With such rumours buzzing around, those who were keen on marrying their daughters into the royal family began to take action.
Conversely, officials who had no desire for their daughters to marry into the royal family discreetly began to arrange marriages.
Due to this, businesses in cloth shops, boutiques, and jewelry stores in the Imperial City saw a significant increase in sales.
Xiao'er wondered how the Empress Dowager would choose consorts for the princes, whether through a beauty contest, having them choose from portraits, or perhaps throwing a banquet under some pretense to give them a chance to meet potential brides.
Before long, she found out the answer. The Cining Palace issued an invitation to unmarried women to participate in an etiquette competition.
Seeing her own name and Yun'er's on the invitation, Xiao'er raised an eyebrow: An etiquette competition? Is this to select the lady with the best manners? The Empress Dowager is quite creative!