Chapter 131: Li Er Feels Cuckolded, Wang Wu Opens the Clam

Chang'an City, Imperial Palace, Imperial Ancestral Temple.

"Ancestors above, today I and Xuanzang Sheng Seng shall become sworn brothers; we do not seek to be born on the same day of the same month of the same year, but we do seek to die on the same day of the same month of the same year!"

Li Shimin spoke with fervor inside the temple, while outside, the civil and military officials stood with varied expressions.

Since the founding of the Great Tang, there had never been an Emperor who became a sworn brother to another.

Not to mention the civil and military officials, even Xuanzang himself was a bit bewildered.

Just like that, they were sworn brothers? Was this not too rash?

He had been summoned to the palace by Eunuch Zhen, and then Li Er just grabbed him to swear an oath?

After the ceremony, Li Er was satisfied; he patted Xuanzang on the shoulder and said:

"Holy Monk, from now on, you are my Imperial Brother!"

"Last night, the Bodhisattva appeared in a dream; you are to seek scriptures in the Western Heaven for the sake of all living beings, and I admire you greatly!"

"..." Xuanzang.

Forget it, it was just a procedure; just go through the motions.

But what about the oath of brotherhood?

Not seeking to be born on the same day, but seeking to die on the same day!

Xuanzang felt that Li Er was taking advantage of him!

Heaven knows when he himself would die?

In any case, even if the Great Tang were gone, he would still be here!

"Since that is the case, Your Majesty, take care; I do not intend to stay long," Xuanzang said.

"Imperial Brother, no rush; accompany me for a family banquet," Li Er said.

"Very well," Xuanzang nodded.

In the inner palace, at Empress Zhangsun's palace, all of Li Er's important children were present.

For example, the current Crown Prince Li Chengqian, the future Emperor Li Zhi, Princess Gaoyang, Princess Changle, Princess Leyan, and Princess Changge.

To be honest, Xuanzang's age was about the same as theirs, perhaps even a bit younger, but now that he had sworn brotherhood with their father, the "honorific" was somewhat difficult to utter.

Xuanzang said very casually: "Although the Emperor and I have sworn brotherhood, we are of the same generation after all; let us address each other as we see fit, there is no need to be constrained by tedious formalities."

Hearing this, the current Crown Prince Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief, whereas Li Zhi respectfully called out "Uncle."

Xuanzang heard this and nodded, though there was no reward.

Looking again at Li Er and Empress Zhangsun sitting together, smiling, they looked very affectionate.

Although Empress Zhangsun was the mother of several princes and princesses, one could not see a hint of age on her.

Her fair, translucent skin was even more tender and radiant than that of a young girl, bright and moving.

The figure beneath her Phoenix robe was likewise graceful, curvaceous, and enchanting, her entire being exuding a mature, intellectual beauty.

Xuanzang was no Cao thief; he was simply appreciating beautiful things with an artistic eye, which was indeed a pleasant matter.

"Holy Monk, seeing you today, I finally realize you are a young hero, handsome and dashing; if you were to return to secular life, I do not know how many girls in Chang'an would be infatuated with you," Empress Zhangsun said.

"Empress, you flatter me; you are the one whose grace has not diminished over the years, a heroine who does not yield to men. Time has left no trace upon you; no matter how many young girls there are in Chang'an City, they are not as beautiful and moving as you," Xuanzang praised.

Empress Zhangsun was so complimented that she could not stop smiling; she found Xuanzang increasingly pleasing to the eye, and he was so young and handsome!

This mouth was like it had been smeared with honey, sweet enough to make one's heart feel comfortable.

Looking again at Li Er beside her, Empress Zhangsun shook her head.

Li Er watched Xuanzang and his Empress chatting happily; although he was also happy, he felt somehow that it was a bit strange, as if something was not quite right.

It seemed the Empress favored the Imperial Brother; they were kindred spirits!

That must be it!

The four princesses standing to the side discussed Xuanzang in low voices.

"Actually, it wouldn't be impossible for us four sisters to all marry the Holy Monk Xuanzang."

The most flirtatious and bold Princess Gaoyang said, her beautiful eyes sparkling.

"Gaoyang, what nonsense are you spouting? Bah," Princess Changle spat, her face blushing.

Yet her gaze was secretly glancing at Xuanzang; she had not expected the Holy Monk Xuanzang himself to be so good-looking.

It was a pity he was too arrogant to let their father betroth all of them to him.

"It's impossible now; since Father and the Holy Monk have already sworn brotherhood, according to seniority, how could the Holy Monk marry us?" Princess Changge said.

"That's right," Princess Leyan said, blushing as she also stole a glance.

"Your Majesty, the family banquet is ready," Eunuch Zhen walked over and reported in a low voice.

