Consort Madness

Historical Chinese Drama Consorts, Concubines, Empress, and Empress Dowagers and other Harem woman are my specialty Inbox me if you want me post a Historical Chinese drama Consort, Concubine, Empress, Empress Dowagers or other Harem woman now posting Historical Korean Dramas

[consortmadness]

Consorts of Qianlong Emperor (2/22)

Empress Nara of the Manchu Bordered Blue Banner Nara clan (11 March 1718- 19 Aug 1766)

Daughter of Narbu

Empress of Aisin Gioro Hongli, Qianlong Emperor (m. 1734)

Mother of:

Yongji, Prince of the Third Rank (7 June 1752- 17 March 1776)

Unnamed daughter (23 July 1753 – 1 June 1755)

Yongjing (22 January 1756 – 7 September 1757)

Titles

Secondary Consort (2 December 1734)

Consort Xian (23 January 1738)

Noble Consort Xian (9 December 1745)

Imperial Noble Consort (20 May 1749)

Empress (2 September 1750)

[consortmadness]

Consorts of Qianlong Emperor (1/22)

(I am only doing the ones with information I will be using other historical chinese dramas of certain consorts not all of them will be from the same drama)

Empress Xiaoxianchun of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Fuca clan (28 March 1712- 8 April 1748)

Daughter of Fuca Lirongbao, 3rd Rank Military Official of Chahar & 1st Class Duke and Lady Gioro

Empress of Aisin Gioro Hongli, Qianlong Emperor (m. 1727)

Mother of:

Unnamed daughter (3 Nov 1728- 14 Feb 1730)

Aisin Gioro Yonglian, Crown Prince Duanhai (9 Aug 1730- 24 Nov 1738)

Princess Heijing of the First Rank (31 July 1731- 30 Sep 1792)

Aisin Gioro Yongcong, Prince Zhe of the First Rank (27 May 1746- 29 Jan 1748)

Titles

Lady Fuca

Primary Consort (3 Sep 1727)

Empress (23 Jan 1738)

Empress Xiaoxian (16 June 1748)

Empress Xiaoxianchun (1799)

[duccyslastbraincell]

Also, don't misunderstand me.

I have a level of fondness for all the recurring women in the harem in Ruyi, with the exception of A'ruo. A lot of people hate Langhua, I personally just feel bad for her. Most of the actions she took were mostly misguided or products of manipulation either from her mother or Jia.

The only characters I truly wanted to punch in the face are Qianlong, A'ruo and maybe Jinzhong (the evil eunuch who was Yanwan's super creepy lackey)

[consortmadness]

My request and ask are open until 9:30 pm

[consortmadness]

Hi my consorts I’m doing another Discord but this time it’s just a regular one where I can meet new people please be at least 18+

Hang out and enjoy free voice and text chat.

[consortmadness]

Empresses of the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasty (3/?) (only the ones that I can get information on)

Danashiri of the Kipchak clan, Empress of Yuan Dynasty (1320-1335)

Daughter of El Temur, Prime Minister of the Yuan Dynasty and Lady Kipchak

Empress of Tohgon Temür, Huizong Emperor of Yuan (m.1333)

Mother:

Prince Maha

[consortmadness]

Empresses of the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasty (2/?) (only the ones that I can get information on)

Budashiri of the Khongird clan, Empress of the Yuan Dynasty and Khatun of the Mongols

Daughter of Prince Consort Diwabala, Prince of Lu and Sengge Ragi, Princess Supreme of Lu

Empress and Khatun of Jataatu Khan Tugh Temur, Wenzong Emperor of Yuan (16 October 1328- 2 Sept 1332)

Mother of

Artanadara (d.22 Feb 1331)

Gunadara, El Tegüs (c.1329-c.1340)

Banning, Taipingna (died young)

Titles:

Empress of the Yuan and Khatun of the Mongols (6 Oct 1328-26 Feb 1329) (1) (8 Sep 1329-2 Sep 1332) (2)

Empress Dowager of the Yuan Dynasty (2 Sep 1332-19 July 1333)

Grand Empress Dowager of the Yuan Dynasty (19 July 1333- c. 1340)

[consortmadness]

