In the Royal Palace.
Most of Pipa's long hair had already been pinned up.
A-Hu picked a red flower from the table and held it beside her temple.
"This one looks lovely!"
Pipa looked into the bronze mirror. "A little too bright."
The Queen said, "Today, bright is exactly what you want."
Pipa considered it, then smiled. "Then let's use it."
Smiling, A-Hu pinned the red flower beside her temple.
A female official beside them had just picked up a gold hairpin when a sudden whistle cut through the air outside the hall.
Wukong's voice followed at once.
"Master! Bodhisattva! I'm back!"
Pipa turned her head. From the room next door came the scrape of a moving chair.
Holding his needle and thread, Sha Wujing said urgently, "Benefactor True Immortal! It isn't finished yet!"
But True Immortal Ruyi did not listen. He hurried out of the room.
His hair had been tied up anew, and his face wiped clean, but Sha Wujing had barely managed to sew half his cuff. A length of thread still dangled from it.
Golden light swept into the Main Hall, sending the red silk billowing. As the light dispersed, Wukong clapped his hands and said, "I brought him here for you."
The old Daoist stood beside Wukong, holding the worn wooden chest in his arms, with an ancient zither strapped to his back.
True Immortal Ruyi went to meet him and cupped his hands in thanks. "Sorry for the trouble, Great Sage!"
"Master."
The old Daoist greeted him, then handed the wooden chest to True Immortal Ruyi.
True Immortal Ruyi reached out and took it.
Bajie slowly emerged just then. Seeing the old Daoist, then the wooden chest in True Immortal Ruyi's arms, he walked over to Wukong and asked, "Brother, what's in there?"
Wukong