按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Had any desired to object； none dared to confront the August Aunt； but apparently no beauty so desired； for after three nights' sleepless meditation； no other thought than this had occurred to any。
Accordingly； the writer moved from lady to lady and； under the supervision of the August Aunt； transcribed the following： 〃The Ideal Man is the earthly likeness of the Divine Emperor。 How should it be otherwise？〃 And under this sentence wrote the name of each lovely one in succession。 The papers were then placed in the hanging sleeves of the August Aunt for safety。
By the decree of Fate； the father of the Round…Faced Beauty had； before he became an ancestral spirit； been a scholar of distinction； having graduated at the age of seventy…two with a composition commended by the Grand Examiner。 Having no gold and silver to give his daughter； he had formed her mind； and had presented her with the sole jewel of his family…a pearl as large as a bean。 Such was her sole dower； but the accomplished Aunt may excel the indolent Prince。
Yet； before the thought in her mind； she hesitated and trembled； recalling the lesson of the gold…fish； and it was with anxiety that paled her roseate lips that； on a certain day； she had sought the Willow Bridge Pavilion。 There had awaited her a palace attendant skilled with the brush； and there in secrecy and dire affright； hearing the footsteps of the August Aunt in every rustle of leafage； and her voice in the call of every crow； did the Round…Faced Beauty dictate the following composition：…
〃Though the sky rain pearls； it cannot equal the beneficence of the Son of Heaven。 Though the sky rain jade it cannot equal his magnificence。 He has commanded his slave to describe the qualities of the Ideal Man。 How should I； a mere woman； do this？ I； who have not seen the Divine Emperor； how should I know what is virtue？ I； who have not seen the glory of his countenance； how should I know what is beauty？ Report speaks of his excellencies； but I who live in the dark know not。 But to the Ideal Woman； the very vices of her husband are virtues。 Should he exalt another； this is a mark of his superior taste。 Should he dismiss his slave； this is justice。 To the Ideal Woman there is but one Ideal Man … and that is her lord。 From the day she crosses his threshold； to the day when they clothe her in the garments of Immortality； this is her sole opinion。 Yet would that she might receive instruction of what only are beauty and virtue in his adorable presence。〃
This being written； she presented her one pearl to the attendant and fled； not looking behind her； as quickly as her delicate feet would permit。
On the seventh day the compositions； engraved on ivory and bound with red silk and tassels； were presented to the Emperor； and for seven days more he forgot their existence。 On the eighth the High Chamberlain ventured to recall them to the Imperial memory； and the Emperor glancing slightly at one after another； threw them aside； yawning as he did so。 Finally； one arrested his eyes； and reading it more than once he laid it before him and meditated。 An hour passed in this way while the forgotten Lord Chamberlain continued to kneel。 The Son of Heaven； then raising his head； pronounced these words： 〃In the society of the Ideal Woman； she to whom jealousy is unknown； tranquillity might possibly be obtained。 Let prayer be made before the Ancestors with the customary offerings； for this is a matter deserving attention。〃
A few days passed； and an Imperial attendant； escorted by two mandarins of the peacock… feather and crystal…button rank； desired an audience of the August Aunt； and； speaking before the curtain； informed her that his Imperial Majesty would pay a visit that evening to the Hall of Tranquil Longevity。 Such was her agitation at this honour that she immediately swooned； but； reviving； summoned all the attendants and gave orders for a banquet and musicians。
Lanterns painted with pheasants and exquisite landscapes were hung on all the pavilions。 Tap… estries of rose； decorated with the Five…Clawed Dragons； adorned the chambers； and upon the High Seat was placed a robe of yellow satin embroidered with pearls。 All was hurry and excitement。 The Blossoms of the Palace were so exquisitely decked that one grain more of powder would have made them too lily…like； and one touch more of rouge； too rosecheeked。 It was indeed perfection； and； like lotuses upon a lake； or Asian birds； gorgeous of plumage； they stood ranged in the outer chamber while the Celestial Emperor took his seat。
The Round…Faced Beauty wore no jewels； having bartered her pearl for her opportunity； but her long coat of jade…green； embroidered with golden willows； and her trousers of palest rose left nothing to be desired。 In her hair two golden peonies were fastened with pins of kingfisher work。 The Son of Heaven was seated upon the throne as the ladies approached； marshaled by the August Aunt。 He was attired in the Yellow Robe with the Flying Dragons； and upon the Imperial Head was the Cap； ornamented with one hundred and forty…four priceless gems。 From it hung the twelve pendants of strings of pearls； partly concealing the august eyes of the Jade Emperor。 No greater splendour can strike awe into the soul of man。
At his command the August Aunt took her seat upon a lesser chair at the Celestial Feet。 Her mien was majestic； and struck awe into the assembled beauties； whose names she spoke aloud as each approached and prostrated herself。 She then pronounced these words：
〃Beautiful ones； the Emperor； having considered the opinions submitted by you on the subject of the Superior Man； is pleased to express his august commendation。 Dismiss； therefore； anxiety from your minds； and prepare to assist at the humble concert of music we have prepared for his Divine pleasure。〃
Slightly raising himself in his chair； the Son of Heaven looked down upon that Garden of Beauty； holding in his hand an ivory tablet bound with red silk。
〃Lovely ladies；〃 he began； in a voice that assuaged fear； 〃who among you was it that laid before our feet a composition beginning thus … 'Though the sky rain pearls'？〃
The August Aunt immediately rose。
〃Imperial Majesty； none！ These eyes supervised every composition。 No impropriety was permitted。〃
The Son of Heaven resumed： 〃Let that lady stand forth。〃
The words were few； but sufficient。 Trembling in every limb； the Round…Faced Beauty separated herself from her companions and prostrated herself； amid the breathless amazement of the Blossoms of the Palace。 He looked down upon her as she knelt； pale as a lady carved in ivory； but lovely as the lotus of Chang…Su。 He turned to the August Aunt。 〃Princess of Han； my Imperial Aunt； I would speak with this lady alone。〃
Decorum itself and the custom of Palaces could not conceal the indignation of the August Aunt as she rose and retired； driving the ladies before her as a shepherd drives his sheep。
The Hall of Tranquil Longevity being now empty； the Jade Emperor extended his hand and beckoned the Round…Faced Beauty to approach。 This she did； hanging her head like a flower surcharged with dew and swaying gracefully as a wind…bell； and knelt on the lowest step of the Sea