Chapter 94: Four Monks Feast in the Imperial Garden A Monster Secretly Harbors Desires and Joy

The three, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing, followed the herald to the Meridian Gate. The palace eunuch promptly announced their presence, and they were admitted. The three stood upright, without bowing. The King asked, "Which three of you are the esteemed disciples of the Holy Monk and Royal Son-in-Law? What are your names? Where do you reside? Why did you become monks? And what scriptures are you seeking?"

Sun Wukong immediately stepped forward, intending to ascend the steps to the throne. A royal guard shouted, "Don't come any closer! If you have something to say, state it from there." Sun Wukong laughed, "We monastics, if we can advance one step, we take it." Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing also moved closer. Fearing that his disciples' uncouthness might startle the King, Tripitaka rose and called out, "Disciples, His Majesty asks about your origins; please inform him immediately."

Seeing his master standing by, Sun Wukong couldn't help but exclaim loudly, "Your Majesty disregards others and values yourself! Since you have chosen my master as your royal son-in-law, why do you make him stand? In this world, a son-in-law to the emperor is called a noble, so how can a noble not be seated?" Upon hearing this, the King turned pale with fright. He wished to retreat but feared losing face, so he braced himself and ordered his attendants to bring an embroidered stool, inviting Tripitaka to sit. Only then did Sun Wukong address the King:

"My old self resides in the Water Curtain Cave on Flower-Fruit Mountain, Ao Lai Country, in the Eastern Purvavideha Continent. Born from heaven and earth, I emerged from a cracked stone. I once paid homage to a sage and mastered the Grand Dao. Returning to my immortal homeland, I gathered my brethren in that blessed immortal realm. I descended into the seas to subdue dragons and ascended mountains to capture beasts. I erased my name from the Book of Death and added it to the Register of Life, then was appointed the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. I reveled in jade palaces and delighted in treasured pavilions. I met with heavenly immortals, singing and rejoicing daily; residing in that sacred land, I was joyful every morning. It was only because I disrupted the Peach Banquet and rebelled against Heaven that I was captured by the Buddha. Imprisoned beneath the Five Elements Mountain, I ate iron pellets when hungry and drank molten copper when thirsty, without a taste of tea or rice for five hundred years. Fortunately, my master journeyed from the Eastern Lands to seek scriptures in the West, and Guanyin Bodhisattva commanded my release from that heavenly calamity and great ordeal, bringing me into the Buddhist fold. My old dharma name was Wukong, now I am called Pilgrim."

Upon hearing of such a renowned name, the King, flustered, stepped down from his dragon throne and came forward. He took Tripitaka's hand and said, "Royal Son-in-law, it is truly my destiny to meet such an immortal affinity." Tripitaka profusely thanked him and invited the King to return to his throne. The King then asked, "Who is the second esteemed disciple?" Zhu Bajie puffed out his cheeks and swaggered, saying:

"This old pig was a human in a previous life, greedy for pleasure and fond of laziness. My life was chaotic, my nature disordered, my mind confused. I knew not the heights of heaven or the depths of earth, nor the vastness of the sea or the distance of mountains. While I was living a life of leisure, I suddenly met a true immortal. Half a sentence from him untangled my karmic web; a few words shattered the gate of calamity. At once, I realized my error and immediately sought him as my master, diligently cultivating myself through various practices. My cultivation complete, I ascended, reaching the Heavenly Palace. Honored by the Jade Emperor's profound grace, I was bestowed the title of Marshal Tianpeng, overseeing the naval forces, enjoying leisure within the Celestial City. It was only because I became drunk at the Peach Banquet and made light of Chang'e that I was stripped of my title and banished to the mortal realm. I took the wrong womb and was reborn in the form of a pig. I lived on Fuling Mountain, committing endless evil. Then I met Guanyin, who pointed me to the path of goodness. I converted to Buddhism and protected Tripitaka. I am now journeying to the Western Heaven to seek the wondrous scriptures. My dharma name is Wuneng, and I am called Bajie."

