Subduing the Jade Rabbit in India (VII)

However, Tang Sanzang was caught off guard and framed, and even his disciples did not believe him.

Those who were supposed to be elected were even more outraged.

Ao Tu summoned his Royal Guards, who separated the crowd, and sighed:

"What happened today is my fault; the Princess cannot be betrothed to another!"

Those people all said they dared not, saying, "It is not Your Majesty's fault, but the Tang Dynasty monks' despicable behavior!"

Ao Tu said, "Now that things have come to this, we have no choice but to marry Imperial Son-in-Law. You must not reveal the details of this matter to outsiders, so as to preserve the dignity of our royal family. Guards, bring a generous reward."

After he finished speaking, a palace maid carried a large platter containing gold, silver, jewels, and Glazed Jade.

Ao Tu said, "Distribute it to the masses."

The treasure was about to be divided into more than three hundred portions and distributed among the people.

Bajie, his eyes gleaming with envy, asked, "Are there any for us?"

Wukong joked, "If Master becomes the Imperial Son-in-Law, are we afraid we won't get any benefits?"

Bajie exclaimed happily, "Yes! Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang sighed and lamented, "Wukong! Wukong! Why don't you believe me? I truly had no such intention!"

After a short while, the treasure was divided up.

Ao Tu then ordered the rest of the people to be asked to leave the palace, leaving only Tang Sanzang and his disciples inside.

Upon seeing this, Tang Sanzang quickly got up and explained to Ao Tu.

Ao Tu shouted directly, "Monk, stop talking! Marry my Princess as soon as possible, and I will pardon your death sentence!"

After speaking, he seemed somewhat agitated and couldn't help coughing.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit quickly helped its father, the Emperor.

The palace Human Way, "Your Majesty, please go to the rear hall to rest."

Ao Tu and the Jade Rabbit Spirit then withdrew.

The remaining palace servants blocked Tang Sanzang's path, saying, "Please, Your Imperial Son-in-Law, move aside."

Tang Sanzang said, "No! No!"

Wukong laughed and pulled Tang Sanzang along, saying, "Let's go, Master!"

Bajie asked, "Where does the Imperial Son-in-Law live?"

The palace Human Way, "Please follow me!"

Before long, the group was led to a Palace Pavilion, which was guarded on all sides.

Wukong said, "My master has been living in fear and anxiety all the way. He should rest a bit so we can discuss the marriage."

Upon hearing this, the palace servants retreated outside the door.

Wukong helped Tang Sanzang inside and closed the door.

Looking around at the furnishings, Bajie exclaimed happily, "Master, this house is wonderful!"

Tang Sanzang was still there explaining that he had no intention of marrying the Princess.

Wukong said, "Master, how could we disciples not know your devotion to Buddhism? But how did you end up in the Princess's Old Sun? Tell me in detail what happened, so we can discuss a solution together."

Tang Sanzang then explained in detail how he had mistakenly wandered into the place.

Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing listened from the side.

Wukong said, "Difficult! Difficult! Master, you really did barge into a woman's room. It's hard to explain this!"

Tang Sanzang couldn't stop sighing.

Bajie laughed from the side, "Why bother explaining such a good thing? Once Master becomes the Imperial Son-in-Law, who would dare to speak ill of him? If you ask me, it's Master's good fortune that allowed him to find the way to the Princess's boudoir. How come I, Old Pig, don't have such luck!"

Tang Sanzang was very annoyed upon hearing this and said, "You fool, you're spouting such nonsense again! Wukong, give him thirty lashes to teach him a lesson for talking nonsense!"

Upon hearing this, Wukong pinned Bajie down and began wildly striking him with Tang Sanzang's Buddhist Staff.

Bajie said, "What a noble person! What a fine Imperial Son-in-Law! The marriage isn't even finalized yet, and you're already imposing the Royal Law!" He then begged for mercy, "Imperial Son-in-Law! Spare my life! Spare my life!"

This infuriated Tang Sanzang so much that he couldn't sit still. He looked around but couldn't find a stool to sit on.

Seeing that his master was truly angry, Wukong shouted, "Bajie! Stop talking nonsense! Don't upset Master!"

Bajie said, "What's there to worry about? If they ran into me, Old Pig, I'd be overjoyed!"

Tang Sanzang was so angry that he sat down to the side and ignored the fool.

Wukong stepped forward and said, "Master, something's strange about this. That Princess's boudoir is a very important place in the palace, so why is no one stopping them? Don't worry, let Old Sun go and find out."

