The reason why concubines in ancient courts want to compete for favor is not necessarily for themselves, but also for their families and children, so they want to compete for favor. The emperor's favor is not only the basis for their survival in the imperial court, but also the basis for the continued glory of the concubines' family. In ancient times, the former dynasty was closely related to the harem, and many women were sent to the palace to be the concubines of the emperor because of their elders' position in the court. These women all entered the palace with tasks. So it is impossible for them not to compete for favor. First of all, concubines must compete for favor in order to survive in the palace. Concubines in the palace only rely on the emperor, but also must rely on the emperor's love. During the reign of Emperor Gaozu, Lv Zhi, as a queen, was humiliated by Mrs. Qi, who was a concubine, but was favored by Liu Bang. Therefore, the status of women in the palace is completely determined by the emperor's favor. Without the emperor's love, even if she is a queen, she will be degraded and trampled on. Secondly, concubines should also strive for favor for their families. Ancient harem women hardly lived for themselves, and they were all victims of politics. In The Harem, Shi Lan entered the palace in the year of Hua Fei only to consolidate the position of her family. Hua Fei was favored in the harem and Nian Gengyao in the vestibule, which were closely related. The imperial concubine Dunsu in history was deeply loved by Yong Zhengdi. So the emperor didn't deal with her brother Nian Gengyao for a long time. Shortly after the death of Princess Dunsu, her brother Nian Gengyao was disposed of.

Finally, concubines may compete for favor for their children. The concubines who have no children and daughters can't get the favor of the emperor, so they can only live alone in the harem, hoping to have a child to accompany them and a dependence when they are old; The concubines who have children are afraid that the emperor doesn't love their children, so they want to improve their status by being loved by themselves. These are the reasons why ancient concubines had to compete for favor. Although almost all concubines in ancient times competed for favor, some did not. And those who don't compete for favor may not even be as good as maids in the palace.