The concubine selection's contestants

That same day,, every consort in the palace sent their maids to acquire information about the ladies who were participating in the consort selection. The empress was no exception as she waited in her palace for her maid to return to give some news while she was slowly in losing her patience. She was about to send another maid out but her maid finally returned, easing her nervous heart. She immediately scolded her. "What took you so long? How can you spend so much time for such an easy task?"

The poor maid felt so wronged. Her mistress was the one who had repeatedly warned her to confirm each piece of news she received or why would she waste so much time? "Forgive me, Your Highness."

The empress waved her up and said. "Tell me everything you had heard."