And so, leaving my parents' home, I fled and escaped, pushing through thorn bushes to build a house, hiding alone in a remote borderland and living out my days in hardship. Yet the persecution from the South Sea grew ever more severe, until my parents could bear it no longer and said,
"Our daughter wishes not to follow another, but fled far away and has lived deeply hidden and alone these many years."
When they said this, the Prince of the South Sea looked down upon my lonely plight and led his troops personally to come and persecute me. Fortunately, Heaven and Earth and the spirits were moved by my earnest prayer, causing the water of the deep pond to suddenly change—its chill became like ice and its darkness like hell—so that the soldiers of the foreign land could not easily enter. Relying on this, I have remained safe and preserved my precarious life until now. The reason I have presumptuously invited Your Excellency and brought you to this humble place today is not merely to report my situation. Your Majesty's army has been in hardship for a long time, and water does not spring from the wells; digging earth and piercing the ground is arduous, and if water cannot be obtained, the army's strength cannot be sustained, and if water cannot be obtained, the army's strength cannot be sustained. This water was originally called Cheongsu Pond, but since I came to dwell here, its taste became extremely foul, causing illness to those who drink it, so its name was changed to Baekyong Pond. Now that Your Excellency has come, I have found one upon whom I may rely; now that Your Excellency has come, I have found one upon whom I may rely. Your Excellency's concern is my concern. How could I dare not exhaust my meager efforts to assist in your military endeavor? From now on, the water's taste will be sweet as it once was, so the soldiers may drink without harm, and the sick soldiers will likewise recover fully.
Wonsu said,
"Now hearing your words, ours is a bond ordained by Heaven, one that could well match the promise of Wolno (the Old Man Under the Moon, who is said to govern the fates of men and women). Does the Princess's will align with mine as well?"
The Dragon Maiden answered,
"Though I have promised my body to my lord, there are three reasons why it would be improper to rashly serve you and form our union now. First, it would mean disregarding my parents. Second, only after undergoing Hwangoltalt'ae (bone-transformation is the changing of common bones into immortal bones, and shedding is the remaking of the old system into a new one) may I be fit to serve Your Excellency; now, with this humble body covered in scales and shells, with fishy fins and mane, I cannot sully my lord's place.
Third, the Prince of the South Sea has sent his agents to quietly scout this vicinity; if he were to learn of this, he would surely stir up a tempest, and I fear that provoking his wrath would bring harm. Therefore, my lord must swiftly return to your camp, set your army in order, destroy the bandits, achieve great merit, win fame, and proceed to the capital. Then I shall duly lift my skirt and cross the waters to follow you to your estate in Chang'an."
Wonsu said,
"Though the Princess's words are thus proper, I think that the Princess coming here was not merely to guard this place, but also because the Dragon King ordered you to remain here, wait for my arrival, and follow me at once. How could our becoming partners from this day onward not be the will of your parents? Moreover, the Princess is a divine being with a luminous body and a luminous nature, traversing between the realms of men and spirits without impropriety wherever you go—how could I despise you for mere scales, fins, and mane? Though I lack talent, having received the Son of Heaven's command, I lead a million-strong grand army, taking Biryom (the Wind God) as my guide and Haeyak (the Sea God) as my rearguard. I regard that Prince of the South Sea as no more than a mosquito or ant. Now if he fails to measure himself and foolishly attempts resistance, it would only mean staining my blade! Tonight, having fortunately met each other, how could we let this auspicious hour pass in vain, or easily forsake this beautiful promise?"
Saying this, he led the Dragon Maiden to the bedchamber, and their joy was such that one could not tell whether it was a dream or reality.
Yang Wonsu Repels the Crown Prince of the South Sea
The next morning at dawn, thunderous cries arose one after another, startling the Princess awake in the Crystal Palace. A palace maid hastily reported,
"The Crown Prince of the South Sea leads countless troops and has encamped at the foot of the mountain to challenge Yang Wonsu to battle."
Wonsu said in great wrath,
"Mad child! How dare he do this?"
Saying this, he shook his sleeves and rose, walking out to the water's edge. The South Sea soldiers had already surrounded Baekyong Pond, their clamor shaking the heavens, killing intent spreading in all directions. The one called the Crown Prince rode a horse to the front of the formation and loudly berated Wonsu, "What manner of man are you, to steal another's wife? I swear I shall not live together with you in this heaven and earth!"