Empresses of the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasty (1/?) (only the ones that I can get information on)

Chabi, Empress of Yuan Dynasty and Khatun of the Mongols (c.1216-1281)

Daughter of Achen, Prince of Jining Zhongwu of Khongirad

Empress of Kublai Khan (1239-1281)

Mother of:

Yule, Grand Princess of Zhao

Ulujin, Grand Princes of Chang

Chalun, Princess-Aunt of the State of Chang

Crown Prince Zhenjin, Prince of Yan (c. 1242-280)

Manggala, Prince of Anxi (c. 1242-1280)

Öljei, Grand Princess of Lu

Nomugan, Prince of Beiping (d.1301)

Nangiajin, Grand Princess of Lu

Kokechi, Prince of Yunnan (d.1271)

Qutluq Kelmish, Imperial-Aunt of the State of Ji; Grand Queen Mother Inmyeong (28 June 1259-1 June 1297)

Grandmother of

Gammala, Prince of Jin (1263-1302)

Darmabala, Shùnzōng (1264-1292)

Temür Khan, Emperor Chengzong of Yuan (15 Oct 1265-10 Feb 1307)

Qutadmish, Grand Princess of Qi

Nangabula, Grand Princess of Lu

Princess Budagan

Ananda, Prince of Anxi and Qin (1723-1307)

Altan Buqa, Prince of Qin (d.1323)

Arslan Baqa

Princess Nugulan

Wang Wôn, Chungseon of Goryeo (20 Oct 1275-23 June 1325)

[consortmadness]

Chinese and Korean Imperial Harem Scandals (3/?)

Queen Inmok of the Yonan Kim clan — The Imprisoned Queen

Who is Queen Inmok?

Queen Inmok of the Yonan Kim clan was the second Queen consort of Yi Yeon, King Seonju. The future queen was born on 5 Dec 1584, Hansongbang, Hanseong, during the reign of King Seonjo. Her father, KIm Je-nam, was a member of Yonan Kim clan and her other was a member of the Gwangju No clan. In both sides of her family, Lady Kim had distant royal relations. Through her paternal step grandmother, she was a maternal 6th step great-granddaughter of Princess Jeongui and a maternal step great-granddaughter of Queen Soheon and King Sejong. Princess Jeongju was the older sister of King Munjong, King Sejo, and Grand Prince Imyeong. Her mother Lady No was a paternal cousin of Crown Prince Minhoe’s maternal grandmother, making Lady Kim a first cousin two times twice removed of the princess consort. Through her paternal great-great-great grandfather, Lady Kim was first cousins thrice removed of Kim Allo and also became the 8th great-grandaunt of Kim Su-deok, Prince Kang’s wife, through her younger brother, KIm Gyu.

Marriage to King Seonjo

In 1602, at age 19 Lady KIm was later chose and arranged to marry King Seonju to become his Queen Consort after King Seonju’s first Queen Consort, Queen Uiin died in 1600. The King himself at the time was 32 years her senior and was older than her parents; her mother being 5 year and her father being 10 years his junior. The marriage was considered the second oldest marriage with Queen Jeongsun’s and King Yeongjo’s having a 51 years age gap being the first. After becoming Queen, her father was given the royal title, Internal Prince Yeonheung, and her mother was given the royal title, Internal Princess Consort Gwangsan.

Rise and Birth of the Crown Prince

By the time she was named Queen Consort, her husband had already appointed Prince Gwanghae as his Heir to the throne as Queen Uiin died with out issue. Gwanghae was the second son of Seongjo, born to Royal Noble Consort Gong of the Gimhae KIm clan, the King’s senior 1st rank concubine. Gwanghae acted as the de facto ruler of the Joseon Dynasty during the Japanese invasions of Korea from 1592 until 1598. In 1603, the Queen gave birth to Princess Jeongmyeong. She birthed another princess in 1604 but that child died in infancy that same year. In 1606, the Queen gave birth to a son, Yi Ui, later honoured as Grand Prince Yeongchang. According to Gyechuk Ilgi, Gwanghae and his in-laws were greatly agitated because they believe Gwanghae's position as heir to the throne was threatened, because according to the law, the Queen's son had higher rank and better claim in the succession than a concubine's son. Seonjo and a few of his supporters had plans to push his legitimate son as heir, but Gwanghae soon found out and Seonjo was unable to enact this change due to his unexpected death. Seonju’s late decision to name Yeongchang heir caused a succession crisis: two factions formed — The Lesser Northerners supporting Yeongchang and Queen Inmok’s clan and The Greater Northerners supporting Gwanghae.

