The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

The ranks of imperial concubines during the Han and Tang dynasties were as follows:

汉朝

-Western Han Dynasty: In the early period, the emperor's wife was called Empress, and his concubines were all called Lady. Eight ranks were established: Empress, Lady, Beauty, Good Lady, Eighth Lady, Seventh Lady, Senior Attendant, and Junior Attendant. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, the ranks of Jieyu, Xing'e, Ronghua, and Chongyi were added. During the reign of Emperor Yuan of Han, the rank of Zhaoyi was created, second only to the Empress. At this time, in addition to the Empress, fourteen ranks were established.

-Xin Dynasty: During Wang Mang's reign, he reformed the system by invoking ancient precedents. He established three positions, namely He Pin, Mei Yu, and He Ren, which were equivalent to the three consorts; nine positions, namely the nine consorts, which were equivalent to the ministers; twenty-seven positions, namely the twenty-seven ladies-in-waiting, which were equivalent to the grand masters; and eighty-one positions, namely the eighty-one imperial wives, which were equivalent to the Yuan Shi.

-Eastern Han Dynasty: After the restoration of the Han Dynasty by Emperor Guangwu, the titles of the six palaces were reduced to Empress and Noble Lady. Three more titles were added: Beauty, Palace Attendant, and Lady-in-Waiting, without any official rank.

Tang Dynasty

-In the early Tang Dynasty: There was an Empress; four consorts of the first rank, namely Guifei, Shufei, Defei, and Xianfei; nine concubines of the second rank, namely Zhaoyi, Zhaorong, Zhaoyuan, Xiuyi, Xirong, Xiuyuan, Chongyi, Chongrong, and Chongyuan; twenty-seven ladies-in-waiting of the third to fifth ranks, including nine Jieyu, nine Meiren, and nine Cairen; and eighty-one imperial wives of the sixth to eighth ranks, including twenty-seven Baolin, twenty-seven Yunu, and twenty-seven Cainu.

During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang: Two Zan De were appointed to replace the Consorts, with the rank of First Grade; four Xuan Yi were appointed to replace the Nine Concubines, with the rank of Second Grade; five Cheng Gui were appointed to replace the Beauties, with the rank of Fourth Grade; five Cheng Zhi were appointed to replace the Talented Women, with the rank of Fifth Grade; six Wei Xian were appointed to replace the Bao Lin, with the rank of Sixth Grade; eight Gong Feng were appointed to replace the Imperial Women, with the rank of Seventh Grade; and twenty Shi Zhi were appointed to replace the Consorts, with the rank of Eighth Grade. In addition, twenty Shi Jin were appointed, with the rank of Ninth Grade.

-During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang: Below the Empress, there were three Consorts: Consort Hui, Consort Li, and Consort Hua, who replaced the three ladies and were of the first rank; six Fangyi were appointed, who were of the second rank; four Meiren were appointed, who were of the third rank; seven Cairen were appointed, who were of the fourth rank; and two Shanggong, Shangyi, and Shangfu were appointed, who were of the fifth rank.

-Background: During the later years of Emperor Daozong's reign, Yelü Yixin felt his power was threatened by the Crown Prince's involvement in politics and attempted to frame Xiao Guanyin first, then depose the Crown Prince. After Xiao Guanyin composed the poem "Huixinyuan," only the court musician Zhao Weiyi could sing it to her satisfaction. Yelü Yixin then bribed the palace maid Shan Deng and the court musician Zhu Dinghe to secretly send someone to compose the poem "Shixiangci," framing Xiao Guanyin and Zhao Weiyi for having an affair.

-Impact: After reading "Ten Fragrances Lyrics", Empress Xiao Guanyin praised it and wrote the poem "Remembering the Past". Yelü Yixin used the three characters "Zhao", "Wei", and "Yi" in the poem as "evidence" to point out that the Empress had an affair with Zhao Weiyi. Empress Xiao Guanyin was given death, and the Crown Prince was also deposed and killed. The internal contradictions of the Liao ruling group intensified, which accelerated the decline of the Liao Dynasty.

Here are some poems expressing the joy of love between men and women during a short separation:

- From "Partridge Sky - Colorful Sleeves Eagerly Holding a Jade Cup": Yan Jidao's lines, "Since parting, I recall our meeting; how many times have my soul and dreams been with you? Tonight, I'll light the silver lamp again, still fearing our meeting is but a dream," vividly express the longing after separation, the joy and disbelief upon reunion, and the complex emotions of a brief separation followed by a reunion.

- "Sending a Letter North on a Rainy Night": Li Shangyin's poem, "You ask when I will return, but there is no set date; the autumn rain in Bashan swells the pond at night. When will we trim the candles together by the west window, and talk again of the rainy night in Bashan?" The poet imagines a warm scene of trimming candle wicks and having a long talk with his wife when they reunite, reflecting the deep affection between husband and wife and their longing for their reunion.

- "Southern Song Tune: The Low-Clothed Hairpin" by Wen Tingyun: "The low-clothed hairpin, the delicate eyebrows. All day long we yearn for each other. For you I am wasting away, even in the season of a hundred flowers." This poem depicts a woman's wasting away due to longing for her distant lover, hinting at the depth of her longing after a long separation, suggesting that their love will be even stronger upon reunion.

- "Huanxi Sha - Let's Not Talk About Tears When We Meet Again": Ouyang Jiong's poem, "Let's not talk about tears when we meet again, for after the wine, we can reminisce about our joy. We sleep on golden pillows and behind phoenix screens. The fragrance of orchids and musk wafts from our breaths, and the delicate threads of silk reveal our skin. At this moment, I still regret that you are heartless," vividly depicts the joyous scene and complex emotions of lovers reuniting after a long separation.