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The imperial concubine whose body emits fragrance

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Xiangfei

Xiangfei,

Xiangfei, called Rongfei in history, has been respected and praised in history for her contribution to maintain the peace between ethic groups. People call her Xiangfei, meaning the Fragrant Concubine, for her body emitting fragrant aura since she has born. She is Qianlong Emperor’s most favored concubine, and is the only one from ethnic Uighur minority among all Qinglong’concubines.
About Xiangfei, there are various folk stories passed down. And the strangest thing is about the fragrant flavor from her body. Story has it that butterflies will come around her for the fragrance when she appears in the garden. It is well know that everyone emits body odour, but the body odour being so fragrant that attracts butterfly is rarely happen since Xiangfei’s passing away.
Many people have studied on Xiangfei’s fragrance. Some say it is caused by the special tea Xiangfei drinks. Some point out that it is caused by the spice with which Xiangfei bathes. And some argues that it is caused by Xiangfei’s distinctive living environment of her childhood. However, all these views are inconvincible. For almost a thousand years, why Xiangfei’s body emits fragrant aura is still a mystery.