The ninth vibration and other stories

by L. Adams Beck

  THE ROUND-FACED BEAUTY

  A STORY OF THE CHINESE COURT

  In the city of Chang-an music filled the palaces, and the festivities ofthe Emperor were measured by its beat. Night, and the full moon swimminglike a gold-fish in the garden lakes, gave the signal for the FeatherJacket and Rainbow Skirt dances. Morning, with the rising sun, summonedthe court again to the feast and wine-cup in the floating gardens.

  The Emperor Chung Tsu favored this city before all others. The Yen Towersoaring heavenward, the Drum Towers, the Pearl Pagoda, were the onlyfit surroundings of his magnificence; and in the Pavilion of TranquilLearning were held those discussions which enlightened the world andspread the fame of the Jade Emperor far and wide. In all respects headorned the Dragon Throne--in all but one; for Nature, bestowing somuch, withheld one gift, and the Imperial heart, as precious as jade,was also as hard, and he eschewed utterly the company of the HiddenPalace Flowers.

  Yet the Inner Chambers were filled with ladies chosen from all parts ofthe Celestial Empire--ladies of the most exquisite and torturing beauty,moons of loveliness, moving coquettishly on little feet, with all thegrace of willow branches in a light breeze. They were sprinkled withperfumes, adorned with jewels, robed in silks woven with gold andembroidered with designs of flowers and birds. Their faces were paintedand their eyebrows formed into slender and perfect arches whence thesoul of man might well slip to perdition, and a breath of sweet odorfollowed each wherever she moved. Every one might have been the Empressof some lesser kingdom; but though rumours reached the Son of Heavenfrom time to time of their charms,--especially when some new blossom wasadded to the Imperial bouquet,--he had dismissed them from his augustthoughts, and they languished in a neglect so complete that the GreatCold Palaces of the Moon were not more empty than their hearts. Theyremained under the supervision of the Princess of Han, August Auntof the Emperor, knowing that their Lord considered the company ofsleeve-dogs and macaws more pleasant than their own. Nor had he as yetchosen an Empress, and it was evident that without some miracle, suchas the intervention of the Municipal God, no heir to the throne could behoped for.

  Yet the Emperor one day remembered his imprisoned beauties, and itcrossed the Imperial thoughts that even these inferior creatures mightafford such interest as may be found in the gambols of trained fleas orother insects of no natural attainments.

  Accordingly, he commanded that the subject last discussed in hispresence should be transferred to the Inner Chambers, and it was hisOrder that the ladies should also discuss it, and their opinions beengraved on ivory, bound together with red silk and tassels and thuspresented at the Dragon feet. The subject chosen was the following:--

  Describe the Qualities of the Ideal Man

  Now when this command was laid before the August Aunt, the guardian ofthe Inner Chambers, she was much perturbed in mind, for such a thingwas unheard of in all the annals of the Empire. Recovering herself, sheventured to say that the discussion of such a question might raisevery disquieting thoughts in the minds of the ladies, who could notbe supposed to have any opinions at all on such a subject. Nor was itdesirable that they should have. To every woman her husband and no otheris and must be the Ideal Man. So it was always in the past; so it mustever be. There are certain things which it is dangerous to question ordiscuss, and how can ladies who have never spoken with any other manthan a parent or a brother judge such matters?

  "How, indeed," asked this lady of exalted merit, "can the bat forman idea of the sunlight, or the carp of the motion of wings? If hisCelestial Majesty had commanded a discussion on the Superior Woman andthe virtues which should adorn her, some sentiments not wholly unworthymight have been offered. But this is a calamity. They come unexpectedly,springing up like mushrooms, and this one is probably due to the lack ofvirtue of the inelegant and unintellectual person who is now speaking."

