It's not as complicated

The next day an envoy came from the Empress and this time only Old Yen followed Wu Long to the palace.

This time he was led not to the throne room and to the Empress's study where she usually handled daily affairs. This told him that it was already a less official audience, and that any disputes between him and the Imperial Crown were completely put to rest.

As he came into the office she was standing by the window, looking outward with a pondering expression. She turned to the sound of the door being opened and Wu Long smiled at her to which she only made a slight nod. 

She took the time until the door was closed behind them to approach the rather modest for an Empress desk. The size of the study was more like what Imperial descendants would have rather than the ruler, and its location was rather remote.