Death of King Seonjo and the Gwanghae Coup (1608)

King Seonju died suddenly in 1608 leaving the royal decree of succession ambiguous. Ministers from the Greater Northerners faction seized control of the royal seal and enthroned Prince Gwanghae as King Gwanghaegun and the Queen was honored as Queen Dowager Soseong.

The Queen Dowager’s Imprisonment and the “West Palace Incident”

Under the new regime, Queen Dowager Inmok initially retained her ranks and residence in the West Palace. However, the Greater Northerners viewed her and her clan as direct threats to Gwanghaegun;s legitimacy so during his reign, Gwanghae persecuted Soseong and Yeongchang relentlessly. Soseong resisted the King's insistent demands that she turn over Yeongchang to him. Eventually, she handed Yeongchang over to Gwanghae so he could be raised and educated in the palace as a Royal Prince. Unfortunately, Yeongchang was exiled to Ganghwa Island along with the Queen Dowager's father, Kim Je-nam, her brothers and brother-in-law who were all facing investigation. In 1613, the King sentenced Kim Je-Nam, her brothers and her brother-in-law to death. In 1614, her son, Yeongchang was also sentenced to death by poisoning.

Years of Isolation

From 1613 to 1623, Queen Dowager Inmok lived in effective house arrest she was forbidden to hold court, see her daughter, or even maintain correspondence. The Annals of King Gwanghaegun record:“The Queen Dowager’s residence was sealed, and no one might enter or leave without permission of the State Council. Her few remaining attendants recorded that she spent her days in prayer, reading Buddhist sutras and Confucian texts, and quietly mourning her son.

The Injo Restoration (1623)

Her confinement ended when. Gwanghae was desposed in 1623 and replaced by her step-grandson, Gwanghae’s nephew, King Injo. Queen Inmok played an active role in this coup, formally ordering the dethronement of King Gwanghae, and urging King Injo to claim the throne. She and her daughter were also granted permission to live within Changdeokgung with their titles and positions being reinstated; she was later honored as Grand Queen Dowager Myeongryol in 1624. During Kim Injo's enthronement, her 21 year-old daughter, Princess Jeongmyeong, was considered too old to marry. So the Princess was to quickly be married off to someone who was younger than her rather than them being older or of similar age. There isn't an explanation as to why the marriage selection of Princess Jeongmyeong was delayed, but it was said that it might have been the fear and worry the Grand Queen Dowager held towards her daughter living outside of the palace during Gwanghaegun's reign. Her daughter later married Hong Ju-won in 1623, who was 3 years her junior, and eventually had 7 sons and 1 daughter during their marriage. One of her grandsons became the great-great-grandfather of Lady Hyegyŏng; the future wife of her step great-great-great-great-great-grandson, Crown Prince Sado.

Later Life and Death

Although restored, Queen Inmok lived quietly and refused to re-enter political affairs. She reportedly kept a memorial shrine to her son Yeongchang and ordered that no celebrations be held on the anniversaries of this death. The Grand Queen Dowager died during King Injo’s 9th year of reign at the age of 47 on 3 Aug 1632, and is buried in Mokneung, Guri, Gyenoggi, with her husband and his first queen consort Queen Uiin. She was posthumously honored as Queen Inmok. Poor to her death, Queen Inmok had made and given a note to her family regarding the life of a royal. She stated and pleaded to to have family relatives from her clan to marry within the royal family as she suffered from carrying the burden as one. The note would eventually pass down to her 8th great-grandniece, Kim Su-deok Duchess Consort of Yi Kang, who would also suffer an unhappy arranged marriage.

[consortmadness]

Chinese and Korean Imperial Harem Scandals (2/?)

Chen Jiao, Empress Chen of Wu – Witchcraft and Intertility

Who was Chen Jiao?

