The labourer at sunset returned home, and informed Koout al Koolloob of his adventure, when she desired him on the morrow to purchase what was requisite for a decent entertainment, at the same time giving him five deenars.  In the morning he bought what she had desired, and going to his work, informed the sultan and vizier that they were welcome to his homely fare, and to see his slave; or rather, said he, “My divinity, for as such I have at humble distance adored her.”

The sultan and vizier accompanied the labourer to his house where they were astonished to find prepared an elegant collation, of which they partook; after which they drank sherbet and coffee.  The sultan then desired to see his slave, who just made her appearance, but retired immediately.  However, the sultan knew her; and said to the labourer, “Wilt thou dispose of this damsel?” “I cannot, my lord,” replied the labourer, “for my soul is wholly occupied with her love, though as yet unreturned.”  “May thy love be rewarded!” exclaimed the sultan; “but bring her with thee at sunset to the palace.”  “To hear is to obey,” replied the labourer.

At sunset the labourer conducted his slave to the palace, when the eunuchs attended, and would have led her into the haram; but he clung round her, and exclaimed, “She is my beloved, and I cannot part with her.”  Upon this the sultan related the circumstances of his having lost her; and requested him to give her up.  Knowing that he durst not oppose the sovereign, he submitted to his commands with resignation, when the sultan presented him with fifteen hundred deenars, and a beautiful slave, also a rich dress, at the same time receiving him among the most distinguished of his officers.  So well did he conduct himself in his new station, that in a short time he was promoted to the rank of prime minister, and fulfilled the duties of it with such ability and integrity, that he became celebrated by the title of the Just Vizier.

Such was the celebrity of the vizier’s decisions, that in a short time appeals were made from the most distant provinces to his judgment.  One of the most remarkable cases was the following.  Two women belonging to one man conceived on the same day, and were delivered, one of a boy, the other of a girl, at the same time, and in one apartment.  The female infant died, when each laid claim to the male child.  The magistrates, unable to decide between the mothers, referred the decision to the just vizier; who, on hearing the circumstances, commanded two eggs to be brought, and the contents to be drawn out without breaking the shells; after which he ordered them to be filled with milk from the breast of each woman.  This being done, he placed the shells in separate scales, and finding one outweigh the other, declared that she whose milk was heaviest must be the mother of the male child; but the other woman was not satisfied with this decision, and still affirmed she was the mother of the boy.