I don't know the meaning

ref: Macmillan's  school learning material, 'My Treasure Trove'(Literature in English, class 7)
      query: what is the meaning of the word - 'exasperation', is it 'mild annoyance or extreme annoyance'?
                 This word is used in the lesson - 'The Princess from China' by Mrs. Suryakumari Dennison
                                                                    on pg.16