In the city of Luoyang.
Upon hearing Li Shimin's declaration, which would allow the second trial of Journey to the West to proceed, Jin Chanzi, Wu Zhiqi, the demon race's young servant, He Xiangu, and others who had been awaiting news.
All showed expressions of pleasant surprise!
Although these individuals held different stances and belonged to different factions, they were all here for the merits of Journey to the West, having meticulously planned and temporarily formed an alliance.
This resulted in an unprecedented combination of forces: the Spirit Mountain Buddhist sect, New Flower Fruit Mountain, the demon race, and the Human Teachings.
"Finally, I've managed to get my 'parents' into positions of power. From here on, it's up to us how we play it out. However, according to Wu Zhiqi, my parents in this life are indeed attendants under Empress Nuwa."
"I thank Empress Nuwa for this grace, for sending her own attendants to wade into this murky water. In the future, when they face danger, Jin Chanzi will do his best to mediate."
"Since they are two sisters from the Wa Imperial Palace, how can they be easily slain? I suppose I should ensure they depart amicably and gain more merits from Journey to the West, as a reward for Empress Nuwa."
As Jin Chanzi pondered this, the other three also began to hatch their own schemes.
Each had their own calculations.
Wu Zhiqi, responsible for the night watch, upon hearing that Li Shimin had officially bestowed an official position upon Chen Guangrui, immediately recalled the matters Sun Kong had instructed him on before departing.
One of them was the true identities of Chen Guangrui and Yin Wenjiao, and the actions they would take next, such as going to Haizhou to meet his mother, then to Wan Hua Inn to meet Liu Xiao Er, and a temporary separation.
Then, during this period, they would have a second karmic encounter with the Rose Dragon King.
After that.
It would be the turn of Liu Hong at Hongjiangkou Ferry to appear, harm the couple, and seize the official seal, until the following year when "Jin Chanzi" would be legitimately born.
Although it was a bit convoluted and complex, for Wu Zhiqi now, it was not a difficult matter. Moreover, He Xiangu had transformed into Zhang Shi, Chen Guangrui's mother.
At a critical moment, having an extra helper would be beneficial!
Thinking this,
Wu Zhiqi immediately went to where He Xiangu was. After a brief exchange with her, they quickly reached an agreement.
"With the assistance of He Xiangu, one of the Eight Immortals of the Upper Grotto, I believe this cooperation will be very pleasant. After it's accomplished, the merits of Journey to the West can be discussed."
"Furthermore, my elder brother Sun also gave me some Sacred Water Soup, telling me that the Human Teachings is the foremost sect beneath the Dao Ancestor, and He Xiangu is a renowned immortal maiden."
"We must not be disrespectful."
"Therefore, this small token of my regard, a bowl of Sacred Water Soup that enhances beauty, nourishes yin, replenishes kidneys, purifies spiritual power, and strengthens cultivation, should be accepted by Immortal Maiden He."
It must be said that after following Sun Kong for several hundred years, both second brother Wu Zhiqi and third brother Zhou Wuxian had gained more emotional intelligence than their original chaotic monkey selves.
As it happened,
Immediately after reaching a consensus with He Xiangu, Wu Zhiqi, without a second word, offered a bowl of Sacred Water Soup, a rarity even for saints, to He Xiangu.
This immediately caused a slight change in He Xiangu's expression, who had initially maintained a professional demeanor. Although she tried her best to maintain her immortal maiden image, she couldn't suppress the joy at the corner of her lips!
"Thank you for the kind gesture from the second great king of New Flower Fruit Mountain."
"Originally, I, He, would not dare to accept a gift from an outsider without reason. But since this Sacred Water Soup is the intention of Great Sage Sun, the acting deputy Buddha of Spirit Mountain, I dare not refuse."
"As for our subsequent matters, all can be discussed. That demon race's young servant will soon be beaten to death and leave with the merits of Journey to the West."
