The Reborn Concubine Struggle To Become Empress

Ranking Of The Emperor's Imperial Concubine "For readers interested in understanding the imperial ranking system, this explanation will help clarify the hierarchy, avoiding confusion while reading the novel." if not interested scroll to the down and read chapter 1 1. Huanghou (Empress) - Wife of the Emperor Consorts: 1. Húanggōng (Imperial Noble Consort) - One rank below the Empress(Gui Fei, Xian Fei, Shu Fei, and De Fei are all first rank nobel consort 2. Fēi (Imperial Consort) - Typically, the Emperor's favorite consorts 3. Jìe yù (Virtuous and Gentle Consort) - Consorts with notable virtues 4. Dé yù (Virtuous Consort) - Consorts with notable moral character 5. Gōng yù (Noble Consort) - Consorts with noble birth or exceptional beauty 6. Cairen (Talented Person) - Consorts with exceptional talents or skills 7. Yiren Imperial Concubine (Lady of Gentle Deportment) - Consorts with refined manners 8. Wényuan (Lady of Literary Garden) - Consorts with literary talents 9. Cháorong (Lady of Brilliant Countenance) - Consorts with exceptional beauty 10. Anrong (Lady of Peaceful Countenance) - Lower-ranking consorts 11. Gongfu (Lady of Respectful Service) - Lowest-ranking consort this Chapter 1 "Mei Liang was dragged from her Chunqi Residence by Noble Consort De's palace guards, unaware of her wrongdoing. As a concubine of the emperor, she had never endured such treatment before. Born into privilege as the pampered daughter of General Mei, protector of the Ming Dynasty's northern borders, Mei Liang was treasured by her father and brother at home. After falling deeply in love with the emperor at first sight during the royal ball, she entered the palace as a Cháorong Concubine of the ninth rank. Following the emperor's favor, she rose to Imperial Concubine. However, her newfound status fueled arrogance, leading to gradual loss of favor." "After offending nearly all the imperial concubines, including the Empress, Mei Liang became the target of Imperial Concubine Jun Yiren's . Concubine Jun Yiren revealed evidence of Mei Liang's alleged role in the death of Noble Consort Zhao's child, a capital offense against an imperial heir. As a result, Mei Liang was demoted to Cháorong of the ninth Rank. Lost and humiliated, Mei Liang arrived at Yunqi Palace, where she was dragged into the main hall. There, she faced the emperor, Empress, Noble Consort De, Imperial Concubine Jun Yiren, and other concubines, all gathered to confront her. The once-elegant Mei Liang now stood before them, disheveled and stripped of her jewelry, which had been discarded during her harsh treatment by the guards." Although confused by the guards' treatment, Mei Liang bowed and greeted the emperor, empress, and higher-ranking concubines. "Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand thousand. Long live the Empress, ten thousand years of peace. Long live the Noble Consort, Consort, Imperial Concubine, noble wish you peace and good health." "You may rise," the emperor commanded. Mei Liang stood up from the ground. "May this concubine ask the emperor why I was dragged here by the guards?" she asked. "Impudent!" Imperial Concubine Jun Yiren interrupted before the emperor could respond. "How dare you question the emperor?" "Mei Liang, do you admit your crime?" Jun Yiren continued. "I ask, Imperial Concubine Jun, what crime have I committed?" Mei Liang replied. "You still dare to deny it?" Concubine Jun Yiren retorted. All the concubines kept quiet as Imperial Concubine Jun questioned Mei Liang, including the emperor and empress. "Did you know that your father betrayed the country and sold out the secrets of our Ming Dynasty to our enemies?" Imperial Concubine Jun asked, her voice cold and calculated. "Your brother was killed on the battlefield, struck by a thousand arrows to the heart, while your father is being sent to the capital to be beheaded for trading army secrets." "You're lying!" Mei Liang exclaimed, her voice trembling with rage. "My father is loyal to the emperor and our country; he would never do such a thing." Mei Liang crawled towards the emperor, grasping his royal robe and pleading. "Your Majesty, you know how loyal my father and brother are; they would never betray the empire. Someone is framing them. I beg Your Majesty to investigate and prove my father's innocence." As Mei Liang cried out in protest, she saw the emperor looking at her with undisguised disgust. "How dare you lie?" Imperial Concubine Jun accused. "You tied Noble Consort Wei's name, birthdate, and zodiac sign to a voodoo doll with needles. Do you still dare to deny your crime?" "Your Majesty, please investigate," Mei Liang pleaded. "I didn't have anything to do with it." Emperor Xiang gestured to a eunuch behind him, who produced the voodoo doll. The emperor threw it into Mei Liang's face. "Do you still dare to lie?" he demanded. "This was found in your palace, and your own palace maid, Mei Meng, reported it." Mei Liang's face sank when she heard Mei Ming's name. How could Mei Ming betray her after everything she had done for her and her family? "Mei Liang could never have expected such betrayal from Mei Ming, after all they had been through thick and thin, sharing countless hardships together. Seeing Mei Ming enter Yunqi Palace, Mei Liang's eyes widened in shock. 'How could you do this to me?' she exclaimed, striding towards Mei Ming and slapping her. Everyone was stunned by the sudden outburst. 'After all, everyone knew how kindly Concubine Cháorong Mei Liang treated her,' Mei Ming's eyes dropped, her voice trembling. 'I'm sorry, Mistress. They told me I had to do this to save the young master and the general.'" "Once I finish this request, they'll let them go," Mei Liang said, but Imperial Concubine Jun quickly interjected. "Who are you deceiving? Who could threaten you, and you wouldn't report it to your mistress?" Imperial Concubine Jun asked, her voice dripping with malice. "Don't try to deceive anyone here, Your Majesty. What shall be done to Cháorong Mei now?" "Because of your father's past achievements," Emperor Xiang declared, "you will be sentenced to death by a thousand cuts." Imperial Concubine Jun sneered, "Cháorong Mei, aren't you grateful? Don't you thank the emperor for his mercy?" Mei Liang's eyes flashed with sarcasm. "Thank the emperor for his mercy? I've spent four years in this palace, and this is my reward for loving him. Now I see why they say the imperial family are the most heartless people." Noble Consort Wei, known for her gentle nature, suddenly turned red with anger. "How dare you curse the emperor!" she shouted. Mei Liang retorted, "Can you shut up, Noble Consort Wei? You don't understand my pain. You don't know what it's like to see your entire family die because of you." "Because of the emperor's careless words, I learned about the Western army's struggles," Mei Liang said, her voice laced with irony. "I told my father to join the Western army, to fight against the Lan Xang Kingdom. But he wasn't supposed to interfere with Western army issues; his focus was the Northern army. I sent my brother and father to their deaths." Mei Liang's eyes blazed with anguish. "Can you understand my pain? Your father is just a civil official; he doesn't face war's brutal realities. How can you comprehend my loss? Don't pretend to be sympathetic in front of me. You know I had no involvement in this stupid voodoo doll. You and the emperor seek to eliminate me now that my family's influence is gone." Noble Consort Wei's face reddened. "Cháorong Mei, how dare you accuse me! You know what you've done; don't hide behind a pitiful act!" Imperial Concubine Jun swiftly intervened, seeking to please the emperor. "Your Majesty, let me reason with Sister Mei first." Emperor Xiang's expression remained impassive, but his face held a hint of a devilish smile . "Proceed, Imperial Concubine Jun."