The Emperor traveled east, his banners fluttering in the wind!
For the first time in seventy years, the imperial carriage of the Son of Heaven graced the lands east of the pass once more.
The frost-frozen body of Liu An was as lifelike as if he were still breathing, but it did not frighten the young sovereign. Liu Che stood before the ruins of the Temple of the Jade Maiden of the Azure Heavens, which Shaodian Qingnu had once toppled, lingering for a long time. Eventually, he decided to take up temporary residence in the Shouchun palace.
He dispatched his subordinates across the Kingdom of Huainan to gather intelligence.
Evidence of Liu An’s past attempts to join the Rebellion of the Seven States and his secret plots for treason were finally unearthed in their entirety.
The Kingdom of Huainan was abolished and reorganized as the Huainan Commandery.
Before his return journey, Liu Che suddenly issued an order to divert his entourage toward Mount Tai.
Atop Jade Emperor Peak, Qingnu saw the vast imperial Qi of the Son of Heaven approaching Mount Tai. Her nose twitched as she caught an unusual scent.
She slapped the table and cursed, "How did that brat end up at Mount Tai? He just took the throne and he's already thinking of performing the Fengshan sacrifice?"
Hongluan said, "I think he’s here to catch a snake."
"Makes sense!"
Qingnu called Chunyu Tiying over.
"I’m going out for a while. You keep a good watch over our home. If you run into any irrelevant individuals, such as an emperor or the like, block the mountain path and don’t let them up. If they don’t listen, give them a beating!"
The snake girl spoke with great earnestness, but Chunyu Tiying grew more confused the more she listened.
What did she mean by 'irrelevant individuals such as an emperor'?
Seeing her bewilderment, Qingnu sighed and personally taught her how to handle the situation.
"Did you learn that?"
Chunyu Tiying blinked and nodded dizzily.
Whether she actually understood didn't matter; Qingnu had already slipped away.
Not many days after she left, Liu Che’s carriage arrived at the foot of Mount Tai. The story of Tiying saving her father had once been a sensation in Chang'an, and Liu Che had naturally heard his tutors speak of it when he was young. Seeing that the figure from decades ago was still as young and vibrant as a maiden, Liu Che’s yearning for the goddess of Mount Tai grew even stronger!
However, Chunyu Tiying did not permit him to ascend.
Despite being blocked at the foot of the mountain, Liu Che did not take offense. The words of a fairy were not to be ignored, so he instead ordered a sacrifice to be made to the goddess at the mountain’s base, honoring her as the Holy Mother of Mount Tai, Heavenly Immortal Jade Maiden.
Someone suggested building a temple to worship the goddess of Mount Tai, but Liu Che flatly rejected the proposal.
Even with only a personal sacrifice from the Emperor, the vast providence of the goddess of Mount Tai began to drift through the ether, entangling itself with Qingnu.
"Achoo—!!"
Qingnu sneezed and rubbed her nose.
Strange!
In three thousand years, she had remained untouched by the bite of winter or the heat of summer; why the sudden sneeze?
Qingnu picked up her tortoise shell, thought for a moment, then set it back down. she lifted her hand to calculate with her fingers, and a look of realization dawned on her face.
"So it’s Little Piggy Liu!"
With that imperial sacrifice, the divine office of the Holy Mother of Mount Tai, Heavenly Immortal Jade Maiden had become a reality.
However, because the legends among the people of Mount Tai had preceded the Emperor’s canonization, the shackles this placed on Qingnu were far lighter than those of an official state temple.
"Sigh... Tiying, Tiying, you didn’t just save your father; you saved me too!"
Qingnu sighed, clicking her tongue and shaking her head.
If Chunyu Tiying hadn't spent decades promoting her, ensuring that the faith in the Jade Maiden of Mount Tai was firmly rooted in the hearts of the locals, Liu Che’s decree would have brought far heavier karmic shackles than it did now. It was possible she truly would have been bound once more to the rise and fall of the Han court.
However, as her own providence grew ever stronger, future dynasties would no longer find it so easy to bind her in such a manner.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk..."
Truly, every action has its consequence; a good snake receives a good reward.
Qingnu found a secluded spot, intending to sever the ties these fates had on her.
