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To
the east of the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity and south of Hall of
Joyful Longevity lies a group of construction, which takes the style of
a sanheyuan (a kind of construction style with a main hall in the center
and two secondary in both sides). First built in the 15th year of Qianlong
reign during the Qing dynasty and burned down in 1860, later rebuilt in
1892, it is famous for serving as a prison for Emperor Guangxu for ten
years.
The center hall, which faces the south with
a back door leading to Yiyunguan, the former residence of Guangxu's express,
is the Hall of Jade Billows.
In 1898, after the failure of the Reform
Movement, Empress Dowager Cixi put Emperor Guangxu under house arrest
in Yingtai (Water Terrace Pavilion) in Zhongnanhai (the Central South
Sea) near the Forbidden City, and later in Hall of Jade Billows.
Emperor Guangxu was closely watched here.
The back door of this hall was sealed and several brick walls were put
up to surround the courtyard. From then on, the once noblest emperor was
isolated within those walls for ten years.
Two human-shaped rocks were erected in front
of the hall by the order of Empress Dowager Cixi. Resembling a mother
and a son, the two rocks intended to symbolize the natural affection between
the mother and child, seeming to criticize Guangxu's disobedience and
ruthlessness.
Articles exhibited in his hall include a
throne, a table, an incense burner and a screen.
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