Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/269

RV 264 (AN LU-SHAN) After all, were they not cousins? No one disputed it. That was why all Changan was scandalized.

Kuo Kuo was in no way disturbed. She sprang on her horse and galloped down the road, nor did she meet anywhere with insult. What she lacked in propriety was more than made up for in courage. Not for a moment was she conscious of wrong doing. Was it incestuous to love one's own cousin? Since the Emperor was in no way disturbed, what right had those with loose tongues to spoil the air with lies?

Still the murmurings persisted. "Even an Emperor cannot rule five households." But no one disputed that four pretty sisters could very easily rule an Emperor.

Their uncle who was the affluent Governor of a province, was brought back to Changan, to become a high-ranking Court officer. Because he was now firmly entrenched in the Emperor's family, he had the audacity to go about in vermilion robes. Ming Huang smiled. He was not angered, but exceedingly pleased. Yang Yuan-kuei had brought with him a large supply of prime quality almonds. Even at the most formal of the Court functions, he munched contentedly and eyed the attractive ladies of the Pear Garden. Munching almonds was an aid to fascinating contemplation. An affair for an hour or two, with plenty of almonds, the fragrance of which might blend with soft, firm flesh he sighed. It was good to be back once more at the Palace, where excess would disturb no one, and intrigue was the pattern chosen by most of the smirking, flabby officials. Though there were others of firmer RV 264 (264)