Under the monogamy of modern society, we can re-examine the ancient "concubine", which corresponds to the "little three" or "second milk" in people's mouths today. However, ancient concubines differed from modern men who pampered mistresses but treats married wives coldly. In ancient times, no matter how much men favored their concubines, their status would never surpass that of men's official wives.
In fact, not only that, but concubines were only superior to slaves and servants in the eyes of men and wives, although they also had to assume the duties of wives, such as accompanying their husbands, taking care of household chores, and continuing the family lineage. However, in their hearts, men are still the dominant figures. Their rights are severely restricted and their status is humble. In ancient times, men usually married concubines not because they met someone they liked after marriage, but because they already had a wife, so they could only marry concubines in the hope of having children. Therefore, concubines are seen as instruments of fertility in the family. However, if both the wife and the concubine give birth to sons, the son of the right wife will have a higher status than the son of the concubine. The sons of the right wife are called "concubines", while the sons of concubines are called "concubines".
Concubines usually have more opportunities to spend the night with their husbands because they are given the responsibility of procreation. Nevertheless, if the wife is not at home, the concubine cannot spend the night with her husband and can only leave after completing their duties. In addition, there is a strange rule that a concubine, on her first night as a bride, must first watch the right wife share a bed with her husband. Concubines had a low status in the family, almost like servants, husbands and wives could scold them at will, concubines could not fight back, and sometimes they might even be killed.
A concubine can never become an official wife. Even if the right wife dies for various reasons, the husband will marry another right wife without promoting the status of the concubine. In addition, after the death of a concubine, she cannot be buried with her husband, because it is the privilege of the right wife to be buried with her husband, and concubines are absolutely not allowed to sleep with their husbands.
Of course, there were some exceptions in ancient times, sometimes the right wife could not bear a son, and the concubine could improve her status by giving birth to a son. Some families also treat concubines more humanely. However, the ancient concept of hierarchy was deeply rooted, and the status of women was not high, making it extremely difficult for concubines to change their fate in the family.
In short, don't be fooled by the surface of the "second milk" in modern society, the life of concubines in ancient times was extremely difficult.