Consort Ruan was quite surprised. She had thought she would meet her son and daughter-in-law at the Spring Palace, but she didn't expect the Empress to allow her to receive honors at Yuanhui Palace, and she felt so moved that her eyes reddened.
The Empress glanced at her and said indifferently, "This is also His Majesty's will. You have raised Prince Wu, and this is the respect you deserve."
Consort Ruan knew that things were definitely not as simple as the Empress made them sound. With so much going on in the former dynasty, how could His Majesty concern himself with these trivial matters? It must have been the Empress who had spoken for her in front of His Majesty and pleaded on her behalf.
Consort Ruan immediately got up and offered the Empress a deep bow, "This consort thanks Your Majesty. Without your grace, how could this consort have such respect."
