The three upper courts are holding a meeting to select servants for their studies. The crown prince is also expected to attend, as he has heard that the grand preceptor of Wei Gongquan is suspected of killing virgins in order to craft a dark medicine. The prince himself is also involved in the matter, because he is the "stand-up guy" of the court. The king's son, Tongxue, is also invited to the meeting, as is the adopted son of the "lord taicheng" .