  This she uttered in the presence of the principal beauties of theInner Chambers. They sat or reclined about her in attitudes of perfectloveliness. Two, embroidering silver pheasants, paused with theirneedles suspended above the stretched silk, to hear the August Aunt.One, threading beads of jewel jade, permitted them to slip from thestring and so distended the rose of her mouth in surprise that the smallpearl-shells were visible within. The Lady Tortoise, caressing a scarletand azure macaw, in her agitation so twitched the feathers that thebird, shrieking, bit her finger. The Lady Golden Bells blushed deeplyat the thought of what was required of them; and the little Lady SummerDress, youngest of all the assembled beauties, was so alarmed at theprospect that she began to sob aloud, until she met the eye of theAugust Aunt and abruptly ceased.

  "It is not, however, to be supposed," said the August Aunt, opening hersnuff-bottle of painted crystal, "that the minds of our deplorable andunattractive sex are wholly incapable of forming opinions. But speechis a grave matter for women, naturally slow-witted and feeble-minded asthey are. This unenlightened person recalls the Odes as saying:--

  'A flaw in a piece of white jade May be ground away, But when a woman has spoken foolishly Nothing can be done-'

  a consideration which should make every lady here and throughout theworld think anxiously before speech." So anxiously did the assembledbeauties think, that all remained mute as fish in a pool, and the AugustAunt continued:--

  "Let Tsu-ssu be summoned. It is my intention to suggest to the DragonEmperor that the virtues of women be the subject of our discourse, and Iwill myself open and conclude the discussion."

  Tsu-ssu was not long in kotowing before the August Aunt, who despatchedher message with the proper ceremonial due to its Imperial destination;and meanwhile, in much agitation, the beauties could but twitter andwhisper in each other's ears, and await the response like condemnedprisoners who yet hope for reprieve.

  Scarce an hour had dripped away on the water-clock when an ImperialMissive bound with yellow silk arrived, and the August Aunt, rising,kotowed nine times before she received it in her jewelled hand with itsdelicate and lengthy nails ensheathed in pure gold and set with gemsof the first water. She then read it aloud, the ladies prostratingthemselves.

  To the Princess of Han, the August Aunt, the Lady of the Nine SuperiorVirtues:--

  "Having deeply reflected on the wisdom submitted, We thus reply. Womenshould not be the judges of their own virtues, since these exist onlyin relation to men. Let Our Command therefore be executed, and tabletspresented before us seven days hence, with the name of each ladyappended to her tablet."

  It was indeed pitiable to see the anxiety of the ladies! A sacrifice toKwan-Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, of a jewel from each, with intercessionfor aid, was proposed by the Lustrous Lady; but the majority shook theirheads sadly. The August Aunt, tossing her head, declared that, as theSon of Heaven had made no comment on her proposal of opening and closingthe discussion, she should take no part other than safeguarding theinterests of propriety. This much increased the alarm, and, kneeling ather feet, the swan-like beauties, Deep-Snow and Winter Moon implored heraid and compassion. But, rising indignantly, the August Aunt sought herown apartments, and for the first time the inmates of the Pepper Chambersaw with regret the golden dragons embroidered on her back.

  It was then that the Round-Faced Beauty ventured a remark. This maiden,having been born in the far-off province of Suchuan, was considered arustic by the distinguished elegance of the Palace and, therefore, hadnever spoken unless decorum required. Still, even her detractors werecompelled to admit the charms that had gained her her name. Her face hadthe flawless outline of the pearl, and like the blossom of the plum wasthe purity of her complexion, upon which the darkness of her eyebrowsresembled two silk-moths alighted to flutter above the brilliance of hereyes--eyes which even the August Aunt had commended after a banquet ofunsurpassed variety. Her hair had been compared to the crow's plumage;her waist was like a roll of silk, and her discretion in habitingherself was such that even the Lustrous Lady and the Lady Tortoise drewinstruction from the splendours of her robes. It created, however,
ageneral astonishment when she spoke.

  "Paragons of beauty, what is this dull and opaque-witted person thatshe should speak?"

  "What, indeed!" said the Celestial Sister. "This entirelyundistinguished person cannot even imagine."

