The king motioned for an attendant to fetch it.
The attendant carefully received the silk handkerchief from Bajie and presented it upon the royal desk.
The king glanced at it and saw the words "Safe and well" written on the silk. His eyes stung at once, his hands and feet went weak, and he could not even unfold that thin handkerchief.
"Issue my decree! Summon a grand academician of the Hanlin Academy to read this letter before the throne!"
The king shouted in a hoarse voice.
Before long, an academician entered the hall in obedience to the decree.
Civil and military officials stood before the throne, while behind the curtains at the rear of the hall, consorts and palace maids held their breath. In the vast imperial hall, a falling pin could have been heard as everyone strained to listen.
The academician unfolded the handkerchief, opened the letter tucked within, cleared his throat, and read aloud:
"Your unfilial daughter Baihuaxiu bows her head a hundred times before her greatly virtuous royal father, long may he reign, in the Dragon and Phoenix Hall; before her royal mothers of the three palaces in the Zhaoyang Palace; and before the worthy civil and military ministers of the entire court:
"This unworthy daughter was fortunate to be born into the imperial household and is grateful for the grace of being raised and nurtured. Yet I have failed to devote my strength to bringing you joy or to fulfill my filial duties with all my heart. Thirteen years ago, on that lovely night of the fifteenth day of the eighth month, my royal father graciously decreed that every palace should hold a banquet, admire the moonlight, and share in the festivities beneath the clear night sky."
By this point in the reading, tears were already