At this, Wonsu steadied his horse and laughed loudly at the Crown Prince.
"The bond that the Dongjeong Dragon Maiden and I have formed is recorded in the Heavenly Palace, known to the True Immortal. I merely follow Heaven's command. How could a lecherous fish-spawn be so shameless?"
He then commanded his troops and urged them to battle. The Crown Prince, in great rage, gave orders to thousands upon thousands of fish. The commanders and aides (a jegok being the highest officer of military appointment, a chamgun being the aide in military affairs) rallied their spirits and strode forth in bravery. Wonsu commanded once and beheaded them all. He raised a white jade whip and struck once, and a million troops were trampled, while broken scales and shells littered the ground in an instant.
The Crown Prince was pierced by spears in several places and could not transform himself, finally falling captive to Wonsu's soldiers. They bound him and presented him before Wonsu's horse. Wonsu was greatly pleased and struck the gong to withdraw his troops. A sentry reported, "The Princess of Baekyong Pond has come personally before the camp to offer congratulations to Wonsu and wishes to hoegwe (comfort the troops by providing drink and food)."
Wonsu had her welcomed in. The Dragon Maiden congratulated Wonsu on his victory and consoled the troops with one hundred seok of wine and one hundred head of cattle. All the soldiers ate their fill and rejoiced, dancing and singing, so that their morale and bravery were a hundred times greater than before.
Wonsu sat together with the Dragon Maiden and had the Prince of the South Sea brought in, loudly rebuking him:
"I have received the Son of Heaven's command to strike down bandits in all directions, so that even ten thousand ghosts dare not defy my presence. Yet you, a mere petty child, ignorant of Heaven's command, dared to defy the Grand Army—this was hastening your own death. Here is a precious sword—Wei Zheng (a statesman of Tang) used it to slay the dragon of Gyeongha, and it is an exceedingly sharp blade. I ought to behead you to display our army's might. However, since your household pacifies the South Sea and sends rain to the human world, benefiting all people, I shall especially pardon you. From now on, mend your former conduct and never again sin against the Princess!"
Saying this, he had him dragged away and thrown out. The Prince of the South Sea fled, barely able to breathe, scurrying away like a mouse.
Suddenly, an auspicious cloud arose from the southeast, the red sunset glow brilliant and the mountain clouds resplendent. Banners and ceremonial axes descended from the air, and an envoy in red robes hurried forward, saying,
"The Dragon King of Dongjeong, having learned that Yang Wonsu defeated the South Sea Army and rescued the Princess from danger, wished to come personally to your camp gate to offer congratulations, but his body is tied up in official duties and he dares not dispose of them arbitrarily. Therefore, he has prepared a grand banquet at a detached palace and humbly invites Wonsu to grace him with your presence for a moment. The Great King also ordered this humble servant to escort the Princess and return together."
Wonsu replied in courtesy,
"Though the enemy has retreated, the war camp still remains. Moreover, Dongjeong Lake is ten thousand li away, so going back and forth would take many days. How could one who leads an army dare to go far?"
The envoy spoke again,
"We have already harnessed eight dragons to the carriage; half a day shall be more than enough for the round trip."
Yang Wonsu boarded the dragon carriage together with the Dragon Maiden. Strange winds turned the wheels, and they ascended into the air. White clouds covered the world like mountain ranges, and gradually descending, they reached Dongjeong Lake. The Dragon King came far out to greet them. They observed the rites of host and guest, expressed the affection between father-in-law and son-in-law, bowed with bent waists, and ascended to the upper halls, where a feast was spread and they were entertained with utmost sincerity.
The Dragon King personally passed a cup of wine to Wonsu and expressed his gratitude without cease.
"This unworthy one lacked virtue and could not allow my daughter to live in comfort there. Now, by your solemn might, Wonsu, you have captured the mad child of the South Sea and rescued my daughter. Your grace is higher than Heaven and deeper than Earth."
Wonsu replied,
"This is all due to the Great King's majestic spirit reaching afar; what merit does this humble one have?"
He became drunk on wine, and the Dragon King ordered various music and military bands to be played.
The melody was resonant and grand; listening to it, it had a measured rhythm, yet it differed from the music of the mortal world.
