Chapter Summaries

Li Shimin returned to Chang'an and reunited with Changsun Wugou, but while she was giving birth, she suffered a dangerous, difficult labor. Verdant Green Maiden arrived at Chenggan Hall with an elaborate display, leaving the delivery’s outcome unknown.

• Li Shimin reunited with Changsun Wugou and agreed that their child could become Verdant Green Maiden’s disciple if she accepted.
• Changsun Wugou entered her eighth month of pregnancy, and Li Yuan moved her into Chenggan Hall and delayed Li Shimin’s eastern campaign until after the birth and the child’s first month.
• Changsun Wugou went into labor, drawing Li Shimin, Li Yuan, Li Jiancheng, Li Xiu Ning, and others to Chenggan Hall.
• A midwife reported that Changsun Wugou was having a difficult birth and had lost too much blood, so Li Yuan ordered the physicians to save both mother and child.
• Verdant Green Maiden set out for Chenggan Hall and had Hong Luan ring a bell before she arrived amid illusions of golden lotuses and light.

Verdant Green Maiden helped stabilize Changsun Wugou’s difficult labor, and she gave birth to a healthy boy beneath the golden lotus. As Li Shimin and Changsun Wugou considered a name, Verdant Green Maiden suggested Chenggan, leaving the family surprised by her choice.

• Verdant Green Maiden arrived at Chenggan Hall and assured Li Shimin that Changsun Wugou and the child would be safe beneath the golden lotus.
• A midwife reported that Changsun Wugou’s condition had stabilized, and she soon gave birth to a healthy boy.
• Li Yuan questioned an imperial physician about the child’s health, then left and told Li Shimin to choose the baby’s name.
• Li Shimin went to see Changsun Wugou while Li Xiu Ning held the baby, and Verdant Green Maiden gave the imperial physician medicine to prepare.
• Changsun Wugou asked Verdant Green Maiden for naming advice, and Verdant Green Maiden suggested Chenggan because the child was born in Chenggan Hall.

After Changsun Wugou asked Verdant Green Maiden to take Li Chengqian as her disciple, Verdant Green Maiden refused, and Li Shimin urged his wife to keep bringing the boy to visit her. As Li Shimin prepared to campaign east with Verdant Green Maiden accompanying the army, Changsun Wugou asked him to return safely, and the palace delivered armor to Verdant Green Maiden.

• Li Chengqian recovered alongside Changsun Wugou, and his lavish first-month feast was attended by Chang'an's important officials.
• Changsun Wugou visited Verdant Green Maiden with Li Chengqian and asked her to teach him, but Verdant Green Maiden refused and invited her to stay for a meal.
• Changsun Wugou told Li Shimin about the refusal and Verdant Green Maiden's reference to Dou Shi's earlier request; Li Shimin advised her to keep bringing Chengqian to visit.
• Changsun Wugou wished Li Shimin safety before his campaign, and he promised to return; a few days later, palace staff delivered dark blue armor to Verdant Green Maiden.

Verdant Green Maiden joined Li Shimin’s campaign against Wang Shichong, and the Tang Army advanced from Lantian toward Luoyang. After defeating the Zheng Army in a rapid campaign, Li Shimin’s forces reached Luoyang City.

• Verdant Green Maiden accepted the dark blue-green armor Li Shimin sent but stored it away and departed in her daoist robe.
• Li Shimin met Verdant Green Maiden outside Chang’an and led her to the assembled Tang Army at Lantian.
• Verdant Green Maiden praised the Tang Army and asked Li Shimin whether it could withstand Dou Jiande’s forces; Li Shimin confidently said it could.
• Li Shimin led the Tang Army east through Tong Pass and into battle against Wang Shichong’s Zheng Army.
• The Tang Army swept through the Zheng forces and reached the walls of Luoyang City in just over a month.

As Wang Shichong’s starving forces sought help from Dou Jiande, Li Shimin let the messenger go so he could confront Dou Jiande’s army at Hulao Pass. He took three thousand men and Verdant Green Maiden to seize the pass, where he looked out over the Central Plains.

• Wang Shichong’s ministers urged him to seek aid from Dou Jiande, and Wang Shichong sent a messenger from Luoyang.
• Li Shimin learned that Wang Shichong had requested help and ordered his generals not to stop the messenger.
• Li Shimin arranged to leave most of the army besieging Luoyang and take three thousand men, Yuchi Gong, and Verdant Green Maiden to Hulao Pass.
• Li Shimin seized Hulao Pass and began building fortifications and arranging its defenses.
• Li Shimin stood with Verdant Green Maiden atop the pass and pointed out the Central Plains.

Qing Nü told Li Shimin that winning the people’s hearts mattered more than winning territory, while Dou Jiande decided to march south to rescue Wang Shichong. At Hulao Pass, a mysterious epidemic weakened the Tang Army, and Verdant Green Maiden confronted the Plague Ancestor, who claimed Li Shimin was not the Ziwei Great Emperor.

