Zichen Palace.
The Emperor sat behind his desk, flipping through the roster of ladies in the Merits Palace. Each name was followed by a list of tasks they had undertaken at the palace. The roster wasn't thick, but the Emperor had been looking at it for a long time.
The Empress stood in the hall, back straight with a decent and generous smile on her face. However, a closer look revealed the tension in the depths of her eyes.
After an unknown period, the Empress finally heard the Emperor speak, "Which family's lady has caught your eye, according to your thoughts?"