In the third year of Gengshi, Liu Xiu was ordered to issue an imperial decree pacifying the prefectures and counties of Hebei. At last, the Chifu Talisman was presented to him, and the assembled officials urged him to ascend the throne.
Besides, Liu Xuan had been a truly terrible emperor.
So, at Qianqiu Pavilion in Paocheng, he ascended the throne as emperor, changed the era name to Jianwu, and founded Great Han.
The world was embroiled in war, all clamor and chaos. Verdant Green Maiden was staying in Chang'an for a while, and from time to time she would drop by Gaomiao to chat with the Old Rogue about just how loving and devoted his descendants were to one another. Still, she figured that even if the Old Rogue knew all this, he probably wouldn't say much.
At most, he'd sigh and say, "I really was something! What remarkable descendants!"
That day, while Verdant Green Maiden was talking, she spotted a vast crowd of people approaching in the distance.
In a flash, she vaulted up onto a beam, then called, "Monkey, hurry and hide! If they find you, I'm not responsible!"
"Eek—!!"
Sun Huo Wang's eyes went wide.
Seeing it stare with its eyes wide open, Hong Luan clicked her tongue and said, "Just as I thought. Monkeys aren't very bright!"
At that, Verdant Green Maiden shot her a look.
When it came to whether birds or monkeys were smarter, she, a snake, didn't seem to be in a position to judge.
"Hey! You bird-brain, Old Sun's way smarter than you!"
Provoked by Hong Luan, Sun Huo Wang sprang straight over to Verdant Green Maiden. It was about to say something to Hong Luan when it saw the people below entering Gaomiao.
Verdant Green Maiden made a shushing gesture, and