Li Yuan returned to Fengyang Palace, removed her attendant's robe and immersed herself in the luxurious jade-paved bath. An hour later, palace attendants served her as she emerged from the bath, wringing out her hair and donning an elaborately embroidered vibrant purple palace gown.
Just as she returned to her sleeping chamber to take a nap, she heard the Chief Eunuch Cai Fu shouting loudly: "The Emperor has arrived—"
Li Yuan had to walk to the entrance and bow to welcome him, "I was unaware of the Emperor's arrival; I apologize for not welcoming you from afar, and I hope the Emperor will forgive me."
"No need for excessive courtesy, my beloved concubine." Emperor Yan supported her with an outstretched hand, his deeply lined face full of smiles.
With the palace attendants and eunuchs dismissed, the two of them walked to the long couch in the side room and sat down.
