The positions and ranks in the imperial harem have been continuously increasing and adjusting since the Han and Wei dynasties, varying in each dynasty. In the first year of Jianyuan, it was suggested to establish "three consorts" - noble consort, lady, and noble lady, and "nine consorts" - Xiu Hua, Xiu Yi, Xiu Rong, Shu Fei, Shu Yuan, Shu Yi, Jie Yu, Rong Hua, and Chong Hua, while the positions of beauty, middle talent, and talent were relatively lower. In the first year of Yongming, it was suggested that noble consorts and Shu Fei should wear gold seals and purple ribbons, hanging on their jade pendants. Previously, the rank of Shu Fei was equivalent to that of a Nine Thorn, with "Shu" denoting her gentleness, and "Fei" indicating her position just below that of the empress, elevated to the same rank as the noble consort, comparable to the ranks of the Three Departments (Shangshu, Menxia, Zhongshu). The rank of lady is comparable to that of a marquis; the rank of Shu Yuan is equivalent to that of the Nine Ministers. Seven years later, the position of Zhaorong was established, ranking above the nine consorts. In the third year of Jianyuan, three internal positions were also set up in the crown prince's palace, with Liang Di equivalent to a marquis, Bao Lin equivalent to a fifth-rank marquis, and talent equivalent to a commander-in-chief.
Empress Xuanxiao Chen, whose name was Daozhi, was from Dongyang, east of the Huai River, and was a descendant of Chen Jiao, a Minister of State in the Kingdom of Wei. Her father, Chen Zhaozhi, was a man of filial piety and integrity in the county. When the Empress was young, her family was very poor, and she worked tirelessly weaving and doing manual labor. Her family members thought she was overworking herself and urged her to take a break, but she never changed. She married Emperor Xuan and gave birth to Prince Daodu of Hengyang, Prince Daosheng of Shi'an, and later to Emperor Taizu. When Taizu was two years old, his wet nurse did not have enough milk, and the Empress dreamed that someone offered her two bowls of sesame porridge. When she woke up, her milk had increased, which she found strange, and she recounted this dream. Emperor Xuan often served in official capacities outside, so the Empress stayed home to take care of household matters and educate the children. A fortune teller once told the Empress, "Madam will have noble sons, but you will not see it." The Empress sighed, "Which of my three sons will fulfill this prophecy?" She called for Taizu and called him by his nickname, saying, "It is you who will fulfill it!" After Emperor Xuan passed away, the Empress personally handled palace affairs. If the palace maids or eunuchs made mistakes, she would generously forgive them. Although Taizu held an official position, the family had originally been poor. When he was in charge in Jiankang, they couldn't afford silk or cotton clothing in winter, yet their meals were plentiful. The Empress would always have the meat and vegetables taken away, saying, "This is enough for me." She passed away at the county office at the age of seventy-three. In the third year of Shengming, she was posthumously granted the title of Lady of Jingling State, and a honey seal was used to mark her title, adorned with a blue ribbon, and sacrifices were made to her. In the first year of Jianyuan, she was posthumously honored with the title of Filial Empress. Her maternal grandfather, Chen Zhaozhi, was posthumously appointed as Grand Master of the Golden Purple Light and was posthumously bestowed the title of Respectful Marquis. The Empress's mother, Lady Hu, was granted the title of Jingjun in Yongchang County.
Empress Liu Gao Zhao, named Zhi Rong, was from Guangling. Her grandfather was Xuan Zhi, and her father was Shou Zhi, both served as Yuanwailang. Her mother, Lady Huan Shi, once dreamt she swallowed a jade pendant and gave birth to her daughter, and the room was filled with a purple light. She told Shou Zhi about it, who replied, "What a pity it’s not a son." Lady Huan Shi said, "Even if it's a daughter, it’s enough to bring prosperity to the family." When Empress Dowager Liu was a child, her family often saw clouds around her when she slept. At the age of over ten, she married Emperor Gaozu and was known for her strictness, manners, and the serious atmosphere she maintained at home. She passed away in the first year of the Song Taiyu era at the age of fifty and was buried next to Emperor Xuan's tomb, now referred to as Tai'an Tomb. After her death, when students and workers were digging the grave, a white rabbit leaped up, could not be found, but returned to the grave once it was completed. In the second year of Shengming, she was posthumously granted the title of Lady Jingling of the Gongguo; in the third year, she was posthumously titled as Queen of Qi, receiving the same honors as the Empress. In the first year of Jianyuan, she was posthumously honored with the title of Empress Zhao. In the third year, her father was posthumously elevated to the rank of Jinxiguanglu Dafu, her mother was posthumously titled Shangyu Duxiang Jun; her brother Shou Zhi's son, Xingdao, became Sishu Shu, Wenwei was appointed as Yuzhang Neishi, Yihui was promoted to Guanglu Dafu, and Yilun was appointed as Tongzhilang.
