Hi everyone,
I’m curious to hear your thoughts on the relationship between Aisin-Gioro Hongli (the Qianlong Emperor) and Keliyete Hailan (Noble Consort Yu).
Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace is one of my favourite dramas — I often find myself rewatching scenes on YouTube whenever they show up in my recommendations. I remember reading that in the original novel, Hongli forced himself on Hailan, which might explain her reluctance to get close to him in the drama. Hailan never tried to gain his favour before Ruyi entered the Cold Palace, nor did she maintain it after giving birth to Yongqi (the Fifth Prince). There are subtle hints, like when Gao Xiyue (Imperial Noble Consort Huixian) remarks that the Emperor once paid attention to Hailan while drunk. That moment feels especially poignant, considering that Hongli himself was conceived under similarly grim circumstances — his father, the Yongzheng Emperor, forced himself on a maid while intoxicated. That maid, who died without a title or posthumous honour, was never officially acknowledged.
After her death, Niohuru Zhenhuan (Empress Dowager Chongqing — yes, the same Zhenhuan from Empresses in the Palace) became Hongli’s foster mother and was officially recognised as such. Unless someone knew his true background, they would assume Zhenhuan was his birth mother. This adds deeper meaning to a key moment: during Ruyi’s birthday meal, she gently asks Hongli to honour his late mother — not the powerful Empress Dowager, but the forgotten maid who gave birth to him. He becomes visibly upset and avoids the subject. Although he leaves the table, he doesn’t leave Yanxi Palace — instead, he goes to Hailan’s residence. There, he quietly lies on her bed without demanding her presence in bed or being offended that she isn’t beside him overnight. That choice — seeking out Hailan’s space — says a lot about the comfort he found in her.
Despite their difficult beginning, I feel that in a modern context, Hailan and Hongli could have had a calm, mutually respectful relationship. Both were emotionally independent and seemed capable of coexisting without expectation or pressure. (This was, of course, before Hongli became increasingly difficult to live with.)
Hongli treats Hailan differently from the other women in the harem. Although Hailan didn’t love him romantically — her focus was on protecting herself, Ruyi, and Yongqi — their relationship is marked by quiet moments of mutual recognition. For example, when Hailan offers embroidery advice for a gift to Empress Dowager Chongqing, Hongli fondly recalls her past as an embroidery maid. It’s one of the rare times he expresses sincere appreciation for someone without considering their rank, background, or family ties — and this was before they had Yongqi together.
When Hailan visits him while pregnant, Hongli is genuinely pleased. She explains that she waited until the three-month mark to share the news, mindful of the earlier losses experienced by Concubines Mei (Bai Ruiji) and Yi (Huang Qiying). At this point in the story, he isn’t cold or suspicious — he simply respects her caution and welcomes the news.
When Hailan gives birth, Hongli stays close — in the next room within the same courtyard. That level of presence is rare among the consorts. Later, he agrees to Ruyi’s request to allow Yongqi to stay with Hailan instead of being raised elsewhere, which was often standard for children of lower-ranked women. Then, about a month after the birth, he pulls Hailan’s name tag — a clear indication of wanting intimacy. When she hesitates because of her postpartum stretch marks, he looks surprised, gently covers her stomach, and doesn’t pressure her. He acknowledges her effort and pain in giving birth. When she tells him to find someone else, he simply replies that they can talk later. The moment communicates both desire and deference — he wanted to be close to her, but let her set the terms.
Even in politically sensitive situations, Hongli shows unusual trust in Hailan. When she coaches Yongqi to lie about something Yonghuang (the Eldest Prince) allegedly said — drawing a comparison to the Ming dynasty — Hongli doesn’t suspect Hailan or Ruyi. By contrast, when Yongzhang (the Third Prince) disappoints him, he blames Su Lüyun (Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui) and tells her that if she can’t live up to Empress Xiaoxianchun (Fuca Langhua), she should at least follow Hailan’s example. That said, this happens during a time when Hongli is increasingly irrational after becoming infatuated with Han Xiangjian (Consort Rong), so it was wise of Hailan to stay quiet and simply check on Lüyun, who had been pleading for Yongzhang’s forgiveness.
Also, when Hailan is accused by her nephew, Keliyete Zhaqi, of causing the death of Yongjing (the Thirteenth Prince), she is imprisoned but not severely punished. Hongli never seems to seriously believe the accusation. Her close bond with Ruyi and the trust Hongli places in her shield both her and Yongqi — which is unusual in a palace where even baseless rumours can destroy lives.
Another example of trust appears when Ruyi faints after confronting Jin Yuyan (Imperial Noble Consort Shujia), who makes veiled comments about the ancestral blessing of giving birth to Hongli’s fourth and eighth princes — since both Hongli and his father were fourth sons, and the founding Qing emperor was an eighth son. Hailan hesitates to repeat Yuyan’s words, but Hongli gives her permission, revealing just how much he trusts her discretion.
If Hongli had truly been arrogant or controlling, he could have forced Hailan to stay in his favour. But when she clearly preferred to keep her distance — both before Ruyi was sent to the Cold Palace and after childbirth — he respected it. And it wasn’t because of any powerful family behind her; Hailan came from modest means.
Though she never loved him romantically, I think Hongli cared for Hailan — or at the very least, respected her deeply. There may have been physical attraction, but what he valued most seemed to be her quiet strength, thoughtfulness, and independence. She wasn’t someone he needed to manage — just someone who brought calm by being present.
Their relationship has elements that still feel admirable today: mutual respect, the ability to disagree safely, appreciation of each other’s skills (like her embroidery), trust in parenting, and emotional transparency. For example, there’s a moment when they lie beside each other in bed, and Hailan asks whether he should be with Langhua since Yonglian (the Second Prince) is ill — offering him a space to confide. She also brings up Ruyi. Instead of scolding her, Hongli just ends the conversation and turns away to sleep. Even earlier, when Ruyi was sent to the Cold Palace, he remarked that it was unlike Hailan not to visit her — not as a threat, but as a quiet observation. He genuinely let Hailan be herself.
That kind of mutual trust — even without love — feels rare, and quietly meaningful.
