Subduing the Jade Rabbit in India (VIII)

Meanwhile, Ao Tu was punishing the Jade Rabbit in the palace.

Meanwhile, Wukong returned to the Palace Pavilion where Tang Sanzang was and transformed back into his Original Form.

Tang Sanzang exclaimed joyfully, "Wukong, you're back!"

Sha Wujing asked, "Elder Brother, have you found out anything?"

Wukong laughed, "I've found out! I've found out! When Old Sun went there, the Princess was trying on her wedding dress in front of the emperor and Empress!"

Bajie's eyes lit up, and he asked, "Brother, what kind of wedding dress is it?"

Wukong laughed and said, "The same joy and happiness, the same alluring charm, the same Female Immortals maiden, the same fragrance of orchids and musk. Four wedding gowns, four different styles, truly praiseworthy, too numerous to describe in a single word. Let me tell you all about them!"

Upon hearing this, Bajie and Sha Wujing both stepped forward to listen.

Wukong then described in detail how the Princess was beautiful enough to topple kingdoms and how she was more beautiful than flowers and jade.

The three brothers were overjoyed.

Tang Sanzang asked anxiously, "Wukong, have you found out anything else?"

Wukong said, "I haven't found that out yet."

Bajie asked with a laugh, "Brother! When the Princess was trying on clothes, didn't you go into her boudoir to take a look?"

Upon hearing this, Wukong grabbed Bajie's ear and laughed, "Fool, put away your lustful thoughts. It's one thing for Old Sun to look around outside, but how could I trespass into a woman's boudoir and do something that would damage my reputation?"

Tang Sanzang's expression froze.

Bajie cried out in pain and said a few kind words before Wukong finally let go. Bajie rubbed his ear and muttered, "Monkey, you're still not as Gao Ming Master!"

Tang Sanzang angrily said, "Bajie!"

He couldn't say anything, so he got up, picked up the Buddhist Staff beside him, and was about to do it himself.

Wukong quickly stopped him, saying, "Master, don't listen to this fool's nonsense. He's reckless and thick-skinned; if you hit him, you'll only hurt yourself. Let me, Old Sun, handle it!"

Sha Wujing secretly tugged at Bajie.

Seeing that Tang Sanzang was truly angry, Bajie quickly admitted his mistake, saying, "Master, please don't be angry. I just spoke without thinking. Let's discuss it again."

Sha Wujing said, "Yes! Yes! Let's discuss this further!"

Tang Sanzang finally calmed down, sat back down, and sighed, "What should we do now? We were almost at Spirit Mountain, and now we've gotten ourselves into this trouble!"

Wukong said, "Just now, when I looked at that family, the emperor Empress, there was nothing strange about them. I guess it's Master's fate to encounter this marriage. It's truly difficult."

Sha Wujing said, "Elder Brother, in my opinion, we should pretend to agree to the marriage first, then exchange the travel documents. You can use a Immobilization Spell to freeze the emperor and Princess in place, and we can leave the city tonight, how about that?"

Tang Sanzang asked excitedly, "Wukong, is this possible?"

Wukong said, "We can certainly freeze it, but I'm afraid the emperor won't let us off the hook."

Sha Wujing said, "What's the big deal? With the three of us protecting our master, what are we afraid of him sending some ordinary soldiers and generals?"

Bajie shook his head and said, "This plan won't work! This plan won't work!"

Sha Wujing asked, "Why not?"

Bajie said, "Using this plan, it's easy to escape, but if the emperor exposes it and says that Master did something indecent, and this gets back to Spirit Mountain, forget about the Journey to the West; they might even be imitating me, Old Pig."

Wukong laughed and said, "Fool, you can't even speak clearly. What are you using to imitate me?"

Bajie said, "Back then, when we arrived at Spirit Mountain, in the Precious Hall, Buddha said that Master had committed the crime of harassing the Princess. He then ordered Venerable Kasyapa to tie Master to the eaves pillar and order him to be flogged two thousand Incense Board. Venerable Alu had some connections with us, so he pleaded for mercy and spared the beating, sending Master to the Lower Realm to be Reincarnation. In his next life, Master will be reborn as a pig, just like me."

These words made Wukong cover his mouth and chuckle to himself, while Tang Sanzang was filled with lingering fear, saying, "This plan won't work! This plan won't work! Wukong, do you have any other ideas?"

Wukong laughed and said, "Master, we have many plans, but you're in the wrong. Even if we rescue you, it will be useless! In my opinion, that India Princess is truly Immortal being, exceptionally beautiful. Why don't you stay here, become Imperial Son-in-Law, and enjoy wealth and honor? The three of us will go to Spirit Mountain to Journey to the West scriptures, and I guarantee we'll bring back the True Scriptures!"

