The bride underwent a strict selection process, culminating in a meeting with the Daewongun on 6 March, and a marriage ceremony on 20 March 1866. There are supposedly two ways, on how the Daewongun chose Jayeong. The first being that he did not realize the Empress' tiger-like spirit and politically ambitious nature in the meeting he held as she would be his rival in the future. The second being that Jayeong held a gentleness to her. It might have been because he was afraid that the Andong Kim clan and Pyungyang Jo clan would raise again in power that he chose Jayeong, since she had no father or brother by blood, throughout the duration of the meeting which left the Daewongun satisfied. But it was said that after meeting with Jayeong, he felt slightly disturbed by her presence. Saying that she "...was a woman of great determination and poise“ but paid no mind to it and allowed her to marry his son.