Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/366

RV 361 (VICTORY) On and on Li Fu-kuo talked and as guile dripped from his lips, Li Ting's anger mounted.

Finally, he burst out, "From this moment forth, Kao Li-shih is banished from Changan. Bid him flee from the Palace unto the far hills. Neither shall he visit Loyang. If he returns within ten li of either the East or the West Capitals, he shall be taken into custody, turned over to the Board of Punishments and decapitated. I have spoken. Convey my commands to this traitor."

Li Fu-kuo was all gentleness when he carried the dire tidings to Kao.

"Words cannot convey my sorrow," he said. "I tried to reason with the Emperor but only aroused his displeasure."

Kao was in no way taken in by his successor's attitude, but for the sake of Ming Huang, he made no protest.

"May I see My Emperor once more before departing?" he asked quietly. What matter that the anguish in his soul created pain that he could scarcely endure?

"Regrettably, that cannot be. Li Ting desires that you depart with as little commotion as possible. He forbids you to see his father before going."

Kao made no comment. For a moment he stood silent, his great body shaken by the sobs he was fighting to suppress.

At last, he said slowly, "Tell My Emperor I have gone in search of Yang Kuei-fei. When I find her, I will come back to him." RV 361 (361)