The Rashīdī History 202.5

202.5

The Khan told me of this ; I replied : " In what way is Aiman Khwaja Sultan preferable to your Highness' [other] servants, that this change should be necessary for the good of the State ? I do not consent to it. His relationship to your Highness is [only] equal to ours. If my uncle's daughter is of his household and has children [by him], the daughter of my paternal uncle is in your haram, and these two amount to precisely the same [degree of relationship]. Rather there is the advantage [on our side] that I have been in your service for twenty-three years, and you have always singled me out for your fatherly care and brotherly love. How then shall I exchange the Khan's cause for that of the Sultan? I will forward any measure that may be for the benefit of your State, by all the means in my power." The Khan spoke also of this matter to my uncle, who said: "[Your Highness'] opinion is always enlightened ; I am ready to do your bidding on every occasion. . . . Although I did not know that [the Sultan] could harm you, yet I trust your hitherto infallible judgment, and will do whatever is most fitting in the matter."