Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 300 The Emperor’s Harem Hierarchy

"The queen still understands my thoughts."

Zhu Gaoxu picked up the tea cup, took a sip, then put it down, and continued: "I was thinking that the imperial court has very strict requirements for selecting concubines. Those who can stay in the palace in the end are all those who have both good character and good looks. ."

"However, when selecting a prince's concubine, virtue has always been more important than appearance. When selecting a concubine for the prince, beautiful and young women are often preferred. This is suspected of focusing on color over virtue."

"A girl without virtue and talent must be jealous. The prince's concubine is the future queen, and the prince's concubine is the future emperor's concubine."

"In comparison, the young, beautiful and talented emperor's concubine appears to have a brighter temperament and is more lovable, while the honest and kind empress has become dull and boring. As a result, future generations will naturally become more and more alienated from the empress. , indulged in the gentle land of the little fairy-like concubines."

There are many examples of what Zhu Gaoxu said in the history of the Ming Dynasty.

For example, Queen Hu of Xuanzong of Ming Dynasty was "virtuous", Queen Qian of Emperor Yingzong of Ming Dynasty was "Xiaojin", and Queen Wang of Emperor Daizong of Ming Dynasty was "virtuous".

However, Concubine Sun of Emperor Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty was "beautiful and scheming at a young age", while Concubine Wan of Emperor Xianzong of the Ming Dynasty was "scheming and good at slander". As for Concubine Zheng of Guangzong of the Ming Dynasty, she was even more powerful, not only "knowing books" but also "good at slandering". Try to figure out people’s psychology.”

"In addition, the queen comes from a good family and has no strong relatives to rely on. As long as she is left out, other favored concubines will most likely overwhelm the queen."

Zhu Gaoxu's face gradually became gloomy, and he continued: "Then, the balance in the harem will be broken, which will lead to more serious problems, such as the prince being squeezed out by his favorite concubine, or even being poisoned. When facing this situation, he has already The neglected queen was powerless to stop it.”

"Your Majesty, are you worrying too much?"

Li Yao's expression changed when she heard this, and she couldn't help being shocked by Zhu Gaoxu's assumed situation.

"Look at Yu'er, how close he was to Ning Ning before he took a concubine? What about now?"

Zhu Gaoxu said solemnly: "In short, what I said is not alarmist."

When he said these words to Li Yao, he couldn't help but think of the three emperors of the Ming Dynasty in history - Ming Xiaozong Zhu Youtang, Ming Guangzong Zhu Changluo, Ming Xizong Zhu Youxiao.

When Ming Xiaozong Zhu Youtang was still in his mother's womb, he was almost poisoned to death by his father, Ming Xianzong Zhu Jianshen's favorite concubine Wan Guifei.

Zhu Changluo of the Ming Dynasty was almost deprived of his position as crown prince by his father, Zhu Yijun of the Ming Dynasty, his beloved concubine Zheng Guifei.

Historically, the dispute over the country's foundation during the Wanli period was caused by Ming Shenzong's desire to make Prince Fu, the son of Concubine Zheng, the crown prince.

As for Zhu Youxiao, the Mingxi Emperor who was jokingly called the "Carpenter Emperor" by many people in later generations, it was even worse. He had three sons in his short life, but they all died inexplicably.

His eldest son was born to Queen Zhang, but he was stillborn.

His second son's biological mother was the imperial concubine Fan, who died young.

His third son died due to excessive shock due to a big explosion in Wang Gong Factory.

After Zhu Youxiao died, the throne naturally fell to his younger brother Zhu Youjian.

And this Zhu Youjian was the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty in history.

"How does Your Majesty want to adjust the system of concubines in the harem?"

Although Li Yao was skeptical about what Zhu Gaoxu said, she was a smart person and could understand the significance of this matter after just a moment's thought.

Now Zhu Gaoxu is the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty. He has perfected and revised the system of concubines in the harem with sufficient reasons, which is not only reasonable but also in line with etiquette and law.

The rules he sets today will be ancestral rules for future generations of kings.

Unless he is a hero of the generation, who among the ordinary and established kings would dare to bear the reputation of rebelling against the ancestral system?Even if there are future generations of kings who intend to pamper their concubines, destroy their wives, and change the ancestral system, the pressure they will face will definitely be unprecedentedly huge.

"What I think is not complicated. To adjust the system of concubines in the harem, we should start from its shortcomings, that is, clarify the grade, number and status of the concubines under the harem and concubines."

