Subduing the Jade Rabbit in India (XI)

The Remnant Star were faint, the Dawn Moon was dim, the sun was about to rise, and the sky was about to brighten.

Zhu Li, delighted by the bright daylight, flew from Ao Tu's arms to the eaves corner outside the palace to observe the sunrise and cultivate himself.

Disturbed by this, Ao Tu opened his eyes. The Little White Chi on his wrist was fast asleep and had not yet woken up. Lying in front of him was the Jade Rabbit, which had been in the shape of Jade Rabbit last night, but was now in human form.

Zhu Li and White Chi were always by his side and were obedient, but this Jade Rabbit was unruly and often secretly transformed back into human form to play strange tricks.

Ao Tu had previously left a mark on the sole of her foot to guard against the Monkey. Now, wanting to punish her, he grabbed her foot and gently pressed it against the sole.

The White Lotus mark lit up.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit awoke instantly, her waist went limp, her legs trembled, and her eyes were glazed. She whimpered and begged for mercy, saying, "Father! Spare me! Father! Spare me!"

Ao Tu said, "You Lewd Rabbit, I told you not to transform back into human form. If someone saw you, wouldn't my plan be exposed?"

The Jade Rabbit Spirit stuck out her tongue, pretending to be a docile puppy, and shook herself, begging for mercy:

"Your daughter knows she was wrong! Because she was in Father's arms, who could see her? That's why she indulged herself for a moment. She was also afraid that Father wouldn't have enough blankets at night and would get cold, so she used her body to warm him. It was all out of filial piety. Please forgive me this time!"

Ao Tu said, "You Lewd Rabbit! How dare you talk back! I won't let you off easily!"

After severely punishing the Jade Rabbit Spirit for a while, it was broad daylight when Palace Maids came in.

The Palace Maids, unable to see the Jade Rabbit Spirit lying prone on its Jade Rabbit Spirit, delicate breathing, assumed that His Majesty was still resting. She approached and gently called out, "Your Majesty! It's time to rise! The officials are already waiting in the hall!"

Ao Tu then stood up and reached out his hand. The Jade Rabbit Spirit quickly wrapped her limbs around Ao Tu, transforming into a clean white Jade Rabbit, which obediently lay on top of him.

Ao Tu stroked it twice and put it in his arms.

Zhu Li, who was on the eaves, also flew back and landed in Ao Tu's arms.

Seeing the Jade Rabbit Spirit's pitiful state, Zhu Li couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit, however, was proud and laughed, "Silly bird, what do you know! Father only punishes me because he loves me!"

Zhu Li was too young to understand.

Ao Tu said, "You Lewd Rabbit, don't you dare corrupt my son Zhu Li!"

After exchanging a few words with the Jade Rabbit, he walked up to the main hall.

All the officials knelt in worship.

Ao Tu said, "Rise. If you have something to report, step forward; otherwise, the court may adjourn."

One of the officials in charge of the construction said:

"Your Majesty, all officials are ready. The Imperial Son-in-Law's Residence is under repair today and will be completed in a month."

Ao Tu nodded and said, "Granted."

Since it wasn't a real marriage, Ao Tu didn't have a new mansion built. He simply renovated the old mansion and converted it into Imperial Son-in-Law's Residence. He told the public that he was old and sick, nearing his end, and wanted the Princess to get married as soon as possible.

Then an official in charge of rites stepped forward and said:

"Your Majesty, in recent years, from Fengxian County, Jade Flower County, and Jinping Prefecture, there have been individuals known as the ' Great Sect,' who have been deceiving the people and growing in number. They are harassing temples, misleading merchants, and acting with the intentions of beasts. They are privately rallying supporters and spreading throughout the capital and prefectures, causing fear among the Monks. This must be taken seriously. They should be eliminated as soon as possible to prevent further disaster."

Another official echoed:

"Your Majesty, I have heard that calamities of the world do not arise from external sources, but from within. In the past, the Han Dynasty was a celestial empire, with all nations bowing in Zhang Jue. It was only after Zhang Jiao's rebellion that the Tang Dynasty came to be. Now, the ' Great Sect ' is causing chaos in all the provinces and has spread to the capital. Its followers believe in ' True Lord ' and disrespect gods and Buddhas, which is truly a great evil. It is fitting to issue an edict for a sea raid to capture ' True Lord ' and execute him with clear punishment. Anyone who dares to evade this order will be punished along with him!"

