How many things had happened under Yuan, Cheng, Ai, and Ping? In the long years, only Wang Zhaojun's journey beyond the frontier and Zhao Feiyan and Hede remained in memory.
Where was Dong Xian now?
The Han Dynasty had lost its virtue.
Across the land, people spread the word that the Liu Clan had lost the Mandate of Heaven, and that someone virtuous would take its place. The loudest cries belonged to none other than the Regent Emperor, Wang Mang. The people knew nothing of the Han Heavenly Son in Chang'an; they only heard of Grand Marshal Wang Mang, whose service had been arduous and whose virtue was Perfect Virtue.
One day, Wang Mang was riding back from the palace when, in a daze, he heard the sound of a bell approaching from afar.
A woman's song rose up, its melody lingering and penetrating his very soul.
"Disaster leans on fortune, and fortune hides in disaster! Sorrow and joy gather at the same gate; good and ill fortune dwell in the same place..."
Soon, the coachman cried out in alarm, "Where did this woman come from? Quickly, get out of the way! This is the Grand Marshal's carriage. How dare you behave so recklessly?"
Wang Mang lifted the carriage curtain and saw a Verdant Green Clad Woman wearing a Bamboo Hat and holding a Bell Ringing, blocking the road ahead.
He looked her over and asked, "Are you a fortune-teller?"
The Verdant Green Maiden removed her Bamboo Hat and nodded. "I am Qing Gu, successor to the Ming Ci Ting Hou Successor!"
"Xu Fu, the fortune-teller?"
Wang Mang furrowed his brow and pondered for a moment, then said to the Verdant Green Maiden, "Fortune-teller, please join me in the carriage so we may talk."
Once she was inside, Wang Mang