  A distressing pause followed, during which many whispered anxiously. TheLustrous Lady broke it.

  "It is true that the highly ornamental Round-Faced Beauty is but latelycome, yet even the intelligent Ant may assist the Dragon; and in thepresence of alarm, what is decorum? With a tiger behind one, who canrecall the Book of Rites and act with befitting elegance?"

  "The high-born will at all times remember the Rites!" retorted theCelestial Sister. "Have we not heard the August Aunt observe: 'Those whounderstand do not speak. Those who speak do not understand'?"

  The Round-Faced Beauty collected her courage.

  "Doubtless this is wisdom; yet if the wise do not speak, who shouldinstruct us? The August Aunt herself would be silent."

  All were confounded by this dilemma, and the little Lady Summer-Dress,still weeping, entreated that the Round-Faced Beauty might be heard.The Heavenly Blossoms then prepared to listen and assumed attitudes ofattention, which so disconcerted the Round-Faced Beauty that she blushedlike a spring tulip in speaking.

  "Beautiful ladies, our Lord, who is unknown to us all, has issued anaugust command. It cannot be disputed, for the whisper of disobedienceis heard as thunder in the Imperial Presence. Should we not aid eachother? If any lady has formed a dream in her soul of the IdealMan, might not such a picture aid us all? Let us not be'say-nothing-do-nothing,' but act!"

  They hung their heads and smiled, but none would allow that she hadformed such an image. The little Lady Tortoise, laughing behind herfan of sandalwood, said roguishly: "The Ideal Man should be handsome,liberal in giving, and assuredly he should appreciate the beauty of hiswives. But this we cannot say to the Divine Emperor."

  A sigh rustled through the Pepper Chamber. The Celestial Sister lookedangrily at the speaker.

  "This is the talk of children," she said. "Does no one rememberKung-fu-tse's [Confucius] description of the Superior Man?"

  Unfortunately none did--not even the Celestial Sister herself.

  "Is it not probable," said the Round-Faced Beauty, "that the DivineEmperor remembers it himself and wishes--"

  But the Celestial Sister, yawning audibly, summoned the attendants tobring rose-leaves in honey, and would hear no more.

  The Round-Faced Beauty therefore wandered forth among the mossy rocksand drooping willows of the Imperial Garden, deeply considering thematter. She ascended the bow-curved bridge of marble which crossed thePool of Clear Weather, and from the top idly observed the reflection ofher rose-and-gold coat in the water while, with her taper fingers, shecrumbled cake for the fortunate gold-fish that dwelt in it. And, sodoing, she remarked one fish, four-tailed among the six-tailed, and inno way distinguished by elegance, which secured by far the largest shareof the crumbs dropped into the pool. Bending lower, she observed thissingular fish and its methods.

  The others crowded about the spot where the crumbs fell, all herdedtogether. In their eagerness and stupidity they remained like a cloud ofgold in one spot, slowly waving their tails. But this fish, concealingitself behind a miniature rock, waited, looking upward, until thecrumbs were falling, and then, rushing forth with the speed of anarrow, scattered the stupid mass of fish, and bore off the crumbs to itsshelter, where it instantly devoured them.

  "This is notable," said the Round-Faced Beauty. "Observation enlightensthe mind. To be apart--to be distinguished--secures notice!" And sheplunged into thought again, wandering, herself a flower, among thegorgeous tree peonies.

  On the following day the August Aunt commanded that a writer among thepalace attendants should, with brush and ink, be summoned to transcribethe wisdom of the ladies. She requested that each would give threedays to thought, relating the following anecdote. "There was a man who,taking a piece of ivory, carved it into a mulberry leaf, spending threeyears on the task. When finished it could not be told from the original,and was a gift suitable for the Brother of the Sun and Moon. Dolikewise!"

