When Concubine Zhao received the Emperor's decree, she felt as if she had been placed in an ice cave. With her fists clenched, she stared intently at the eunuch who came to announce the decree. She asked, "What do you think His Majesty wants me to do?"
The eunuch lowered his head and said respectfully, "The Emperor Emeritus wants Your Highness to stay in the palace to pray for Her Majesty."
Concubine Zhao fell onto the chair and shook her head. "Impossible, impossible. All of the other concubines leave the palace to stay with their sons, but why can't I? My son was personally conferred the title of Prince by His Majesty. What right do you have to insist I stay in the palace?"
The eunuch reminded her helplessly, "Your Highness, now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, His Majesty is already the Emperor Emeritus. Please do not mis-address them."