• Qing Nü told Li Shimin that the people’s hearts, not control of a particular place, determined who gained the world, and said the Mount Tai Holy Mother was watching over him.
• Dou Jiande chose to send one hundred thousand troops south to aid Wang Shichong after deciding that Great Xia would be next if he fell.
• Li Shimin welcomed the chance to defeat Dou Jiande, occupied Hulao Pass, and kept his army inside while using small cavalry units to scout and lure the Xia Army.
• An epidemic spread through Hulao Pass and drained nearly half the Tang Army of its strength.
• Verdant Green Maiden confronted the Plague Ancestor at the water source, and he said the epidemic was meant to force the Tang Army to withdraw and that Li Shimin was not the Ziwei Great Emperor.

Verdant Green Maiden killed the Plague Ancestor and thwarted Heaven’s attempts to interfere with Li Shimin’s campaign at Hulao Pass. With her aid, Li Shimin shattered Dou Jiande’s army and captured him, then asked why he had come to fight.

• Verdant Green Maiden killed the Plague Ancestor and helped the Tang Army recover from the epidemic.
• Li Shimin spread rumors to lure Dou Jiande’s much larger Xia Army into attacking Hulao Pass.
• As Li Shimin led a charge, a storm disrupted the Tang troops, but Verdant Green Maiden transformed into a Jiao Dragon and dispersed the dark clouds.
• Verdant Green Maiden played her Guqin to bolster the Tang Army, which broke the Xia Army’s formation and sent its soldiers fleeing.
• Li Shimin captured Dou Jiande and asked why he had come to Hulao Pass, and Dou Jiande replied that he wanted to spare Li Shimin a trip to Hebei.

Li Shimin won Dou Jiande's submission and asked him to help persuade Wang Shichong to surrender and end the siege of Luoyang. The next day, Dou Jiande called on the city to surrender, and Wang Shichong was shocked to learn that Dou Jiande had been captured.

• Li Shimin released Dou Jiande from his restraints and persuaded him to submit to Great Tang.
• Qing Nü named her improvised zither piece King of Qin Enters the Battle Song and gave its score to Li Shimin.
• Li Shimin asked Dou Jiande to persuade Wang Shichong to surrender, and Dou Jiande agreed.
• Li Shimin brought Dou Jiande to the Tang Army near Luoyang, where the generals asked Qing Nü to compose music for them.
• Li Shimin and Dou Jiande rode to Luoyang, and Dou Jiande urged the city to surrender.
• Wang Shichong was stunned when he heard that Dou Jiande had been captured by the Tang Army.

After Dou Jiande’s defeat, Wang Shichong surrendered Luoyang to Li Shimin, bringing Hebei and Henan under Tang control. Li Yuan rewarded Li Shimin with the title of Celestial Strategy Supreme General and summoned Verdant Green Maiden to discuss her contribution at Hulao Pass.

• Wang Shichong agreed to surrender Luoyang after his ministers warned that the city had run out of food.
• Wang Shichong brought Luoyang’s maps and registers to Li Shimin and surrendered, and Li Shimin promised to ask the Tang Emperor to spare him.
• Li Shimin returned to Chang’an after capturing Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong, and Li Yuan praised his military achievements before the court.
• Li Yuan named Li Shimin Celestial Strategy Supreme General, established the Celestial Strategy Mansion, and urged him to support Li Jiancheng.
• Li Yuan summoned Verdant Green Maiden and credited her guqin performance with helping the Tang Army at Hulao Pass, then asked what reward she wanted.

Li Yuan rewarded Verdant Green Maiden and spared Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong, while Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin reaffirmed their brotherly bond despite the title that might divide them. Verdant Green Maiden received an anonymous invitation to Qing Xiao Jade Maiden Temple and went there, where a Taoist-looking man awaited her.

• Li Yuan rewarded Verdant Green Maiden with an expanded Heavenly Maiden Temple and funds to repair Maoshan and build a divine statue.
• Li Yuan spared Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong, placing Dou Jiande under house arrest and ordering Wang Shichong’s eventual exile to Shu.
• Li Jiancheng welcomed Li Shimin back and assured him that he deserved the title of Grand General of Heavenly Strategy, and the brothers went together to the Eastern Palace.
• Verdant Green Maiden wondered why Li Yuan had awarded Li Shimin the title and suspected the Heavenly Ones might be involved, though she sensed none in the palace.
• Hong Luan gave Verdant Green Maiden an anonymous letter inviting her to Qing Xiao Jade Maiden Temple, and Verdant Green Maiden decided to accept.
• Verdant Green Maiden arrived at Qing Xiao Jade Maiden Temple and saw a Taoist-looking man standing nearby.

Li Chunfeng met Verdant Green Maiden at Qing Xiao Jade Maiden Temple and cautioned her that she could not control the realm’s course. After their argument, he asked to stay at one of her temples in Chang'an.