  "But yet, O Augustness!" said the Celestial Sister, "if the Lord ofHeaven took as long with each leaf, there would be few leaves on thetrees, and if-"

  The August Aunt immediately commanded silence and retired. On the thirdday she seated herself in her chair of carved ebony, while the attendantplaced himself by her feet and prepared to record her words.

  "This insignificant person has decided," began her Augustness, lookinground and unscrewing the amber top of her snuff-bottle, "to take anunintelligent part in these proceedings. An example should be set.Attendant, write!"

  She then dictated as follows: "The Ideal Man is he who now decoratesthe Imperial Throne, or he who in all humility ventures to resemble theincomparable Emperor. Though he may not hope to attain, his endeavor ishis merit. No further description it needed."

  With complacence she inhaled the perfumed snuff, as the writer appendedthe elegant characters of her Imperial name.

  If it is permissible to say that the faces of the beauties lengthenedvisibly, it should now be said. For it had been the intention of everylady to make an illusion to the Celestial Emperor and depict him as theIdeal Man. Nor had they expected that the August Aunt would take anypart in the matter.

  "Oh, but it was the intention of this commonplace and undignified personto say this very thing!" cried the Lustrous Lady, with tears in thejewels of her eyes. "I thought no other high-minded and distinguishedlady would for a moment think of it."

  "And it was my intention also!" fluttered the little Lady Tortoise,wringing her hands! "What now shall this most unlucky and unendurableperson do? For three nights has sleep forsaken my unattractive eyelids,and, tossing and turning on a couch deprived of all comfort, I couldonly repeat, 'The Ideal Man is the Divine Dragon Emperor!'"

  "May one of entirely contemptible attainments make a suggestion in thisassemblage of scintillating wit and beauty?" inquired the CelestialSister. "My superficial opinion is that it would be well to prepare asingle paper to which all names should be appended, stating that HisMajesty in his Dragon Divinity comprises all ideals in his sacredPerson."

  "Let those words be recorded," said the August Aunt. "What else shouldany lady of discretion and propriety say? In this Palace of VirtuousPeace, where all is consecrated to the Son of Heaven, though he deignsnot to enter it, what other thought dare be breathed? Has any ladyventured to step outside such a limit? If so, let her declare herself!"

  All shook their heads, and the August Aunt proceeded: "Let the writerrecord this as the opinion of every lady of the Imperial Household, andlet each name be separately appended."

  Had any desired to object, none dared to confront the August Aunt;but apparently no beauty so desired, for after three nights' sleeplessmeditation, no other thought than this had occurred to any.

  Accordingly, the writer moved from lady to lady and, under thesupervision of the August Aunt, transcribed the following: "The IdealMan is the earthly likeness of the Divine Emperor. How should it beotherwise?" And under this sentence wrote the name of each lovely onein succession. The papers were then placed in the hanging sleeves of theAugust Aunt for safety.

  By the decree of Fate, the father of the Round-Faced Beauty had, beforehe became an ancestral spirit, been a scholar of distinction, havinggraduated at the age of seventy-two with a composition commended by theGrand Examiner. Having no gold and silver to give his daughter, hehad formed her mind, and had presented her with the sole jewel of hisfamily-a pearl as large as a bean. Such was her sole dower, but theaccomplished Aunt may excel the indolent Prince.

  Yet, before the thought in her mind, she hesitated and trembled,recalling the lesson of the gold-fish; and it was with anxiety thatpaled her roseate lips that, on a certain day, she had sought the WillowBridge Pavilion. There had awaited her a palace attendant skilled withthe brush, and there in secrecy and dire affright, hearing
the footstepsof the August Aunt in every rustle of leafage, and her voice in thecall of every crow, did the Round-Faced Beauty dictate the followingcomposition:--

  "Though the sky rain pearls, it cannot equal the beneficence of the Sonof Heaven. Though the sky rain jade it cannot equal his magnificence. Hehas commanded his slave to describe the qualities of the Ideal Man.How should I, a mere woman, do this? I, who have not seen the DivineEmperor, how should I know what is virtue? I, who have not seen theglory of his countenance, how should I know what is beauty? Reportspeaks of his excellencies, but I who live in the dark know not. But tothe Ideal Woman, the very vices of her husband are virtues. Should heexalt another, this is a mark of his superior taste. Should he dismisshis slave, this is justice. To the Ideal Woman there is but one IdealMan--and that is her lord. From the day she crosses his threshold, tothe day when they clothe her in the garments of Immortality, this is hersole opinion. Yet would that she might receive instruction of what onlyare beauty and virtue in his adorable presence."

