Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/136

RV 131 (LADY T'AI CHÊN) of China believed never should have taken place.

Even Kao Li-shih, the Grand Eunuch, sought solace in the garden in the silent company of Lan Jen, as though, enunch though he was, he was momentarily sickened by the display of uncurbed desire in the hearts of men. And so he turned for solace to the gardener who was beyond desire, but not beyond emotion. In the quietude of sheltered flower-paths, the two eunuchs wept. Lan Jen believed that his faithfulness to the Emperor had been unfaithfulness to the Empire.

Yuhan, who while she had been the Prince's concubine had gone by the name of Princess Yang, was elated. She was re-enforcing her dreams with a firm foundation of jade and jewels. There was no height beyond the reach of her stupendous ambition. Entrance into court meant not only personal power but riches for her family. Even now her uncle was a high official in a distant province. In the stakes of Empire, she had won China. Her name would go down in history as the girl-poet who bewitched an Emperor.

However, she was sufficiently artful to appear bewildered and very much overcome by the excitement her beauty was causing.

"From today forth," Ming Huang declared, "you will be known as Lady T'ai Chên."

"Lady T'ai Chên?" she repeated breathlessly.

"Yes," said he. "She was one of the daughters assigned in mystic fable to the Goddess Si Wang Mu." RV 131 (131)