How murder and secrecy helped create China’s only monogamous emperor

It is no secret that Chinese emperors had many women in their lives, and the imperial concubine system was a significant feature of feudal social structures.

Ming-era (1368–1644) emperors could have upwards of 9,000 consorts, ostensibly to ensure an heir. Unfortunately, these women often existed in gilded prisons, barred from leaving the palace grounds and frequently subject to the wrath of a cruel emperor.

However, one leader stands out for doing just the opposite; the Hongzhi Emperor (r. 1487–1505) is remarkable for being the only emperor who chose a life of monogamy. He was devoted to Empress Zhang (1471–1541) throughout his life and seemingly did not engage in any affairs, much less maintain a systematic harem.

His loyalty appears to stem from genuine love and affection, but historians also suggest that Hongzhi’s monogamy – and notably, his rejection of concubines – was influenced by a childhood filled with murder and intrigue that could rival modern period dramas.

The source of Hongzhi’s caution was his father’s favourite consort, surnamed Wan. She was ruthless in eliminating any threats to her standing in the palace, which inevitably included any potential heirs.

Hongzhi was born to a low-ranking palace woman surnamed Ji, which immediately placed him in danger. At one point, Wan actively sought to track down and eliminate any possible heirs, sometimes including their mothers.

A group of loyal servants, aware of the baby’s significance, raised him in the servants’ quarters for six years. During this time, he developed a deep bond with his mother, compounding his tragic upbringing.

Hongzhi’s father, the Chenghua Emperor, was unaware of his son’s existence for five years. However, upon discovering him, he quickly proclaimed the boy as his heir apparent, which offered some protection but, unfortunately, not to his mother, who died under suspicious circumstances shortly thereafter.

The theory is that this traumatic family history, coupled with his affection for his mother and love for his wife, led Hongzhi to embrace monogamy.

Hongzhi’s personal loyalty to the empress was further reinforced by his deep devotion to Confucian ideology, which emphasised the sanctity of marriage.

Nevertheless, the Emperor’s loyalty may have had negative repercussions, particularly regarding the powerful roles wielded by his brothers-in-law.

These two brothers were famously corrupt, exploiting their influence for personal gain and engaging in selfish behaviour that tarnished the reputation of an otherwise well-respected emperor.

Hongzhi fell ill in 1505 and passed away shortly thereafter, leaving behind a legacy defined by high competence and a true devotion to the Confucian values many other emperors only pretended to uphold.