Pei County

"What, you're kicking me out?"

Verdant Green Maiden narrowed her eyes at that and clenched her fists. "You little brat! So what if I ate a few of your cattle? Is that any reason to kick me out?"

"Not at all."

Ying Zheng shook his head.

He looked at Verdant Green Maiden and fell silent for a moment before explaining slowly, "If you stay here any longer, Master, you'll die."

Verdant Green Maiden paused at his words but said nothing. Ying Zheng continued, "I don't want you to die, Master. So I'm asking you to leave Xianyang!"

"You're—you're letting me go? You said it yourself!"

Verdant Green Maiden looked at Ying Zheng and asked for confirmation.

Ying Zheng nodded. "Yes. I'm asking you to leave. You needn't concern yourself with matters here anymore!"

After Ying Zheng said this, Verdant Green Maiden blinked and suddenly asked, "You heard what Hong Luan and I said in the tent?"

"I did. I heard everything."

Ying Zheng nodded.

Leaning against a pillar in the Grand Hall, Verdant Green Maiden said, "Since you heard us, you should understand that if I leave, you'll die soon, and Great Qin will soon fall! Even so, are you willing to let me go?"

Ying Zheng fell silent and did not answer.

Seeing him quiet, Verdant Green Maiden gave a soft laugh and murmured, "Just as I thought..."

"Enough, enough. I was the one who foolishly promised your grandfather I'd protect you. Of course I'll keep my word!"

With that, Verdant Green Maiden waved a hand and turned to leave.

But the instant she turned, Ying Zheng sprang to his feet.

He fixed his gaze on her and said gravely, "Please leave Xianyang, Master! What becomes of me and of Great Qin is up to Heaven and fate. You needn't trouble yourself over it anymore!"

"Master, you're free!"

"So... you're willing to leave now, aren't you?"

Verdant Green Maiden stood where she was and looked back at Ying Zheng. Her brown-green eyes held an unreadable expression. After a long silence, she clapped her hands softly.

Hong Luan burst through the door and flew in.

Verdant Green Maiden raised a hand and said, "Bird Sister, pack our things. We're leaving!"

Hong Luan didn't know why, but it did as Verdant Green Maiden said.

As Verdant Green Maiden walked out, Ying Zheng suddenly called after her, "Master, from now on... don't make promises to people so lightly."

"You little brat. You're hardly in a position to lecture me!"

Without looking back, Verdant Green Maiden waved a hand. She and Hong Luan went to the Jade Maiden Shrine to collect their belongings.

After she left, Ying Zheng stood still for a long time before calling Afang in. He looked at her and said slowly, "Afang, Master has left."

"What? Master, she..."

Afang's pupils contracted.

But Ying Zheng didn't wait for Afang to compose herself. He continued, "I have something I need you to do."

Afang froze. "What is it?"

"People have slandered Master. I want you to seize everyone who dares to slander her and bury them alive! Also, burn every book that mentions her. Don't let anyone hear news of Master again."

Afang stared at him in shock as he spoke.

"Your Majesty, you..."

Ying Zheng sighed. "Master keeps her promises. I'm granting her freedom."

"From this day on, anyone in Qin Palace who dares mention Master will be killed! Afang, see that it's done."

Afang took a deep breath and nodded solemnly. "Yes, Your Majesty!"

By the time news of the book burning and the burying of the Confucians reached her, Verdant Green Maiden had already crossed Hangu Pass. She looked back toward Xianyang and stood there for a long while before sighing.

She brushed off her skirt, looked up at Hong Luan in the sky, and called, "Bird Sister, I'm hungry!"

"Stupid Snake, all you ever think about is eating!"

Hong Luan scolded her, but still found Verdant Green Maiden a wild rabbit.

Poor rabbits. For who knew how many generations, their ancestors had ended up in Verdant Green Maiden's belly. After two or three thousand years, she'd eaten more rabbits than anyone could count.

Being eaten by a snake was their honor!

Green Robe Immortal Maiden had done the math: rabbits eaten by her could ascend to Heaven!

As Verdant Green Maiden roasted a rabbit, Hong Luan asked, "Stupid Snake, where are we going next?"

Verdant Green Maiden stared into the fire and thought for a moment. "Pei County!"

Pei County, Sishui Pavilion.

"Fortunes told!"

"One wild rabbit per reading, or a whole cow for a lifetime!"

On the streets of Sishui Pavilion, Verdant Green Maiden wandered about, holding a flag aloft, with Hong Luan perched on her shoulder.

After wandering around for half the day without a single customer, Verdant Green Maiden could only lament that morals had declined and people's hearts had grown callous! Back in Qi State, people who wanted their fortunes told by her had lined up from Ying Qiu all the way to Luoyang City. She'd hardly ever deigned to tell just anyone's fortune!

Now, she couldn't find a person—or even a dog!

Just as she was thinking this, Verdant Green Maiden spotted a large yellow dog crouching by the roadside.

Her eyes lit up, and she hurried over to it.

"Brother Dog, want your fortune told?"

At that, Hong Luan pecked Verdant Green Maiden's earlobe and scolded her, "Stupid Snake, it's a dog! Why would you tell its fortune? Can it answer you?"

"Birds can talk, so why can't Brother Dog?"

At those words, Hong Luan flew into a rage and flapped its wings, thoroughly messing up Verdant Green Maiden's hair.

The bird ruffled her hair as it scolded, "You actually compare me to a dog? Don't expect me to catch you rabbits anymore! Go catch them yourself!"

Verdant Green Maiden immediately crouched down, shielding her head. "Bird Sister, I'm sorry..."

As the snake and bird playfully tussled, a crowd filed out of a nearby house. At the doorway, an older woman wielding a spatula waved it around and cursed.

"You bring so many people every time, Liu Ji! If you keep neglecting your duties, don't come around anymore!"

"Get out, get out! All of you, get out!"

The old rascal at the head of the group grinned and apologized to the woman. Then he waved his big hand and led his horde of disreputable friends toward Verdant Green Maiden.

"Bird Sister, business is coming."

Verdant Green Maiden watched Liu Ji and his group approach, her face lighting up.

She hoisted her flag and stopped Liu Ji, smiling as she asked, "Sir, one look tells me you're no ordinary man. Would you like your fortune told? My prices are fair—just two wild rabbits. How about it?"

"Hey, Brother, look at that dog beside her!"

Behind Liu Ji, Fan Kuai's eyes lit up as he pointed at the large yellow dog behind Verdant Green Maiden.

The dog jolted and bolted away.

Liu Ji looked at Verdant Green Maiden and tugged at his coarse clothes. "Immortal Aunt, I don't have so much as a rabbit's fur to my name! How about you give me something to eat, and I'll tell your fortune? I'm not picky. Anything will do!"

At that, Verdant Green Maiden tilted her head.

Lu Wan glanced at Verdant Green Maiden from behind and muttered to Liu Ji, "Brother, let's go. She's obviously a fraud. Immortal Aunt, my foot—she's definitely a fake."

"Lu Wan, how can you say that?"

Liu Ji coughed, then planted his hands on his hips and said to Verdant Green Maiden, "You're just a young girl out here on your own. It can't be easy. If you really have nowhere to go, come find me! I'm Liu Ji, the Sishui Pavilion Chief. I can still help you out around here!"

"All right, that's enough. Farewell."