After hearing the Grand Tutor out, Little White Dragon said coolly:
"Have you finished, Grand Tutor?"
The Grand Tutor nodded. "I have."
"Then what is your decision, Lord Ao?"
Little White Dragon nodded as well. "I already gave you my answer."
"I refuse."
"No matter what else you say, the result will be the same."
The smile faded completely from the Grand Tutor's face.
Little White Dragon paid her no further attention.
He turned and walked straight toward Xuanzang.
But the Grand Tutor suddenly spoke. "A moment, Lord Ao."
Little White Dragon did not stop.
Watching his retreating back, the Grand Tutor's gaze darkened little by little.
Her earlier solicitousness vanished as well. "My lords."
"In that case, there is one more matter I should make clear first."
Wukong had been standing to one side with his arms folded. Hearing the change in her tone, he grinned. "Let's hear it, then."
The Grand Tutor glanced at him.
Then she looked back at Xuanzang and Little White Dragon.
"My queen's decree was only to seek the Imperial Younger Brother and Lord Ao's hands in marriage."
"Although my queen desires both of you,"
"in truth, so long as either one of you agrees,"
She raised a hand and lightly tapped the marriage contract on the low table.
"I can report to my queen and have the necessary papers issued for the rest of you, exchanging your travel permit."
"Then you may continue your Journey to the West."
Xuanzang's gaze shifted slightly.
Little White Dragon stopped as well.
The Grand Tutor continued:
"But if neither the Imperial Younger Brother nor Lord Ao agrees..."
She paused.
Her gaze swept over them one by one.
"My queen will certainly be displeased, which would put me in a difficult position."
"Whether you can proceed west without