Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 299 - 300 The Queen is Waiting for You

Chapter 299: Chapter 300 The Queen is Waiting for You

Xuanzang looked outside and saw that it was crowded with people, and he couldn’t help feeling anxious in his heart.

"Wukong, they don’t want me to leave; how will I ever continue west to seek scriptures?"

Wukong chuckled and replied, "I think it’s quite good. Master, why don’t you just accept it!"

"I think the eldest brother is right; it’s a wonderful idea!"

Zhu Bajie also started laughing as he spoke up.

"Eldest brother, second brother, you’d better think of a good plan!"

Seeing the current situation, Sand Monk didn’t want their journey to the west to end here.

After all, he was looking forward to returning to the Celestial Court after the journey was over.

Sun Wukong glanced at Sand Monk, then said, "Today the marriage has been promised, and on a future day, you will certainly be escorted out of the city with imperial ceremony. Master, don’t refuse. Just sit in her phoenix carriage and dragon chariot, ascend the treasure hall, and sit facing south!"

"Then, you have the queen produce the imperial treasure seal, summon us brothers to court, stamp our pass permit with the seal, then ask the queen to write a handwritten signature. After that, entrust it to us."

"At that time, a grand banquet will naturally be arranged. We’ll lodge there after the banquet, and they will again prepare the chariot, claiming to escort us three out of the city. Once we are escorted outside the city gates—"

"You disembark from the dragon chariot and phoenix carriage, Sand Monk will attend to you on either side, serving you as you mount the white horse. Then, Old Sun will use an immobilization spell so that all their civil and military people can’t move, and we will just keep heading west on the main road."

"After a day and a night, I can chant a spell to lift the magic technique, allowing them to wake up and return to the city."

"This way, firstly, their lives are not harmed, and secondly, your primordial spirit is not damaged."

"Isn’t this the best of both worlds?"

Upon hearing this, Xuanzang nodded, but he was still somewhat worried in his heart.

"Brother, what you’re saying does make sense, but just in case the queen has other ideas, I think we can’t let our guard down."

Sand Monk certainly didn’t want any unexpected changes to occur.

Xuanzang was also somewhat worried and looked toward Sun Wukong.

"Then, I, Old Sun, will sneak into the imperial palace and gather some information to ensure nothing goes wrong!"

...

To avoid detection, Sun Wukong left behind a fake body; his primordial spirit turned into two little birds and flew out of the posthouse, heading straight for the royal palace.

Outside the palace gate, Sun Wukong saw the Grand Tutor preparing to enter and knew she was going to see the queen. He followed the Grand Tutor into the palace.

There, the Grand Tutor arrived at the main hall to pay respects to the queen.

The queen asked eagerly, "How did it go at the posthouse, my subject?"

At this moment, Sun Wukong arrived at the front of the hall as well, turning into a tiny flying insect and stealthily flying into the hall, hiding among the rafters.

The Grand Tutor promptly reported, "Your Majesty, I went to the posthouse to discuss the marriage proposal with Imperial Brother Tang, but he still seems hesitant."

"Fortunately, his eldest disciple was very pleased and has agreed to allow his master to stay and become our king’s husband, facing south as the emperor. To secure his approval, they want us to exchange the pass permits first and send the three of them on their way west."

"After they have obtained the scriptures and returned, they can then visit their master and our king to get travel funds to return to Great Tang."

The queen was delighted to hear this and said, "What more could the Imperial Brother say?"

The Grand Tutor shook her head and reported, "The Imperial Brother said nothing; it seems he is willing to be our king’s consort. His second disciple also seems eager to partake in the banquet first!"

The queen frowned upon hearing this, saying, "It seems to me that this Imperial Brother of Tang does not wish to marry me!"

"Why would Your Majesty say that? The Imperial Brother simply remained silent, that’s all!"

The Grand Tutor was a bit perplexed.

"Tonight, invite them over for a banquet, then bring the Imperial Brother here to see the national treasure. By tomorrow, he will surely agree!"

The queen already had a plan in mind.

The Grand Tutor naturally complied with the queen’s strategy.

All this was overheard by Sun Wukong.

After he had heard enough, his form flickered and he returned to where Xuanzang and the others were staying.

"Elder brother, how did it go?"

As soon as Sand Monk saw Sun Wukong return, he eagerly spoke up.

Xuanzang also hurriedly looked over upon hearing this.

"They will come to invite us to the banquet any minute now!"

Sun Wukong announced.

Zhu Bajie, who had been dozing off to the side, perked up excitedly upon hearing that there would soon be a banquet.

"Where’s the banquet? Where is it?"

"You fool, all you think about is eating!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong couldn’t help but laugh and curse.

They had only exchanged a few words when footsteps approached.

As soon as the voice fell, the Grand Tutor walked into the hall with a smile, hurriedly bowed to Xuanzang and the others, and said with a smile, "Imperial Younger Brother Tang, what great joy this is!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong smiled and said, "It seems the Grand Tutor brings good news."

The Grand Tutor quickly said, "This official has returned to court to report to His Majesty, who, knowing that the disciples’ hearts are dedicated to Buddhism, has already agreed to let Imperial Uncle of the Tang Dynasty and his disciples continue their Journey to the West, wishing to endow the wealth of the state upon Imperial Uncle Grandpa as a marriage proposal, to share glory and riches. Is this not a joy unparalleled?"

"Indeed, this is a cause for celebration, thank you for taking the trouble, Grand Tutor," said Sun Wukong with a nod.

