During the age of the Dynasties Manchurian women (girls) ages 13 to 17 were automatically engaged to the royal family, with the understanding that they might be drafted to be the Emperor’s concubine. If not selected by the age of 18 the girls were free to have boyfriends or get married. A collection of small rooms or bays in the Hall of Consolation served as housing for the Emperors many concubines. The Old Palaces were guarded and served by eunuchs. These castrated men were trusted to be guardians and servants of the Emperor's concubines and the eunuchs, more or less, had free reign to travel about the Forbidden City. One Emperor, his name is missing in my notes, had more than 100,000 eunuchs handing the domestic affairs of the Imperial City.