the ninth vibration-第33章

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A　sigh　rustled　through　the　Pepper　Chamber。　The　Celestial　Sister　looked　angrily　at　the　speaker。

〃This　is　the　talk　of　children；〃　she　said。　〃Does　no　one　remember　Kung…fu…tse's　＇Confucius＇　description　of　the　Superior　Man？〃

Unfortunately　none　did　…　not　even　the　Celestial　Sister　herself。

〃Is　it　not　probable；〃　said　the　Round…Faced　Beauty；　〃that　the　Divine　Emperor　remembers　it　him…　self　and　wishes…〃

But　the　Celestial　Sister；　yawning　audibly；　summoned　the　attendants　to　bring　rose…leaves　in　honey；　and　would　hear　no　more。

The　Round…Faced　Beauty　therefore　wandered　forth　among　the　mossy　rocks　and　drooping　willows　of　the　Imperial　Garden；　deeply　considering　the　matter。　She　ascended　the　bow…curved　bridge　of　marble　which　crossed　the　Pool　of　Clear　Weather；　and　from　the　top　idly　observed　the　reflection　of　her　rose…and…gold　coat　in　the　water　while；　with　her　taper　fingers；　she　crumbled　cake　for　the　fortunate　gold…fish　that　dwelt　in　it。　And；　so　doing；　she　remarked　one　fish；　four…tailed　among　the　six…tailed；　and　in　no　way　distinguished　by　elegance；　which　secured　by　far　the　largest　share　of　the　crumbs　dropped　into　the　pool。　Bending　lower；　she　observed　this　singular　fish　and　its　methods。

The　others　crowded　about　the　spot　where　the　crumbs　fell；　all　herded　together。　In　their　eagerness　and　stupidity　they　remained　like　a　cloud　of　gold　in　one　spot；　slowly　waving　their　tails。　But　this　fish；　concealing　itself　behind　a　miniature　rock；　waited；　looking　upward；　until　the　crumbs　were　falling；　and　then；　rushing　forth　with　the　speed　of　an　arrow；　scattered　the　stupid　mass　of　fish；　and　bore　off　the　crumbs　to　its　shelter；　where　it　instantly　devoured　them。

〃This　is　notable；〃　said　the　Round…Faced　Beauty。　〃Observation　enlightens　the　mind。　To　be　apart　…　to　be　distinguished　…　secures　notice！〃　And　she　plunged　into　thought　again；　wandering；　herself　a　flower；　among　the　gorgeous　tree　peonies。

On　the　following　day　the　August　Aunt　commanded　that　a　writer　among　the　palace　attendants　should；　with　brush　and　ink；　be　summoned　to　transcribe　the　wisdom　of　the　ladies。　She　requested　that　each　would　give　three　days　to　thought；　relating　the　following　anecdote。　〃There　was　a　man　who；　taking　a　piece　of　ivory；　carved　it　into　a　mulberry　leaf；　spending　three　years　on　the　task。　When　finished　it　could　not　be　told　from　the　original；　and　was　a　gift　suitable　for　the　Brother　of　the　Sun　and　Moon。　Do　likewise！〃

〃But　yet；　0　Augustness！〃　said　the　Celestial　Sister；　〃if　the　Lord　of　Heaven　took　as　long　with　each　leaf；　there　would　be　few　leaves　on　the　trees；　and　if…〃

The　August　Aunt　immediately　commanded　silence　and　retired。　On　the　third　day　she　seated　herself　in　her　chair　of　carved　ebony；　while　the　attendant　placed　himself　by　her　feet　and　prepared　to　record　her　words。

〃This　insignificant　person　has　decided；〃　began　her　Augustness；　looking　round　and　unscrewing　the　amber　top　of　her　snuff…bottle；　〃to　take　an　unintelligent　part　in　these　proceedings。　An　example　should　be　set。　Attendant；　write！〃

She　then　dictated　as　follows：　〃The　Ideal　Man　is　he　who　now　decorates　the　Imperial　Throne；　or　he　who　in　all　humility　ventures　to　resemble　the　incomparable　Emperor。　Though　he　may　not　hope　to　attain；　his　endeavor　is　his　merit。　No　further　description　it　needed。〃

With　complacence　she　inhaled　the　perfumed　snuff；　as　the　writer　appended　the　elegant　characters　of　her　Imperial　name。

If　it　is　permissible　to　say　that　the　faces　of　the　beauties　lengthened　visibly；　it　should　now　be　said。　For　it　had　been　the　intention　of　every　lady　to　make　an　illusion　to　the　Celestial　Emperor　and　depict　him　as　the　Ideal　Man。　Nor　had　they　expected　that　the　August　Aunt　would　take　any　part　in　the　matter。

〃Oh；　but　it　was　the　intention　of　this　commonplace　and　undignified　person　to　say　this　very　thing！〃　cried　the　Lustrous　Lady；　with　tears　in　the　jewels　of　her　eyes。　〃I　thought　no　other　high…minded　and　distinguished　lady　would　for　a　moment　think　of　it〃

〃And　it　was　my　intention　also！〃　fluttered　the　little　Lady　Tortoise；　wringing　her　hands！　〃What　now　shall　this　most　unlucky　and　unendurable　person　do？　For　three　nights　has　sleep　forsaken　my　unattractive　eyelids；　and；　tossing　and　turning　on　a　couch　deprived　of　all　comfort；　I　could　only　repeat；　‘The　Ideal　Man　is　the　Divine　Dragon　Emperor！'〃

〃May　one　of　entirely　contemptible　attainments　make　a　suggestion　in　this　assemblage　of　scintillating　wit　and　beauty？〃　inquired　the　Celestial　Sister。　〃My　superficial　opinion　is　that　it　would　be　well　to　prepare　a　single　paper　to　which　all　names　should　be　appended；　stating　that　His　Majesty　in　his　Dragon　Divinity　comprises　all　ideals　in　his　sacred　Person。〃

〃Let　those　words　be　recorded；〃　said　the　August　Aunt。　〃What　else　should　any　lady　of　discretion　and　propriety　say？　In　this　Palace　of　Virtuous　Peace；　where　all　is　consecrated　to　the　Son　of　Heaven；　though　he　deigns　not　to　enter　it；　what　other　thought　dare　be　breathed？　Has　any　lady　ventured　to　step　outside　such　a　limit？　If　so；　let　her　declare　herself！〃

All　shook　their　heads；　and　the　August　Aunt　proceeded：　〃Let　the　writer　record　this　as　the　opinion　of　every　lady　of　the　Imperial　Household；　and　let　each　name　be　separately　appended。〃

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'？〃