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38 The Kingdom of Tianzhu

Terrified out of his wits, the Tang Monk kowtowed and pleaded, "Your Majesty, I have three disciples still outside. I beg you to summon them to court, have my pass stamped, and let us continue west at once." The king issued the order: "Summon the holy monk's three disciples to the hall." Back at the post-house, Wukong told Bajie and Sandy of the Tang Monk's plight. Bajie thumped his chest and stamped his feet. "If only I'd known, I'd have dashed into the street and let the ball strike me, Old Pig! That princess, taking me for a husband — wouldn't that be a fine thing!" Sandy wiped a hand across Bajie's face and said, "Shameless! Shameless! Just look at your own mug — who on earth would take you through the door?" Bajie laughed back, "What do you know, you dark-faced fool? Ugly as I am, I've a certain distinction." In the middle of their squabbling, an imperial messenger arrived with the summons. The three gathered their things and followed him into the palace. Wukong and the others strode into the hall with bold steps. Seeing their fearsome faces, the king asked, trembling, "Where do you three honoured disciples come from, and why did you leave the world?" Whereupon the three vaunted their past exploits at length. The king was astonished, and his opinion of the pilgrims changed at once. He scrambled down from the dragon throne, seized the Tang Monk's hand, and cried, "Son-in-law, I count it a great honour to take you as my daughter's husband!" He issued a decree on the spot: "Have the imperial garden, halls, pavilions and towers swept and prepared; the holy monk and his disciples are to be lodged there." By the time the disciples reached the imperial garden, night was falling, and a vegetarian feast had already been laid out. "Time to eat!" cried Bajie, and tucked into rice and buns, helping himself again and again until he had eaten his fill. A little later, lamps were lit and bedding brought in. The Tang Monk, finding no one about, reproached Wukong. "You wretched ape, you have harmed me time and again! Now you have brought this wedding upon us — what is to be done?" Wukong replied, "Do not fret, Master. Old Sun has his fiery eyes and golden pupils; once I have set eyes on the princess, I shall know at once whether she is real or false." "And if she is no impostor but the true princess?" asked the Master. Wukong laughed. "Then the Master becomes bridegroom and enjoys all the wealth and honour of the kingdom of Tianzhu." The Master blazed with anger. "You wretched ape! The Western Heaven is almost in sight, and here you mean to leave me behind!" At this Bajie put in, "Master, it is late. Whatever the matter is, let us talk it over tomorrow. For now, to bed!" Only then did the disciples settle down to sleep. A night passed easily, and the cock crowed again. At the morning court, the king decreed, "Let the bridegroom be entertained in the imperial garden, and a vegetarian banquet set for him." Yet Wukong and the others were not invited. Bajie, finding himself left out, bawled, "Your Majesty, my master and I are never apart. If he goes to feast in the garden, I go too. Otherwise, I'll see that this wedding of yours never happens!" Fearing he might spoil the match, the king reluctantly gave his consent. The king took the Tang Monk by the hand into the imperial garden, and together they mounted the Tower of Splendid Unity, where they sat down to drink. Palace maidens were ordered to sing, dance, and play music for their pleasure. Seeing that the king held him in such esteem, the Tang Monk had to respond as best he could, though his eyes kept straying to the four golden screens hanging on the wall, painted with the scenes of the four seasons and inscribed with verses by scholars of the Hanlin Academy. The king, noticing this, said, "Since the bridegroom delights in poetry, why not recite a few lines?" The Master, in a happy mood, opened his mouth and sang: "The sun warms, the ice melts, the wide earth levels; the royal garden's flowers bloom anew. Soft wind and gentle rain nurture the people; the seas are calm, the rivers clear, and worldly dust is far away."

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