A thousand soldiers lined up to the left and right of the hall, each spreading out swords and spears and striking great drums as they came forth. Six pairs of beauties wore hibiscus robes and bore bright moon shields, lightly fluttering their Hansam sleeves. They danced in pairs facing each other—a sight that was truly spectacular.
Yang Wonsu, listening to the Suju music, asked,
"What melody is this?"
The Dragon King answered,
"In olden days, this tune did not exist in the Suju. When my eldest daughter became the crown princess of the Gyeongha King, a scholar sent a letter, whereby we learned of the hardship she suffered herding horses. My younger brother, General Jeondang, fought a great battle with the Gyeongha King, defeated him, and brought my daughter back. The palace ladies composed this military music and attached a dance to it, giving it the names Jeondanggun P'ajin'ak (General Jeondang Crushing the Enemy Army Music) and Guiju Hwanggung'ak (Returning to the Palace Music of Gui Prefecture). It was occasionally performed at palace banquets. Now that Wonsu has defeated the Dragon King of the South Sea and enabled us father and daughter to meet each other, it closely resembles the old affair of Jeondang; therefore, its name has been changed to Wonsu P'agun'ak (Wonsu Defeating the Enemy Army Music)."
Wonsu asked again,
"That scholar is now the district magistrate of Yeongju and resides in that village; how could this humble one dare to meet him?"
When the wine had gone nine rounds, Wonsu took his leave, saying,
"Military affairs are numerous, so I cannot stay long. I pray that the Great King enjoys boundless longevity."
He turned to the Dragon Maiden and instructed her,
"Princess, do not forget our later appointment."
The Dragon King answered in her stead,
"Do not worry about that. It shall be done according to our promise."
They went outside the palace gate to see him off. Wonsu caught a glimpse of lofty mountains ahead, five peaks soaring through the clouds, presenting a sight of scenic wonder. Thereupon he asked the Dragon King,
"What mountain is this? I have toured all the famous mountains under Heaven, yet I have not seen Hyeongsan and P'asan."
The Dragon King said,
"Does Wonsu not know the name of this mountain? It is Nanyak Hyeongsan. It is a divine and wondrous mountain—how could you not recognize it?"
Wonsu earnestly requested,
"How might I ascend this mountain?"
The Dragon King answered,
"The sun has not yet grown late today; if you tour it briefly and return, it will not yet be dark."
After offering his thanks, the Marshal climbed upward, and before long he was already beneath Mount Heng. Finding a path, he crossed one ridge and passed through one valley; the mountains rose ever higher, the terrain grew ever more secluded, and ten thousand scenes of beauty lay spread before him, so that he could not possibly take in every corner of the mountain. It was truly the sight described as “a thousand lofty peaks vying to soar, ten thousand deep ravines vying to flow.”
When the Marshal looked all around, quiet thoughts arose of themselves, and he sighed and murmured alone,
“Long has my body been worn in the army, and my spirit wearied. Why should this body’s ties to the dusty world be so heavy? Once I have accomplished my merit, I shall withdraw and become, aloof and free, a man beyond all things.”
Suddenly he heard the sound of a temple bell ringing through the trees, and the Marshal said,
“There must surely be a monastery not far from here.”
So saying, he climbed a hill and saw a temple. Its halls lay deep within, appearing quiet and secluded, and in a place where many monks were gathered, an old monk sat on high, just then reciting scripture and preaching the Dharma. His eyebrows were long and white, and his frame was clear and gaunt, so that one could well tell he was advanced in years.
Seeing the Marshal enter, the old monk led his disciples down from the hall to greet him, saying,
“This man of the mountains hears nothing of the world, and so I had no knowledge at all that the Grand Marshal was coming, and failed to go out beyond the gate to receive you. I beg the Marshal to forgive this. Yet this time, you have not come to stay for good, so you should go up to the hall, join your palms and bow before the Buddha, and then return.”
The Marshal at once went before the Buddha, burned incense, and bowed twice. As he was coming down from the hall, he suddenly missed his footing. Startled, he awoke, and found himself in the camp, seated leaning against his writing desk, while the east was already growing bright. Finding the dream strange, the Marshal summoned the generals and asked,
“Did you gentlemen also have dreams?”
The generals answered with one voice,
“We too dreamed that we followed the Marshal and fought a great battle against divine soldiers and ghostly troops, defeated them, captured their commander, and returned. This is truly an auspicious omen that we shall defeat the rebels and seize their chief.”
