Chapter 24: The Street of Noodles

They took me up the white steps between two officers in red.

I kept my eyes fixed on the stones so I would not look at the hall.

At the top I was told where to kneel, and I knelt.

Chengzhi was already there beside me in a borrowed court robe, with his hat in his hands.

He did not look at the emperor.

He looked at me, and his eyes were so wet that I had to look at the floor.

"So," said a dry, quiet voice from the throne. "This is the one who taught the top scholar his letters."

"Yes, Majesty," I whispered.

"What do you sell?"

"Noodles, Majesty."

"I have been fed at a great many tables," said the emperor.

"I have never been sent a bowl by a scholar's wife. Send one to my kitchens tomorrow, and I will judge it myself."

I think I said yes.

I think I also said that I would need my copper pot.

Someone behind the throne laughed into his sleeve.

The next day the new top scholar rode through the capital on a white horse.

It was the old custom, and the whole city came out for it, ten deep along the great avenue, throwing flowers.

I rode behind him in a closed chair with the curtains tied back, because Chengzhi had refused to go anywhere without me.

The procession came at last to the crossing of the two main streets.

A line of officials stood at one side, and a closed blue carriage was drawn up in the dust beside them.

Its door was open.

The salt merchant knelt in the road in front of it, in a plain gray under-robe.

His rings were gone, and his hands were flat on the ground.

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