The Chief Palace Maid organized the letters and placed them in front of the Empress Dowager for her review.
"Empress Dowager, it seems that the court still supports Prince Luling more; out of thirty letters, twenty-five support Prince Luling. This is fate."
The Empress Dowager looked at the letters and sighed quietly, "Then let it be resolved."
In the early morning court session the following day, all the ministers stood spiritedly in the court hall, looking towards the seat behind the bead curtain reserved for the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager had not yet arrived.
Was it because the choice made was not to her liking, and she was angry and unwilling to come, or was she ill?
The ministers whispered among themselves.
Because it was an anonymous vote, none knew whose name was written in others' letters.
The minister qualified to attend this morning court session were all cunning people; even if someone inquired, they would not speak the truth.
