#imperial harem

[crazerk]

When you find yourself among the few women chosen to become a concubine in the Imperial harem, you have a chance to carve your place in court.

The life of a concubine might seem luxurious and idyllic, but behind the silken curtains of the harem, dangerous games are played. Games where the wrong words will cost your life, betrayal, lies and secrets are commonplace and gaining the shah’s attention is paramount to your survival.

Start out as a princess, disgraced noble or captive.

Intrigue, intrigue and more intrigue.

Dramatic events on par with a soap opera

Revenge, backstabbing, forbidden love, plots and more.

Rise the ranks by outsmarting or eliminating your rivals.

Produce and raise heirs to secure your place.

Influence politics through the emperor or seize power for yourself.

Learn fire magic or join a cult of chaos.

Live a life of leisure and the pursuit of higher education or a life of hedonism.

Inspired by the Sassanid dynasty and Persian mythology.

Shah Khazunef

He is calm, perspective and far less ruthless than his father before him but they share the same cunning nature and intimidating aura. Khazunef has deep brown skin, dark hazel eyes and silky mid length black hair that frames his face perfectly.

Fang

A former slave whose fighting prowess earned him freedom. He has since become a close friend of Khazunef and they regard each other as brothers. He serves as an informal advisor and spy to the shah but shirks any formal duties. Fang is charismatic and extroverted with copper red hair, rose skin and blue eyes.

Persa

Her name means dove and fits her gentle demeanor. She was raised a princess in a land of mountains and snow that was conquered by Shah Arzad. Upon the fall of her city and murder of her family, she was brought to the capital to serve in the palace. She has honey blonde hair, dark brown eyes and alabaster skin.

Ignasia

Ignasia is a fire priestess and staunch follower of the faith. Although born a noble, she gave up all claims and titles to serve in the fire temples as a guardian of the eternal flame. Ignasia has dark hair, darker eyes and a regal, reserved bearing.

Valide Zarayan

She is the ruthless and ambitious mother of Khazunef, originally a distrusted foreigner who rose to great power in the court of Shah Arzad. She rules over the harem like her own little kingdom and holds influence over her son.

Shahbanu Yaris

The wife of Khazunef and shahbanu of the realm. Yaris wed the emperor when he was 17 and she 26 in an alliance that strengthened the empire and influences it to this day.

Vizier Rubien

The grand vizier and advisor to the Emperor who Khazunef considers a father figure. Rubien is fiercely intelligent, loyal and wise. He remains dedicated to his work and helping the Emperor rule justly.

Averus

Averus is a high priest and soothsayer of the court. His advice is sought by all and a bad word about you from his lips can sully your reputation and relationships beyond repair.

Consort Iltani

Former consort and favorite of Shah Arzad. Her name is whispered like a curse, and her influence spreads far wide even though the valide has her currently imprisoned within the palace.

This story is for mature audiences, please proceed with discretion! Story will contain violence, drugs, alcohol, death, suicide, infanticide, harm to animals, miscarriages, abuse and sexual themes.

New Demo TBA.

[nascentsoulstudios]

Does the Emperor in Phoenix Rising have any concubines?

Hao Chengling does! In fact, Hao Chengling even has an Empress!

The concubine heirarchy is as follows:

Empress (皇后; huánghòu)/Emperor consort (Huangdi)/Emprex Consort (allowed 10 maids)- Pan Yasheng

Imperial Noble Consort (皇貴妃; huángguìfēi) (only used if the empress is dead and no new one has been selected) (allowed 8 maids)

Consorts (妃; fēi) (Fei are allowed 6 maids)

Noble Consort (貴妃; guìfēi) - Zhu Xiurong

Pure Consort (淑妃; shūfēi)

Virtuous Consort (德妃; défēi) - Fang Huan

Worthy Consort (賢妃; xiánfēi) - Luo Jiaying

Imperial Concubine (allowed 6 maids) (禦嬪; yùpín)

Lady of Bright Deportment (昭儀; zhāoyí)

Lady of Bright Countenance (昭容; zhāoróng)

Lady of Bright Beauty (昭媛; zhāoyuàn)

Lady of Cultivated Deportment (修儀; xiūyí) - Li Huifang

Lady of Cultivated Countenance (修容; xiūróng)