The King listened, trembling with fear and dread, not daring to look directly at him. That idiot became even more spirited, shaking his head, puffing out his cheeks, and sticking up his ears, laughing boisterously. Tripitaka, again fearing he would alarm the King, immediately chastised him, "Bajie, compose yourself!" Only then did he cross his hands and stand respectfully, feigning refinement. The King then asked, "And the third esteemed disciple, why did he convert?" Sha Wujing pressed his palms together and said:

"This old Sha was originally a mortal. Fearing the cycle of rebirth, I sought the Dao. I roamed the corners of the seas and wandered the ends of the earth. I always kept my monastic robe and alms bowl with me, and constantly refined my mind and spirit. Due to this sincerity, I met an immortal companion. I cultivated the child, paired the maiden. My three thousand achievements were complete, and the four elements harmonized. I ascended to the heavenly realm, paid homage to the Supreme Being, and was appointed the Curtain-Lifting General, serving the imperial carriage and dragon chariot, and honored as a General. However, also at the Peach Banquet, I accidentally broke a crystal goblet and was banished to the Flowing Sand River, my appearance changed, committing evil and harming living beings. Fortunately, the Bodhisattva traveled far to the Eastern Lands, persuading me to convert and await the Buddhist pilgrim from the Tang Dynasty, to seek scriptures in the West and thereby attain righteousness. From that moment, I renewed myself, resuming my great cultivation, taking the river as my surname. My dharma name is Wujing, and I am called Sha Seng."

Upon hearing this, the King felt a mixture of surprise and joy. He was delighted that his daughter would marry a living Buddha but alarmed that these three were indeed demon deities. While he was in this state of mixed emotions, the court astrologer reported, "The wedding date has been set for the twelfth day of this month, this year. It is an auspicious time, favorable for all household matters, and suitable for marriage." The King asked, "What day is today?" The astrologer replied, "Today is the eighth, a Wushen day. It is an auspicious time when monkeys offer fruit, truly suitable for presenting worthies and attending to affairs."

The King was greatly pleased. He immediately ordered the attendants to clean the pavilions, halls, and kiosks of the Imperial Garden, and to invite the Royal Son-in-Law along with his three esteemed disciples to rest there, awaiting the arrangements for the wedding banquet and the princess's marriage. Everyone respectfully obeyed. The King then retired from court, and the officials dispersed without further mention.

Meanwhile, Tripitaka and his disciples arrived at the Imperial Garden. As dusk approached, a vegetarian meal was laid out. Zhu Bajie joyfully exclaimed, "It's about time we ate today!" The staff immediately brought large baskets filled with vegetarian rice, noodles, and other dishes. Zhu Bajie ate and refilled, refilled and ate, until his belly was so full it felt like it would burst, only then did he stop. A short while later, lamps were lit, and bedding arranged. Each retired to their own sleeping quarters.

Seeing that there was no one around, Tripitaka angrily scolded Sun Wukong, "Wukong! You monkey, you always cause me trouble! I said we would only go to exchange the travel permit, not to approach the decorated tower, but why did you insist on taking me to see it? Now, how well did that turn out! We've stirred up all this trouble, what are we to do?"

Sun Wukong replied with a smile, "Master, you mentioned that your birth mother also threw an embroidered ball and met her old affinity, thus becoming husband and wife. It seemed you had an inclination to follow that ancient custom, so I led you there. Also, I remembered the words of the elder from Jetavana Monastery and wanted to use this opportunity to discern the truth. When I saw the King's face, there was a slight shadow of ill fortune, but I haven't yet seen the princess."

Tripitaka asked, "What if you see the princess?" Sun Wukong said, "With my Fiery Eyes of Truth, as soon as I see her, I will know if she is real or fake, good or evil, rich or poor. Then we can act accordingly and distinguish between the true and the false." Sha Wujing and Zhu Bajie laughed, "Brother, you've recently learned face reading now too!" Sun Wukong declared, "A face reader is no match for my grandson!"

