Subduing the Jade Rabbit in India (IX)

Meanwhile, inside the Palace Pavilion, dozens of palace Attendants, each holding a coat, hat, and shoes, requested that the Imperial Son-in-Law change his clothes.

Tang Sanzang didn't even glance at the fine fabrics and gold ornaments, avoiding them as if they were Demon.

The Attendants didn't dare to force him, so they could only pull and urge him on from the sidelines.

Amidst the commotion, Ao Tu walked in.

The Attendants immediately knelt and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty."

Upon seeing this, Tang Sanzang quickly bowed down as well.

Ao Tu said, "You may all go down now."

The Attendants withdrew.

Ao Tu said, "Tang Dynasty monk, your disciples have all left. There are no two of you here. What are you still making excuses for? Do you really not want to marry my Princess?"

Tang Sanzang repeatedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty! This humble monk has dedicated himself to the Buddhist Sect, single-mindedly Journey to the West, and has absolutely no intention of returning to secular life! I beg Your Majesty to pardon me! I beg Your Majesty to pardon me!"

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu paced back and forth in the Palace Pavilion and said:

"I initially thought you were hesitant to agree in front of your disciples, which is why you sent them away. But now you still refuse to marry. Are you truly a virtuous monk? If so, why did you trespass into my Princess's chamber?"

Tang Sanzang understood the emperor's hint of a turning point in his words and was overjoyed. He quickly recounted the events of that day in detail, without missing a single detail, and concluded by saying:

"Your Majesty, it was not my intention to trespass into the Princess's boudoir; it was merely a coincidence that I entered by mistake."

Ao Tu nodded and said:

"Very well, though I am the emperor, I know that 'marriage cannot be forced.' Since you do not wish to marry, there is no reason to force you."

Tang Sanzang was overjoyed and repeatedly bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your pardon! Thank you, Your Majesty, for your pardon!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Wait! Wait! We still don't know if what you just said is true or false. We'll release you only after verifying the facts and recording your statement. This will not only clear my Princess's name but also silence any gossip."

Tang Sanzang exclaimed happily, "Indeed! Indeed! Your Majesty's considerations are thorough; this is the proper course of action!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Alright, there's no need for you to be afraid. If it's really true, I'll naturally release you. Although we're not related as father-in-law and son-in-law, I still respect you as a virtuous monk. Come with me to the Imperial Garden for a banquet."

Tang Sanzang said happily, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."

Ao Tu opened the palace door and went out.

Tang Sanzang followed closely behind.

Ao Tu glanced back and saw that Tang Sanzang was still wearing his Kasaya. He frowned slightly and said:

"Your Imperial Son-in-Law, as the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. There are many ministers and nobles in the Imperial Garden. Since the matter has not yet been verified, you should put on your Imperial Son-in-Law consort's attire for now to avoid causing gossip and embarrassing me. We can explain things to everyone after the truth is verified."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang hesitated for a moment, but upon careful consideration, he realized it made sense. After a brief pause, seeing the emperor waiting nearby, he dared not delay too long for fear of angering His Majesty. So he took off his Kasaya and put on the clothes of Imperial Son-in-Law.

Ao Tu then led Tang Sanzang, followed by many Attendants, to the Imperial Garden to enjoy the scenery.

The view:

The path is paved with colorful stones, and the railings are carved. There is a phoenix terrace and a dragon pond, a bamboo pavilion and a pine-shaded hall. The peach blossoms are enchanting, and the tender willows are adorned with orioles. The artificial hills are made of emerald green rocks, and the winding streams are deep and blue.

On the Phoenix Terrace, the flute is played, attracting phoenixes to come; in the Dragon Pond, fish are raised, transforming into dragons and departing. In the Bamboo Pavilion, there are poems, painstakingly crafted to be as white as snow; in the Pine Pavilion, the collected works are examined and compiled into pearls and jade.

Peony Pavilion, rose trellis; jasmine railing, Begonia patch. Tender and bright, majestic and trembling. Piled up like rosy clouds and jade, a riot of fragrant blossoms. Everywhere red as rouge, every cluster of fragrant blossoms as brocade. A step brings a delicate fragrance that fills the sleeves, a walk leaves the clothes with a refreshing scent. Even more delightful is the warming east wind and the sun, the whole garden displaying its charming radiance.

Ao Tu, the Imperial Son-in-Law, and the ministers watched for a long time before going to the Stay-Spring Pavilion to enjoy the scenery.

On the other side, Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing led the White Horse out of the palace gate. Bajie, holding sleeves full of Gold Bricks, asked happily, "Brother, which of these luggage do you want?"

Wukong asked, "Which one do you want?"

Bajie said, "Now that Master has gone to get married, shouldn't we divide up our luggage?"

Wukong grabbed Bajie by the ear and said angrily, "You idiot! Master is clearly being forced into marriage and is waiting for us to rescue him! All you're thinking about is dividing the luggage!"

