Wu drained the cup and set it down, smiling pleasantly.<br/><br/>"Thank you, brother.  Now then...a month passed, and Squire Yu fell sick with worry.  Would this odd woman fulfill her promise?  Would she return?  His wife and daughters comforted him as best they could, but he was consumed with the matter.  Finally, on the last day of the month, as the moon was rising, the Beautiful Monkey Princess returned with an entourage and knocked at his gate.  Hastening to greet her, Squire Yu pulled up short at the sight of her companions.<br/><br/>Six they were, hulking brutes in armor and carrying the tools of their trade!  Huge hairy monkey-ogres, each of whom kowtowed in turn to him and addressed him politely.  Stunned, Squire Yu could only numbly invite them in and provide a celebratory feast as he struggled to make sense of this.  His daughters took it upon themselves to serve, curious to see these prospective suitors...and at first they, too, were alarmed at the thought of monkey-demons!  But as they saw that the six were polite and cultivated a chivalrous air, they began to reconsider.<br/><br/>Then Chou Sulan toasted the Squire and explained herself:<br/><br/>'Long has my illustrious father despaired of finding wives for his best and most deserving officers.  When I heard of your worship's plight, I saw at once the best solution!  These are the Xiong brothers, long since deprived of a proper father to whom they might demonstrate filial piety.  And you, Squire, have of course seven beautiful daughters each in need of a good husband.'<br/><br/>She gestured, and each demon in turn kowtowed to their host and recited his deeds and honors, each with customary humility.  Now in truth, any man would be honored to find such distinguished company...under other circumstances.  Squire Yu, still feeling shock, offered his hospitality to all and withdrew after the feast to mull this over.  Demons as sons in law?  Becoming the surrogate father to officers in the army of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?<br/><br/>Yet it is said that before morning, each of his daughters visited him in turn to accept an engagement, having become enthralled by the prowess of their suitors and overlooking their bestial visage.  Thus, come the dawn, he announced that the eldest six should each have their choice of a husband, the ceremony to be performed with appropriate haste, and the Xiong Brothers welcomed into his household for as long as they wished.<br/><br/>Now, of course, came the matter of payment, and the Squire kowtowed to the flame-haired Little Monkey.<br/><br/>'You have delivered on your promise, and I shall pay what you ask.'<br/><br/>'I have no request, save one.'  She clapped her hands, and a score of monkey laborers entered, bearing golden gifts and bolts of fine silk which they set before the Squire.  'Will this be an adequate bride price for your youngest?  I have need of a wife of my own and, having secured the connubial happiness of her elder sisters, would be remiss not to find a husband for her.'<br/><br/>The Squire did not answer, but his youngest daughter's squeal of delighted laughter settled the matter!<br/><br/>Thus it is said that the seven daughters of Yu spend six months a year in their father's home, tending to him and their mother, and six months at the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit with their husbands, save the one who travels with the Princess Herself."<br/><br/>Wu cleared his throat.<br/><br/>"If you wish to hear more, I shall continue...for the Beautiful Monkey Princess and her Little Blossom have done many wonderous things.  Or perhaps terrible, for the Benevolent Goddess is said to still be furious for her missing delicates."