When it comes to historical dramas, the drama between wives and concubines is a popular theme, especially in ancient Chinese settings. One standout example is the hit drama “The Story of Minglan” (《知否知否应是绿肥红瘦》), which is set during the Northern Song Dynasty. This show gives viewers a glimpse into the life of a wealthy household, filled with the intrigues and struggles of wives, concubines, and children. While the drama is highly fictionalized, it does shed light on the complex relationships between wives and concubines in ancient China—a subject that’s often overlooked but full of fascinating historical details.

So, what was the actual difference between wives and concubines in ancient China? Let’s dig in.

1. The Power of Position: Wives vs Concubines

In classical Chinese texts like Shuo Wen Jie Zi (说文解字), the term “wife” (妻) is described as “someone who is on equal footing with her husband,” essentially marking her as the mistress of the household. As such, the wife had control over the family’s property and servants, and her position was relatively fixed. In contrast, a concubine (妾) was seen as a servant who happened to sleep with her master—her primary role was to bear children. Concubines were seen as property and, in some cases, even as objects of trade. A man could have multiple concubines depending on his wealth and status, while a wife could only be one.

One notable drama scene from “The Story of Minglan” involves the character Lin Xiaoniang, a concubine who has been entrusted with managing the family finances. This is portrayed as quite abnormal for the time, as it highlights the power imbalance between wives and concubines. In ancient times, a husband who favored his concubine over his wife was seen as breaking moral and familial codes.

2. Different Backgrounds: Wives vs Concubines

Wives typically came from respectable, well-established families. Marrying a wife was a careful and strategic move, designed to ensure that the household’s status remained high. Concubines, on the other hand, often came from lower social strata. Many concubines were captured during tribal wars, taken as spoils of war and later turned into concubines. As the practice evolved, concubines were often poor women from humble backgrounds, sometimes even from brothels.

However, not all concubines were poor. For instance, famous Northern Song official Fan Zhongyan took a concubine named Zhen Jinlian, a woman of great beauty and talent, who had been a courtesan before she became his concubine. While the majority of concubines came from modest or low-status families, the wealthy could also have concubines from affluent backgrounds, though these relationships were still governed by the “marriage-matching” rules.

3. How They Were Acquired: Marriage vs Concubinage

The process of acquiring a wife and a concubine couldn’t have been more different. Marrying a wife involved formal procedures like the “three mediators and six proposals” system (三媒六聘), a series of rituals to ensure that both families were in agreement. In contrast, acquiring a concubine was a much simpler affair—men could buy concubines or “take” them as part of family expansion. In some cases, men who could afford it simply paid for a woman’s services, much like a transaction. In the Northern Song Dynasty, for example, the cost of purchasing a concubine could reach around 90,000 coins (roughly 70,000 RMB today).

Interestingly, the ancient Chinese legal system often viewed concubinage as more of a transaction than a romantic affair. The legalities of concubinage were set in stone, and the price for acquiring a concubine was sometimes recorded. For instance, a historical account records a man from Quzhou, Northern Song, who bought a concubine for 140,000 copper coins (around 150,000 RMB in today’s money).

4. Legal Status: Wives vs Concubines

Marriage to a wife was a legal commitment. For instance, the Qing dynasty had incredibly elaborate rituals for royal weddings, where the queen entered the palace through the grandest entrance—Daqing Gate—symbolizing her equal standing with the emperor. Concubines, however, entered the palace through the back gates, marking their secondary status.

Not only were concubines seen as “lower,” but they were also subject to strict rules. For example, if a concubine’s wife passed away, she could not replace the wife. The legal structure of the time heavily restricted the advancement of concubines, especially when compared to the prominent position of a wife.

5. Family Dynamics and Treatment

The status difference between wives and concubines was evident not only in how they were treated in public but also within the family. Wives were treated as equals and held a dominant role in the household, whereas concubines were considered servants, and their status was far lower. In fact, during the Ming Dynasty, laws stated that a wife could slap a concubine without consequences, as long as it didn’t result in serious injury or death.

The treatment of concubines and wives extended to the afterlife as well. For example, a wife’s burial was treated with respect, with her being buried alongside her husband. In contrast, a concubine would not receive such treatment and would typically be buried separately.

6. A Child’s Status: Legitimate vs Illegitimate

The children born to the wife were considered legitimate heirs, known as “legitimate sons” (嫡出), while those born to concubines were known as “illegitimate sons” (庶出). The differences in how children were viewed had profound implications for inheritance, family legacy, and the future of the household.

This distinction is most famously exemplified in Chinese historical dramas, where the struggle for the title of “legitimate heir” often leads to bitter rivalries between wives and concubines.

7. The Wife’s Attitude Toward Concubines

Interestingly, many wives of the time were more accepting of their husbands taking concubines. Since wives held a higher status, they often viewed concubines as “subordinates” and didn’t feel threatened by them. Some wives even encouraged their husbands to take concubines to ensure the birth of a male heir. In the case of Wang Anshi, a prominent figure in the Northern Song Dynasty, his wife spent 90,000 coins on acquiring a concubine—roughly 70,000 RMB today—for her husband.

Conclusion: A Legacy That Lasts

The history of wives and concubines is a fascinating glimpse into the intricate social structures of ancient China. The differences in their roles and status are not only pivotal to understanding family dynamics in the past, but they also continue to resonate in modern Chinese society and culture. From the portrayal of these relationships in popular dramas to real-life social traditions, the concept of wives and concubines still sparks discussions about gender, power, and family roles.

The legacy of this practice offers valuable insights into how social hierarchies, marriage, and power have shaped human interactions for centuries.