Tripitaka snapped, "Stop your chatter! He insists on marrying me now, what shall we do?" Sun Wukong said, "Let's wait until the day of the wedding, the twelfth. The princess will surely come out to pay respects to her parents, and I'll observe from the side. If she is a true woman, then you can become the royal son-in-law and enjoy the glory and prosperity of the country."

Upon hearing this, Tripitaka became even more enraged and cursed, "You wretched monkey! You're still trying to harm me! As Wuneng said, we are already nine-tenths of the way there on our journey, and you're still trying to confuse me with your glib tongue? Shut up quickly, don't open your foul mouth! If you are disrespectful again, I will recite the spell and make you suffer beyond endurance!"

Upon hearing about the spell, Sun Wukong quickly knelt before him and pleaded, "Don't recite it, don't recite it! If she's a true woman, then when the wedding ceremony begins, we'll make a ruckus in the imperial palace together and rescue you." As the master and disciples spoke, unconsciously, the night deepened.

Indeed:The palace water clock dripped, the flowers exuded dim fragrance.Beaded blinds hung from embroidered chambers, the quiet courtyard devoid of light.The swing ropes were cold, leaving only shadows; the羌笛's mournful sound hushed the four directions.Flowers around the house shone with the moon's glow, without trees nearby, stars twinkled afar.Cuckoos ceased their cries, butterflies dreamt long.The Silver River spanned the sky, white clouds returned to their homeland.It was the time when travelers longed for home most, the wind swaying tender willows, adding to the desolation.

Zhu Bajie said, "Master, it's late. Let's discuss things tomorrow morning. Let's sleep, let's sleep!" The master and disciples indeed rested.

After describing the night, the golden rooster crowed, announcing dawn. At the third watch and third point of the fifth watch, the King ascended to the throne and held court. One could see:

The palace hall's windows opened high with purple aura,Wind blew imperial music through the clear sky.Clouds shifted, leopard-tail banners fluttered;Sunlight hit dragon-head decorations, jade pendants swayed.

Fine fragrant mist added green to palace willows,Dewdrops subtly moistened garden flowers, making them charming.Thousands of officials knelt, shouting "Long live!"The world was at peace, the empire united in harmony.

After the civil and military officials paid their respects, the Court of Imperial Entertainments was summoned to arrange the wedding banquet for the twelfth. For today, spring wine was to be prepared, and the Royal Son-in-Law invited to enjoy himself in the Imperial Garden. The Bureau of Ceremonial Rules was ordered to lead the three wise relatives to the Guest House to rest, and the Court of Imperial Entertainments was to prepare three vegetarian banquets there to accompany them. Both locations were to have the Imperial Music Bureau play music, to serve them and allow them to enjoy the spring scenery and pass the day.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Bajie piped up, "Your Majesty, since my master and I met, we haven't been separated for a moment. Since you're holding a banquet in the Imperial Garden today, take us along to enjoy ourselves for a couple of days, so our master can properly be your royal son-in-law. Otherwise, this business deal won't work out."

The King, seeing his ugliness and crude speech, and noting his twisted head, pinched neck, pursed lips, and flapping ears, which seemed a bit odd, feared he might disrupt the wedding. He had no choice but to agree and instructed, "Arrange two tables in the Pavilion of Eternal Tranquility for Hua and Yi; I shall sit with the Royal Son-in-Law. And arrange three tables in the Pavilion of Retaining Spring for the three of you to sit separately, to avoid any inconvenience in seating the master and disciples." Only then did the idiot bow to the King, call out his thanks, and they all withdrew.

The King then issued a decree to the inner palace officials to arrange a banquet and to have the empresses and concubines of the three palaces and six courtyards, along with the princess, prepare themselves, adding to the dowry for the auspicious wedding on the twelfth. Around the Snake hour (9-11 AM), the King's carriage was prepared, and he invited Tripitaka and everyone to view the Imperial Garden. What a beautiful place it was—

Paths paved with colorful stones, railings carved with intricate designs.Beside paths of colorful stones, strange flowers bloomed by the stone edges;Beyond carved railings, exotic plants grew within the enclosures.Tender peaches enchanted kingfishers, young willows shimmered with orioles.One stepped, and delicate fragrance filled the sleeves; one walked, and fresh scents clung to the clothes.Phoenix Terraces and Dragon Ponds, Bamboo Pavilions and Pine Chambers.On Phoenix Terraces, flutes played, attracting phoenixes to alight;Within Dragon Ponds, fish were raised, transforming into dragons and departing.Bamboo Pavilions held poetry, painstakingly refined like pure snow;Pine Chambers housed literary collections, their prose like jade pearls illuminating green scrolls.Artificial mountains and miniature rocks were emerald, winding streams deep with clear blue waves.Peony pavilions, rose arbors, stacked like brocade and laid like velvet;Jasmine balustrades, begonia beds, piled like rosy clouds and sculpted like jade.Peonies exhaled unique perfumes, hollyhocks displayed strange brilliance.White pears and red apricots vied for beauty, purple orchids and golden daylilies contended in splendor.Lycoris, magnolia, azaleas, all vibrant and resplendent;Michelia, impatiens, plantain lilies, all trembling and magnificent.Everywhere, red shone with moist rouge, every cluster was encircled by rich brocade.Even more delightful was the warm return of the east wind, the entire garden's delicate beauty radiant with glory.

The King and his retinue admired the scene for a long time. Soon, officials from the Bureau of Ceremonial Rules invited Sun Wukong and the other two into the Pavilion of Retaining Spring, while the King took Tripitaka to the Pavilion of Eternal Tranquility for Hua and Yi, where they each enjoyed their banquets. The singing, dancing, music, and elaborate decorations were truly—

The magnificent palace gates opened with the light of dawn,Auspicious mists lingered over phoenix and dragon pavilions.Spring's colors gently spread, embroidering flowers and grasses;Heaven's light shone from afar, illuminating brocade robes.

Symphonies of wind instruments encircled like an immortal banquet,Wine cups flew, circulating clear jade liquid.King and ministers enjoyed together,Eternal peace and prosperity reigned over all lands.

At this time, Tripitaka, seeing the King's profound respect, had no recourse but to reluctantly go along with the festivities, truly joyful outwardly but anxious within. As he sat, he noticed four golden screens hanging on the wall. On them were painted the four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—each with an inscription, poems by renowned literati:

The Spring Poem read:"Throughout the heavens, a single energy turns the great mechanism,The vast earth is vibrant, all things renewed.Peaches and plums contend in beauty, flowers brilliantly arrayed,Swallows return to painted eaves, layering fragrant dust."

The Summer Poem read:"The gentle south wind blows, thoughts linger long,Palace courtyards, pomegranates and mallows glow in the sun.The jade flute's melody startles the midday dream,Lotus fragrance wafts to the inner chambers."

The Autumn Poem read:"In the golden well, a sycamore leaf turns yellow,Pearl blinds remain unrolled against the night's frost.Swallows, knowing the ancestral sacrifice day, leave their nests,Geese break reed flowers as they pass to another land."

The Winter Poem read:"Heaven's rain brings flying clouds, dim and cold,North wind blows snow, accumulating on a thousand mountains.Deep in the palace, a red brazier is warm,Announcing plum blossoms filling the jade railing."

The King saw Tripitaka intently reading the poems and said, "Royal Son-in-law, you enjoy the essence of poetry; your heart must be skilled in recitation. If you would not begrudge your precious words, how about you compose a poem in harmony with each rhyme?" Tripitaka was one who forgot his emotions when faced with scenery, one who understood his mind and saw his true nature. Seeing the King's reverence and command to harmonize with the previous rhymes, he unconsciously uttered a line: "The sun warms, ice melts, balancing the great earth."

