"The Emperor sang and danced with the songstresses in the hall, drinking merrily until dawn and becoming thoroughly drunk. By day, the nine songstresses left with disheveled clothing, covering their faces."
What exactly did "disheveled clothing" mean? He hated the ancients' writing style most—their narratives only sketched out a few strokes, never bothering to fill in the details. This fatuous ruler was throwing sex parties at such a young age. Zhang Yuanqing clicked his tongue as he read.
"The Emperor went boating on the lake with his concubines and ordered the songstresses to remove their clothes and perform. He ordered the palace servants to remove their clothes while serving tea and water. Whenever the Emperor felt inclined, he would seize the naked women and toy with them. They returned at sunset; every palace maid aboard the boat had been bedded by him."
Every single one? Zhao Shun's kidneys were in pretty good shape. Could he be a Night Wanderer too? Zhang Yuanqing mused as he turned the page.
"The Emperor wished to bed the Empress, but encountered Gentle Consort on the way. Gentle Consort said, 'Your Majesty attends to countless affairs each day. Do you still remember where the gate to Apricot Blossom Hall is?'
"The Emperor refused. Gentle Consort wept and said, 'Does Your Majesty remember that year of misty rain among the apricot blossoms, when you told me that though the harem held three thousand women, all three thousand favors would be bestowed upon me alone?'
"The Emperor felt ashamed, so he took Gentle Consort to see the Empress, intending for the three of them to sleep beneath one quilt. The Empress flew into a rage and rebuked him for his folly. The Emperor shouted, 'Though you are mother to the realm, your honor and disgrace still rest