Chen Jiao was born in 166/165 BC to Chen Wu, Marquess of Tanya, and Liu Piao, the Grand Princess Guantao. Chen Jiao was the older cousin of Liu Che (Emperor Wu of Han). Her mother Grand Princess Guantao initially proposed to marry Chen Jiao to Liu Rong, Emperor Jing’s eldest son and crown prince at the time, as well as one of his favorite concubine, Lady Li.

Marriage and Rise to Favor

Lady Li rudely rejected the proposal as she was upset that Grand Princess Guantao often procured new concubines for Emperor Jing (therefore gaining his favour at the expense of Lady Li). A greatly humiliated and frustrated Grand Princess Guantao then approached Consort Wang Zhi, another concubine favoured by Emperor Jing, and offered to marry her daughter to Consort Wang's 5-year-old son Liu Che, Emperor Jing's tenth (and arguably favourite) son and then the Prince of Jiaodong. Consort Wang, who had been watching quietly from the sidelines, saw her opportunity and welcomed the proposal immediately. This political marriage secured an alliance between them. They then plotted together to ensure that Emperor Jing became increasingly annoyed at Lady Li. Coupled with Lady Li's own foolishness, it eventually resulted in the deposition of Liu Rong, who was demoted from crown prince to the Prince of Linjiang in 150 BC and exiled out of the capital Chang'an. Lady Li died soon after, and Liu Rong was arrested two years later for illegally seizing imperial shrine lands and committed suicide in custody. But Emperor Jing initially did not approve of the union between Liu Che and Chen Jiao due to their age difference (Chen was at least 8–9 years older than Liu Che). Liu Che was later created crown prince at the age of 7 and formally married Chen as the empress-designate some years later. When Emperor Jing died in early 141 BC, the 16-year-old heir apparent Liu Che ascended to the throne as Emperor Wu, and formally made his newly-wed wife Empress not long after.

The Problem of Heirs

Despite her favor, Empress Chen failed to produce a son. In a dynasty still consolidating its legitimacy after early succession struggles, this was a serious flaw. Palace records note repeated prayer and sacrifices to seek divine blessings for pregnancy. Emperor Wu grew increasingly anxious about succession and begin favoring other concubines who born him children. While attending an annual spring ceremonial ritual at Bashang in 139 BC, during the second year of his reign, Emperor Wu decided to pay a casual visit to his older sister’s household on the way back. His sister Princess Pingyang, who had long intended to imitate her aunt Grand Princess Guantao and establish herself some political leverage, had prepared a collection of young women to offer for her brother's concubinage. However, her plan did not work out, as none of her candidates managed to impress Emperor Wu. Realizing her brother was disappointed and bored, she called in her in-house dancers for entertainment. This time, Emperor Wu set his eyes on a beautiful young singer called Wei Zifu and had immediately fallen in love with her. Following a romantic encounter with Wei Zifu, Emperor Wu immediately conferred a thousand pieces of gold to his sister as a reward, who in turn offered the new girl to him as a gift. However, after returning to Chang'an, Emperor Wu was forced to abandon Wei Zifu as an insignificant palace maid and neglected her for over a year under pressure from Empress Chen.

The Witchcraft Scandal

By the 130s BC, Emperor Wu’s affection had shifted to Lady Wei Zifu, a palace singer introduced by her half-brother, General Wei Qing. Wei Zifu’s rise — coupled with the growing prominence of her family — threatened Empress Chen’s positioned. She eventually resorted to the occult as a last-ditch attempt to salvage the situation, and was approached by a witch named Chu Fu, who claimed she had magical tricks that could help to restore the Emperor’s love, as well as curse any concubines Empress Chen disliked. Completely convinced by the witch, Empress Chen conducted rituals with Chu Fu day and night, drunk potions, created nail voodoo dolls of Consort Wei, and “slept together like husband and wife” with Chu Fu dressed in men’s garments.