The Marshal related every detail of what he had experienced in the dream, then went with the generals to White Dragon Pool. Broken scales and shattered shells were strewn all over the ground, and flowing blood had formed a stream.
Moreover, the Marshal personally took up a gourd, drew water, and tasted it first; afterward he gave it to the sick soldiers to drink, whereupon their illnesses were completely cured. When the rebels heard of this, they were greatly afraid and soon wished to surrender.
The Empress Dowager and the Princess View Zheng Qiongbei’s Prayer Petition.
After Marshal Yang took the field, he sent up reports of victory one after another, and the Son of Heaven was greatly pleased. One day, when he went to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager, he praised Yang Shaoyou’s merit, saying, “The Guo Fenyang of old is none other than the Yang Shaoyou of today. When he returns, I intend at once to bestow on him the office of Chancellor, to repay a merit rare in this world. However, the Princess’s marriage has not yet been settled. If Yang Shaoyou changes his mind and obediently accepts the command, that will be fortunate; but if he remains obstinate, I cannot very well punish a meritorious subject, nor can I very well take away his will. I am deeply troubled, for it is truly difficult to know how to handle the matter properly.”
The Empress Dowager said,
“Minister Zheng’s daughter is truly beautiful, and I hear that she and Shaoyou have already seen one another before. How could Shaoyou willingly abandon Miss Zheng? While Shaoyou is away at the frontier, issue an edict and have that girl married to someone else. Then, with his hopes cut off, how could Shaoyou dare not obey the imperial command?”
His Majesty did not answer for a long while, and after a time he went out without a word.
At that time Princess Nanyang was at the Empress Dowager’s side, and she said to her, “Imperial Mother’s instruction greatly runs counter to reason. Whether Miss Zheng marries or not is a matter for her own household; how could it be something the court should interfere in?”
The Empress Dowager said,
“This matter is weighty and difficult for you, and it concerns a great rite of the state, so I wished to discuss it with you. Yang Shaoyou, Minister of War, is not only foremost among all the officials of the court in bearing and literary talent, but in the past, by a single tune on the flute, we knew that he and you were joined by a heavenly bond. Thus we absolutely cannot abandon Yang Shaoyou and seek another. For this reason the matter is extremely difficult. When Shaoyou returns, if the marriage rites are performed first, and then Shaoyou is made to marry Miss Zheng as well and take her as a concubine, I think Shaoyou would not dare decline. Yet I did not know your feelings, and so I have hesitated in this way.”
At this, the Princess again replied,
“Your daughter has never in her life known what jealousy is, so why should I be wary of Miss Zheng? It is only that Minister Yang first exchanged betrothal gifts with her; to take her afterward as a concubine would not accord with propriety. Moreover, Minister Zheng is a chancellor from a family of ministers over many generations, a noble house of renown. Would it not also be unjust to make his daughter become another’s concubine? This too would not be right.”
The Empress Dowager asked,
“Then what is your intention?”
The Princess answered,
“According to the law of the state, a feudal lord may have three ladies. When Minister Yang returns after establishing merit, at the greatest he will be made a prince, and at the least a duke or marquis. To have two wives would by no means exceed his station. At that time, how would it be to have him marry Miss Zheng as a principal wife?”
The Empress Dowager said,
“That truly cannot be. You are the beloved daughter of the late Emperor and the cherished sister of the present sovereign. Your person is truly precious and your rank is also high. How could it be fitting for you to stand shoulder to shoulder with a woman from an ordinary household and serve one man together?”
The Princess then answered.
“The sage rulers and enlightened sovereigns of old honored the worthy and respected scholars, forgetting the nobility of their own persons; loving only their virtue, they, though Sons of Heaven with ten thousand chariots, made friends with common men. How then could one distinguish between noble and base? I have heard that Miss Zheng’s appearance and chastity are such that even the foremost virtuous women of ancient and modern times could not surpass her. If the truth is indeed as these words say, then to stand shoulder to shoulder with her would be only a fortune for your daughter, not a disgrace. However, people’s words are easily mistaken, and truth and falsehood are hard to trust. If possible, I wish to see Miss Zheng in secret. If her appearance, talents, and virtue are indeed superior to mine, I shall look up to her and serve her. If they are not, then whether she is made a concubine or a servant, I shall not mind.”
