During the reign of Emperor Huizong of Song, the harem system was standardized into five ranks: First Rank (No…
During the reign of Emperor Huizong of Song, the harem system was standardized into five ranks: First Rank (Noble Consort, Pure Consort, Virtuous Consort, Able Consort), Second Rank (Concubine, e.g., Lady of Bright Deportment, Lady of Bright Countenance), Third Rank (Lady of Handsome Fairness), Fourth Rank (Lady of Beauty), Fifth Rank (Lady of Talent). Noble Consort ranks first among the "Four Consorts" and is second only to the Empress (who is outside the ranking system). The option "Subsidiary First Rank" does not exist in the Northern Song harem system; this is a common confusion with the Tang dynasty system.