Downfall and Death

Witchcraft was a capital offense according to Han laws, especially if it involved noble families. Empress Chen's association with Chu Fu was soon discovered, and Emperor Wu assigned the infamously feared prosecutor Zhang Tang to investigate. After Zhang's massive crackdown, Chu Fu was arrested and executed by decapitation, along with more than 300 other accused individuals. Emperor Wu then issued an edict officially deposing Empress Chen from the position of Empress on 20 August 130 BC, and exiled her out of the capital Chang'an and placed her under house arrest at the Long Gate Palace, a suburban household that Grand Princess Guantao once offered to Emperor Wu as a gift for tolerating her private scandals, although Emperor Wu had promised her aunt that the ex-empress would be supplied with all the daily living necessities. Two years later in 128 BC, Consort Wei gave birth to Emperor Wu's first son, Liu Ju, and was created empress for her contribution to the royal bloodline. Her brother Wei Qing and her nephew Huo Qubing would go on to become two of the most esteemed military generals in Han history, further consolidating her position. In 122 BC, Liu Ju was also created crown prince. With the secure establishment of Empress Wei, any chance of Empress Chen's reinstatement was all but gone. As a result, she sometimes goes by the nickname Chen Feihou, with 'Fei' meaning "deposed". Empress Chen spent the rest of her life in Long Gate Palace. Still refusing to give up, she hired the famous poet Sima Xiangru to compose a song later known as The Ode of Long Gate, hoping it would draw Emperor Wu's sympathy. Emperor Wu was so touched by the song that he revisited and loved her again. Historical records indicate that Emperor Wu rewarded Sima Xiangru for his work. One year after Empress Chen's deposition, her father Chen Wu died. The widowed Princess Guantao, who was already having an adulterous relationship with her 18-year-old godson Dong Yan,was focused on her young lover. When Emperor Wu learned of this, he let the scandal slip as a leverage in exchange for Princess Guantao's now submissive behaviour. A few years after Dong's death at the age of 30, the grieving Grand Princess Guantao died in 116 BC, leaving behind a will to be buried with Dong instead of her late husband. During her filial mourning period, her two sons (Empress Chen's brothers) Chen Xu and Chen Yu got into a dispute over the inheritance, each committed adultery and incest.They both committed suicide the same year. A few years later, the ex-Empress Chen died, about 20 years after deposition, and was buried east of the Langguan Pavilion in Baling County, about 30 li northeast of Chang'an, outside of her ancestral cemeteries.

[consortmadness]

Chinese and Korean Imperial Harem Scandals (1/?)

Consort Qi, Mutilation and “Human Pig”- Reign of Emperor Gaozu

Who was Consort Qi?

Consort Qi, often known as Lady Li was born in Dingtao, Shendong. Consort Qi originally a commoner who meet Liu Bang (Gaozu Emperor), then King of Han, during his campaign against Xiang Yu at the end of the Qin Dynasty (around 206 BCE). She entered his household as a favored concubine and bore him a son, Liu Ruyi, who would become Prince of Zhao

Her Rise to Favor

After Liu Bang became the Gaozu Emperor in 202 BCE, Lady Qi quickly rose to become his most beloved consort, surpassing even his lawful wife, Empress Lü Zhi. Her son, Liu Ruyi, was doted on by the emperor. The Gaozu Emperor openly declared his desire to make Liu Ruyi the Crown Prince, replacing Lü Zhi’s son, Liu Ying (the future Hui Emperor)

The Succession Crisis

This created one of the first major succession and harem conflicts in Chinese imperial history — known as the Qi-Lü Conflict. Empress Lü, though outwardly calm, was politically ruthless. She has deep support of the Lü clan and high-ranking officials. The emperor’s favoritism toward Lady Qi alarmed the court, who feared the replacing the Crown Prince (Lü Zhi’s son) would destabilize the dynasty The Shiji records the “The Emperor wished to despise the Crown Prince and make Prince Ruyi his heir but all this ministers opposed it, saying that the Lü family’s power was great and such a move would bring disater.” Lady Qi’s pleas and influence could not overcome the political balance. When the Gaozu Emperor fell ill in 195 BCE, Lü Zhi gradually regained control over court matters.