The Empress Dowager sighed and said,
“To envy talent and be jealous of beauty is the usual feeling of women. Yet my daughter loves another’s talent as though it were in herself, and reveres another’s virtue as a thirsty person seeks water. How could her mother not be pleased? Also, since the Princess wishes to see Miss Zheng once, tomorrow I shall have an edict issued to Minister Zheng.”
At this, the Princess said,
“Even if there is Your Majesty’s command, Miss Zheng will surely plead illness and not enter the palace. And yet one cannot carelessly threaten and summon the wife or daughter of a minister’s household. If, perhaps, orders are sent to the Taoist temples and convents to learn in advance on which day Miss Zheng will come to offer incense, then it should not be difficult to meet her once on that day.”
So she said.
The Empress Dowager thought this right, and had eunuchs make inquiries throughout the temples and convents. A nun of Jeonghaewon reported,
“The household of Minister Zheng offers Buddhist rites at our temple, but the young lady herself has never come and gone to the temple. Only, three days ago, the young lady’s maidservant Jia Chunyun came by her mistress’s command and presented a prayer petition to the Buddha. How would it be if the eunuch took this writing and reported back to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager?”
So she said.
The eunuch agreed and returned to the palace. Reporting the circumstances to the Empress Dowager, he presented Miss Zheng’s prayer petition. The Empress Dowager said,
“If this is truly so, it will be difficult to see Miss Zheng’s face.”
Then she viewed the prayer petition together with the Princess.
Your disciple Zheng Qiongbei reverently bows a hundred times and sends her maidservant Chunyun, bathed and purified, to pray before all the Buddhas. Your disciple’s sins are very heavy, and the hindrance of karma is not yet exhausted. Having been born into the world, I received betrothal gifts and intended in time to entrust my body to the Yang family. Yet Lord Yang was chosen in the selection for the imperial consort, and the imperial command is most severe; what then are your disciple and the Yang family to do?
I can only lament that Heaven’s will and human affairs are at odds, that my ill-fated self has no hope. Though my body was not permitted to go, my heart has already been entrusted. For now, I wish to rely upon the knees of my parents and pass the remaining years. Because, by this most constrained fate, I have fortunately obtained leisure for my own body, I now dare to offer my sincerity before the Buddha and state your disciple’s feelings.
I prostrate myself and beseech all the Buddhas to see clearly into this. Extend your compassionate hearts, and let your disciple’s aged parents enjoy long life. Let your disciple’s body be free of sickness and calamity, and before her parents let her wear bright-colored robes and fully enjoy the pleasure of tending and playing with young birds.
After my parents have lived together to a hundred years and passed away, I swear I shall return to the Buddha, sever worldly ties, obey the words of admonition, purify my mind, recite the scriptures, cleanse my body, and bow before the Buddha, thereby repaying the Buddha’s deep grace.
Chunyun has had a profound bond with Qiongbei from the beginning. Though in name we are servant and mistress, in feeling we are like sisters. She once, by her mistress’s command, became a concubine of the Yang family, but affairs went against her heart, and she could not preserve that beautiful bond; she bade the Yang family farewell forever and returned again to her mistress.
We two shall, no matter what, share life and death, suffering and joy. I pray that all the Buddhas will lower their gaze upon the hearts of your two disciples, free us life after life from becoming women again, extinguish the sins of our former lives, grant us blessings in lives to come, and let us be reborn in a good land, where we may forever enjoy pleasant happiness.
After the Princess read Miss Zheng’s prayer petition, she frowned and said,
“Because of one person’s marriage, the lives of two people are being ruined. This is greatly harmful to hidden virtue.”
Hearing these words, the Empress Dowager made no reply.
Around this time, Miss Zheng served her parents with such harmony and warmth that she seemed not to resent her fate in the least. Yet whenever Lady Cui looked upon the young lady, she could not overcome her sorrow and regret. Chunyun attended the young lady, diligently practicing writing and the arts, restraining her grief and passing the days, but naturally her heart burned and her liver melted, so that she grew more and more anxious. The young lady, above, thought of her parents, and below, pitied Chunyun; her feelings were quite scattered, and she herself was not at peace, though others did not know it.
