The next morning, Consort Zhao sent Emperor Zongwen away with deep affection. She even followed for a long while after Emperor Zongwen boarded the imperial carriage. It was only when she saw Emperor Zongwen at a distance into Qianqing Palace that she returned slowly with Caichun. Thinking of how much the Emperor had doted on her yesterday, she felt excited.

She had followed Emperor Zongwen back at a distance, partly to show that she was so devoted to the Emperor that she could ...