leaders。 It would be well for the empire if he would lend his support to the imperial family and help to rid the government of this evil party。〃
His Majesty wept； 〃I am weary of the insults and contempt of these wretches and should be very glad to have them removed。〃
〃I have thought of a plan to estrange Li Jue and Guo Si and so make them destroy each other。 Then Cao Cao could e and cleanse the court；〃 said Yang Biao。
〃How will you manage it？〃 asked the Emperor。
〃Guo Si's wife； Lady Qiong； is very jealous； and we can take advantage of her weakness to bring about a quarrel。〃
So Yang Biao received instruction to act； with a secret edict to support him。 Yang Biao's wife； Lady Kai； made an excuse to visit Lady Qiong at her palace and； in the course of conversation； said 〃There is talk of secret liaison between the General； your husband； and the wife of Minister Li Jue。 It is a great secret； but if Minister Li Jue knew it； he might try to harm your husband。 I think you ought to have very little to do with that family。〃
Lady Qiong was surprised but said； 〃I have wondered why he has been sleeping away from home lately； but I did not think there was anything shameful connected with it。 I should never have known if you had not spoken。 I must put a stop to it。〃
By and by； when Lady Kai took her leave； Lady Qiong thanked her warmly for the information she had given。
Some days passed； and Guo Si was going over to the dwelling of Li Jue to a dinner。
Lady Qiong did not wish him to go and she said； 〃This Li Jue is very deep； and one cannot fathom his designs。 You two are not of equal rank； and if he made away with you； what would bee of your poor handmaid？〃
Guo Si paid no attention； and his wife could not prevai