Downfall and Death (Multilation and “Human Pig”)

After the Gaozu Emperors death in 195 BCE, Empress Lü Zhi seized full power as Empress Dowager and acted swiftly against her rival. The Shiji account is chilling: She imprisoned Lady Qi and her son Liu Ruyi. She ordered the young prince to be poisoned. Lady Qi suffered one of the most horrific recorded punishments in Chinese history: she was mutilated and turned into what the Empress Dowager called a “Human Swine” — her limbs were cut off, eyes gouged out, ears destroyed, tongue removed, and she confined to a pigsty. Empress Lü then made her son, the new Hui Emperor, look upon Lady Qi’s mutilated body as punishment and wearing to her challenge his mother authority. The young Hui Emperor was reportedly so traumatized he withdrew from governance, declaring: “This is something no son should even witness. How can a mother do such a thing?”. He fell into depression and died young, allowing the Lü clan to dominate until the Lü ClanPirge (180 BCE).

[consortmadness]

Unknown and Forgotten Royals and Nobles (1/?)

Princess Heijing of the First Rank (10 Aug 1756-9 Feb 1775)

Daughter of Aisin Gioro Hongli, Qianlong Emperor and Empress Xiaoyichun

Wife of Lhawang Dorji (1761-9 Feb 1775)

Sister of

Yonglian, Crown Prince Duanhui (9 Aug 1730- 23 Nov 1738)

Princess Heijing of the First Rank (31 July 1731- 30 Sep 1792)

Yongcong, Prince Zhe of the First Rank (27 May 1746-1748)

Yongji, Prince of the Third Rank (7 June 1752-17 March 1776)

Yongjing (22 Jan 1756-7 Sep 1757)

Yonglu (31 Aug 1757-3 May 1760)

Princess Heke of the Second Rank (17 Aug 1775-14 Dec 1780)

Yongyan, Jiaqing Emperor (13 Nov 1760-2 Sep 1820)

Yonglin, Prince Qingxi of the First Rank (117 June 1766-25 April 1820)

Yonghuan. Prince Ding’an of the First Rank (5 July 1728-21 April 1777)

Yongcheng, Prince Lüduan of the First Rank (21 Feb 1739-5 April 1777)

Yongxuan, Prince Yishen of the First Rank (31 August 1746 – 1 September 1832)

Yongyu 2 August 1748 – 11 June 1749)

Yongxing, Prince Chengzhe of the First Rank (22 March 1752 – 10 May 1823)

Yongzhang, Prince Xun of the Second Rank (15 July 1735 – 26 August 1760)

Yongrong, Prince Zhizhuang of the First Rank (28 January 1744 – 13 June 1790)

Princess Hejia of the Second Rank (24 December 1745 – 29 October 1767)

Yongqi, Prince Rongchun of the First Rank (23 March 1741 – 16 April 1766)

Yongyue (12 June 1751 – 7 July 1753)

Princess Hexiao of the First Rank (2 February 1775 – 13 October 1823)

[consortmadness]

Consorts of Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace and Their Last Rank (2/2)

Yehe-Nara Yihuan, Consort Shu

Han Xiangjing, Consort Rong

Borjigin Eyinzhu, Consort Yu

Lady Bai’erguosishe, Imperial Concubine Ke

Bai Ruiji, Imperial Concubine Mei

Huang Qiying, Imperial Concubine Yi

Socolun A’Ruo, Commoner

[consortmadness]

Consorts of Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace and their Last Rank (1/2)

Fuca Langhua, Empress Xiaoxian

Ula Nara Ruyi, Mistress of Yikun Palace

Jin Yuyan, Imperial Noble Consort Shujia

Su Lüyun, Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui

Gao Xiyue, Imperial Noble Consort Huixian

Wei Yanwan, Imperial Noble Consort Lingyi

Keliyete Hailan, Noble Consort Yu

Barin Meiruo, Noble Consort Ying

Lu Muping, Noble Consort Qing

Chen Wanyin, Consort Wan

[consortmadness]

Imperial Chinese Harem System by Dynasties

Northern and Southern Dynasties (1/7)

Liu Song

1 Empress (皇后; huánghòu)

3 Madames: Noble Concubine (貴嬪; guìpín) Madame (夫人; fūrén) Noble Lady (貴人; guìrén)

9 Concubines: Pure Consort (淑妃; shūfēi), Lady of Pure Beauty (淑媛; shūyuàn), Lady of Pure Ceremony (淑儀; shūyí), Lady of Splendid Cultivation (修華; xiūhuá), Lady of Cultivated Countenance (修容; xiūróng), Lady of Cultivated Deportment (修儀; xiūyí), Lady of Handsome Fairness (婕妤; jiéyú), Lady of Everlasting Splendidness (傛華; yǒnghuá), Lady of Sufficient Splendidness (充華; chōnghuá)

