Morning, with the rising sun, summoned the court again to the
feast and wine-cup in the floating gardens.
The Emperor Chung Tsu favored this city before all others. The
Yen Tower soaring heavenward, the Drum Towers, the Pearl Pagoda,
were the only fit surroundings of his magnificence; and in the
Pavilion of Tranquil Learning were held those discussions which
enlightened the world and spread the fame of the Jade Emperor far
and wide. In all respects he adorned the Dragon Throne - in all
but one; for Nature, bestowing so much, withheld one gift, and
the Imperial heart, as precious as jade, was also as hard, and he
eschewed utterly the company of the Hidden Palace Flowers.
Yet the Inner Chambers were filled with ladies chosen from all
parts of the Celestial Empire - ladies of the most exquisite and
torturing beauty, moons of loveliness, moving coquettishly on
little feet, with all the grace of willow branches in a light
breeze. They were sprinkled with perfumes, adorned with jewels,
robed in silks woven with gold and embroidered with designs of
flowers and birds.
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