Ruichu (simplified: 蕊初, traditional: 蕊初, pinyin: Ruìchū, jyutping: jeoi5 co1) is Mao Dongzhu’s (毛东珠) personal handmaiden, serving the fake Empress Dowager in the Qing court in The Deer and the Cauldron.
Biography
Service as Mao Dongzhu’s handmaiden
Ruichu serves as a personal handmaiden to Mao Dongzhu, the fake Empress Dowager. Her position gives her close access to Mao Dongzhu and allows her to participate in various activities related to Mao Dongzhu’s service.
As Mao Dongzhu’s personal handmaiden, Ruichu is involved in her daily activities and routines, making her privy to various aspects of Mao Dongzhu’s life and service.
Relationship with Mao Dongzhu
Ruichu maintains a close working relationship with Mao Dongzhu, serving as her trusted handmaiden and assistant. Her position requires her to be constantly available and reliable, creating a relationship based on trust and service.
Their relationship demonstrates how Mao Dongzhu relied on trusted handmaidens like Ruichu to carry out various tasks and maintain her deception as the fake Empress Dowager.
Role in palace
Ruichu participates in various palace functions and activities, serving as a member of the palace staff. Her role includes performing various duties and services for Mao Dongzhu, contributing to the overall functioning of the court.
As a palace servant, Ruichu is part of the service structure that supports the functioning of the Qing court, contributing to the overall operation of the palace.
Significance
Ruichu represents the theme of palace service and the role of handmaidens in the Qing court. Her position as Mao Dongzhu’s personal handmaiden demonstrates how the Qing dynasty organized its palace service, with handmaidens handling various duties and services for members of the imperial family.
Her character also highlights the theme of loyalty and service, showing how handmaidens like Ruichu served their mistresses faithfully, even when their service involved supporting deceptions and schemes.
Ruichu’s character contributes to the broader theme of palace intrigue and the dangerous nature of imperial politics, showing how even low-ranking handmaidens like Ruichu could become involved in the schemes and deceptions of more powerful individuals.