Lady of Cultivated Beauty (修媛; xiūyuàn)

Lady of Complete Deportment (充儀; chōngyí)

Lady of Complete Countenance (充容; chōngróng)

Lady of Complete Beauty (充媛; chōngyuàn)

Noble Lady (貴人; guìrén) (allowed 4 maids)

Lady of Handsome Fairness (婕妤; jiéyú) (allowed 3 maids)

Lady of Beauty (美人; měirén) (allowed 2 maids)

Lady of Talent (才人; cáirén) (concubines selected who have not shared the Emperor's bed) (allowed 1 maid)

Selected Lady (採女; cǎinǚ) (only used during selection ceremonies) not allowed any maids, but may bring in a dowry maid once becomes lady of talent.

If there isn't a name next to the title, it's because that spot either hasn't been filled/written yet, or there's no one there. Good luck figuring out which one! hahaha!

Also, yes, I'm aware that this is in fact a bastardized version of the harem systems of both Tang and Song dynasties. I took what I liked from each, and then used them for my fictional Dynasty! What do you think? Does this raise more questions, or answer them for you?

[kilenavictwrites]

SOVIESHU'S HAREM

Empress Yǎ jìng Clan: Hada     Banner: Plain Yellow

Imperial Noble Consort Wenxian Clan: Niohuru     Banner: Plain Yellow

Noble Consort Rong Clan:       Yi              Banner: Plain White

Noble Consort Clan:                   Banner:

Consort Chún Clan:  Gūwalgiya           Banner: Bordered Yellow

Consort Yi Clan:        Irgen Gioro           Banner: Plain Red

Concubine Wei Clan:      Fuca             Banner: Plain Yellow

Concubine Lan Clan:        Gogiya                 Banner: Bordered Yellow

Concubine Zhen Clan:       Ula Nara                     Banner: Plain Red

Concubine Qin Clan:         Yehe Nara             Banner: Plain Red

Concubine Qinglian Clan: unknown   Banner: unknown

Concubine Shu Clan:       Sartu                    Banner:  Plain Blue

Concubine Fei Clan:         Zhen                  Banner: Bordered White Noble Lady Ru Clan:        Giyamuhun           Banner: Bordered Blue

Noble Lady Shui Clan:        E'fu        Banner: Bordered Blue

Noble Lady Cui Clan:       Oroqen              Banner: Plain Blue

Noble Lady Li Clan:        Khorchin               Banner: Plain Red

First Class Attendant Mei Clan:         -             Banner: -

First Class Attendant Yumei Clan:        -                 Banner: -

First Class Attendant Lian Clan:              -            Banner: -

First Class Attendant Yue Clan:            -                Banner: -

First Class Attendant Xin Clan:    -                          Banner: -

Second Class Attendant Lingzi Clan:            -                  Banner: -

Second Class Attendant Huanxi Clan:          -                     Banner:            -

Second Class Attendant Min Clan:    -                            Banner:  -

Second Class Attendant Hui Clan:         -                     Banner:         -

Summary of Banners and Their Associated Women

Plain Yellow Banner

Empress: Belonging to the prestigious Hada clan, the Empress holds the highest rank in the harem and is a symbol of supreme authority. The Plain Yellow Banner was the most elite and reserved for imperial consorts and close relatives of the emperor.

Imperial Noble Consort Wenxian: From the influential Niohuru clan, Wenxian's place under the Plain Yellow Banner signifies her immense status within the imperial harem. The Niohuru clan was known for its strong political influence in Qing court politics.

Concubine Wei: As a member of the Fuca clan, she is aligned with the Plain Yellow Banner. The Fuca clan was a highly regarded Manchu family with strong connections to imperial consorts and empresses throughout Qing history.

Bordered Yellow Banner

Consort Chún: Hailing from the powerful Gūwalgiya clan, Consort Chún's position in the Bordered Yellow Banner places her in a position of significant influence. The Gūwalgiya clan was one of the most prominent families within the Qing aristocracy.

Concubine Lan: A member of the Gogiya clan, Concubine Lan's presence in the Bordered Yellow Banner reflects her noble lineage, though with slightly less prestige than those in the Plain Yellow Banner.

