Leaving the garden located at the northwest corner of the Imperial City and heading south through several tiers of halls and pavilions, one arrived at Zhao Qinglan's Zhaode Hall.
A palace maid had just gone in to announce her arrival when Zhao Qinglan, without even having time to slip into her silk shoes, leaped hastily off her bed, bounced out, and threw herself straight into Consort Liu’s embrace. Consort Liu affectionately gathered her young daughter into her arms, a gentle, maternal smile gracing her face.
Princess Qinglan batted her round eyes, turned around from Empress Liu's arms to face Yuling, and gazed with clear eyes at the woman before her dressed in a pink sheer gauze skirt. Suddenly, she smiled—her innocent smile even brighter than spring blossoms—and said, "You've finally come, sister!"
Chapter 44