"'The very same,' she answered, not knowing why he was amazed.
"'But the picture Maou-yen-show brought to me?' he questioned, in great perplexity.
"'Ah, I had not the treasures to give him and he would not make it,' she answered sadly.
"At this a light suddenly broke upon Kaou-tsung, and he saw the perfidy of the minister he had trusted.
"'Rise, most beautiful one in all the land,' he cried to her, 'for you shall be the bride of the Emperor. At last have I found the creature I sought.' Thus in spite of treachery did the gods bring it to pass that Woo How became the Empress, for what Tên Wang decrees must be, no matter how we strive against it."
"That was indeed a charming story," Tuen cried enthusiastically, as the old man paused. "It is the nicest one I ever heard."
"It is not yet finished," Szu said quickly. "It were but a broken thread if I left it there."
"Oh, tell it all to me," she cried eagerly. "I would never tire of listening about her."
Szu nodded his head complacently and cleared his throat. Then he went on: