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11 Flowing Sand River

Seeing the Tang Monk silent, the woman urged, "My daughters and I are no coarse folk; we are a match for you elders. If you would stay and be heads of our household, it would be far better than begging-bowl, black robe, snow shoes, and cloud hat!" Bajie could not contain himself and stepped forward to persuade the Tang Monk to agree. The Tang Monk glared at Bajie. "How can a monk be moved by riches or beauty?" The woman's face darkened. "You, the master, have taken vows and sworn never to return to lay life. But can my family not win even one of your followers? Why be so stubborn?" Seeing the woman angry, the Tang Monk apologized and offered Wukong as a son-in-law; Wukong refused at once. He offered Sandy, who firmly declined. Then he offered Bajie, who said only that they should think it over. When they declined, the woman put on a cold face and went into the inner room. Bajie fretted and complained to the Tang Monk, "Master, you don't know how to handle things; you leave yourself no way out. If you had agreed vaguely, we could have cheated a meal and a pleasant night." Wukong teased Bajie for being moved. Bajie angrily said, "As the saying goes, a monk is a hungry ghost for sex. We all feel the same; why put on airs and make Old Pig the laughingstock?" He then went to tend the horse, making excuses: "The horse must carry someone and walk tomorrow; if it goes hungry all night, we'll have to skin it." Bajie hastily untied the reins and led the horse out. Wukong told Sandy to keep their master company, then followed, transformed into a red dragonfly, and caught up with Bajie. Bajie led the horse, but not to grass; he hurried straight to the back gate. Going around, he saw the woman with her three flower-like daughters admiring flowers by the pool. When the woman saw Bajie, she had her daughters withdraw and asked what he wanted. Bajie dropped the reins, stepped forward, and bowed. "Mother, just now in the front hall there were too many people to speak plainly. As long as you don't mind my long snout and big ears, I can marry into your family." The woman said, "I don't mind, but I'm afraid my daughters will find you ugly." Bajie said, "Mother, though I'm ugly, I'm good at all household matters and can summon rain and wind." The woman said, "If so, let me ask my daughters." She went inside. Bajie had no choice but to lead the horse back. Wukong flew back, resumed his true form, and told the others what Bajie had done. Bajie entered, and the Tang Monk asked, "Did you graze the horse?" Bajie said, "There was no good grass; nowhere to graze." Wukong smiled. "Is there somewhere to tether it?" Bajie knew he had given himself away and said nothing. Then the inner door opened and the three daughters came out, stood in the hall, and bowed. The Tang Monk, Wukong, and Sandy returned the bow calmly, but Bajie's lustful heart was in turmoil, his lustful courage ran wild, and he itched to act, making a hundred ridiculous faces. After the three girls bowed, they turned behind the screen into the inner room. The woman said, "Which of the four elders should match my daughter?" Wukong said, "Let the one surnamed Zhu marry into the family." Bajie said, "Brother, don't tease; let's decide by majority." Wukong teased, "You've already called her mother — what is there to decide?" The woman called to a servant, "Prepare the evening meal and entertain the three in-laws. I'll take the groom to his room." She led Bajie into the inner room. The Tang Monk and the other two ate and retired to the guest room. Bajie followed the woman into the inner room and asked eagerly, "Mother, which sister are you giving me?" The woman said, "I'm just troubled — whichever one I give you, the other two will be unhappy." Bajie said, "Mother, give me all three, so they won't quarrel." The woman said, "You can't take all three of my daughters! Here is a handkerchief; put it on your head to cover your face, and we'll have a heaven-matched wedding. My daughters will pass before you; whichever you catch will be yours."

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