Zheng Imperial Harem

The Harem, officially known as the Rear Palace, is the place where the consorts of the Emperor reside. This area is governed by a set of rules and a hierarchy of ranks, which govern the powers, privileges and luxuries accorded to each consort.

Needless to say, of course, even the lowliest of the Emperor's consorts enjoy a life almost beyond the imagination of the common folk.

System of Rooms
The System of Rooms is a Chinese traditional system. The Chinese, even the Emperor, do not actually practice polygamy; instead a system of unequal concubinage is in place, where one woman is the legitimate wife, and the others merely consorts. The wife is normally called the "Central Room" and the consorts the "Side Rooms", therefore the name.

In the case of the Emperor, the Empress is the legitimate wife. This is reflected in her title as the "Central Palace", and the children of the Empress are given a higher status than those of the consorts. Therefore, the Empress is also not included in the ranks of consorts.

Ranks
In the Zheng system, there are a total of seven ranks for consorts.

Residences
The residences of the Imperial Harem are situated on the north side of the Jiankang Palace Complex, with a total of 12 residences built in two clusters of six - one to the east, and one to the west, of the Emperor's personal apartment in the. Each residence is as a small palace in its own right, and most will have more than one consort residing within.

Of the 12 residences, three are set aside for non-consorts. This leaves 9 residences to be headed by senior concubines, of either Consort or Noble Consort rank.