few days," Bumbutai said.

Jiu'er nodded hastily: "Your Majesty, don't worry, this servant will not leave even a single step."

Bumbutai nodded in satisfaction, took two steps and waved to Jiu'er again.Jiu'er passed by, she whispered: "You are outside, don't go in and disturb her."

"Understood, empress." Jiu'er nodded.

Only then did Bumbutai return to his room to rest in peace.

Su Mo'er spent the whole day in the study.When it's time to eat, Jiu'er will bring it in for her. After eating, Jiu'er takes the bowls and chopsticks away, and she starts designing and drawing again.In the evening, she asked Jiu'er to go back to her room to sleep, while she stayed up late to design, and was busy until two or three o'clock in the morning. When she was sleepy, she would lie down on the table and sleep for a while.The paper at hand is drawn and torn, torn and drawn, until I have a good design outline in my heart.

Three days later, Su Mo'er took the outline of the design to ask Bumbutai for his opinion.

"Your Majesty, I want the official uniforms of the Qing Dynasty to have the characteristics of our Mongolian costumes. What do you think?"

"With the characteristics of Mongolian costumes?" Bumbutai opened his eyes wide and became excited: "Great, we want to let the Qing Dynasty have the shadow of our Mongolian people from the costumes."

Seeing that Bumbutai agreed with her opinion, Su Moer gained confidence, and continued, "The hats, robes, boots and slaves in our Mongolian costumes all want to be integrated into the design of official uniforms."

"No, not only official clothes, but also concubine clothes and court ladies' clothes, all of which have the shadow of our Mongolian people." Bumbutai said more and more excited.

"Yes, what your mother said is true. In this way, our Mongolian culture can be integrated into the Central Plains culture, and our Mongolian culture can penetrate into the lives of all people in the Central Plains." Su Mo'er was so excited that she was about to jump up.

"Great! Great! Su Moer, do you know? This is actually part of our mission, and it will even have a greater impact." Bumbutai grabbed Su Moer, and the two of them were in the room Talking and laughing happily.

"The design must be beautiful and very beautiful! When we complete the great cause of unification, let the people of the whole world wear our Mongolian-style costumes." The smile on Bumbutai's face disappeared and he became serious.

"Well, this servant will definitely make a good design!" Su Mo'er clenched her fists to cheer for herself.

Bumbutai's strong support and the significance of clothing made Su Mo'er feel the sense of mission again, which came from the vast grassland.The endless prairie, the galloping horses on the prairie, and the yurts began to appear in her mind.

The sky on the grassland is blue and distant, and the white clouds floating in the sky are like blooming flowers, enchanting and charming.

Su Mo'er suddenly felt a surge of emotion.She picked up the pen and began to draw quickly on the paper.

The first thing Su Moer needs to design is the emperor's costume.When designing the emperor's costumes, she divided them into four types in terms of usage. One is for the emperor to wear when he is in court. This kind of clothing must be solemn and majestic in design and material selection; the other is for various celebrations. , not only gorgeous and noble, but also majestic; there is another kind of clothes that are usually worn, and the most important thing about this kind of clothes is that they are comfortable and convenient to wear; The appearance should be simple and elegant, and it is convenient to wear and move freely.

With a general idea in mind, and using her imagination to combine the characteristics of Mongolian, Manchu, and even Han costumes, Su Mo'er had a lot of ideas in her mind, and she quickly drew a simple pattern.

When Su Mo'er put the emperor's four kinds of costumes in front of Bumbutai, she was overjoyed.

"It's so beautiful! It's so beautiful!" Bumbutai glanced at Su Mo'er.

"You can always give me unexpected surprises! I never imagined that you could draw such a beautiful picture of the emperor's costume in such a short period of time. It's really amazing!"

"Thank you for your praise, my servant. I will definitely try my best to draw it better, which is more in line with the emperor's noble and majestic status." Su Mo'er said happily.

"Don't make yourself too tired, you haven't had a good rest for several nights." Bumbutai said looking at Su Mo'er who looked a bit haggard.

"Not tired!" Su Mo'er smiled shyly.

"Su Mo'er, you have changed so much. You are no longer that poor, timid, illiterate little girl on the grassland. Although you are always by my side, I can hardly recognize you. Those grand masters in the palace are much more powerful." Bumbutai looked at Su Mo'er, who was looking slim, and a girl wiping tears on a startled horse appeared in his mind, and said with emotion.

"Your Majesty, but the maidservant will always be the daughter of the grassland, the maid beside your Majesty." Su Mo'er's nose was sore, and her eyes were full of tears.

(End of this chapter)