The Male Consort: Star Palace Register

Though the Xian Dynasty is a fictional creation in this alternate-history novel, the imperial heirs still require the women consorts retained in the original palace quarters, making the setup more accessible to readers outside the danmei community. The male consorts have not been granted the ability to reproduce with members of the same sex; they serve only as companions for the emperor’s pleasure and are housed in the specially expanded Northern Wu Palace. They were originally just a novelty introduced by Emperor Dingzu to liven things up. By Emperor Huizong’s reign, however, the side dish had become the main course. Thus began the struggle for power among the twenty-eight male consorts.