"They say men are like teapots, and women like cups; how can a single teapot have only one cup? That's utterly absurd..."
...*...*...
Nangong Yi and Caiwei left the Jade Palace and headed for the Empress Dowager's residence in Shouning Palace.
The Empress Dowager had not involved herself in the matters of the Imperial Harem for many years, only occasionally inquiring into the affairs of her parental home—beyond that, she devoted all her energy to a vegetarian diet and the recitation of Buddhist scriptures.
When Caiwei and Nangong Yi arrived at Shouning Palace, the managing old palace maid welcomed them inside.
The Empress Dowager's living quarters in the Warm Pavilion consisted of three interconnected rooms, probably designed that way for ease of heating. The east side was partitioned by a flower bird screen consisting of twenty-four panels, and the west by the Duobao Pavilion.
