 Emperor Jiajing, who was described as a strict and liable to violent outbursts, was known for his cruelty toward his female staff and palace women, reportedly having had 200 women of the palace staff beaten to death during his reign.In October 1542, sixteen palace maids formed a conspiracy to assassinate the emperor; not for political reasons, but as retaliation for his abuse.One night when the emperor was in bed with his favorite concubine, Consort Duan, the sixteen maids attacked him in his bed and tried to strangle him.