"It’s all part of my duty, and even if it involves some effort, I’m delighted by such good news," the Grand Tutor said with even greater excitement. "His Majesty has issued a decree and will soon personally lead a procession outside the city to welcome the groom into the city. He has also ordered a banquet in the palace to entertain Imperial Uncle Grandpa and his entourage."

Smiling, Sun Wukong nodded and said, "In that case, let’s wait for the royal procession."

At this time, Xuanzang became somewhat anxious and blurted out, "Grand Tutor, when will Her Majesty the Queen replace our travel documents and let us continue our journey westward?"

What Xuanzang was most concerned about at the moment was how to escape this place of troubles.

The Grand Tutor quickly said, "There’s no rush. After you have partaken of the feast, they will naturally let your disciples travel westward."

Xuanzang, though worried, could only nod helplessly and sat down obediently without saying anything more.

But Zhu Bajie, hearing that there would be a banquet, eagerly jumped over and said with a laugh, "I say, Grand Tutor! When can we have a meal? The food at the posthouse really isn’t up to much."

Zhu Bajie was preoccupied with the thought of a good meal.

The Grand Tutor, not without a laugh, hurriedly said, "His Majesty has decreed a feast in the palace, and this time, I assure you that Elder Zhu will be satisfied."

"That’s perfect! After being exposed to the elements on the road for so long, it has been a while since I, old Zhu, have had a full meal. Today, thanks to Master, I finally have the chance to eat my fill," said Zhu Bajie, radiant with pleasure.

Then the Grand Tutor said, "Please wait here for a moment, as the royal carriage will arrive shortly. The officers and I will go out and make arrangements for the royal reception."

Waving his hand, Sun Wukong said, "You just go ahead with your duties, Grand Tutor; no need to attend to us."

The Grand Tutor promptly took his leave. At that moment, Xuanzang pulled Sun Wukong aside into a corner and whispered, "Wukong, what should I do when the time comes?"

As a monk for so many years, Xuanzang had never experienced anything like this.

He couldn’t help but worry.

"When the Queen comes to pick you up later, she will surely invite you onto her Phoenix Carriage and Dragon Chariot. It will just be you and her alone in the carriage; I hope, Master, that you have the fortitude to endure it!"

Xuanzang rolled his eyes and said, "What kind of person do you take your master for? Am I without even this measure of self-control?"

Laughing, Sun Wukong said, "Master, that’s not what I meant. I’m just saying that the Queen so desires you that she probably won’t easily give up. Should Her Majesty suddenly make a move on you, the consequences would be unimaginable!"

Hearing Sun Wukong’s words, Xuanzang also began to feel anxious.

"Wukong, if it indeed comes to pass, what should your master do?" Xuanzang asked with some urgency.

"Master, at that point, it will be up to your fate. If you truly cannot bear it, then you will just have to stay here as the husband to the Queen!"

...

At this time, the Queen of Xiliang had already bathed, dressed, and adorned herself before preparing to leave the city to welcome her husband. Although Xiliang Women’s Country was a small country in the Western Regions and a land of women, the King’s Imperial Carriage was still quite magnificent.

Escorted by six colored dragons, the carriage was flanked by twin auspicious phoenixes. Fragrant and enshrouded in auspicious mist, it unfurled a banner of imperial presence. Officials with fish and jade pendants thronged, court ladies with treasure hairpins lined up. A pair of mandarin-duck fans shielded the Imperial Carriage, the silhouette of phoenix hairpins shimmered through pearl curtains of jade. Melodious sounds of flutes and strings harmonized, casting a festivity that soared to the heavens, as boundless joy emanated from the Sacred Platform. Triple-tiered canopies shook the firmaments, while banners of five colors reflected on the imperial steps.

Soon the Queen’s Imperial Carriage left the city gates and arrived outside the gate of the Sun Welcoming Post. An attendant had already come in to report: "The King’s royal carriage has arrived, inviting the lords from the Tang Dynasty to come out and receive it."

Xuanzang and the others quickly got up, adjusted their clothing, and followed a court lady out to greet the royal carriage.

The Imperial Carriage pulled up to the door of the posthouse, and the Queen lifted the curtain to alight. The Grand Tutor hurriedly went to welcome her, and with lightly parted cherry lips, she asked, "Grand Tutor, which one is my Imperial Older Brother?"

As Xuanzang and the others just stepped out from the door, the Grand Tutor quickly said, "The one robed in a kasaya is the Imperial Uncle of the Tang Dynasty."

The Queen looked up and saw Xuanzang, noble and majestic, with a lofty appearance, his teeth shining like a row of silver, lips red and mouth square. With an even forehead, wide brows, and a full cranial vault, his clear eyes and lofty brows signified a true paragon of men, his unique bearing marking him as a gifted scholar.

Seeing the Imperial Uncle in such a state, naturally, the Queen took quite a liking to him.

As the Queen watched, entranced, she noticed that Xuanzang was also looking her way, smiling faintly with a slight nod.

The Queen immediately adopted the demure demeanor of a shy maiden and modestly lowered her head.

Sun Wukong, witnessing this scene, thought to himself, "This Queen certainly knows how to play the part, pretending to be so shy when she has already made up her mind."

Just then, the Queen looked up and called out, "Imperial Older Brother, won’t you come and ascend the phoenix and ride the unicorn?"

Hearing the Queen’s invitation, Xuanzang was somewhat at a loss, unsure of whether to accept, silently chanting, "Amitabha Buddha."

To think that he, Xuanzang, would be so favored by a Queen and destined to become her husband.

Given the choice, he would rather confront ugly demons than these bewitching enchantresses.

"Master, Master, the Queen is waiting for you!"

Just then, Sun Wukong also couldn’t help but urge him on.