Plain White Banner

Noble Consort Rong: As a woman of Korean descent, Noble Consort Rong is linked to the Plain White Banner, which was often used for consorts of foreign or non-Manchu ethnic backgrounds. Her clan is listed as Yi, reflecting her Korean heritage.

Plain Red Banner

Consort Yi: Belonging to the Irgen Gioro clan, her position in the Plain Red Banner signifies her noble Manchu heritage. The Irgen Gioro clan was a prominent family with connections to Manchu aristocracy.

Concubine Zhen: As a member of the Ula Nara clan, she shares her lineage with one of the most notable Manchu families. The Ula Nara clan was often linked to high-ranking consorts and empresses.

Concubine Qin: Hailing from the Yehe Nara clan, Concubine Qin is connected to a prestigious family line. The Yehe Nara clan was one of the most influential Manchu clans, with multiple empresses and consorts from its lineage.

Noble Lady Li: Associated with the Khorchin clan, she is part of the Plain Red Banner. The Khorchin were one of the most important Mongolian tribes allied with the Qing court.

Bordered White Banner

Concubine Fei: From the Zhen clan, Concubine Fei is part of the Bordered White Banner. The Bordered White Banner represented a distinction below the Plain White Banner, often reflecting a lower status within the court's structure.

Plain Blue Banner

Concubine Shu: Linked to the Sartu clan, Concubine Shu is part of the Plain Blue Banner, one of the standard banners in the Qing system.

Noble Lady Cui: Belonging to the Oroqen clan, she is aligned with the Plain Blue Banner. The Oroqen were a northern indigenous people under Qing rule, and women from such backgrounds often became part of the imperial harem.

Bordered Blue Banner

Noble Lady Ru: As a member of the Giyamuhun clan, she is positioned in the Bordered Blue Banner, signifying a rank below those in the Plain Blue Banner. Her family origins are likely connected to local or minor noble lineages.

Noble Lady Shui: From the E'fu clan, Noble Lady Shui is associated with the Bordered Blue Banner. Like Noble Lady Ru, her clan's lesser prominence reflects a lower social position.

[centuryberry]

Imperial Harem Novel AU

Note: This wasn't really requested, but I've already summarized the Replanted AU, Abandoned Yue AU, and the Fae AU, so why not this one? This particular AU has a place in my heart - mostly because it's silly. Also because there was a plot twist in there that I never managed to address so I'm writing it out now.

Summary: When Wukong wakes up in a trashy imperial harem novel he'd been reading, he's horrified. Why? Because he's in the body of a character who shares his name - a tyrant king who causes a lot of pain and suffering to everyone including the female lead. Wukong decides that, since he's here for the time being, he was going to fix the other him's mistakes and leave the world better than he found it by the time he finds a way back home.

(Sounds easy enough as a concept, but Wukong can't act for his life and he has serious imposter syndrome. Oh well, time to spam the amnesia button and fake it 'til he makes it.)

Everyone Else's POV:

The Monkey King was a tyrant who either spilt blood or added to his large harem. He selfishly ignored the matters of the crown and contributed to the suffering of his people.

Queen RinRin is left to manage the throne's affairs on her own, frustrated by her husband's selfishness and destructive tendencies.

Consort Macaque is tormented by the endless string of lovers his husband takes. He grows resentful after so many heartbreaks and lets it out on the harem. Violently.

Concubine Shanzha heard the rumors about the king. She tries to keep her head low but she's somehow gained his attention. And she's scared of all the trouble that is going to come with it.

Unexpectedly, the Monkey King suffered a head wound and was bedridden for days. Perhaps it was an assassination attempt? No one knows.

It didn't matter because the Monkey King woke up without his memories. It caused a bit of chaos all around. Everyone expected even more trouble.

To everyone surprise, he didn't.

The king started to participate in state affiars. He was clumsy and inexpierienced, but he was still trying his best. RinRin finds herself charmed by this new version of her husband.

While he doesn't remember Macaque, the king has become far more considerate and had dissolved the harem. The consort's resentment and bitterness was all but forgotten.

While the majority of the harem disbanded, Shanzha had to stay because of her political hostage position. But...it wasn't that bad? The king was respectful and gave her a lot of agency. She could pray and shoot at the archery range when she pleased.

Everyone doesn't say it out loud, but they liked this new king better. They hoped he never got his memories back.

