A stunning woman in a silken dress then appeared before him. “If you wish to pluck the flower of
Youth, you must give five drops of your blood in order to get it.” Chen took out a knife and cut his finger, then
five drops of blood fell to the earth and the flower of Youth appeared.
After plucking the flower, Chen rushed back down the ladder and galloped off to the crystal palace
with the flower. Pushing the doors open, Chen hurried to the Queen and pressed the flower into her hand. Jia Li
closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, she was young, beautiful and mortal again. Jia Li put down
the flower, which had now disintegrated into ash and embraced Chen Mengyao. Several days later they married
each other in a glorious ceremony and never again did Jia Li ever think of underestimating old women.
* * *