After that the king became very cheerful and ordered food and drink to be brought in for his guest.
At that time a gentle breeze began to blow followed by the soft rain.
A youth with a purple gown and a huge hat entered the hall. The man was wearing a sword at his side. Beside him was a radiantly beautiful girl. Liu I looked at her and realized that this was the Dragon princess who had been herding the sheep.
Before Liu I could talk to her, the king presented Liu I to the young man. “This is my brother, Tsiang Tang.”
Tsiang Tang thanked Liu I for bringing the message of the dragon princess to them.
After that Tsiang Tang turned to the king. “I have fought against those dragons and defeated them.”
“How many enemies have you defeated?”
“Six hundred thousand dragons.” Tsiang Tang replied haughtily.
“And what did you do to the husband?” The king asked Tsiang Tang.
“I ate him alive.” Tsiang Tang replied.
That evening, Liu I saw that there was a great feast arranged in the castle. Music and dancing was prevalent throughout the place. Trombones and trumpets resounded and drums and kettle drums thundered through the place. The people there sang about how Tsiang Tang defeated the enemy.
On the following day when another banquet was held, Tsiang Tang was not quite himself. He drew Liu I towards him and was very careless with his talk. “The princess of Dungting is beautiful. She has had the misfortune of having a bad husband and today her marriage is annulled. We should find another husband for her. If agree to this match it would be to your advantage.” Tsiang Tang shrugged. “However, if you do not want to marry her, you may go your way and we will never meet each other.”
Liu I was angry with Tsiang Tang for having brought this matter up so carelessly. “I brought the message from the princess because I felt sorry for her. I did not want any advantage for myself. To kill a husband and carry the wife is not something that I will do and I do not want to take the princess as my wife because of your careless proposal.”
Tsiang Tang apologized to Liu I. “Please do not take any offense.”
Liu I took his leave and the queen gave another farwell banquet in his honour.
By this time Liu I had been given many rich gifts from all the people in the palace.
The princess, however, could not bring herself to bid goodbye to Liu I. Tears were streaming down her cheeks and she could say nothing to Liu I as he walked out of the palace.
Adapted from Chinese Folk Tales
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