Frank Owen

“ Yang Yuan-kuei was a great statesman, for he was able to handle the heart of Yuhan, even as he handled certain affairs of the Imperial Court where he occupied a dignified position.
He was tolerant, master of etiquette and a lover of grapes from whose spirit a new type of wine had been squeezed. True, it was not as good as rice wine. It did not tickle the palate. But the fresh fruit was a passion with him. He listened, munched grapes, spat out the seeds and all offers. His rejections were not decisive. A woman grows more alluring when dangled before covetous eyes. ”

“ The Amah considered herself fortunate that she had never been exposed to its fury. Yes, she had no doubt, Prince Shou would treat her well.
Yuhan was elated as she gazed upon the retinue, four runners to carry the chair, four body guards and a gaudily arrayed individual, a eunuch, who swaggered about, waiting impatiently to be off. For he was the runner who cleared the way for the retinue, crying, "Make way! Make way!" and creating such a din with a huge gong that the air resounded with clamorous echoes. ”

“ Yuhan, in truth, was a graceful dancer. She rose to her feet. She tried to imagine the garden was the Imperial Court. The flowers were her subjects. In reverence they swayed toward her. As she walked slowly along a marble path, a red rain of peach blossoms fell about her shoulders. She was walking toward the Yellow Crane Pagoda where her lord and master was waiting impatiently for her. It was a rendezvous he would never forget. Once a woman had been Empress of China, a hard, cruel woman. But China could be ruled peacefully. ”

“ Old Visram sighed. He did not like it, but he was afraid to risk a third candle. It might not even burn as well. He appeared very tired. By lantern-light, his parchment face had a bluish tinge. Steadily he gazed at the bamboo pen, suspended by the silk thread, and now he muttered a strange gibberish more anguished than that of monkeys, or so Yuhan thought. She regretted the vanity that spawned the impulse to know the future. ”

“ I could afford to live forever on nightingales' tongues if such were my wish. I have so much gold and jewels that to toil for more would only be added burden. My precious concubine is the fairest woman in all the world. My ambition slumbers peacefully. Having you, I have everything."
Far from being pleased, however, Yuhan was disappointed. It was not enough. Surely there was something more for her than to be the concubine of a generous prince.
Thereafter, for many days and nights, she mulled over the problem in secret. As a lover, Prince Shou lacked nothing; as a man, he lacked everything. ”

“ Everywhere there was water, for a Chinese garden is not complete unless flowers and trees are blended with water and moon bridges. From every angle the Imperial grounds presented a rhythmic picture that would have stirred an artist's heart. The buildings were constructed of wood and bricks with curved tilted roofs.
The Imperial grounds seemed endless, but finally they reached the Blue Lacquer Palace of Prince Shou on Frozen Pearl Lake. A dozen handmaidens came out to greet Yuhan. Their attitudes were almost worshipful as they helped her from the elaborate chair. They were very young. ”

“ The superior man is without fear. In its place is abiding surety that all will be well. Because of his foresight, his position at Court would be enhanced. He might be raised to the rank of Duke, honored with insignia of "The Riding Cape" and placed in charge of a province.
From the sleeve of his jacket, he drew a few almonds which he munched contentedly. The wind had stilled in the willows as though to bid Yuhan adieu. The trees stood on tiptoe to catch a last glimpse of her. The flowers wept. It was a somber parting. Since childhood, she had played in the garden. ”

“ These four offer scope to the energies of woman; they must not be neglected. There need be no difficulty, if only there is determination. A philosopher of old said, "Is goodness really so far off? I wish for goodness, and lo! here it is."'"
"The water is growing cold," said Yuhan. She rose to her feet. Her slender wet body glistened in the lantern light like golden metal.
The Amah wrapped a large linen towel about her.
"Before I put on my robe, have you not a special perfume that I may use?" asked Yuhan.
"There is no fragrance like unto the sweet flesh of a beloved woman." ”

“ The Amah went right on reading as though she had not been interrupted. "'And for right duties, no special cunning of hand. In simplicity, in purity, in a sense of shame and of propriety, will right behavior be found. In choice of language, in avoidance of bad words.'"
"There are no bad words; there are only bad people."
"'In seasonable and not too prolonged talk, will right speech be found. In thorough cleanliness of apparel, and in regular use of the bath, will right beauty be found.'"
"I am doubly virtuous," cried Yuhan, laughing, "for I have had two baths this one day." ”

“ When a task has been nobly accomplished it is better not to puff out the chest. Men might be affronted. If, however, one walks humbly, what cause is there for dismay? You become the concubine of a prince. Today it is well that we give thanks for the good fortune of which we are possessed."
Pausing for a moment, he sat down on a marble bench. Yuhan remained standing. Sweeter than honey were the ripened fruits of ambition. Her uncle was blessed with far-sightedness. ”

