"May the Qing Xiao Jade Maiden Empress bless us..."
"On this journey to the Western Regions, we will surely..."
On Jade Emperor Peak, Snake Girl was stretched out on a tree, napping like an ordinary snake. The warm sun shone down from a cloudless sky, its rays gentle. A breeze rustled through the leaves, filling the air with peace. In a hazy daze, she heard prayers coming from far away.
Verdant Green Maiden opened her eyes, a hint of confusion flickering in them. She blinked, and they gradually cleared.
She stretched, then lazily lowered her feet.
"Bird Sister, what time is it?"
"You've only slept for half an hour. It's not dinnertime yet."
Hong Luan called up from below. Verdant Green Maiden shook her head. "I meant, what year is it?"
What year was it?
Hong Luan looked up in puzzlement. "Why do you ask?"
She called Chunyu Tiying over. "I don't pay attention to that sort of thing, either. You should ask Tiying. She ought to know."
Chunyu Tiying looked up at Verdant Green Maiden. "Your Ladyship, it is Yongping Sixteen."
"Yongping Sixteen..."
Verdant Green Maiden repeated the words, then flipped over and dropped freely through the air, landing steadily on the grass.
She raised both arms high and sighed. "Ah! I'm going out for a walk."
"Be back before dinner," Hong Luan called.
But Verdant Green Maiden said, "I'm afraid I'll be gone for several days!"
At that, Hong Luan furrowed her brow. "Where are you going this time?"
"Chang'an!"
Chang'an, Chang'an—peace that would endure for ages.
The Center of the World, which had flourished for centuries, had not lost its prosperity just because Liu Xiu made Luoyang his capital. Guanzhong remained a fertile land.
After Ban Chao and his delegation had paid their respects at Gaomiao and