The Month the Almonds Bloom
married the month the almonds bloomed and the soft pink almond-blossoms would fall like snow about them. Each blossom would bring happiness. At night they would linger in the wondrous garden or glide about in a small boat on the Pearl River, a river bathed in moonlight, a river of enchantment and romance. Songs to her he would sing, songs of love and the moon, of love and adoration.
So he carved his Jade and the dream grew and flourished until it was as much at home in that garden as he himself. It assumed a personality, a companion that urged him on to greater and greater effort.
Then one day when he visited Mu Kao he found the old philosopher bending over a bit of white Jade, a tiny fragment of white Jade through which ran a streak of amethyst. It was unlike any specimen he had ever seen. Mu Kao was so absorbed in it that he scarcely noticed Woo Fung's approach. When he looked up his face was colorless and his hand shook, so great was his emotion.
"In a few days," he said hoarsely, "this rare jewel will be mine. I am even now negotiating with Kung Chia for its possession. I am having difficulty because Kung Chia is very rich. His ships cover the Seven Seas. Gold would not be a lure to him but I believe in time the Jade will be mine. For I have offered him Shun Kao in exchange for it. After all what is the value of a girl compared to the loveliness of white Jade? The deal is almost made though Kung Chia is
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