princes
The princes (皇子) where the legitimate sons
of the Emperor. They could be either the sons of the Empress or
the sons of one of the Royal Concubines. But officially they were all considerate sons of the Empress, who would be their adoptive mother and play the role of educator.
The Emperor's children were often referred to by their order of birth, e.g., Eldest Prince, Second Prince, Third Prince, Forth Prince etc.
The princes were often given titles of peerage once they reached adulthood. As they become adults they were given also the control of one of the provinces of the Empire with the relative estate and a fancy palace in the Capital, outside the Forbidden City. As soon as they reach adulthood would lose the right to live in the Inner Palace, but they could go in certain period of the year to visit their mothers and the Emperor. They were highly educated in Confucian Classics, literature, fine arts, but also in martial arts. According to their natural ability, they would be given a certain province. for example, the princes that show a good predisposition to martial arts would be given in command the border provinces and would serve as General Commanders in the Imperial Army.
When they were in the capital they would serve in court by law, together with the Emperor's brothers and uncles, and held equal status with other court officials (子). The Emperor was always elevated above all others despite any chronological or generational superiority.
The Emperor's children were often referred to by their order of birth, e.g., Eldest Prince, Second Prince, Third Prince, Forth Prince etc.
The princes were often given titles of peerage once they reached adulthood. As they become adults they were given also the control of one of the provinces of the Empire with the relative estate and a fancy palace in the Capital, outside the Forbidden City. As soon as they reach adulthood would lose the right to live in the Inner Palace, but they could go in certain period of the year to visit their mothers and the Emperor. They were highly educated in Confucian Classics, literature, fine arts, but also in martial arts. According to their natural ability, they would be given a certain province. for example, the princes that show a good predisposition to martial arts would be given in command the border provinces and would serve as General Commanders in the Imperial Army.
When they were in the capital they would serve in court by law, together with the Emperor's brothers and uncles, and held equal status with other court officials (子). The Emperor was always elevated above all others despite any chronological or generational superiority.