Ming Huang did not appear surprised even though his disappointment was keen.
"Perhaps," he mused, "she was in truth a flower who, weary of remaining forever on a branch, assumed her rightful form, the form of a slim young girl who danced and bathed and laughed as she splashed in the water among the lotuses. Some day I will find her; some day she will walk once more in the garden. When she comes again, I shall be waiting."
13.
Life for Yuhan had taken on new wonder. The Blue Lacquer Palace shone with a yellow golden hue. Through her own efforts, she had succeeded in capturing the eyes of the Emperor. Henceforth the vision of her would be mirrored in their depths. They would hunger for her endlessly, nor cease until once more they might feast upon her naked loveliness. "And after that. . ." she whispered, but she dared
not put into words all that was in her heart.