When the young lady sought to console her mother’s troubled heart, she found music and all manner of entertainments and from time to time presented them to delight her aged mother. Then one day, a young girl came seeking to sell embroidered hanging scrolls. Chunyun unrolled the scrolls and saw that on one was a peacock among flowers, while on the other was a partridge in a bamboo grove. Chunyun admired the embroidery, had the girl wait, and showed the scrolls to the lady and the young lady, saying,
“My lady always praises Chunyun’s embroidery, but please look at these scrolls as a test. If they did not come from the loom of a fairy maiden, then they must surely have been made by the hands of a spirit.”
At this, the young lady unrolled the hanging scroll before the madam and said in surprise, “People nowadays could not possess such exquisite skill, yet the dyeing and ornamentation are all the fresher, so it cannot be an old piece. How strange.”
She then had Chun-un ask the maidservant where it had come from. The girl replied, “It was embroidered by our young lady. As she is presently away from home and has urgent need of funds, she wishes to sell it without quibbling over the price.”
Chun-un asked again,
“Whose daughter is your young lady, and for what reason is she staying away from home?”
The girl answered,
“Our young lady is the younger sister of Yi Tongpan (Tongpan is an official title). Lord Tongpan has gone with the Grand Madam to take up office in Jeoldong, but our young lady, being ill, could not accompany them. She was staying at the residence of her maternal uncle, Jang Byeolga (Byeolga is an official title), but as a minor matter recently arose in that household, she rented the house of Sa Samrang of the rouge shop across the street and is staying there temporarily, eagerly awaiting someone to come fetch her from Jeoldong.”
Chun-un went in and reported these words as they were. The young lady gave a generous price in hairpins, rings, and other ornaments, and bought the scroll. Then she hung it high in the main hall and gazed at it until dusk, praising it without end.
From then on, the maidservant, through the connection of having sold the scroll, came and went from Minister Jeong’s residence and grew acquainted with the servants. The young lady said to Chun-un, “Since Lady Yi’s skill in embroidery is so outstanding, she must surely be no ordinary person. I shall have a maid follow the girl and go see what that young lady looks like.”
Thereupon she selected a clever maid and sent her. When the maid followed the girl there, she found it to be a commoner’s house, extremely cramped, with no separation at all between inner and outer quarters.
Lady Yi, knowing that she was a maid from the Jeong household, fed her before sending her back. The maid returned and reported, “That young lady’s graceful bearing and lovely countenance are just like our young lady’s.”
Chun-un did not believe this and scolded the maid, saying, “Judging by her embroidery, she is certainly not dull-witted, but how can you say something so excessive? I truly cannot believe there is anyone in this world like our young lady.”
The maid replied,
“If my lady truly doubts my words, send someone at once, and you will know that what I say is true.”
Chun-un then privately sent another person. That person returned and said to Chun-un, “Strange, strange indeed! That young lady is a heavenly maiden. What was said yesterday was indeed correct. If my lady doubts me, it would be best for you to go see for yourself.”
So she reported.
Chun-un said,
“All these words, from first to last, are absurd. Have you no eyes in your heads?”
And they burst out laughing together.
Several days later, Sa Samrang, who lived at the rouge shop, came to the Jeong residence and reported to the madam, “Recently, the young lady of the Yi Tongpan household has been renting this old woman’s house to live in. Her beautiful appearance and marvelous talents are truly such as I have never seen before. She deeply admires Lady Jeong’s wise virtue and steadfast conduct, and wishes to meet her once and hear her refined words. Yet she is shy, and it is also a most difficult matter, so she could not readily speak of it. But knowing that this old woman often comes to pay respects to you, madam, she told me to mention it to you, and so I have come to report it.”
The madam immediately called the young lady and told her of this. The young lady said, “This girl’s circumstances differ from those of others, and I do not wish to raise my face and meet people. Yet I hear that Lady Yi’s character and manners are all of a piece with her embroidery, and so I too should very much like to meet Lady Yi once.”
Old Sa Samrang, hearing the young lady’s consent, returned unable to contain her joy.
The next day, Lady Yi sent a maid ahead to announce that she would come. Later in the day, Lady Yi arrived at Minister Jeong’s residence in a small curtained palanquin, accompanied by several maidservants. Lady Jeong, who had been waiting for her, welcomed her into her chamber. When host and guest sat facing one another to east and west, their radiance shone upon each other, filling the room with splendor, so that both could not help but be astonished.