one of the courts。 They told me she was the wife of Zhang Ji； Zhang Xiu's uncle。 She is very lovely。〃
Cao Cao； inflamed by the description given him of the beauty； told his nephew to go and bring her to visit him。 Cao Amin did so； supported by an armed escort； and very soon the woman stood before Cao Cao。
She was a beauty indeed； and Cao Cao asked her name。
She replied； 〃Thy handmaid was wife to Zhang Ji； I was born of the Zhou family。〃
〃Do you know who I am？〃
〃I have known the Prime Minister by reputation a long time。 I am happy to see him and be permitted to bow before him；〃 said she。
〃It was for your sake that I allowed Zhang Xiu to submit； otherwise I would have slain him and cut him off root and branch；〃 said Cao Cao。
〃Indeed； then； I owe my very life to you； I am very grateful；〃 said she。
〃To see you is a glimpse of paradise； but there is one thing I should like better。 Stay here and go with me to the capital where I will see that you are properly cared for。 What do you say to that； my lady？〃
She could but thank him。
〃But Zhang Xiu will greatly wonder at my prolonged absence； and gossips will begin to talk；〃 said she。
〃If you like； you can leave the city tomorrow。〃
She did so； but instead of going at once to the capital； she stayed with him among the tents； where Dian Wei was appointed as a special guard over her apartments。 Cao Cao was the only person whom she saw； and he passed the days in idle dalliance with the lady； quite content to let time flow by。
But people told Zhang Xiu what had gone amiss； and he was angry at the shame brought upon the family。
He confided his trouble to Jia Xu who said； 〃Keep this secret； wait till he appears again to carry on business