Ao Tu said, "Ignore him."

The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment, and were about to offer further advice.

Ao Tu said directly, "If there's nothing else, court is adjourned."

Now that the officials understood the emperor's meaning, none dared to speak out.

The Crown Prince said urgently, "Father, those heretics are harming monks. If we ignore it, wouldn't that harm the State Altars?"

Ao Tu rubbed his forehead and said, "My forehead is throbbing with pain. Your Crown Prince, go to the Imperial Medical Bureau and get some medicine for me to brew."

Crown Prince seeing that his father was ill, the Crown Prince disregarded other trivial matters and hurried off to fetch medicine.

Ao Tu then instructed the court to disperse.

At that moment, a Attendants announced from outside, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Son-in-Law's three disciples are outside the palace, clamoring to see Imperial Son-in-Law!"

Ao Tu was slightly surprised upon hearing this. After thinking for a moment, he summoned the eunuch beside him, gave him a few instructions, and told him to deal with Wukong and the others.

Outside, Wukong and his two companions were making a ruckus outside the palace gates.

An official stepped forward and said, "Elder Sun, Elder Zhu, Elder Sha, didn't you go to the Journey to the West? Why have you returned?"

Bajie said, "We want to see our master!"

Sha Wujing said, "We have come to bid farewell to our master!"

Wukong said, "Please invite my master out!"

The eunuch smiled and said, "It's inconvenient for the Imperial Son-in-Law to come out."

Bajie said, "What's inconvenient about it?"

The eunuch pointed to the side and said, "Look, what's that?"

Following the direction the eunuch pointed, Wukong and his companions saw many Artisans going in and out of the palace gate.

Wukong asked, "What do these people do?"

The eunuch said, "These were all ordered by His Majesty to be used for building palaces for the Imperial Son-in-Law."

Bajie pounded his chest and exclaimed, "Master has really struck it rich! Even building a house requires so many people. What a huge palace it must be! I, Old Pig, am so envious!"

The eunuch smiled and said, "Now that the Imperial Son-in-Law is the Imperial Son-in-Law Consort of our country, and will soon be marrying the Princess, how can he possibly see you monks again? Please, the three elders, return! I have a few poems here, which the Imperial Son-in-Law composed at the banquet with His Majesty yesterday. His Majesty knows that you cherish your teacher, so he instructed me to give these poems to you three as a token of your remembrance."

After speaking, the eunuch took out the four poems that Tang Sanzang had written earlier and gave them to Wukong and the other two.

Wukong spread out the four poems to examine them. The four of them had gone through many hardships together over several decades, so they could easily recognize each other's handwriting and words.

Wukong glanced at the four poems and knew immediately that they were undoubtedly his master's work. Moreover, observing the sentiment within, there was no trace of coercion or pressure; on the contrary, there was a joyful and carefree spirit. Recalling the hardships they had endured and the story of the Two Realms Mountain, he couldn't help but sigh:

"Master! Master! You've really abandoned your disciple!"

Sha Wujing said, "Master, how could you abandon the great mission of Journey to the West the scriptures just to become someone's Imperial Son-in-Law!"

Bajie said, "Master! Master! You now enjoy wealth and honor, living in an official residence and government office, but your disciples are still without a place to settle down! Even if you don't want to see me, bring me the Kasaya!"

Wukong said, "That's right! That's right! That Kasaya was given to the Pilgrim by Guanyin Bodhisattva. Now, Master is not going to Journey to the West, but wants to take the Kasaya!"

Upon hearing this, the eunuch said, "Please wait a moment, Elders, while I report."

The eunuch then rushed back and reported the matter to the emperor.

Ao Tu shook his head and laughed, "No wonder they've been making such a fuss so soon. I guess that fool wants the Kasaya to divide the luggage. It was my oversight. Quickly give them the Kasaya."

The eunuch then took the Kasaya and gave it to Wukong and the other two.

Bajie wrapped the Kasaya carefully and put it away, then told Wukong and Sha Wujing to go back.

Sha Wujing then went back with them.

Wukong bowed to the Imperial Palace and then returned.