Now, the Grand Preceptor had secretly noticed something wrong with the queen.
Ever since the queen had been carried off in the Demon Dragon's jaws and returned, she had seemed like a different person. Her movements and bearing no longer had their former dignity; her ways and temperament no longer had their former gentleness. Many of the palace maids had been expelled from the inner palace, and all affairs of state had been entrusted to her ministers to decide.
The Grand Preceptor was usually closest to the queen and understood her character best, so she had been the first to notice. She suspected that a demon might have taken the queen's place to bring calamity upon the kingdom, but without solid proof, she did not know how to respond.
Just then, word suddenly came from the palace that the queen was holding court.
The Grand Preceptor could not help asking, "Her Majesty has not concerned herself with affairs of state for so long. Why is she holding court today?"
The palace attendant replied, "It is said that an eminent monk has arrived in our kingdom as an envoy from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land, so Her Majesty is holding court to receive him."
At this, delight showed on the Grand Preceptor's face. She thought that the Great Tang of the Eastern Land was a great celestial empire; an eminent monk who had traveled so far from that country must possess magical powers and be no ordinary person. Thus, she went along as well.
At that time, Tang Sanzang and his disciples were preparing to attend court.
Afraid that Wukong and the others' unusual appearances might offend the queen, Tang Sanzang told the three of them to wait outside the hall.
Wukong raised his eyes toward the Imperial Palace.