Before and during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Ching Dynasty, the Palace of Heavenly Purity was the Residential Palace of the Emperor, and the place where the Emperors both lived and handled State Affairs.
Third Ching Emperor Yongzheng and his successors would prefer the nearby Palace of the Cultivation of the Mind (YangXin Dian) for living, but would still read official memorandums and reports at the Qian Qing Gong. They would also receive visitors and Foreign Dignitaries at this Palace.
Before Court sessions, the Courtiers, Ministers and Generals would await outside the Palace for the Emperor to make his appearance.
Hanging on the Wall in the Center of the Hall above the Throne is a Plaque with the inscription "To Be Fair and Open". This plaque was handwritten by the Emperor Shunzhi himself.
A practice invented by Emperor Kangxi the Imperial Edict on the succession to the Throne would secretly be hidden behind this Plaque. Yongzhen perfected the new ritual by adding a second "ballot", son his own trick of tempering with the succession-ballot and usurping the Throne could not be repeated.
The succeeding Qianlong and JiaJing Emperors used the same method to appoint their successors.
The Imperial Palace Museum
- Inner Court - Palace of Heavenly Purity -
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The courtyard and Gate of Heavenly Purity with behind it clearly visible the roof of BaoHe Dian, the last ceremonial Throne Hall of the Outer Court.
The Official schematic Map of The Forbidden City, by The Palace Museum.
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The Palace of Heavenly Purity, part of the inner court, is the Palace where last Emperor Pu Yi lived and slept in his early and first years at the Imperial Palace (1908-1911 AD). Pu Yi would go to school at a palace just south-east of here, the Yu Ching Gong - Palace of Cultivation of Happiness, which was renamed Palace of bringing-forth of blessings just for the occassion. Here Pu Yi would receive tutelage first from the old manchu courtier Chen Pao-Shen and later, between 1919 and 1925, education in western knowledge and custom from the British colonial official (later Sir) Reginal Flemming Johnston, as so well portrayed in the movie. In all Emperor would have 5 Imperial Tutors of which Johnston and Pao-Shen proved the most influential on the Emperor's life. Chen Pao-Shen would always be the Grand Tutor.