Tang Sanzang then turned his worry into joy and warned Wukong to be careful.

Wukong turned around, transformed into a Fly, and flew out through the crack in the window.

Meanwhile, Ao Tu was punishing the Jade Rabbit in the Imperial Harem.

He first threw her onto the couch and slapped her buttocks twice.

The Jade Rabbit cried out in pain, its eyes welled up with tears, and it was still hunched over!

Ao Tu said, "You Lewd Rabbit, how could you be so lustful in the palace, ruining my plan!"

The Jade Rabbit Spirit said sweetly, "Father, you are so tempting in my arms, I can't resist!"

As she spoke, she breathed heavily and swayed unsteadily.

Seeing this, Ao Tu was about to punish her, but then he saw Wukong coming over and said seriously, "Go find your mother and change into your wedding dress."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit was stunned for a moment, then reacted, stood up, and said, "Yes."

So he went to see the Empress and changed his makeup.

When Wukong arrived, the Imperial Harem were leading the newly made-up Jade Rabbit Spirit out.

Such a sight is truly unparalleled in the human world; as a poem says:

Her exquisite palace makeup surpasses even Chang'e's. Dragon and phoenix hairpins, gleaming with golden threads. Cherry lips, white teeth, and a rosy face, she moves gracefully like a flower. Amidst layers of Five-Colored brocade, her fragrance wafts from her thousand-golden procession.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit smiled and said, "Father, is this how I am behaved?"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "It's acceptable."

Upon hearing this, the Jade Rabbit Spirit returned with the Imperial Harem, and after some time, changed into a different set of clothes. A poem describes it:

She rivals Mao Qiang, and outshines Chu Mei. Her beauty is captivating, surpassing even the most beautiful flowers and jade. Her adornments are more vibrant, her hairpins and ornaments more dazzling. With a pure and noble heart, her fair face and icy skin exude nobility. Her delicate eyebrows are like distant mountains, her graceful figure a sight to behold.

Ao Tu laughed and said, "This makeup is even better."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit went back, changed her makeup and attire, and a poem describes it:

Deeply lovely, truly worthy of praise. A unique fragrance, a blend of perfume and powder. The Blessed Land of Tiantai is far away, how can it compare to the King palace? Laughter and chatter fill the air, a cacophony of music and song. A thousand beauties, a tapestry of flowers and brocade, none in the world can compare to her.

Ao Tu said, "Very good."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit changed her clothes again and came out with her entourage. A poem reads:

A procession of Fairy, a multitude of beauties. Concubines change their colorful attire, Princess new makeup. Their hair is piled high like raven-black buns, their robes like rainbows pressing down on their phoenix skirts. A chorus of celestial music resounds, two rows of people in crimson and purple adorn the scene. They were once bound by the promise of marriage, and today they are blessed with a joyous union.

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Good! Good! Good! Don't change it. Let's set a wedding date and have the Imperial Son-in-Law get ready so that the happy occasion can take place."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit bowed and said, "Your daughter is willing to obey Father's orders."

Seeing this, Wukong found nothing amiss and returned.

Ao Tu said, "Let's go."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit was overjoyed, hugged Ao Tu's arm, and asked with a smile, "Father, which one looks better?"

Ao Tu said, "They're all still acceptable."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit and smiled, "I know which outfit is best. Let me change into it and dance with Father."

Ao Tu asked curiously, "Which one?"

The Jade Rabbit Spirit went down and emerged a moment later, revealing itself to be:

A golden hairpin adorns her cloud-like hair, silver rings adorn her jade feet. No silk drapes her shoulders, no silken threads flow from her waist. Her skin is soft and fragrant; her rosy cheeks surpass even the most delicate makeup, her exquisite figure needs no concealment. No palace-style dress or elaborate makeup can compare to her natural beauty.

Ao Tu laughed, "You Lewd Rabbit!"

The Jade Rabbit Spirit then danced gracefully before Ao Tu, causing the flowers to sway and revealing her delicate beauty.

Ao Tu watched quietly.

After the dance, the Jade Rabbit Spirit hopped forward and asked with a smile, "Father, how was your dance?"

Ao Tu shook his head and said, "It's not as good as the Buddhist dance music Tathagata the Buddha invited me a few days ago."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit nestled into Ao Tu's arms and said coquettishly, "Father is biased! What's so beautiful about those nuns? How can they compare to your daughter?"

Ao Tu laughed and grabbed her, saying, "If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten. I hadn't yet punished you for your lustful thoughts that ruined my plans!"