The Burning of the Imperial Palace

In 1852, Yulan is selected during the triennial Imperial Harem selection. Although her beauty stands out, she initially has little hope of closeness to the Xianfeng Emperor due to a vow from the Yehenara clan against the rival Aisin Gioro clan. The event marks the beginning of Yulan's path within the imperial household.

While the Emperor walks through the Yuanming Garden, he is drawn to a song reportedly sung by Yulan, who is nearby. This moment sparks his curiosity and sets the stage for their growing bond. The setting in the garden becomes the cradle of their romance.

The Emperor promotes Yulan to the rank of concubine. A year later, she gives birth to his only son, which leads to her elevation within the harem.

Her status rises to noble consort, and the couple's married life unfolds mostly in the Yuanming Garden, where the Emperor teaches her how to respond to regional officials.

Facing the advance of Anglo-French forces, Yulan proposes appointing Yixin, Prince Gong, as a senior advisor. She and Prince Gong advocate making peace with Western powers rather than escalating military conflict, shaping early diplomacy.

In a meeting presided by the Emperor, Yulan and Prince Gong present their peace-friendly plan and persuade the Emperor to seek talks with Western powers. The Emperor agrees and orders a peace negotiation to take place at Tungchow, where the Qing forces are stationed.

At Tongzhou, British envoy Harry Parkes presses for a grand entry and salutes. Sengge Rinchen defeats Parkes in a tense exchange and takes the foreign delegations into custody.

As negotiations falter, the Qing cavalry suffers a series of devastating defeats at the Battle of Palikao. The military setback undermines the Western powers' leverage and accelerates the collapse of the peace effort.

With Palikao's defeat, the Xianfeng Emperor withdraws to the Summer Resort in Jehol to preserve the court. He entrusts Prince Gong with leading the negotiations with the Western powers.

British and French troops push into the Chinese capital, overwhelming scattered Qing defenses. The city loses its remaining control as foreign forces take key positions.

Despite the overall military weakness, a peasant family volunteers to defend the capital and inflicts casualties on the invading expeditionary force. Their act becomes a symbolic last stand amid the occupation.

On October 18, 1860, Lord Elgin orders the sacking and complete destruction of the Palace of All Palaces, with a fire lasting three days. The burning palace and garden becomes a stark symbol of national humiliation.