Empress Pei, named Huizhao, was from Wenxi in Hedong. Her grandfather, Pei Zhi, served as a minister. Her father, Ji Zhi, served as a military officer in the Left Army. When Empress Pei was young, she was the sister-in-law of Princess Yushi of Yuzhang. Yushi was very skilled in traditional women's arts, serving the Emperor and Empress Dowager diligently and respectfully. In contrast, Empress Pei was less skilled in these arts, so she was not highly regarded by her in-laws, and Emperor Taizong had a distant relationship with her family. Empress Pei was known for her strict and stern demeanor, even reprimanding and punishing the concubine Yuan Shi of Prince Jingling when she was still a commoner. In the third year of Shengming, she was appointed as the Princess Consort of Qi. In the first year of Jiayuan, she became the Crown Princess. Three years later, she passed away. She was posthumously granted the title of Mu Fei and buried at Xiuan Ling. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he honored her as Empress and posthumously appointed her father Ji Zhi as a high-ranking official and her mother Tan Shi as a noblewoman of Guangchang Township in Yuhang.
In the past, Zhaoyang Palace was the residence of the Empress and the Queen Mother. During the Yongming period, there was no Empress or Queen Mother. Lady Yang Gui lived on the west side of Zhaoyang Palace, Lady Fan Gui lived on the east side, and the favored Xun Zhaohua resided in Fenghua Palace. The Emperor usually resided in the south pavilion of Shouchang Huadian, where a band played the White Egret Drum. In the east and west ends of the Qian Guang Palace, there were bells and chimes used for banquets. The Emperor often visited various imperial gardens, with palace maids accompanying the carriage. The palace was so vast that the timekeeping drums at the main gate could not be heard. Therefore, a bell was installed in Jingyang Tower, so the palace maids would know when to wake up and get ready upon hearing its chime. To this day, the bell only chimes at five and three in the morning. When the Emperor visited Langye City multiple times, the palace maids would also accompany him. They would depart early in the morning, and when they arrived at Daicun in Hubei, the roosters would just be starting to crow.
In Wu County, there was a woman named Han Linying, known for her literary talent. During the reign of Emperor Ming of Song, she submitted a work titled "Zhongxing Fu" and gained recognition, being summoned to the palace. During the reign of Emperor Shizu, she was appointed as a scholar and was responsible for teaching the concubines of the six palaces to read and write. Due to her age and extensive knowledge, everyone respectfully referred to her as "Han Gong."
Empress Baoming, the consort of Prince Wen'an, was from Linyi, Langye. Her grandfather was Shaozhi, who had served as the Governor of Wuxing; her father was Yezhi, who had served as the Grand Preceptor. During the Song Dynasty, Emperor Taizu took her as a consort for Prince Wen'an. Later, the rebel army from Guiyang attacked, and Emperor Taizu was rumored to have died in Xinting, and their home was looted by the rebel army. Prince Wen'an and Prince Zhenling, along with Empress Mu, Consort Yu, and Empress Baoming, risked their lives to escort her to her brother Bing's home. They remained hidden until the situation calmed. In the first year of Jianyuan, she became the Princess of Nanjun; in the fourth year of Jianyuan, she became the Crown Princess, but she did not enjoy the Emperor's favor. The Crown Prince made many beautiful new clothes and jewelry for the women in his palace, but her bed curtains and furnishings were unchanged, and she only had a dozen or so pieces of jewelry. In the eleventh year of Yongming, she became the Grand Consort of the Grandson of the Emperor. After Emperor Yulin ascended the throne, he honored her as the Empress Dowager and resided in Xuande Palace. The Emperor also posthumously conferred the title of Grand Master of Golden Purple on her father and honored her mother, Lady Huan, as the Lady of Feng'an County. In December of that year, she proceeded to the ancestral temple in the imperial carriage to observe the rituals. After Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, she moved to the former residence of Prince Poyang and continued to be referred to as Xuande Palace. In the third year of Yongyuan, when King Liang founded the capital in Jiankang, he welcomed her into the palace, permitting her to oversee state affairs until the abdication. In the eleventh year of Tianjian, she passed away at fifty-eight and was buried in Chongan Tomb, was posthumously given the title An Hou. Her brother Huang had served as the governor of Yixing.
