Just as Zhao Yao expected, after the news spread that he was to perform the sacrifice to Heaven and Earth on behalf of the Emperor, many people said he was unworthy. Quite a few ministers felt that the Emperor was muddled from illness, allowing the low-status Prince Han to perform the sacrifice.
The ministers in the court and the concubines in the harem could not accept Zhao Yao performing the Emperor's sacrifice. Although the Emperor was clearly recuperating, many ministers and concubines still requested an audience.
In the harem, the most dissatisfied with this matter were Empress Xie and Noble Princess Consort Rong. They both felt that Zhao Yao was unworthy to replace the Emperor in performing the sacrifice to Heaven and Earth, unless all the princes were dead. In their view, their sons were the most suitable candidates.
