Editing Lady-in-waiting (section)

====Song====
At least during the [[Song dynasty]] (960–1279), palace women were divided in three groups: imperial women (consisting of concubines and consorts), imperial daughters (consisting of daughters and sisters of the emperor), and the female officials and assistants, who performed a wide range of tasks and could potentially be promoted to the rank of concubine or consort.<ref name="harvnb|Chung|pp=960–1126">{{harvnb|Chung|pp=960–1126}}</ref>

Women from official elite families could be chosen to become empress, consort or concubine immediately upon their entrance in the palace, but the emperor could also promote any female court official to that post, as they were officially all members of his harem.<ref name="harvnb|Chung|pp=960–1126" />

The female court officials and attendants were normally selected from trusted families and then educated for their task.<ref name="harvnb|Chung|pp=960–1126" />