Tang Sanzang retorted angrily, "Wukong, you dare to insult me with such foolish words! Since I received the King Tang's decree, I have been single-mindedly heading to the Western Heaven to worship the Buddha and True Scriptures scriptures. When have I ever been tempted by wealth and glory?"

Wukong said, "Enough! Enough! Since Master doesn't want to stay, let's rest for now and see how things turn out tomorrow. If all else fails, the three of us will make a scene in the Imperial Palace and rescue you."

The four of them then rested. As the saying goes:

The palace clock drips slowly, the air is filled with the fragrance of flowers. Embroidered curtains hang like pearls, the courtyard is quiet and devoid of firelight. The swing's rope is cold, casting only a shadow; the sound of the Qiang flute fades into silence. Flowers surround the house, shimmering in the moonlight; across the sky, no trees are visible, only starlight. The cuckoo's cry has ceased, the butterfly's dream lingers. The Milky Way stretches across the sky, white clouds return to their homeland. It is precisely at this moment of deep sorrow that those parting feel; the wind sways the tender willows, making the scene even more desolate.

The four of them spent the night in the palace. The next morning, after Ao Tu had punished the Jade Rabbit, he ordered the court to be set up and summoned Tang Sanzang and his disciples to the hall.

The four disciples entered the main hall and saw hundreds of officials lined up, their Court Robe quite different from that of China, and their etiquette even more unusual.

The four disciples dared not act rashly and performed the proper China etiquette.

After the ceremony, Ao Tu said, "Tang Dynasty monk, the reason I summoned you four disciples to the hall today is to exchange your travel documents so that you can be sent to Spirit Mountain to Journey to the West."

Tang Sanzang was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly took out the Passbook and presented it to him.

Ao Tu took the Precious Seal and stamped it on.

From then on, all the National Treasure seals of Western Heaven countries were contained within it.

Ao Tu instructed his Attendants, "Give it to his eldest disciple."

The Attendants handed the Passbook to Wukong.

Upon seeing this scene, Tang Sanzang immediately sensed something was wrong.

Sure enough, Ao Tu said, "The Tang Sanzang from the Eastern Land stayed behind to get married, while his three disciples, carrying travel documents, set off for Spirit Mountain to Journey to the West the scriptures. Someone, bring them plenty of travel money to send them to Spirit Mountain to see the Buddha. There will be a great reward upon Journey to the West return."

After he finished speaking, several Attendants carried over two large platters of gold and silver, which were stacks of Gold Bricks and silver ingots.

Upon seeing this, Bajie was overjoyed and bowed first, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Wukong and Sha Wujing also bowed and expressed their gratitude.

Tang Sanzang was so anxious he didn't know what to do.

After Bajie finished his greetings, he rolled up his sleeves and began placing the Gold Bricks one by one inside. The Gold Bricks were heavy and couldn't fit completely in his sleeve, so Bajie called out, "Junior Brother Sha, come and catch them!"

Sha Wujing said, "Here they come! Second Senior Brother!"

Sha Wujing lifted his monk's Monk's Robe, and Bajie poured the two large platters of gold and silver onto it, filling a bag to the brim.

Wukong smiled and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, we shall take our leave!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Go! Go!"

Because they were carrying gold and silver, Bajie Sha Wujing couldn't perform a proper bow, so they simply gave a slight curtsy and followed Wukong away.

Tang Sanzang said anxiously, "Wukong! Wukong!"

Wukong gave a signal, and before Tang Sanzang could call him again, he had already left the palace gate.

Tang Sanzang wanted to give chase, but was stopped by the Royal Guards.

Ao Tu said, "My Imperial Son-in-Law, the twelfth of next month is an auspicious day. We shall marry on that day. Are you willing?"

Tang Sanzang was unwilling and kowtowed repeatedly, begging for a pardon.

Ao Tu looked displeased. Without waiting for Tang Sanzang's agreement, he set a wedding date and ordered someone to send Tang Sanzang back to the Palace Pavilion to help him change his clothes.

Tang Sanzang was escorted back to his Palace Pavilion by palace Attendants, where Paying Homage changed his clothes.

Tang Sanzang was extremely unwilling, refusing to even glance at the Treasure Garment and insisting on changing his Monk's Robes.

Outside the pavilion, the Jade Rabbit Spirit clung to Ao Tu's arm and asked, "Father, was that Bimawen, the stable boy) just sent away like that?"

Ao Tu said, "No! No! They, master and disciple, have gone through countless hardships and tribulations. Others may not know, but do I? That Monkey will definitely come back to save his master!"

The Jade Rabbit Spirit asked, "What should we do then?"

Ao Tu said, "It's actually easy. Just devise a few more schemes to make the three of them think that Tang Sanzang himself wanted to stay and become the Imperial Son-in-Law, and then we can send them away."