old man taking a young concubine is like a withered willow sprouting."
Ming Huang smiled. "Not quite a withered willow."
"Nor are you a young elm."
"I value your presence, Kui-ling, because I know I can always turn to you when I am weary of honeyspeech, and the fawning of blood-suckers. Your words are frequently bitter, but they are always wise. Nevertheless, I would be young once more. And I believe my desires are not beyond the veil of possibility, though undoubtedly I may require the services of a magician such as Ch'i-ch'i."
When Ch'i-ch'i was summoned into the imperial presence, he prostrated himself until his head beat on the ground as though it were a drum.
"Arise," Ming Huang told him, "let us put aside formality. I have sent for you that you may help me in an important task."
"All my power I lay at your feet."
"Good, then perhaps you can supply my need."
"For what, your Majesty?"
"Youth, can you give me youth?"
"That requires reflection, though it is in no way beyond possibility. I must seek through the scroll of my memory." He squatted down on the floor, crossed his arms, closed his eyes as though he were in a trance. For a few moments he sat motionless. The Emperor gazed upon him in awe. He had great faith in his exorcism.
To Ch'i-ch'i the problem was of extreme importance.
