I learnt on his return that it was the Lady
A-Kuei. I had entered the Dragon Chamber in a low moonlight, and
guessed not her presence. She spoke no word. Finding her
Imperial Master thus absorbed, she invited no attention, nor in
any way obtruded her beauties upon my notice. Scarcely did she
draw breath. Yet reflect upon what she might have done! The
night passed and I remained entirely unconscious of her presence,
and out of respect she would not sleep but remained reverently
and modestly awake, assisting, if it may so be expressed, at a
humble distance, in the speculations which held me prisoner. What
a pearl was here! On learning these details by Lo Cheng from her
own roseate lips, and remembering the unexampled temptation she
had resisted (for well she knew that had she touched the Emperor
the Philosopher had vanished) I despatched an august rescript to
this favored Lady, conferring on her the degree of Incomparable
Beauty of the First Rank. On condition of secrecy."
The Pearl Empress, still in deepest bewilderment, besought his
majesty to proceed. He did so, with his usual dignity.
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