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"Lucky omens attend your coming, benevolence," said the chief attendant obsequiously; "for since he sent for you an unpropitious planet has cast its influence upon our master, so that his power languishes." "Its malignity must be controlled," said Weng, in a feigned voice, for he recognized the one before him. "Does any watch?"
"For," he said, "your conduct, though affectionate towards the dead, may be urged by the ill-disposed as disrespectful towards the living. If you have a deeper end in view, strive towards it by a less open path." "You are subtle and esteemed in wisdom," replied Weng, "but neither of those virtues can restore a broken jar.
Every one was taken by surprise. "What kind of song is this?" they inquired. But Hsueeh P'an went on singing: "Two flies buzz weng, weng, weng." "Enough," shouted his companions, "that will do, that will do!"
One of the consorts of Hung Wu, the Lady Wêng, had a son named Chu-ti. This young prince was very handsome and graceful in his deportment; he was, moreover, of an amiable disposition. He was the fourth son of the Emperor, and his pleasing manner and address had made him a great favourite, not only with his father, but with every one about the Court.
On the one hand Weng must put from him all further grief, ignore his vows, and join in mirth and feast; on the other he must depart, never to return, and be deprived of every tie of kinship, relinquishing ancestry, possessions and name. It was a course severer than anything that Wu Chi had intended when he sent for his son, but resentment had distorted his eyesight.
It was our affair, and you, who are a stranger, have done ill." "I did you wrong, Mandarin," said Weng, resuming his journey; "you took me for one of them. I pass you the parting of the woman Che, burrowers in the cow-heap called Li-yong." Things in their appointed places, noble companion." "Greetings, wayfarer," said Weng, stopping. "The path narrows somewhat inconveniently hereabout.
It was a greater test than Weng had anticipated, but his mind was clear, and his heart charged with fragrant memories of his loss.
By our pure and exacting standard no high attainment in the past can justify defection. The pains and penalties of failure you well know." "I bow, chieftain," replied Weng acquiescently. "It is well," said the chief. "Your strategy will be easy. To cure this lord's disorder a celebrated physician is even now travelling from the Capital towards Kien-fi.
"Furthermore, it is reported that you know something of the paths about Kien-fi?" "There is not a forgotten turn within those paths by which I might stumble in the dark," replied Weng, striving to subdue his mind. "See that out of so poignant a memory no more formidable barrier than a forgotten path arises," said the leader, observing him closely.
"The fruit is the cankered effort of a barren tree," cast back Weng over his shoulder. "Look to your own offspring, basilisk. It is given me to speak." Even as he spoke there was a great cry from the upper part of the house, the sound of many feet and much turmoil, but he went on his way without another word. Thus it was that Weng Cho came to be cut off from the past.
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