The motivating medicine Wei Yanwan drank was a poison used by ancient emperors to deal with their concubines and ministers.
It is believed that after taking this medicine, a person's head will begin to twitch, and finally the person's head will be rickety connected with the foot and die. The main ingredient of this medicine is the traditional Chinese medicine Nux vomica, and the strychnine in it will damage the central nervous system, causing a strong reaction and eventually leading to muscle atrophy. The poisoned person will suffocate, become weak and convulse, and eventually die. One of the three most famous poisons in history, alongside Hedinghong and Gelsemium.
Wei Yanwan is one of the main villains in "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace", based on Wei Jia, the Xiaoyi pure empress of Emperor Gaozong and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. She was born as a maid in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and rose through the ranks to become an imperial concubine. She also gave birth to a son for Emperor Qianlong, who later became the mother of Emperor Jiaqing.
Wei Yanwan is so scheming that in order to fly on a branch and become a phoenix, she does not hesitate to break off the relationship with her childhood sweetheart Ling Yunche. She framed others and killed her own prince, and was ruthless. After losing the heart of the emperor, she became a decoration in the harem of the Forbidden City. In the end, because of the failure of her conspiracy, she was reported by the concubines and executed.
Character Evaluation
In "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace", Wei Yanwan is a very complex and contradictory character. She has both talent and ability, as well as ambition and selfish desires. She once abandoned her childhood sweetheart Ling Yunche for fame, wealth and status, and framed many concubines. However, after she was successfully promoted to promise, she did not forget Ling Yunche, and her heart was filled with guilt and self-blame.
In terms of personality, Wei Yanwan’s most distinctive characteristics are paranoia and narrow-mindedness. She will do whatever it takes to achieve her goals, even betraying herself and others. Her behavior often feels unreasonable, but it also reflects her way of survival in the court.
In general, Wei Yanwan is a character full of contradictions. She has both outstanding abilities and talents, as well as despicable behavior and moral character. Her fate is also full of drama and changes, which makes people think about the meaning and value of life.