A woman's fortune were tied to those of her sun, and therefore the highest ranking female in the kingdom was the sultan's mother; beneath her was the mother of the sultan's eldest son. Next were the women promoted to "fortunate" once they had been invited to share the sultan's bed. Beneath them were the "in favor", or women who might eventually share his bed. The "privileged ones" and the "novices" formed the two lowest ranks, to which Roxelana initially belonged.
Roxelana was slight and limber, but apart from her reddish hair was or particular beauty; her joyous, fearless nature was what made her stand out. She liked to adorn herself with bright ornaments and wear unusual costumes, and on his visits to the harem, Suleiman began to talk with her because of his interest in the lands to the North. On the day he left his scarf on her shoulder as a sign that he wished to sleep with her, she was immediately raised to a the "in favor" status. In 1521, when Roxelana gave birth to Suleiman's son, named Medmed, she became the third most powerful woman in the harem. Rivalry was inevitable in such a system, and Gulabahar Sultana, the mother of Mustafa, the sultan's eldest son, began to display her anger at eh favors shown Roxelana. But when Gulabahar attacked and insulted Roxelana, tearing her hair, scratching her face, and saying, "Traitor, sold meat, you want to compete with me?", she miscalculated the resourcefulness of her opponent. When Suleiman next summoned Roxelana, she refused to come, sending the excuse that since she was "sold meat," with a scratched face and torn out hair, she was unworthy to be in the sultan's presence. It was an act that could have caused her her life. .
Impressed by Roxelana's fearlessness and more intrigued than ever, Suleiman sent for Gulabahar and asked if the story was true. She replied not only was it true, but that Roxelana had gotten what she deserved. Shortly thereafter, Suleiman made his son Mustafa governor of Mansia, a province far from the seat of power; this change required Gulabahar to accompany him.
