Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/227

RV 222 (LI PO)

Li Po had one other enemy of which he was not aware, an enemy with whom he was not even acquainted. That enemy was Ch'i-ch'i, the magician, who felt as though he were losing his grip on the Court since the arrival of Li Po, for the poet took so much of the Emperor's time, there was little left for itinerant magicians. Ch'i-ch'i, however, refused to be brushed aside. He peered deeply into his bag of tricks. He consulted the stars. He also consulted magicians of his acquaintance. He journeyed as far as Loyang. He distributed? many pearls and jade amulets but when he returned to Changan his face was distorted by a broad smile. Through Kao Li-shih he reached the ears of the Emperor. He had whispered a few words to the Grand Eunuch which were infinitely pleasant. And so it was that an informal meeting was arranged in the Orchid Pavilion in the Imperial Gardens. Only a few attended, the Emperor, Yang Kuei-fei, Li Po, Kao Li-shih. Eunuchs remained in the background.

Ch'i-ch'i, arrayed in a simple costume of grass cloth of indigo color, stood calmly by a table upon which was a medium sized brazier.

"Proceed," said the Emperor. RV 222 (222)