Lady of Beauty (美人; měirén)

From the reign of Emperor Xiaowu

1 Empress (皇后; huánghòu)

3 Madames (夫人; fūrén): Noble Consort (貴妃; guìfēi), Noble Concubine (貴嬪; guìpín), Noble Lady (貴人; guìrén)

9 Concubines: Pure Consort (淑妃; shūfēi), Lady of Pure Beauty (淑媛; shūyuàn), Lady of Pure Ceremony (淑儀; shūyí), Lady of Bright Deportment (昭儀; zhāoyí), Lady of Bright Countenance (昭容; zhāoróng), Lady of Flowering Luminance (昭華; zhāohuá), Lady of Handsome Fairness (婕妤; jiéyú), Lady of Flowering Countenance (容華; rónghuá), Lady of Sufficient Splendidness (充華; chōnghuá

Lady of Beauty (美人; měirén)

Lady of Mediocre Talent (中才人; zhōngcáirén)

Favoured Assistant (充衣; chōngyī)

From the reign of Emperor Ming

1 Empress (皇后; huánghòu)

3 Madames (夫人; fūrén): Noble Consort (貴妃; guìfēi), Noble Concubine (貴嬪; guìpín), Noble Beauty (貴姬; guìjī)

9 Concubines: Lady of Pure Beauty (淑媛; shūyuàn), Lady of Pure Deportment (淑儀; shūyí), Lady of Pure Countenance (淑容; shūróng), Lady of Flowering Luminance (昭華; zhāohuá), Lady of Bright Deportment (昭儀; zhāoyí), Lady of Bright Countenance (昭容; zhāoróng), Lady of Cultivated Splendidness (修華; xiūhuá), Lady of Cultivated Deportment (修儀; xiūyí), Lady of Cultivated Countenance (修容; xiūróng)

5 Post Holders: Lady of Handsome Fairness (婕妤; jiéyú), Lady of Flowering Countenance (容華; rónghuá), Lady of Sufficient Splendidness (充華; chōnghuá), Lady of Inherit Glory (承徽; chénghuī), Lady of Propitious Honour (列榮; lièróng)

Lady of Beauty (美人; měirén)

Lady of Mediocre Talent (中才人; zhōngcáirén)

Lady of Talent (才人; cáirén)

Lady of Gentleness (良人; liángrén)

Favoured Assistant (充衣; chōngyī)

[consortmadness]

Imperial Harem System by Dynasties

Jin Dynasty

1. 1 Empress (皇后; huánghòu)

2. 3 Madames (夫人; fūrén)

1. Noble Concubine (貴嬪; guìpín)

2. Madame (夫人; fūrén)

3. Noble Lady (貴人; guìrén)

3. 9 Concubines (嬪; pín)

1. Pure Consort (淑妃; shūfēi)

2. Lady of Pure Beauty (淑媛; shūyuàn)

3. Lady of Pure Ceremony (淑儀; shūyí)

4. Lady of Splendid Cultivation (修華; xiūhuá)

5. Lady of Cultivated Countenance (修容; xiūróng)

6. Lady of Cultivated Deportment (修儀; xiūyí)

7. Lady of Handsome Fairness (婕妤; jiéyú)

8 Lady of Splendid Countenance (容華; rónghuá)

9. Lady of Sufficient Splendidness (充華; chōnghuá)

4. Lady of Beauty (美人; měirén)

5. Lady of Talent (才人; cáirén)

6. Lady of Mediocre Talent (中才人; zhōngcáirén)

[consortmadness]

Imperial Chinese Harem System by Dynasties

Han

Western Han

During the reign of Gaozu of the Western Han dynasty:

1. Empress (皇后; huánghòu)

2. Madame (夫人; fūrén)

Later;

1.Empress (皇后; huánghòu)

