The Emperor said this and then swiftly walked off, quickly boarding the palanquin to hurry to the Empress's Zhaoyang Palace. Obviously, he wasn't taking the Virtuous Concubine with him. Why would he? To watch him argue with the Empress, only to lose?
The Virtuous Concubine watched with some annoyance as the Emperor's palanquin disappeared into the distance. Oh well, she'd just find out more later. She calmly boarded her soft sedan chair and left the Exotic Beast Garden.
The Emperor stormed to the entrance of Zhaoyang Palace. He got off the palanquin, but then hesitated, recalling the last time he'd gotten his butt whipped. Suddenly, he heard gasps and cheers from inside, and he steeled himself. He was the Emperor, after all; how could he fear a woman?
With this thought, the Emperor scowled and had the Chief Eunuch announce his arrival.
The Palace Attendants in the garden knelt to welcome the Emperor.
