Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/324

RV 319 (VICTORY) "I'll appoint Li Ting, my son and heir, Regent to rule in my place."

"Li Ting has left the Palace," broke in a eunuch, who had joined the group. He was too agitated to think of Court ceremony. "He has gone with his friend the eunuch Li Fu-kuo to try to get together an army of loyal troops to combat the forces of An Lu-shan."

Ming Huang surveyed the group about him proudly. "An Lu-shan is no son of mine," he said bravely. "My son, Li Ting, will save the Empire. You are right, Kao, China will live."

Yang Kuei-fei bowed her head. "As long as there are stars in heaven," she said fervently.

"And now," said the Emperor, "we must devise a plan. But first for an hour I wish to be alone, to think and rest."

The others withdrew. Yang Kuei-fei remained.

For the first time in his life Ming Huang was afraid, not because of the rebellion of An Lu-shan. That could be put down. China had always been greater than her betrayers. But he was afraid he might lose Yang Kuei-fei. She sat near him. He did not wish her to speak. He dreaded confession from her lips. An Lu-shan, too, had loved her. He was young, ambitious. Perhaps she had been blinded by his brilliance. Ming Huang felt as though only a web as thin as gossamer protected his happiness. A word, and the web would be broken.

Finally he said wearily, "We have been happy together."

"Very happy." RV 319 (319)