concubine
妾 centers on a woman in a subordinate marital role: a concubine. The meaning is specific to this historical social position.
妾 combines 立 (stand) and 女 (woman), historically suggesting a woman who stands in service or a subordinate position. The exact origin is not fully certain, but the component combination fits the concubine meaning.
A woman 女 standing 立 in a secondary role: 妾 is a concubine, a woman who stands beside the main wife.
For ショウ, imagine a concubine putting on a show to gain favor: show -> ショウ, and she stands 立 as a woman 女 performing.
mistress; kept woman; concubine
beloved concubine; favourite concubine (e.g. of the shogun)
(the most thrilling relationships for a man are) another man's wife, a maidservant, a mistress, a prostitute, and finally his own wife
concubine; mistress
foreigner's mistress
one's wife and mistress(es)
mistress; kept woman; concubine
I; me
illegitimate (e.g. born to a mistress)
serving as a concubine
house in which a mistress is kept
illegitimate (e.g. born to a mistress)
beloved concubine; favorite mistress
Westerner's mistress
male paramour
keeping a mistress (concubine)