"Noble Consort Ling is here to see you," called Prince Haoran's eunuch.
"Show her in, show her in," slurred the former Crown Prince expansively. "Leave us for a moment lovelies," he pushed on the backs of the two concubines who were accompanying him drinking wine before lunchtime.
The women looked back at him reproachfully as they were chased out of his room for the Consort's visit.
The Prince rose unsteadily to his feet to greet the lovely Ling Lumei.
"Noble Consort!" he cried. "To what do I owe this delightful pleasure? You're the only member of my Father's harem to visit me since I was imprisoned here. Sit down! Sit down and have a drink with me."
"It's too early for me to drink with you, Prince Haoran," she demurred, "but I will take tea with you," she smiled prettily.
"Bring the beauty some tea," the Prince loudly ordered his servants.
While waiting for the arrival of the tea, Ling Lumei watched as he poured wine directly from the jug into his mouth in a steady stream.
