The Empress's decree prohibiting the Duchess from entering the palace was the first step. She did not wish to see the Duchess and directed the Duchess of Chong to persuade her. Furthermore, efforts were to be made to uncover the identity of the young woman who had made a lifelong commitment with Xie Hao.
Though the Empress had yet to encounter her, she bestowed such a profound humiliation upon her and Princess Nanzhang. The Empress refused to tolerate her.
The arrival of the Duchess of Chong was anticipated by the Duchess. She remarked, "If I could have decided Haohao's marriage, I wouldn't have repeatedly entered the palace to beseech the Empress."
The Duchess of Chong doubted the Duchess's words, saying, "Traditionally, marriage decisions are made by parents, no matter the matchmaker's words. How can anyone simply become the Heir's wife?"
