Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/284

RV 279 (AN LU-SHAN) "Yes, you are my son," he said with considerable emotion, "and if there be fault, it is mine. It is but right that you should carry an Imperial banner for since you are my son, you are a Prince. From today forth, you shall have the title of Prince of the second class."

Such was An Lu-shan's surprise, he could not speak. He bowed before the Emperor, touching his forehead to the ground.

Kuo-chung tried to swallow his chagrin. He walked away disgusted, not even bothering to ask permission to leave the Imperial presence. He had indeed been a fool to meddle. That night he got very drunk. Even Lady Kuo Kuo could not control him.

By law, the title of second class Prince was reserved solely for members of the Imperial family.

When Yang Kuei-fei heard of the incident, she laughed merrily, and for two reasons—because Kuo-chung was so droll, but far more important, because she need not be deprived of the stimulating company of An Lu-shan. Had he been banished or imprisoned, the Palace would have seemed a dreary desolate place despite its color, music and grandeur. Kuo-chung by attempting to ruin the Generalissimo had brought about his elevation to the rank of Prince.

An extravagant year melted away under the languor of Imperial complacency. Once more it was Li Ch'un, the "Beginning of Spring." In Changan, fire-crackers boomed ear-splittingly, a prelude to the Lantern RV 279 (279)