“ Yes, the wind would miss her as he tore through the garden on mysterious quests.
As Uncle Yang munched almonds, he quoted Mencius: "Which service is greatest? The greatest is to serve our kin. Which watch is the greatest? The greatest is to watch over our life. ”

“ She wanted them to say, "How lovely was Yang Yuhan, who walked with the grace of willow flowers. For her beauty, men would build cities, or lay them low. She was the most artful woman of China."
5.
Not long after sunrise the next morning, for the Chinese Court day begins early, the retinue of the young Prince Shou came for Yuhan. Outwardly the house of Yang was quiet and austere; within all was turbulence. Hearts were fluttering, tears were falling, though also there were smiles. Yang Yuan-kuei was proud of Yuhan, proud that he had played so important a part in her upbringing. ”

“ The Amah seemed not at all surprised at Prince Shou's continued absence, for eunuchs had conveyed his wishes to her. And she followed out her instructions zealously, for she had no wish to be sent away, parted from Yuhan. She was well aware that this would be her fate if she deviated in the slightest from her role. She was not dismayed by the knowledge that Prince Shou was a sensualist. Perhaps it was as well; it meant everlasting security for both of them. Obedience is the lot of women. To be loved extremely is a privilege of which any woman might be proud. ”

“ Porters carried them in sedan chairs, before which a servant ran, swinging a lantern, and shouting, "Make way! Make way!" A man of position would as soon appear on the streets after dark without his clothes as without a lantern. It was a badge of position, even as were the ropes of his chair. ”

“ A man afoot must male way for even the lowliest coolie if he is carrying a load. A coolie steps aside for a sedan chair. If the chair is empty, it gives way to one in which there is a passenger. A chair with a lean passenger, recognizes the precedence of one burdened with the fat, which in turn gives way for a camel or a horse. And all step aside for a wedding procession or the swaggering equipage of a mandarin. It pleased Yang Yuan-kuei that he belonged in this category. ”

“ Yuhan noticed with pride that the ropes of the chair were of Imperial Yellow. Before such a chair even camels would move aside. Demurely she stepped into the chair, striving to appear cool. No one must guess how excited she was.
The bellman struck his gong, and shattered the peace of the morning into a thousand fragments. The Amah waved good-bye. Not even precedent could prevent her from doing that. Porters would follow with Yuhan's possessions. ”

“ Her eyes mirrored her disappointment.
"Why be sad?" he asked slowly. "The green hills and the white clouds are contented, nor do they strive to be an entire landscape. He who renounces fame, has no sorrow." ”

“ Besides the elaborate castles, there were many smaller houses for court functionaries and for the use of envoys from far distances to the noblest Court in all the world. From Japan, from India, from Persia, from Arabia, from Byzantium and from Greece they came to kowtow in awe before the Emperor of China. They brought rich gifts, but His Majesty was not deceived. He who is able to grind his own axe, does not give away gold.
Yuhan was thankful when at last they reached the small building that had been assigned to her by Prince Shou. ”

“ Life is too good. I am attuned to the great creed of inaction of Chuang Tzu. 'Do nothing and everything will be done.' The student who toils by lantern light the long night through does not arrive at tomorrow's dawn even one step ahead of him who sleeps beneath a willow tree. ”

“ The sand is scattered in the wind, the characters are written on air. I will not speak. I like to breathe without a slit throat, for with a slit throat a man cannot breathe. My poor old head must not roll from my body by the stroke of the executioner. ”

“ We are fortunate to have the privilege of living in these enlightened days. A few months ago my father took me to a field to watch a man attempting to fly. He had great wings upon his shoulders. When the wind was strong he rose into the air. But he fell to earth when the wind died down. He was bruised but unhurt. However, he achieved much. Some day men may learn to jump over mountains."
10.
Prince Shou walked in the garden beside Frozen Pearl Lake, contemplating the rapture that was to come. He had known so many women he had lost count, but not one of them had been comparable to Yuhan. ”

“ He bowed to his wife. "It is harvest," he said somewhat pompously. "Today we gather in the fruits of our labors."
Surreptitiously he slipped a few almonds into his mouth. He would miss Yuhan. Nevertheless his place at Court would be enhanced. His Majesty would not soon forget that in his hour of worry over the philanderings of Prince Shou, Yang Yuan-kuei stood at his elbow with calm suggestions. ”

“ What else do we do but serve? But serving our kin is the root of all service." He paused. For a moment there was disharmony. One of the almonds had turned out to be a small stone. It grated upon his teeth unpleasantly. ”

“ But then they were written seven hundred years ago."
"Have women changed in seven hundred years?" "Not in structure, perhaps," observed Yuhan, "but they are more awake. Modem women do not wear veils. They are educated. ”