"As for Liu Hong and the Rose Dragon King, they have not been encountered yet, and I don't know which faction sent them. But we can observe as we proceed."
"If they do not cause any extraneous trouble and leave after completing their tasks, we need not trouble them."
"But if one of them abducts Chen Guangrui, and the other captures Yin Wenjiao, and they overstep their bounds, we can, according to heavenly decree, show them their limits."
Speaking thus, He Xiangu displayed a hint of pride as one of the Eight Immortals of the Upper Grotto, her face full of confidence and assurance, as if capable of handling any difficulty.
But before Wu Zhiqi here could feel secure.
When He Xiangu mentioned Feng'er and Huang'er, her tone suddenly shifted, revealing the opportunistic nature of the Eight Immortals of the Upper Grotto!
"And regarding what you just mentioned, the matter of Empress Nuwa's two attendants reincarnating as Chen Guangrui and Yin Wenjiao, I understand the gravity of it and would never dare not cooperate with you to protect them."
"But let me be clear, our cultivation levels are both ordinary. We can handle ordinary opponents, but if we encounter particularly troublesome ones, it would be wise to be smart."
"After all, we are reincarnated. Our physical bodies are not worth regretting if they perish, but we must not truly ruin the grand plan."
Hearing this, Wu Zhiqi almost laughed and cried.
He had initially thought He Xiangu was a formidable woman.
He hadn't expected her to be opportunistic, but as she said, this was merely the second trial, and there was no need to stubbornly clash with excessively powerful enemies.
Wu Zhiqi had no choice but to agree.
The two then stood by, ready to act!
...
In the city of Chang'an.
Due to extreme excitement and receiving an imperial reward for the first time after reincarnation, Feng'er, reincarnated as Chen Guangrui, and Huang'er, reincarnated as Yin Wenjiao, were inevitably somewhat taken aback.
"Does Scholar Chen think my bestowed official position is not grand enough and he is unsatisfied? Why is there no response from you? Could it be that you are mesmerized by your beautiful wife?"
"Do you not even regard me, the Emperor, with respect?"
As Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, uttered this half-serious, half-joking remark, below the imperial palace hall, Chen Guangrui, reincarnated from Feng'er, and Yin Wenjiao, reincarnated from Huang'er.
Naturally, they dared not show any negligence.
They both stepped forward and knelt, kowtowing.
They were grateful to heaven and earth, grateful to the current Emperor Li Shimin, and also grateful for their parents' upbringing, the officials' congratulations, and the joy of the populace!
"Your Majesty, Chen Guangrui, with the witness of the Emperor of Heaven and the Empress of Earth, and the recognition of Your Majesty the Emperor, is truly fortunate in this life and will never forget it for a hundred years."
"Henceforth, we will maintain marital harmony, serve the court, remember your kindness, and benefit the people."
Chen Guangrui's words not only pleased Li Shimin but also greatly relieved his father-in-law, Prime Minister Yin Kaishan, who had been holding his breath.
Afterward,
Yin Wenjiao stepped forward and, as usual, spoke words of gratitude to heaven and earth, and to Emperor Li Shimin, finally allowing the banquet, which everyone thought might be disrupted, to proceed.
Seeing this, Li Shimin did not make things difficult. While he gestured for the officials and nobles in the palace to feast freely, and for the populace outside the palace not to be restrained.
He also knew that his presence as Emperor might make the officials and the populace feel uncomfortable.
Thus,
Without anyone reminding him.
Li Shimin raised the first cup of wine, toasting Chen Guangrui and Yin Wenjiao. He then clinked glasses with Prime Minister Yin Kaishan and other important ministers.
Seeing that it was about time,
He immediately made an excuse about not being able to hold his liquor and "temporarily" left the banquet.
His departure was a great relief to Yin Kaishan and the others. They engaged in various toasts and exchanges, transforming the usually stern and majestic Great Tang Imperial Palace into a sea of joy!