Zhu Gaoxu said bluntly: "The Book of Rites says: 'In ancient times, the emperor established six palaces, three concubines, nine concubines, 27 concubines, and 81 royal wives.' I plan to imitate the ancient etiquette and place eight concubines, nine concubines, and nine concubines under the concubine." Concubines, 27 nobles, 36 daughters.”

"According to ancient rituals, the queen is in the palace, the concubines sit and discuss the etiquette of women, the concubines teach the four virtues, the nobles preside over funerals, sacrifices, and guests, and the prefaces of their daughters are placed in the emperor's bed."

"The etiquette for canonizing a queen is the same as the old system, and the treatment, crown, uniforms, etc. are all the same as the old system. However, there is a quota for the number of maids to serve, and ten are allowed."

What he calls the "old system" means that the queens of all dynasties are the legitimate wives of the emperors. They are the most respected ones in the emperor's harem. They enjoy the second-most privileges in terms of clothing, food, support, funerals, titles and posthumous titles. The emperor's treatment was superior to that of his concubines.

When the concubines see the queen, they must perform concubine etiquette. On festival days, they must also bow to the queen and pay homage.

Under normal circumstances, the queen is in charge of the power of the harem, manages the concubines, female officials, maids, etc., can punish any concubines and maids who make mistakes, and has the power to maintain order in the inner court.

Of course, if there is a queen mother or a queen mother alive, the queen's authority will naturally be greatly weakened.

Zhu Gaoxu added: "Among the concubines, the highest rank is the imperial concubine. From the first rank, eight maids are allowed to serve. The second is the imperial concubine, from the second rank, and six maids are allowed to serve. The third rank is the imperial concubine, from the second rank, and the maids are allowed to serve The number is the same as the imperial concubine.”

"The imperial concubine?"

Hearing this, Li Yao frowned slightly and said, "I know about imperial concubines and imperial concubines, but this is the first time I heard 'imperial concubine'."

The position of imperial concubine first appeared in the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and its status in the harem was only lower than that of the queen.

In the former Yuan Dynasty, there was no position of concubine in the harem. The concubine was only divided into two categories: empress and concubine. After the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the position of concubine was restored.

The first noble concubine of the Ming Dynasty was Sun Guifei of the Hongwu Dynasty. Although she did not give birth to a prince, Zhu Yuanzhang still registered her as a noble concubine. After her death, she had no children and acted as a loving mother. Zhu Yuanzhang made an exception and ordered Confucian officials to write "Filial Piety and Compassion" , ordered Zhou Wang Zhu Xi to preside over the funeral and serve as a loving mother for three years. This was a treatment that none of the concubines had.

The designation of imperial concubines was originally used to ennoble the emperor's favorite concubines. These concubines may have entered the service earlier, such as the Sun Guifei of the Hongwu Dynasty and the Wang Guifei of the Yongle Dynasty.

Or the family is very powerful, such as the two concubines that Zhu Gaoxu just canonized last month - Concubine Zhang and Concubine Sheng. They are the daughters of Zhang Yu and Sheng Yong, the great ministers of the Ming Dynasty respectively.

The establishment of the position of imperial concubine can distinguish them from ordinary concubines in terms of status.

As for the title of imperial concubine, it also originated from the Hongwu Dynasty. For example, Concubine Ning Guo, the sister of Wuding Marquis Guo Ying, was added with the word "emperor" by Lao Zhu before the title was granted in the later Hongwu period, and became Concubine Huang Ning.

"Yes, according to my opinion, the imperial concubine ranks second in the harem, second only to the queen and above all other concubines. Under certain special circumstances, the imperial concubine can assist the queen in managing the harem."

Zhu Gaoxu explained: "Unlike the unique position of queen, the imperial concubine is not permanent, but there is a limit on the number of imperial concubines. Either there is no imperial concubine, or two imperial concubines must be appointed at the same time."

"You two?" Li Yao asked doubtfully.

"Yes, this is the way to check and balance each other."

Zhu Gaoxu said: "If an imperial concubine dies of illness or is deposed, the other imperial concubine will immediately cancel all the powers she previously had according to my rule. No eunuchs or female officials can be driven by it. Violation will be punishable by death." "

"Until a new imperial concubine takes the throne, her original power can be restored."

Li Yao said: "May I ask Your Majesty, who is qualified to sit on the throne of the Imperial Concubine?"

(End of this chapter)