The BRUTAL Life of a Concubine in Imperial China

Get early episodes & bonus perks on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DrowsyHistorian Ever wondered what it was really like to be a concubine in Imperial China? Spoiler: it wasn’t all silk robes and poetic moonlit evenings. In this sleep-friendly deep dive, you’ll step into the embroidered slippers of a palace concubine — chosen, trained, ranked, and slowly erased. From the ruthless selection process to the weaponized womb politics, from the silent war zones of the Inner Court to the terrifying power of the Dowager Empress, this video explores the harsh, quiet reality of harem life behind the Forbidden City’s beautiful walls. You’ll learn about the hierarchy, the surveillance, the poison-laced etiquette — all narrated in calm, darkly dry tones to lull you into a state of informed despair. 🛏️ Drowsy Historian’s Favorite Sleep Tools Looking to upgrade your nighttime routine? These are a few things I personally use or recommend: • Sleep Earbuds for Enhanced Immersion → https://amzn.to/4pVFoJy • Blanket Soft Enough to Make the Plague Feel Tolerable → https://amzn.to/3GSOq8f • Weighted Blanket for Pretending You’re a Mummified Pharaoh → https://amzn.to/4kVJCgE • Sleep Mask Headphones For Total Historical Escape → https://amzn.to/4nWsNVn • Book Light for Reading About Plagues at 2AM → https://amzn.to/4eSg0iu • White Noise Machine for Blocking Out the 21st Century → https://amzn.to/3GJ9jTw These are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show while staying cozy.