Noble Lady Xin collapses after being found wounded and losing a dangerous amount of blood. Palace officials report she was cut by a sharp sword—forbidden in the harem—and immediately point to Palace Lady Shen, who reportedly received a sword from the emperor. Shen defends herself, saying she visited to admonish Xin and that Xin attacked her instead. Witnesses heard a loud quarrel, and the accused sword remains hanging in Shen’s room. The emperor orders the chamber and weapon inspected, leaving blame unsettled until the inspection’s findings.