The King was overjoyed. He immediately called a guard, "Bring the Four Treasures of the Study. Please, Royal Son-in-law, complete the poems and write them down, so I may slowly savor them." Tripitaka gladly complied, picking up the brush and harmonizing:

In harmony with the Spring Poem:"The sun warms, ice melts, balancing the great earth,In the imperial garden, flowers and plants renew again.Gentle wind and nourishing rain bless the common folk,The world at peace, clear of all worldly dust."

In harmony with the Summer Poem:"The Dipper points south, daylight lingers long,Cassia clouds and pomegranate fires contend in splendor.Yellow orioles and purple swallows chirp among palace willows,Their clear, double notes entering the vermilion chambers."

In harmony with the Autumn Poem:"Fragrance wafts from green oranges and yellow citrons,Pines and cypresses are evergreen, gladly welcoming frost.Half-opened chrysanthemums at the fence gather like brocade,Symphonies of music resound through the land of mist and water."

In harmony with the Winter Poem:"Auspicious snow, freshly clear, a chilly essence,Strange peaks and cleverly shaped rocks form jade mountains.Brazier burns charcoal, warming buttered milk,Singing high, hands tucked in sleeves, leaning against the green railing."

The King was delighted with the harmonized poems and exclaimed, "What a wonderful line, 'Singing high, hands tucked in sleeves, leaning against the green railing'!" He then ordered the Imperial Music Bureau to set the new poems to music. The day concluded, and they dispersed.

Sun Wukong and the other two also thoroughly enjoyed themselves in the Pavilion of Retaining Spring. Each had several cups, feeling quite tipsy. Just as they were about to go look for Tripitaka, they saw him already with the King in another pavilion. Zhu Bajie's idiotic nature flared up, and he loudly exclaimed, "How delightful! How carefree! We truly enjoyed ourselves today! We should go to sleep now that we're full!" Sha Wujing laughed, "Second Brother, you lack cultivation. How can you sleep so full?" Zhu Bajie retorted, "You wouldn't know. As the saying goes, if you don't lie down after eating, your belly won't have any fat!"

Tripitaka parted ways with the King, repeating "Mind your words, mind your words" to his disciples. When they arrived back at the pavilion, he chastised the three of them, "You louts are becoming even ruder! What kind of place is this, to be shouting and yelling so loudly? What if you annoy the King? Wouldn't he take our lives?"

Zhu Bajie replied, "No worries, no worries! We are his in-laws, so he won't really blame us. As the saying goes, 'Kinship can't be broken by beatings, neighborhood can't be broken by curses.' We're just having fun, what's there to fear?" Tripitaka angrily ordered, "Bring that idiot here and give him twenty blows with the monk's staff!" Sun Wukong indeed grabbed and threw him down. Tripitaka raised his staff to strike, and the idiot cried out, "Royal Son-in-law Grandpa! Mercy, mercy!" Officials who were present to accompany the banquet intervened and stopped him. The idiot scrambled up, muttering indignantly, "What a noble! What a royal son-in-law! The marriage isn't even complete, and he's already acting like a king!" Sun Wukong covered his mouth, "Don't talk nonsense, don't talk nonsense! Go to sleep quickly." They stayed another night in the Pavilion of Retaining Spring. The next morning, the feasting and entertainment continued as before.

Unconsciously, three or four days passed with continuous festivities, until the auspicious twelfth day arrived. Officials from the three departments of the Court of Imperial Entertainments reported, "Your Majesty, since receiving your decree on the eighth, the Royal Son-in-law's residence has been completed and is awaiting furnishings and decorations. The wedding banquet is also fully prepared, with over five hundred tables of both meat and vegetarian dishes." The King was delighted and was about to invite the Royal Son-in-law to the banquet when an inner palace official approached the throne and reported, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests your presence."

