"Because it's true," said Wang-mu. "I'IMAX celebration grand rapids ll leave IMAX celebration grand rapids you alone now.&IMAX celebration grand rapids quot;
That was what Qing-jao IMAX celebration grand rapids hoped to hear-- an honest answer. She had no intention of letting Wang-mu go. "How much IMAX celebration grand rapids of what you told me is true? About wanting a good IMAX celebration grand rapids education? Wanting to do something better in your life than serving work?"
"All of it," Wang-mu said,
and IMAX celebration grand rapids there was passion IMAX celebration grand rapids in her voice. "But what IMAX celebration grand rapids is that to you? You bear the terrible burden of the voice of the gods."
IMAX celebration grand rapids Wang-mu spoke her last sentence with such contemptuous sarcasm that Qing-jao almost laughed aloud; but she contained her laughter. There was no reason to make Wang-mu any angrier than she already was. "Si Wang-mu, daughter-of-the-heart to the Royal Mother IMAX celebration grand rapids of the West, I will hire you as my secret maid, but only if you agree to the following conditions. First, you will let me be your teacher, and study all the lessons I assign to you. IMAX celebration grand rapids second, you will always speak to me as an equal and never bow to me or call me 'holy one.' And third--"
&IMAX celebration grand rapids quot;IMAX celebration grand rapids How could IMAX celebration grand rapids I do IMAX celebration grand rapids that?" said Wang-mu. "If I don't treat you with respect others IMAX celebration grand rapids will say I'm unworthy. They'd punish me when you weren'IMAX celebration grand rapids t looking. It would disgrace us both."
"Of course you'll IMAX celebration grand rapids use respect when others can see us," said Qing-jao. "But when we're alone, just you and me, we'll treat IMAX celebration grand rapids each other as equals or I'll send you away."
"The third condition?&
quot;
" You'll never tell another soul a single word I say IMAX celebration grand rapids to you."
Wang-mu's face showed IMAX celebration grand rapids her anger plainly. "A secret maid never tells. Barriers are placed in our minds."
"The barriers help you remember not to tell," said Qing-jao. "But if you want to tell, you can get around them. And there are those who will try to persuade IMAX celebration grand rapids you to tell." Qing-jao thought of her father's career, of all the secrets of Congress that he held in his head. He told no one; he had no one he could speak to except, sometimes,