Palace Maid Shan seemed unaware that Yelü Hongji was already on the verge of erupting and continued, "Afterward, the two drank together, alternating between drinking and playing the zither, until the courtyard drum sounded three times, ordering the eunuchs out of the tent. This servant was on tent duty at the time. I did not hear the sounds of zither playing or drinking from inside, but laughter instead. So this servant secretly listened outside the tent. I heard the Empress say, 'I can make you my lord.' Zhao Weiyi said in a low voice, 'Though this servant is strong and sturdy, I am merely a little snake. Naturally, I cannot contend with the Khan's true dragon.' The Empress said, 'Though it is a little fierce snake, it surpasses a truly lazy dragon.' After that, I only heard 'soft cries, like a child weeping in a dream.'"
Yelü Hongji's old face was nearly turning green. Palace Maid Shan seemed to be describing a live erotic spectacle. What "soft cries, like a child weeping in a dream"? They were clearly the sounds a woman made in the heights of pleasure. And phrases like "truly lazy dragon" and "little fierce snake" drove him nearly mad.
Palace Maid Shan continued recounting that day's events. "When the courtyard drum sounded for the fourth time, the Empress ordered this servant to lift the tent curtain and said, 'Zhao Weiyi is drunk and unconscious. Wake him for me.' This servant called to him many times before he woke. He then rose to take his leave, and the Empress bestowed upon him a chest of gold and silk. Zhao Weiyi thanked her for the favor and departed."
"Drunk?" Yelü Hongji sounded as though he were about to crush his teeth to pieces.
Palace Maid Shan continued, "After that