2. Madame (夫人; fūrén)

3. Lady of Beauty (美人; měirén)

4. Lady of Gentleness (良人; liángrén)

5. Learned Lady (八子; bāzi)

6. Harmonious Lady (七子; qīzi)

7. Senior Waiting Lady (長使; zhǎngshǐ)

8. Junior Waiting Lady (少使; shàoshǐ)

From the reign of Emperor Yuan:

1 Empress (皇后; huánghòu)

2. Lady of Bright Deportment (昭儀; zhāoyí)

3. Lady of Handsome Fairness (婕妤; jiéyú), created by Emperor Wu

4. Lady of Youthful Fairness (娙娥; xíng‘é), created by Emperor Wu

5. Lady of Splendid Countenance (容華; rónghuá), created by Emperor Wu

6 Lady of Complete Deportment (充衣; chōngyī), created by Emperor Wu

7. Lady of Beauty (美人; měirén)

8. Lady of Gentleness (良人; liángrén)

9. Learned Lady (八子; bāzi)

10. Harmonious Lady (七子; qīzi)

11. Senior Waiting Lady (長使; zhǎngshǐ)

12. Junior Waiting Lady (少使; shàoshǐ)

13. Courtier of Miscellaneous Uses (五官; wǔguān)

14. Lady of Complaisant Constancy (順常; shùncháng)

15. Lady Without Impurity (舞涓; wǔjuān)

16. Lady of Reverent Gentleness (共和; gònghé)

17. Lady Who Pleases the Spirit (娛靈; yúlíng)

18. Lady Who Can Safeguard a Multitude (保林; bǎolín)

19. Gentle Waiting Lady (良使; liángshǐ)

20. Lady of Night Attendance (夜者; yèzhě)

The Crown Prince:

1. Consort (妃; fēi)

2. Bride of Excellence (良娣; liángdì)

3. Dear Lady (孺人; rúrén)

Eastern Han

In the Eastern Han dynasty:

1. Empress (皇后; huánghòu)

2. Noble Lady (貴人; guìrén)

3. Lady of Beauty (美人; měirén)

4. Lady of the Palace (宮人; gōngrén)

5. Talented Woman (才女; cǎinǚ)

No limits were set for these imperial consorts. This later created situations when more than 20,000 women were living in the palace during the reigns of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling.

Three Kingdoms

Cao Wei

During the reign of Cao Cao (who was not an emperor but a king):

1. Queen (王后; wánghòu)

2. Madame (夫人; fūrén)

3. Lady of Bright Deportment (昭儀; zhāoyí)

4. Lady of Handsome Fairness (婕妤; jiéyú)

5. Lady of Splendid Countenance (容華; rónghuá)

6. Lady of Beauty (美人; měirén)

During the reign of Emperor Wen:

Empress (皇后; huánghòu)

1. Madame (夫人; fūrén)

2. Noble Concubine (貴嬪; guìpín)

3. Lady of Pure Beauty (淑媛; shūyuàn)

4. Lady of Bright Deportment (昭儀; zhāoyí)

5. Lady of Cultivated Countenance (修容; xiūróng)

6. Lady of Handsome Fairness (婕妤; jiéyú)

7. Lady of Splendid Countenance (容華; rónghuá)

8. Lady of Humble Accomplishments (順成; shùnchéng)

9. Lady of Beauty (美人; měirén)

10. Lady of Gentleness (良人; liángrén)

During the reign of Emperor Ming:

1. Empress (皇后; huánghòu)

2. Madame (夫人; fūrén)

3. Noble Concubine (貴嬪; guìpín)

4. Pure Consort (淑妃; shūfēi)

5. Lady of Pure Beauty (淑媛; shūyuàn)

6. Lady of Bright Deportment (昭儀; zhāoyí)

7. Lady of Flowering Luminance (昭華; zhāohuá)

8. Lady of Cultivated Countenance (修容; xiūróng)

9. Lady of Cultivated Deportment (修儀; xiūyí)

10. Lady of Handsome Fairness (婕妤; jiéyú)

11. Lady of Splendid Countenance (傛華; rǒnghuá)

12. Lady of Beauty (美人; měirén)

13. Lady of Gentleness (良人; liángrén)

14. Lady of Value (鹺人; cuórén)