The King then retired to the inner palace. There, he found the empresses of the three palaces and the concubines of the six courtyards, leading the princess, all chatting and laughing in Zhaoyang Palace. It was truly a riot of colors and splendid beauty! That scene of luxury and charm truly surpassed the Moon Palace in Heaven, no less than an immortal's jade palace. Four new poems titled "Joyful Union in Marriage" bear witness to this.

The "Joy" poem said:"Joy, joy, joy! How delightfully joyous!Marriage begins, love is beautiful.Clever palace makeup, how can Chang'e compare?Dragon hairpins and phoenix combs, glittering with golden threads.Cherry lips, pearly teeth, rosy cheeks,Graceful like flowers, light-bodied.Layers of brocade, amidst five-colored clusters;Fragrance wafts, among a troop of beauties worth a thousand gold."

The "Union" poem said:"Union, union, union! Enchantingly charming and beautiful.Surpassing Xi Shi, outshining Chu Mei.Overthrowing kingdoms and cities, comparable to flowers, comparable to jade.Her adornments even fresher and brighter, hairpins and bracelets richly adorned.A pure and noble heart like orchid and iris,Powdered face and icy skin, honored and noble.Eyebrows like a single distant mountain, slightly visible,Graceful and enchanting, gathered in a brocade troop."

The "Auspicious" poem said:"Auspicious, auspicious, auspicious! A jade maiden, a fairy child.Deeply lovable, truly praiseworthy.Exotic fragrance, rich and thick, powders and rouges intermingle.Far off are the Heavenly Terrace and blessed lands, how can they compare to the King's home?Sweet laughter and charming demeanor,Symphonies of music fill the air with cheer.Flowers piled, brocade laid, a thousand kinds of beauty,Having seen all in the human world, how can anyone compare to her?"

The "Marriage" poem said:"Marriage, marriage, marriage! Filled with orchid and musk fragrance.An array of fairies, a gathering of beauties.Concubines in changed colors, the Princess newly adorned.Cloud-like hair piled in a raven bun,Rainbow robes pressed against phoenix skirts.A wave of clear immortal music,Two rows of vermilion and purple splendor.In years past, the swan-riding bond was formed,Today, fortunately, a joyful marriage meets."

As the King arrived, the empresses and concubines, leading the princess and colorful palace maids, all came to greet him. The King, beaming with joy, entered Zhaoyang Palace and sat down. After the empresses and others paid their respects, the King said, "My virtuous daughter, since the eighth day when you threw the embroidered ball and fortunately met the Holy Monk, your wish must be fulfilled. All government offices have also understood my wishes, and all arrangements are complete. Today is indeed the auspicious day, so let us proceed quickly to the wedding banquet, without missing the hour."

The princess stepped forward and bowed deeply, reporting, "Father King, I beg you to forgive your humble daughter for ten thousand offenses. I have one matter to report: for the past few days, I have heard palace officials say that Tang Holy Monk has three disciples who are exceedingly ugly. Your humble daughter dares not see them, fearing that their sight would surely cause me fright. I earnestly implore Father King to send them out of the city; otherwise, their sight might injure my frail body, becoming a misfortune instead."

The King said, "My child, if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten. Indeed, they are somewhat ugly. For the past few days, I had them entertained in the Pavilion of Retaining Spring in the Imperial Garden. Let them come to court today, I will issue their travel permit, and send them out of the city, so we can proceed with the banquet." The princess kowtowed, thanking him for his grace. The King then left for the main hall and issued a decree: "Invite the Royal Son-in-law and his three disciples."

Meanwhile, Tripitaka had been counting the days on his fingers, enduring until the twelfth. Before dawn, he discussed with his three disciples, "Today is the twelfth. How are we to handle this?" Sun Wukong said, "I've already discerned that the King carries some ill luck, but it hasn't attached to you yet, so it's not a great harm. However, we haven't seen the princess. If she comes out, and I get a look at her, I'll know if she's real or fake, and then we can act. Just set your mind at ease. He will certainly come to invite us now, to send us out of the city. You just agree and don't be afraid. I'll slip away and come back quickly, guarding you closely."