  This being written, she presented her one pearl to the attendant andfled, not looking behind her, as quickly as her delicate feet wouldpermit.

  On the seventh day the compositions, engraved on ivory and bound withred silk and tassels, were presented to the Emperor, and for sevendays more he forgot their existence. On the eighth the High Chamberlainventured to recall them to the Imperial memory, and the Emperor glancingslightly at one after another, threw them aside, yawning as he did so.Finally, one arrested his eyes, and reading it more than once he laid itbefore him and meditated. An hour passed in this way while the forgottenLord Chamberlain continued to kneel. The Son of Heaven, then raising hishead, pronounced these words: "In the society of the Ideal Woman, she towhom jealousy is unknown, tranquillity might possibly be obtained. Letprayer be made before the Ancestors with the customary offerings, forthis is a matter deserving attention."

  A few days passed, and an Imperial attendant, escorted by two mandarinsof the peacock-feather and crystal-button rank, desired an audience ofthe August Aunt, and, speaking before the curtain, informed her that hisImperial Majesty would pay a visit that evening to the Hall of TranquilLongevity. Such was her agitation at this honour that she immediatelyswooned; but, reviving, summoned all the attendants and gave orders fora banquet and musicians.

  Lanterns painted with pheasants and exquisite landscapes were hung onall the pavilions. Tapestries of rose, decorated with the Five-ClawedDragons, adorned the chambers; and upon the High Seat was placed a robeof yellow satin embroidered with pearls. All was hurry and excitement.The Blossoms of the Palace were so exquisitely decked that one grainmore of powder would have made them too lily-like, and one touch more ofrouge, too rosecheeked. It was indeed perfection, and, like lotuses upona lake, or Asian birds, gorgeous of plumage, they stood ranged in theouter chamber while the Celestial Emperor took his seat.

  The Round-Faced Beauty wore no jewels, having bartered her pearl for heropportunity; but her long coat of jade-green, embroidered with goldenwillows, and her trousers of palest rose left nothing to be desired. Inher hair two golden peonies were fastened with pins of kingfisher work.The Son of Heaven was seated upon the throne as the ladies approached,marshaled by the August Aunt. He was attired in the Yellow Robe with theFlying Dragons, and upon the Imperial Head was the Cap, ornamentedwith one hundred and forty-four priceless gems. From it hung the twelvependants of strings of pearls, partly concealing the august eyes of theJade Emperor. No greater splendour can strike awe into the soul of man.

  At his command the August Aunt took her seat upon a lesser chair at theCelestial Feet. Her mien was majestic, and struck awe into the assembledbeauties, whose names she spoke aloud as each approached and prostratedherself. She then pronounced these words:

  "Beautiful ones, the Emperor, having considered the opinions submittedby you on the subject of the Superior Man, is pleased to express hisaugust commendation. Dismiss, therefore, anxiety from your minds, andprepare to assist at the humble concert of music we have prepared forhis Divine pleasure."

  Slightly raising himself in his chair, the Son of Heaven looked downupon that Garden of Beauty, holding in his hand an ivory tablet boundwith red silk.

  "Lovely ladies," he began, in a voice that assuaged fear, "who among youwas it that laid before our feet a composition beginning thus--'Thoughthe sky rain pearls'?"

  The August Aunt immediately rose.

  "Imperial Majesty, none! These eyes supervised every composition. Noimpropriety was permitted."