Wukong's POV:

He's freaking out y'all.

I mean, it's pretty obvious, but it still needed to be said. He was freaking out.

Wukong didn't finish reading the novel before he was yeeted into it. He got so frustrated that he tossed it away. He regrets it so much now.

Wukong is the sheer definition of faking it til you make it. He spammed the HELL out of his amnesia while he tried to get into the groove of his role as Emperor.

Wukong's initial goal was to survive and not have any one find out he was an imposter. Then, after seeing just how much the OG!Wukong fucked everything up, he took it upon himself to unfuck as much as he can.

Good news: Wukong is making more progress than he expected. He's taking some of the load off of RinRin's shoulders by participating in meetings; he's taking away the major stressor in Macaque's life by dissolving the harem; and he's trying to make Shanzha's time in the kingdom as bearable as possible.

Bad news: All three of them somehow took his actions as an invitation to start trying to seduce him. Don't get him wrong. They're all gorgeous and amazing - Wukong isn't blind - but he's not really their husband. He's just some loser who hijacked their real husband's body. So he puts on the "I don't know I'm dumb" vizor on and hopes to high hell that no one sees through it.

They eventually do, so Wukong elects to scream and run.

When Shanzha opened up to Wukong and told him about her life and of her niece, he cried. He was always a sucker for tragic backstories. Why didn't the novel talk about this?

Not long after, he requested demanded Shanzha's homeland to send over her niece. Shanzha was overwhelmed when he gave her the exciting news.

Since Wukong taking a ward was huge, the entire court were there to recieve Yue. It was actually the first time RinRin and Shanzha crossed paths. It was butterflies at first "hi" for the queen who was regretting not being more involved with the harem.

Shanzha and Yue's reunion was so tearjerking that Wukong had to take a minute. Then, it was revealed that Yue was actually Macaque's family too. The six ears kinda made it obvious. Plot twist after plot twist, why didn't the author of the trash novel focus on THIS?!

Wukong never saw a baby monkey before so he's practically exploding because of Yue's cuteness. He was super duper doting.

Wukong also saw a way out of the entire "making an heir" business, so he names Yue his heir and hopes that this stops his spouses from trying to jump him.

It doesn't. Wukong's "Baba" energy just made him even more irresistable. Sorry Wukong.

The three have also joined forces. Oh no.

The Plot Twist:

One day, little Yue blinks up at Wukong and asks him if he can pretty please take her to see the nearby waterfall together. When he does, Yue takes advantage of the waterfall being a natural white noise machine to talk to him.

Yue: "You're a transmigrator too, aren't you?" Wukong: 😮"Whaaaaaaa-?!"

Yup, Yue's a transmigrator. She also read the trashy novel - all of it. So she has all the deets, which Wukong begs off of her by helping her reach high places and giving her treats.

Everyone: Aww, he's so good with her Wukong: Oh wise senior, please share your wisdom Yue: Tell the cooks to make the Dan Dan Noodles extra spicy hot and I'll think about it

Yue also helps her fellow homie out by being a deterrent for romantic advances. Can't talk or do anything beyond PG around the baby.

Wukong tells Yue about his plan to run away after setting everything and leaving the kingdom to her and she bluntly tells him that it was a dumb plan.

Yue: "At least wait until I'm not a baby to abdicate."

Yue also (gently) breaks it to Wukong that he's stuck here. The him in his original reality is most likely dead.

So, after a bit of spiraling, Wukong approaches his spouses and tells them the truth.

It was a bit shocking and they (Macaque and RinRin) needed some time to come to terms with the revelation, but this doesn't deter the three of them in the slightest. They're all in love with this Wukong and want to spend the rest of their lives with him.

(By the time Yue comes of age, Wukong does accept their advances enough to give her cute little brothers lol.)

[andypantsx3]

andy dearest!! 🥺

are you still thinking about imperial japan prince shouto?? that is one of my favorite drabbles at the moment!! the way you wrote him stays on my mind constantly 🥰🥰💗

Omg I am thinking of him too!! I am actually like 2k into a follow up drabble for him but I haven't had the capacity or brain power to get it over the finish line just yet! But yes, he is VERY MUCH on the brain at present lmao.