Before entering seclusion, she picked up Hongluan and gave her a reminder. "Sister Bird, you must keep a good watch over me while I’m in seclusion, lest I be snatched away by the bears or wolves in the mountains!"
Hongluan: "..."
Were there even bears or wolves in this world capable of hunting her?
If so, would they even still be called bears or wolves?
Qingnu revealed her true form, coiling at the bottom of the valley. Her deep azure Jiao-snake body lay resting, and the jiao-snake pearl floated quietly between her small horns.
The winds and clouds gathered in the sky as providence rolled in.
Hongluan stood on the branch of a withered tree at the valley floor. Suddenly, she flapped her wings and transformed into her human form. Her azure and red dress fluttered as she took a step forward and knelt on one knee toward the sky, as if listening to something.
She remained silent, turning her head to look at the slumbering Qingnu.
It took the snake girl several months to finally sever the influence of this particular strand of fate.
When Qingnu woke, she shifted back into her human form and stretched luxuriously. Hongluan landed on her shoulder, leaning her head in to rub gently against her. The feathers tickled Qingnu slightly.
Qingnu laughed and rubbed Hongluan’s head, teasing her. "Sister Bird, why are you suddenly so affectionate? Could it be that I slept for so long you became lonely?"
Hongluan scoffed and said, "It’s only been a few months. It wasn't that long."
"Then you..."
Before Qingnu could ask further, Hongluan cut in. "Did you sever those strands of fate?"
Hearing this, Qingnu gave a cheeky grin and lightly straightened her dress. "Naturally! Who do you think this snake is?"
By Huangdi’s grandfather, being tricked once by someone’s scheme was enough! A snake wasn't a total fool.
The snake and the bird left the valley and headed toward Pingyang County.
By the time they arrived, Liu Che’s carriage had already departed. Wei Zifu had been favored by Liu Che, and as a result, the entire Wei family had followed her to Chang'an.
"Zifu, Zifu... to have such a descendant is the Great Han's fortune."
Qingnu gazed toward Chang'an; the providence of the Han had flourished a bit more.
She traveled leisurely toward the capital. Upon reaching Chang'an, Qingnu originally intended to visit Wei Qing’s family—after all, she had been their Teacher for a few years, so how could she miss the occasion of their relocation?
But another matter disrupted her plans.
The King of Qin was dead.
A messenger from Yongcheng had entered Chang'an today; the King of Qin, Zi Ying, had died of old age.
Upon learning this news, Qingnu did not stay in Chang'an. She arrived in Yongcheng a step ahead of the imperial envoys. At this time, Yongcheng was draped in white mourning silk, and the people were filled with grief.
Once Zi Ying was freed from the pressure of the world, his talents had gradually manifested. Combined with the efficiency of the Qin court, he had governed Yongcheng with impeccable order. Of the prosperous lands within the pass, only Chang'an and Yongcheng remained.
Qingnu slipped into the Qin palace of Yongcheng. There, she saw not only Zi Ying’s bier but also an old friend.
Afang!
"Afang, you’re still alive?"
The greeting wasn't particularly polite, but neither Qingnu nor Afang saw any issue with it.
A flicker of clarity flashed in Afang’s eyes. Her body trembled slightly as she rose to greet Qingnu, but she was stopped by a raised hand.
Afang looked at Qingnu, her eyes surging with emotion. She opened her mouth, and only after a long silence did she manage to speak. "I have grown old and withered, yet you, Teacher, are as graceful as ever. It has been a long time, Teacher."
"A long time indeed."
Qingnu looked at Afang and eventually let out a long sigh.
She studied Afang closely. By her count, the woman must be over a hundred and thirty years old now.
Even Zi Ying had lived into his eighties or nineties, far outliving his ancestors. Was the soil and water of Yongcheng particularly nourishing?
Qingnu remained in Yongcheng, conversing with Afang for a long time. Only a few months after Zi Ying’s passing, Afang also reached the end of her life.
The Qin court of Yongcheng built a tomb for this highly respected female official, second only to Zi Ying’s own.
"Again, an old friend has departed."
Qingnu watched as the earth was piled inch by inch over the tomb. She glanced at Hongluan and said, "At least I still have you, Sister Bird."
Hongluan replied, "Of course! This bird will always be with you, you silly snake!"
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