In ancient China, women were expected to be obedient and chaste. But throughout millennia, some dared defy traditions with their intellect and ambition. In this series, we profile some of the most powerful and enigmatic female figures in Chinese history.

The story of Consort Wan Zhen’er is what modern-day Chinese costume dramas are made of: a forbidden romance, imperial court intrigues and true love.

Consort Wan, or Wan Guifei, entered the palace as a child servant, assigned to attend to the young Crown Prince Zhu Jianshen, who later became Emperor Chenghua of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). She was 17 years his senior.

The Ming imperial harem was strictly hierarchical, and women of the inner palace were selected from commoner families to ensure no outside power threatened the throne. Their status was determined by birth, age and their ability to bear sons. A woman who was older, low-born and childless would normally have no path to influence, much less become an emperor’s most beloved consort.

A lifeline in the dark

Zhu Jianshen was just two when his father, Emperor Yingzong, was captured by Mongol forces during battle in 1449. His uncle seized the throne as Emperor Jingtai, and the young prince was soon stripped of his status and isolated within the cavernous Forbidden City. Left with almost no allies, Jianshen lived in constant fear of assassination or poison.