The handkerchief had been picked up by him, as he saw it under the dressing stool before going to the court this morning, likely dropped when he had held her last night. Looking at the orchids on it, a thought struck him, and he took it with him to the court.
If it was important to her, he'd return it to her.
But he felt somewhat dissatisfied, for other than the Dew Tea, she hadn't made anything for him, and the Dew Tea was at his own request.
Even her two servants had received clay figurines she'd pinched for them. Yet, she had shown him no such affection. Ordinary women would embroider handkerchiefs or socks, or make undergarments for their husbands, but she had nothing to offer, which was truly infuriating.
The Emperor felt an unpleasant taste in his heart and thought bitterly that he shouldn't have been lenient just now, stopping when she begged for mercy. He should have tormented her a few more times to teach her a lesson.