maids
Maids, together with the eunuchs, were the servants of the Forbidden City. They were divided in many different ranks, on the base of their family social status. A maid could have been the daughter of a poor artisan as the daughter of a rich family. To be chosen as maid to enter the palace they had to be selected by a special board, usually composed by eunuchs.
Maids to enter the palace were chosen in rotation every three or five years. Once they entered the palace they were bind to serve for 10 years and to give up any contact with the outside, including family members. They usually entered the palace at the age of fifteen and, if they were able to survive, leave at the age of 25. They were usually victim of abuse, especially from imperial concubines. They could lose their ranks, receive severe body punishment and be put to death even for a little error.
The highest rank among the maid was that of maid-in-waiting. They were usually the maid from the richer families, that had received a good education. They were responsible to follow and wait at Empress or the Royal Concubines. Working 24/24 they would never leave the side of their lady, they would even sleep in the same room.
After they reached the age of 25 they could choose to leave or to stay in the Palace. If they decided to leave, they would be given a rich reward for their service and the Palace officials would arrange for them a good marriage with a rich person.
Maids to enter the palace were chosen in rotation every three or five years. Once they entered the palace they were bind to serve for 10 years and to give up any contact with the outside, including family members. They usually entered the palace at the age of fifteen and, if they were able to survive, leave at the age of 25. They were usually victim of abuse, especially from imperial concubines. They could lose their ranks, receive severe body punishment and be put to death even for a little error.
The highest rank among the maid was that of maid-in-waiting. They were usually the maid from the richer families, that had received a good education. They were responsible to follow and wait at Empress or the Royal Concubines. Working 24/24 they would never leave the side of their lady, they would even sleep in the same room.
After they reached the age of 25 they could choose to leave or to stay in the Palace. If they decided to leave, they would be given a rich reward for their service and the Palace officials would arrange for them a good marriage with a rich person.