"Is it ready? Imperial Brother, drink a few more cups with me today," Li Er said.

"Your Majesty, the Holy Monk is a man of the cloth; how can he drink alcohol? Wouldn't that be breaking the precepts? What if it harms his health?"

Empress Zhangsun raised her Phoenix brows and glared at Li Er.

"Ah... this? I have been negligent." Li Er was stunned by the Empress's retort; he had never seen the Empress show such concern for him.

"Empress, do not blame him. The Buddha's master once said that wine and meat pass through the intestines, while the Buddha remains in the heart. As for drinking, I have no problem with it," Xuanzang said.

"As expected of the Holy Monk, such wisdom; I admire you. Today, I shall also drink with the Holy Monk," Empress Zhangsun smiled.

"..." Li Er.

Why did it feel like he was being treated differently? Wasn't this a double standard?

An illusion, it must be an illusion!

At the family banquet, the atmosphere was warm; Xuanzang and Empress Zhangsun drank a few more cups of wine. Empress Zhangsun could not hold her liquor well, and her cheeks were flushed red, like a ripe apple, which was truly beautiful.

Princess Gaoyang, Princess Changle, and the other sisters toasted him one after another!

Xuanzang did not refuse anyone who came!

"Such a scene must be shared with the group members. After all, not everyone can have dinner with the Emperor's family."

Thus, Xuanzang opened the Chat Group Live Broadcast Room.

"Ding, Scripture Seeker of Journey to the West has opened a Chat Group live broadcast."

"Ding, Immortal King Anlan has joined the live broadcast room."

"Ding, Ye Fan Zhen Bu Hei has joined the live broadcast room!"

"Ding, Demon Queen has joined the live broadcast room!"

"Ding, Number One Golden Core of the Nine Provinces has joined the live broadcast room!"

In an instant, the group members joined one after another.

Ye Fan Zhen Bu Hei: "As soon as I entered the live broadcast room, I saw Xuan Ge drinking, and there are such sumptuous delicacies. Unlike me on the Beidou Star, sleeping in the open and starving, I'm envious!"

Demon Queen: "Eating alone, Xuanzang, you didn't even bring me!"

Number One Golden Core of the Nine Provinces: "Big Boss Xuanzang, seeking a connection!"

Immortal King Anlan: "As expected of Xuan Ge!"

Anlan silently gave a like, furiously farming favorability.

Scripture Seeker of Journey to the West: "Actually, I just swore an oath of brotherhood with the Emperor, and Li Er insisted on dragging me to the Imperial Palace to attend a family banquet."

Bu Liang Ren: "It's Emperor Taizong! It's the Empress!"

Yuan Tiangang was full of tears, thinking of the prosperous Great Tang of those years.

Spring and Autumn Sword Deity: "Tiangang, don't cry! People need to look forward."

Ye Fan Zhen Bu Hei: "Well said!"

Number One Extraordinary Woman of the Yin-Yang School: "Holy Monk Xuanzang, when will you come to my place? I will also treat you to some specialties of the Yin-Yang School?"

Number One Golden Core of the Nine Provinces: "Specialties of the Yin-Yang School, is it opening a clam?"

Diviner: "..., Wang Wu, can you be a bit more normal, you dirty person?"

Foshan Ye Wen: "Ye asks weakly, what is opening a clam?"

Little Fairy of Peach Blossom Island: "Same question!"

Immortal King Anlan: "This seat has lived for a million years, and this is the first time I've heard of opening a clam? Forgive my shallow knowledge!"

Number One Golden Core of the Nine Provinces: "Hehe, let's not talk about this for now? Group Owner, explain how you understood it in a second? Could it be..."

Diviner: "..."

Number One Extraordinary Woman of the Yin-Yang School: "This palace doesn't understand either!"

Demon Queen: "Damn it, I thought I, the Queen, was shameless enough, but ever since this bitch Wang Wu joined the group, I realized there is always someone better, and there is always a heaven beyond heaven. This car drove right over my face."

Ye Fan Zhen Bu Hei: "Ahem, opening a clam is just... ahem, opening a clam!"

Han Paopao of the Seven Profound Sect: "Listening to the group's words is like listening to words."

Playboy: "Cough cough cough, it's just a type of seafood."

Number One Extraordinary Woman of the Yin-Yang School: "Mind blown!"

Little Fairy of Peach Blossom Island: "Dirty!"

Foshan Ye Wen: "This..."

Immortal King Anlan: "So that's how it is. Thinking about it carefully, for the sake of cultivation, this seat hasn't opened a clam in hundreds of thousands of years."

Diviner: "..."

"Ding, Group Owner Diviner has enabled mute for all members for one hour."

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