Qizhou, Wugong County, Li Family Villa.
Dou Shi, wife of Duke of Tang Li Yuan, had been pregnant for over nine months. She was about to give birth any day now.
As Li Yuan rode back to the villa, the sound of a bell caught his attention.
A clear female voice rang out leisurely. "The sun shines above, dragons and phoenixes soar! I see fortune stretching vast and boundless, purple qi rising in the east. The stars glitter in the heavens, and auspicious snow falls. One born in answer to Heaven's call will soon be born in this blessed land of Qizhou! The official ahead, slow your horse—"
Hearing the voice, Li Yuan pulled on the reins.
He looked back and saw a Daoist nun in a robe and a Taiqing Fish Tail Crown, walking toward him with an easy flick of her horsetail whisk and her fingers forming a hand seal.
"This Poor Daoist pays her respects."
Li Yuan returned the salute and studied the Daoist nun before him.
Verdant Green Maiden was dressed with exquisite care, her figure graceful and every movement imbued with an indescribable charm. A blue bird perched on her shoulder, which surprised Li Yuan as well.
He asked, "Where have you come from, Daoist?"
"Yu Se Zhenren, of the Tai Ping Daoist temple on Shu Han Crane Call Mountain."
Verdant Green Maiden gave her name and title.
A True Person?
Hearing her introduction, Li Yuan looked astonished. He gave Verdant Green Maiden a once-over. A Daoist so young, and already a True Person? Surely she was just some Demon Daoist who had come to swindle the ignorant.
Thinking this, Li Yuan composed himself, flicked his sleeve, and snorted. "That is an outrageous claim! You could have called yourself a Daoist of some temple, but