Bajie protected his ears, and many Gold Bricks fell from his sleeves, attracting the attention of many simple and honest people from the Tianzhu Kingdom.

Seeing that the India people were secretly moving forward, seemingly to help Bajie collect the Gold Bricks, Wukong finally let go of his grip and whispered, "Fool, you and Junior Brother Sha guard the luggage. Go find a place to stay first. I'll go to the palace to inquire and find a way to rescue Master."

Bajie readily agreed and picked up the Gold Bricks from the ground.

Wukong transformed into a sparrow, flapped his wings, and headed towards the palace.

When the people saw this, they shouted and yelled.

Taking advantage of the moment, Bajie tightly covered his sleeves, called Sha Wujing, and led the White Horse recklessly forward, knocking several people off their feet before finally escaping from the crowd.

Wukong flew all the way into the palace and heard a commotion. He flew over and saw his master dressed as Imperial Son-in-Law consort in the Imperial Garden, chatting and laughing with the King and his ministers.

Wukong was greatly alarmed.

However, after only a short while, how could the master have changed out of his Kasaya and lost his Zen Nature?

Wukong used his Golden Eyes to observe carefully and confirmed that it was indeed his master. He became even more flustered and flew over unsteadily, wanting to ask him something.

Seeing the Monkey fly over in a daze, Ao Tu chuckled inwardly and said to the crowd, "How can there be such a vulgar sparrow in my Imperial Garden? It's truly an eyesore! Someone, bring me a bow and arrows!"

Attendants immediately brought a bow and arrows.

Ao Tu drew his bow and shot an arrow. Wukong, in a daze, hurriedly dodged the arrow, and a few feathers fell from his head.

Ao Tu said, "I am old and unable to hit the target. Who will shoot for me?"

Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials around him all vied to speak first.

Ao Tu immediately ordered his Attendants to bring many bows and arrows.

Before long, arrows flew wildly. Wukong hurriedly dodged and had no chance to land on Tang Sanzang's shoulder. So he pretended to be shot and landed in the bushes. In fact, he transformed into Bee and flew to Tang Sanzang's shoulder, wanting to ask Tang Sanzang some questions.

Ao Tu, who had witnessed everything, was determined not to let him succeed and cried out, "There are bees trying to sting me!"

Upon seeing this, the civil and military officials all rushed over to protect the emperor and help him swat the bees.

Ao Tu led Tang Sanzang to the Chinese-Barbarian Pavilion on the side.

Helpless, Wukong realized that with so many people around, it would be difficult to speak with his master, so he had no choice but to return for the time being.

The Chinese-Barbarian Pavilion was adorned with brocade and fine wine, and featured four golden screens inscribed with poems about spring, summer, autumn, and winter, imitating the China.

Ao Tu led Tang Sanzang up to the Treasure Pavilion, followed closely by the civil and military officials.

Ao Tu said, "Your Imperial Son-in-Law, please look. These are all poems inscribed by renowned elders and scholars of our country, emulating the China."

When Tang Sanzang saw that the poem imitated the style of his hometown, he couldn't help but admire it.

Ao Tu laughed and said, "The Imperial Son-in-Law Consort is a man of China descent, who enjoys the flavor of poetry and must be skilled in it. If you would be so kind as to spare some gems, how about we each compose a poem in the same rhyme scheme?"

Tang Sanzang was a man who could forget worldly concerns when faced with beautiful scenery and who had achieved enlightenment. When the emperor asked him to compose a poem, he already had a line in mind.

Ao Tu said, "Bring the writing implements, and please Imperial Son-in-Law inscribe them."

The Attendants immediately brought over writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Tang Sanzang immediately picked up his brush and wrote four poems about spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

say:

"The sun warms the earth, the ice melts, and the flowers in the imperial garden are renewed once more."

Gentle breezes and nourishing rains bring blessings to the people; calm seas and clear rivers banish worldly dust.

say:

"The sun shines late in the south, while the clouds of locust trees and the fire of pomegranates vie in brilliance."

Orioles and swallows sing in the palace willows, their clever calls echoing through the crimson curtains.

say:

The fragrance of oranges and tangerines wafts through the air, while the evergreen pines and cypresses rejoice in the frost.

Chrysanthemums half-open by the fence, their blossoms like brocade; the melodious strains of music resonate throughout the land of water and clouds.

say:

"The air is crisp after the first snow, and the strange peaks and rocks resemble jade clusters on the mountain."

"The stove burns with animal-shaped charcoal, simmering butter and cheese; with hands folded, I lean against the green railing, singing aloud."

Ao Tu was overjoyed. He ordered music to be played and a banquet to be prepared. He took the four poems and planned to give them to the Monkey later to send him away.

After everyone finished eating, they all went their separate ways.

Ao Tu instructed his Attendants to select another Palace Pavilion within the palace for Tang Sanzang to stay in, so that Wukong would not be able to find him.