The wife of Prince Yu Lin, named Jingying, was from Lujiang Ling County, the daughter of General Ji, the Fu Jun. In the second year of Yongming, she married Yu Lin Wang, who was then the Prince of Nanjun. Nine years later, Yu Lin Wang became Crown Prince, and she became Crown Princess. Later, when Yu Lin Wang became Emperor, she became Empress. Her mother-in-law, Lady Liu, was granted the title of Duxiang Jun of Gaochang County, and her own mother, Lady Song, was granted the title of Xiang Jun of Yuhang Guangchang. When the Empress was about to officially take office, the mirror on the dressing table inexplicably fell to the ground, signifying that something ominous was on the horizon. That winter, she and the Empress Dowager worshipped the Ancestral Temple together. This Empress led a rather tumultuous private life. When she was a concubine, she became involved with someone outside, and after becoming Empress, she became involved with Yang Minzhi in the palace, sleeping together as though they were a married couple. What's even more outrageous is that Yang Minzhi's relationship with the Emperor was also ambiguous, which led the Emperor to turn a blind eye. She even lavished her relatives with money and rewards amounting to hundreds of thousands. She even allowed her relatives to reside in the Yueling Hall of Emperor Shizu. Later, when the Emperor was deposed, she was also demoted to Wang Fei.
The wife of Prince Hailing, named Shaoming, was from Langye Linyi, the daughter of the Grand Minister Cai. In the eighth year of Yongming, she married the Prince of Linru at that time (Prince Hailing). After Yu Lin Wang became Emperor, she was granted the title of Princess of Xin'an. In the first year of Yanxing, she became Empress, but was demoted to Princess of Hailing later that same year.
Empress Liu, whose name was Huiduan, was a native of Pengcheng and the granddaughter of the Grand Minister of Ceremonies, Dao Hong. She was married to Emperor Gaozong when he was still Taizu. In the third year of Jianyuan, she was titled Marquess of Xichang. In the seventh year of Yongming, she passed away and was buried at Zhangshan in Jiangcheng County. In the first year of Yanxing, she was posthumously titled Princess Xuan of Xuan City; after Gaozong became emperor, she was further honored as Empress Jing, and her father was posthumously titled Jinyou Grand Minister of Ceremonies, while her mother was titled Lady of Pingyang Township. In the first year of Yongtai, Emperor Gaozong passed away, and she was also reburied alongside Gaozong at Xing'an Mausoleum.
Empress Chu, the wife of Emperor Donghun, whose name was Lingqu, was a native of Yanzhai in Henan and the daughter of the Minister of Ceremonies, Zheng. In the second year of Jianwu, she married the Crown Prince (Emperor Donghun at the time). The following year, she went to pay respects to Empress Jing. After Emperor Donghun became emperor, she became the empress. However, the emperor favored Concubine Pan, and she was not favored. Later, when Consort Huang gave birth to the Crown Prince Song, Emperor Donghun was deposed, and she was also reduced to a commoner.
The name of Empress Consort He was Shuihua, a native of Linyi in Langya and the granddaughter of the Grand Commandant Jian. She initially served as a consort to the emperor, and in the first year of Zhongxing, she became the empress. Later, when the emperor abdicated the throne, she was demoted to a concubine.
In historical records, it is said that the virtues of imperial consorts are reflected in their daily behaviors. Their moral cultivation begins in the inner chambers and can influence the whole country. They personally spin and weave, farm and harvest, get up early to put on morning pearls, and work alongside their husbands to bring honor to their families and serve as role models for noblewomen. Both Empress Xiaozhuo had wise teachings, but unfortunately did not witness the prosperity of the country. They were in their prime, yet the empress's position in the palace was still vacant. Some women only fantasize about the country's prosperity, even though there are auspicious signs and a good reputation, it's a shame! If they could help each other like others in the palace, teach the harem together, the virtuous legacies of Empress Ma and Empress Deng could be revived. After the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Taizu, court life became quite frugal. He dismantled the excessively lavish palaces from the Song and Ming dynasties, eliminated the extravagance of the previous dynasty, did not wear embroidered silk clothes, or bright red colors. The palace's alleys were modest and plain, similar to the homes of ordinary people. When Emperor Shizu ascended the throne, the country enjoyed a time of peace and prosperity. The Shouchang Palace was built first, followed by the Fenghua Palace. The palaces were adorned with cypress and cedar, with carvings on the beams and pillars, inlaid with gold, silver, and jewels, luxurious decorations, and many curtains in the rooms. Zhao se and Wu songs filled the palace, as well as various other music. The palace's annual expenses were high, sourced from the private treasury without affecting the national treasury. Although Emperor Gaozong put on a facade of frugality, the actual expenses in the palace did not decrease. As for Emperor Donghun, he was incompetent and indulged in excess, draining the nation's wealth for his own pleasures, just like the decadent empresses of the Yin and Shang dynasties. Alas, these serve as warnings for future generations!
It is said that: Empress Xuānwǔ was known for her filial piety and foresight; Empress Gāozhāo gave birth to Emperor Wǔ, and her virtues as a mother have been celebrated for generations. Empress Péi assisted her husband, which led to a decline in her own status; Empress Míngjìng is documented in history and revered in ancestral temples. The Autumn Palace was soon abandoned, and the Xuānjǐng Palace quickly lost its luster; Empress Wén'ān deposed the emperor, liberating herself from numerous worries. During the period of revitalization, frugality was valued, and the principle of humility was esteemed.
