The emperor's order came from the palace: he urgently summoned Verdant Green Maiden to court.
Snake Girl packed her belongings into the Jiao Snake Pearl, then followed the court messenger into the palace without the slightest hurry.
By then, Wang Mang had many more worries etched between his brows.
When he saw Verdant Green Maiden arrive, he ordered someone to give her a seat, then asked, "Doctor Qing Gu, I heard you submitted your resignation to the Imperial Academy and plan to leave Chang'an. Why? Are other doctors at the Imperial Academy disrespecting you? Or is it your salary...?"
"Neither."
Verdant Green Maiden shook her head, interrupting Wang Mang.
Seeing her shake her head, Wang Mang furrowed his brows and asked, "Then why? I don't understand!"
Verdant Green Maiden sighed and spread her hands. "There's no particular reason. The time has come, so naturally, it's time to leave. Everything is fate. People like us must follow fate's course."
As she said this, Verdant Green Maiden grumbled inwardly.
Follow fate?
Pah! Follow the fate decreed by her Yellow Emperor Grandpa!
Verdant Green Maiden wasn't some obedient girl.
Wang Mang had no idea what she was thinking. After hearing her answer, he stopped trying to persuade her and instead asked, "Would Doctor Qing Gu be willing to read my face again?"
"People say things should never be done more than three times. I'll only tell one person's fortune three times. This is the second time. Are you sure?"
Verdant Green Maiden asked in return.
Wang Mang nodded without hesitation. "I am!"
Verdant Green Maiden asked, "What do you want to know?"
"...Ask about my future, and the future of the New Dynasty."
When Wang Mang said this, Verdant Green Maiden laughed. "You're quite the clever one, asking two questions at once."
Though