She was one of Emperor Xuanzong's favorite
concubine, often known as Mei fei (with
fei being a standard rank for
imperial consorts during her lifetime). As her actual name was Jiang Caipin, she was originally called Consort Jiang. After being told by her that she greatly favored Plum-Blossom flowers (the flower is pronounced as
mei in Chinese), Emperor Xuanzong began to fondly address her as Consort Mei. Consort Mei was initially selected by
Gao Lishi, a
eunuch official of Emperor Xuanzong, to become one of Emperor Xuanzong's concubines in his harem. As Consort Mei was the most literate and talented concubines, she soon obtained Xuanzong's favors. To express the favors towards Consort Mei, Xuanzong commanded servants to plant
Plum-Blossom trees all around her palace to please her interest. Xuanzong even lovingly complimented her beauty as more adorable than
Zhao Feiyan, and swore that he would never change his heart for her. However, in 737, after the death of
Consort Wu, another favorite concubine of Xuanzong, Xuanzong was deeply depressed until
Gao Lishi convinced him to try looking at
Yang Yuhuan - the wife of prince
Li Mao, Xuanzong's son with Consort Wu since her beauty was described as the most "irresistible". Being curious, Xuanzong ordered Yang Yuhuan to come and subsequently fell in love with her beauty. Since Yuhuan was still literally his daughter-in-law (as she was
Li Mao's wife), emperor Xuanzong then stealthily arranged Yuhuan to become a Taoist nun, after a brief moment, Xuanzong eventually offered Yuhuan honorable title as
Yang Guifei (with
Guifei being the highest rank for
imperial consorts) after bestowing his son Li Mao a new wife. Yuhuan became Xuanzong's most beloved consort as Xuanzong soon forgot about Consort Wu's death. His favors towards Consort Mei also waned. In 755,
An Lushan began to create a rebellion (known as
An Lushan Rebellion) in the palace. Emperor Xuanzong decided to bring Yang Guifei and his cortege along to flee from the capital
Chang'an to
Chengdu. Consort Mei was left behind then murdered during the rebellion. ==In popular culture==