Then, in great fear and haste he replied:
"Of all the flowers that adorn the garden of the Sun of Heaven,
the Lady A-Kuei is the fittest to be gathered by the Imperial
Hand, and this is my deliberate opinion."
Now, hearing this statement, the Pearl Empress was submerged in
bewilderment, knowing that the Lady A-Kuei had modestly retired
when the artist had depicted the reflection of the assembled
loveliness of the Inner Chambers, as not counting herself worthy
of portraiture, and her features were therefore unknown to him.
Nor could the Empress further question the artist, for when she
had done so, he replied only:
"This is the secret of the Son of Heaven," and, having gained
permission, he swiftly departed.
Nor could the Lady A-Kuei herself aid her Imperial Majesty, for
on being questioned she was overwhelmed with modesty and
confusion, and with stammering lips could only repeat:
"This is the secret of his Divine Majesty," imploring with the
utmost humility, forgiveness from the Imperial Mother.
The Pearl Empress was unable to eat her supper. In vain were
spread before her the delicacies of the Empire.
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