The Empress Dowager was extremely curious, but she didn't want to summon a consort alone.
So, she devised a plan, claiming the heavens had noticed her sincere devotion and sent a dream instructing her to stop her religious practices for three days and enjoy the pleasures of an ordinary family. She ordered consorts of rank or higher to accompany her to listen to opera and conveniently arranged for a performance in the Imperial Garden to liven things up a bit.
Although it was said to be a performance for the Empress Dowager, the Emperor would certainly be present.
The Empress Dowager arranged for Concubine Jiang to take the first position, then calculated that Consort Xi, eager for favor, would most likely sign up, allowing her to gauge the abilities of this newly favored consort.
