because of her tiny stature. Never was she in danger of growing fat, a thing of which Yang Kuei-fei stood in unnecessary fear. Still if Li Po was slandering her—She had no time to finish the thought, Li Po was writing once more:
"The most renowned of blossoms, most divine
Of those whose conquering glances overthrow
Cities and kingdoms, for his sake combine
And win the ready smiles that ever flow
From royal lips. What matter if the snow
Blot out the garden? She shall recline
Upon the scented balustrade and glow
With spring that thrills her warm blood into wine."
"He is the first who has ever ridiculed Yang Kuei-fei," whispered Kao. "May there not be others? How can you remain high in the Emperor's esteem if you are the butt for wine bibbers?"
Yang Kuei-fei said nothing but Kao was satisfied.
A few days later the Emperor wished to appoint Li Po to an important post. Yang Kuei-fei rebelled. She withheld her caresses.
"Go to your poet," she said. "What matter that he makes me ridiculous by comparing me to 'Flying Swallow'?" She tossed her jacket across the room. "Behind my back the whole Court is laughing. Go and laugh with them. Let me, I beg, enter the seraglio that I may lose my identity among multitudes of women."
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