  The Son of Heaven resumed: "Let that lady stand forth."

  The words were few, but sufficient. Trembling in every limb, theRound-Faced Beauty separated herself from her companions and prostratedherself, amid the breathless amazement of the Blossoms of the Palace. Helooked down upon her as she knelt, pale as a lady carved in ivory, butlovely as the lotus of Chang-Su. He turned to the August Aunt. "Princessof Han, my Imperial Aunt, I would speak with this lady alone."

  Decorum itself and the custom of Palaces could not conceal theindignation of the August Aunt as she rose and retired, driving theladies before her as a shepherd drives his sheep.

  The Hall of Tranquil Longevity being now empty, the Jade Emperorextended his hand and beckoned the Round-Faced Beauty to approach. Thisshe did, hanging her head like a flower surcharged with dew and swayinggracefully as a wind-bell, and knelt on the lowest step of the Seat ofState.

  "Loveliest One," said the Emperor, "I have read your composition.I would know the truth. Did any aid you as you spoke it? Was it thethought of your own heart?"

  "None aided, Divine," said she, almost fainting with fear. "Itwas indeed the thought of this illiterate slave, consumed with anunwarranted but uncontrollable passion."

  "And have you in truth desired to see your Lord?"

  "As a prisoner in a dungeon desires the light, so was it with this lowperson."

  "And having seen?"

  "Augustness, the dull eyes of this slave are blinded with beauty."

  She laid her head before his feet.

  "Yet you have depicted, not the Ideal Man, but the Ideal Woman. This wasnot the Celestial command. How was this?"

  "Because, O versatile and auspicious Emperor, the blind cannot beholdthe sunlight, and it is only the Ideal Woman who is worthy to comprehendand worship the Ideal Man. For this alone is she created."

  A smile began to illuminate the Imperial Countenance. "And how, ORound-Faced Beauty, did you evade the vigilance of the August Aunt?"

  She hung her head lower, speaking almost in a whisper. "With her onepearl did this person buy the secrecy of the writer; and when the AugustAunt slept, did I conceal the paper in her sleeve with the rest, and herown Imperial hand gave it to the engraver of ivory."

  She veiled her face with two jade-white hands that trembled excessively.On hearing this statement the Celestial Emperor broke at once into avery great laughter, and he laughed loud and long as a tiller of wheat.The Round-Faced Beauty heard it demurely until, catching the Imperialeye, decorum was forgotten and she too laughed uncontrollably. So theycontinued, and finally the Emperor leaned back, drying the tears in hiseyes with his august sleeve, and the lady, resuming her gravity, hid herface in her hands, yet regarded him through her fingers.

  When the August Aunt returned at the end of an hour with the ladies,surrounded by the attendants with their instruments of music, theRound-Faced Beauty was seated in the chair that she herself hadoccupied, and on the whiteness of her brow was hung the chain of pearls,which had formed the frontal of the Cap of the Emperor.

  It is recorded that, advancing from honour to honour, the Round-FacedBeauty was eventually chosen Empress and became the mother of theImperial Prince. The celestial purity of her mind and the absence of allflaws of jealousy and anger warranted this distinction. But it is alsorecorded that, after her elevation, no other lady was ever exalted inthe Imperial favour or received the slightest notice from the Emperor.For the Empress, now well acquainted with the Ideal Man, judged itbetter tha
t his experiences of the Ideal Woman should be drawn fromherself alone. And as she decreed, so it was done. Doubtless Her Majestydid well.

  It is known that the Emperor departed to the Ancestral Spirits at anearly age, seeking, as the August Aunt observed, that repose which onearth could never more be his. But no one has asserted that this lady'sdisposition was free from the ordinary blemishes of humanity.

  As for the Celestial Empress (who survives in history as one of the mostastute rulers who ever adorned the Dragon Throne), she continued to ruleher son and the Empire, surrounded by the respectful admiration of all.