As the master and disciples were speaking, attendants and officials from the Bureau of Ceremonial Rules indeed came to invite them. Sun Wukong laughed, "Let's go, let's go! It must be to send us off, so they can keep Master for the wedding." Zhu Bajie said, "When they send us off, there must be thousands of taels of gold and silver. We can buy some gifts to take back and visit my in-laws again to have some fun." Sha Wujing said, "Second Brother, shut your mouth, don't talk nonsense. Just let Big Brother decide."

So they carried their luggage and led their horses, following the officials to the vermilion steps of the palace. The King saw them and invited Sun Wukong and the two others forward, saying, "You may present your travel permit. I will affix my royal seal and signature, and furthermore, I have prepared extra travel expenses to send you three early to see the Buddha in Spirit Mountain. If you return with the scriptures, there will be great rewards. I will keep the Royal Son-in-law here; do not worry about him."

Sun Wukong expressed his thanks and told Sha Wujing to take out the travel permit and hand it over. The King examined it, then affixed his seal and signature. He also took out ten ingots of gold and twenty ingots of silver, a small token of their relationship. Zhu Bajie, whose heart was set on wealth and pleasure, immediately reached out to take them. Sun Wukong bowed to the King and said, "Thank you, thank you!" and turned to leave.

Tripitaka, startled, scrambled up and grabbed Sun Wukong, grinding his teeth loudly, "Are you all just going to leave me and go!" Sun Wukong squeezed Tripitaka's hand and gave him a wink, "You stay here and enjoy the celebration. We'll come back for you after we retrieve the scriptures." The elder seemed half-believing, half-doubting, unwilling to let go. All the officials present saw this and assumed they were genuinely parting ways. Soon, the King invited the Royal Son-in-law to ascend the steps again, instructing the officials to escort the three out of the city. Tripitaka had no choice but to release his hand and ascend.

Sun Wukong and the other two, accompanied by the officials, left the palace gate and then parted ways. Zhu Bajie asked, "Are we really going?" Sun Wukong did not reply, but simply continued walking until they reached the post-house. The postmaster welcomed them, offered tea, and set out food. Sun Wukong told Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, "You two just stay here and absolutely do not show yourselves. If the postmaster asks anything, answer vaguely. Don't speak to me; I'm going to protect Master."

The Great Sage then plucked a strand of hair, blew a puff of immortal breath, and cried, "Change!" It transformed into his own likeness, remaining with Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing in the post-house. His true self, however, flashed into mid-air, transforming into a tiny, agile bee.

Its wings were yellow, its mouth sweet, its tail sharp,Dancing wildly, drifting with the wind.Most skilled at plucking stamens and stealing fragrance,Wandering through willows and flowers, swaying.

After several laborious cycles of refining and dyeing,It flew to and fro, busily but fruitlessly.Brewing rich sweetness, yet never tasting it,Only leaving behind its renowned form.

See how it lightly flew into the court. From afar, it saw Tripitaka sitting on an embroidered stool to the King's left, his brows furrowed with worry and his heart filled with anxiety. The bee flew directly to his Vairocana hat, quietly crawled to his ear, and whispered, "Master, I'm here. Don't worry." Only Tripitaka heard this; the common mortals could not possibly perceive it. Upon hearing it, Tripitaka finally felt at ease.

Soon after, a palace official came to invite them, saying, "Your Majesty, the wedding banquet is ready in Qinque Palace. The empress and princess are both waiting in the palace, specifically for Your Majesty and the honored guest to join the family union." The King was overjoyed, and immediately accompanied the Royal Son-in-law into the palace. It was truly a case of: the wicked ruler loves flowers, and flowers bring disaster; the monastic heart stirs, and thoughts breed sorrow. What Tripitaka would do to escape from the inner palace remains to be seen in the next chapter.