[anastasiasultana]

PELIN KARAHAN AS MIHRIMAH SULTAN

very much her mother's daughter, she would prove spirited & strong willed

[miser-of-miscellaneous]

From 'My Return to the Imperial Harem: The Tale of Snow White Sow'

[stars4krios]

So Zuko AU that was birthed purly from aesthetics; Zuko with an Imperial Harem.

Zuko who's just accended to the throne and is expected to fill out her (trans fem Zuko cause, hanfu) harem, she sends out an invitation to join said harem to any literate afab person of high-ish social standing willing to bear her children, in exchange they'd gain political ties with the Fire Nation for their tribe/kingdom/family

Cue multi shipping madness where Zuko is with everyone I ship her with all at once and I also get to put them in pretty clothes

[sea-lanterns]

Other Courtesans: *courting the Empress in romantic and fancy ways…*

Furina when she courts the Empress:

[wife-419]

Whichever wife keeps leaving her intimate jade pillars in the gardens, please stop. I understand when you’re having fun with our Lord Husband you lose focus, but other people spend time here too.

If you or your servants don’t pick it up next time, this one will be forced to take drastic actions.

This one might not be the vampire type of bat demon, but she’s not afraid to draw blood.

[brandwhorestarscream]

Imperial harem au

so how does the first meeting between starscream and his harem go?

Simple: it doesn't 🤭

Starscream is very against the idea and is definitely dragging his feet. Usually he thrives on attention, and you'd think he'd be all over the idea of schmoozing with a bunch of wealthy and well-bred beauties desperately clamoring for his attention and trying to seduce him.

But no. Starscream may be a narcissistic and he does love attention, but this Starscream is incredibly young compared to the one we know in canon. He's fresh out of school, has just graduated with his first degree. The closest thing he's ever had to a real relationship is Skyfire, and that whole thing is messy, to say the least, due to Vosian politics. He's not in any rush to give himself to anyone, not only because he's young and inexperienced and wants to be strategic about it, but because it feels so completely objectifying. Dehumanizing, if you will. One of those concubines is going to be his future trine mate, whether he likes it or not, and he's dreading it. He doesn't know these people. He can't stand the idea of spending the rest of his life tied to a couple strangers that will only be using him for the position of royalty for the rest of his life. And he has to touch them to do it? No thank you. This Starscream is so wet behind the ears and has been so dedicated to his studies he's not even had his first time yet. He wants it to happen naturally, wants it to be with someone that'll make it feel good physically and emotionally.

So, he's not exactly jumping for joy when the day comes for the ceremony to be performed, to welcome the contenders into the palace. His parents go all out, naturally: though they may be of higher rank, they're still greeting and welcoming a bunch of very important young lords and ladies as their extended guests, and the last thing they want to do is insult their families and cause turmoil. The processions are grand, palace gates and courtyard decorated with finery and dazzling lights and jewels as each one arrives, all dolled up in the finest paint and polish with an entourage of attendants handpicked from their less fortunate relatives, being led by the head trine of their aerie coming to present them.

Starscream is naturally posted with the Winglord and his trine as the offerings arrive; each and every one is clearly well loved and doted on, soft and lovely faces, plenty of jewelry and ceremonial glyphs, grace incarnate as they approach. Upon each of their forehelms they're marked with the titles they have been awarded, traditionally indicating which house they hail from. The Peaceful, Vigorous, Wise, Protective, and Gilded Consorts. The final one is the only one he pays any attention to, presented from the noble house second only in power to his own. The beloved grandson of the House of Commerce's matriarch is covered helm to thrusters in metallic golden glyphs, draped in golden chains and golden bracelets. The other concubines have their glyphs done in traditional black or white. It's quite a statement, and is rife with cheek. He sparkles and shines so brilliantly it's hard to look at him, and it's a clear statement to everyone: he's the favorite to win.

Thundercracker himself has a deadpan look on his face, optics blank and laser focused straight ahead of him, expression cold and unwavering and perfect like a lovingly sculpted statue. He's the very picture of icy cold arrogance and class, and even without his parents' say-so Starscream knows he should probably be one of the two he chooses. His House has the economy in the palm of their hand, after all, and own over half the city's assets and housing. Grand Matriarch Permafrost deeply adores him, her favorite grandchild of all, and to snub them would not bode well.

Following the welcome ceremony where he says all of but six words, "I thank you for your presence.", the concubines are taken to the inner palace's courtyard to settle in and be assigned their pavillions. Traditionally at this point the prince would go survey the goods one on one, but Starscream couldn't care less. He doesn't want to go. The sooner he sets foot in there the sooner he'll have to start performing nightly duties, and he's quietly dreading it. Being with another person seems like such a big deal and he feels vaguely nauseous at having to be touched by someone he barely knows.

He avoids it as long as he can, squirreling himself away in inconspicuous library wings to study law or mathematics or anything, really, so long as no one can say he's wasting time. He is, mind you, but at least he's doing something productive. A unique brand of procrastination, to be sure 🤭 this goes on for exactly a decacycle (10 days), before the Winglord steps in. Sternly telling him that he has to actually go see his concubines, and while a vorn may sound like a long time, conceptions can be finicky. If he wants to get to know them better before bedding them, that's fine, but in that case he needs to actually make an effort to familiarize himself. A new private rule is implemented: he has to go see each of the concubines at least once a decacycle: that's 5 days out of every 10 that he has to go visit the inner palace, effective immediately. He's less than thrilled.

He has no idea which one to visit first, so leaves it up to chance. Tosses all five names into a random generator and decides whichever one it spits out, that's who he's going to see

...

I have already decided who he's going to visit first and the drama that ensues 🤭 any guesses owo

[choujinx]

KOUKYUU MO NIDOME NARA: SHIRO BUTAHI SAIRAIDEN (2022-2024) by ichise deshika & doja

[nascentsoulstudios]

Is Phoenix Rising still being worked on?

Yes! However, since we're in the Debugging stage, I don't have much I can report on right now. That said, please look forward to an update to the Demo soon. Once I have the update ready, I'll be reinstating the links. For now, since both sites that once hosted the demo are currently no longer functioning, we'll have to wait. My apologies for the confusion.

[kilenavictwrites]

THREADS OF FATE (REMARRIED EMPRESS)

SYNOPSIS: In the heart of the Empire of Longyin, Empress Navier stands as a paragon of grace and power, guiding the realm alongside her husband, Emperor Sovieshu. But beneath the splendor of the imperial court lies a web of secrets, ambitions, and betrayals that threaten to unravel everything.

When a mysterious concubine enters the palace, the delicate balance Navier has carefully upheld begins to shift. Whispers of scandal ripple through the court, alliances fracture, and the empire teeters on the brink of chaos. As enemies close in from all sides, Navier must navigate a treacherous path of loyalty and love, where every choice could determine the fate of the empire-and her own. Amid the intrigue, a foreign crown prince arrives, offering an unexpected alliance and stirring questions of destiny. Will Navier reclaim her place beneath the throne, or will she rise beyond its reach? In a world steeped in ancient traditions and shadowed by ambition, THREADS OF FATE is a tale of resilience, power, and the enigmatic forces that shape history.

The Remarried Empress but instead of the European setting, it's in Ancient China.

[centuryberry]

Out of curiosity in the imperial harem au, how did Macaque and Rinrin stop their cold war towards each other?

Funny story, actually.

Pre-Transmigration, Macaque would often go into jealous rages whenever he heard Wukong getting...busy with his lover of the month. But he was used to it. He'd just cry and find a way to kill them off later to feel better.

Post-Transmigration? Macaque quickly got used to this new Wukong who was more considerate and sweet. A Wukong who dissolved the harem and refused to touch his queen or his consort. So, when he heard the sounds of Shanzha making out with someone she was calling "your majesty," Macaque was enraged. He felt betrayed. He stormed over and kicked down the doors and...found Shanzha tangled up with the other royal.

It was a complete icebreaker and it gave Macaque the chance to see RinRin without her courtly perfect mask. It was also super awkward so, after a little bit of staring, he excused himself and closed the door.

RinRin invited him for tea. He had to go to at least apologize for breaking in. They have a heart-to-heart. It wasn't perfect, but was the first step of what would eventually become a wonderful alliance and partnership.

[stellanslashgeode]

This is me not becoming increasingly concerned at the lack of Riyo Chuchi name drops in the Senate scenes in Andor.