• Li Chunfeng introduced himself to Verdant Green Maiden and explained that he had admired the Qing Xiao Jade Maiden since childhood.
• Verdant Green Maiden created a private Dream of Yellow Millet world and confronted Li Chunfeng, who coughed because he was allergic to her fragrance.
• Verdant Green Maiden warned Li Chunfeng not to reveal her identity, and he argued that even her efforts could not overturn the realm’s ordained course.
• Verdant Green Maiden rejected Li Chunfeng’s counsel and told him not to meddle in the realm’s affairs.
• Li Chunfeng asked Verdant Green Maiden for permission to stay temporarily at Qing Xiao Jade Maiden Temple or Heavenly Maiden Temple.

Verdant Green Maiden recruited Li Chunfeng to handle visitors seeking her in Chang'an and let him stay at her temple. Meanwhile, Li Yuan assigned Li Jiancheng to lead the campaign against Xiao Xi, prompting objections from the Celestial Strategy Mansion before Verdant Green Maiden arrived.

• Verdant Green Maiden agreed to let Li Chunfeng stay at the Qing Xiao Jade Maiden Temple in exchange for rent, and Li Chunfeng explained how he had learned her identity.
• Verdant Green Maiden offered to watch over Li Chunfeng in Heaven, and he accepted her task of dealing with daoists and monks who came looking for her in Chang'an.
• After Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong were defeated, Li Yuan prepared to conquer Xiao Xi and appointed Li Jiancheng to lead the campaign with the Celestial Strategy Mansion under his command.
• Yuchi Gong objected to Li Jiancheng's appointment, but Li Shimin rebuked him and told the officials to obey the Crown Prince.
• Verdant Green Maiden entered the Celestial Strategy Mansion, where Cheng Yaojin promptly offered her a seat.

Verdant Green Maiden persuaded Li Shimin and the Celestial Strategy Mansion to accept the campaign as a chance to protect their interests and possibly claim the throne. Li Shimin remained troubled by his father's actions, while Verdant Green Maiden blamed the corrupting pull of power.

• Verdant Green Maiden asked why the Celestial Strategy Mansion was troubled, and Li Shimin explained that Emperor Li Yuan wanted Li Jiancheng to campaign against Xiao Xi with men from the mansion.
• Verdant Green Maiden warned that the future emperor could be Li Jiancheng or Li Shimin, prompting Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong to reaffirm their loyalty to Li Shimin.
• Li Shimin insisted that Great Tang's future belonged to Li Jiancheng, but Verdant Green Maiden challenged him to consider what he would do if the emperor forced the brothers to fight.
• Verdant Green Maiden called Li Shimin by his childhood name, Jia Lan, and urged him not to let his master down; she reminded him that his master had once wanted to take only him as a disciple.
• Li Shimin told his men that following Li Jiancheng into battle would serve Great Tang and the future realm, which might become his own.
• After the others left, Li Shimin questioned why Li Yuan was setting his sons against each other, and Verdant Green Maiden told him that power corrupted people and urged him to study history.

Li Shimin committed himself to protecting the people of the Celestial Strategy Mansion after speaking with Verdant Green Maiden, while Li Yuan’s court rewards and commands deepened the strain between the brothers. Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng tried to reassure each other after court, but an unidentified person hurried toward them before they could part.

• Verdant Green Maiden left Li Shimin after he asked her to keep their discussion from Li Yuan, and Li Shimin resolved to continue down his chosen path.
• Li Jiancheng received Li Yuan’s praise for pacifying Jiangnan but credited Li Shimin with the greater contribution to unifying the realm.
• Li Yuan awarded Li Shimin three coin-minting furnaces, overruling Wei Zheng and the other officials who objected.
• Li Yuan told the Celestial Strategy Mansion to serve the Crown Prince in the future, and its members agreed reluctantly.
• Li Jiancheng caught up with Li Shimin and promised to protect the Celestial Strategy Mansion and build Great Tang together, but the brothers struggled to speak freely.
• An unidentified person hurried toward Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng as Li Shimin was about to leave.

Princess Pingyang, Li Xiu Ning, suddenly fell gravely ill and sank into unconsciousness, but Verdant Green Maiden treated her and promised to keep her alive. After medicine was prepared and given to her, Li Xiu Ning woke and mistook Verdant Green Maiden for her Master.

• A messenger told Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin that Li Xiu Ning's illness had worsened and she would not wake, so they and Verdant Green Maiden hurried to her residence.
• Imperial physicians examined Li Xiu Ning and said her life was nearly spent, prompting Chai Shao to reject their diagnosis.
• Verdant Green Maiden examined Li Xiu Ning, used spiritual energy to keep her alive, and wrote a prescription for medicine.
• Hong Luan helped gather the herbs, and Li Xiu Ning opened her eyes after the first bowl of medicine was given.
• Li Xiu Ning called Verdant Green Maiden her Master, but Li Jiancheng corrected her and explained that she was the Shunde Heavenly Maiden of Maoshan.

Li Xiu Ning recovered under Verdant Green Maiden’s care and came to suspect that the Heavenly Maiden was her Master, a suspicion they acknowledged without words. Meanwhile, Li Yuan ordered Li Jiancheng to kill Dou Jiande, but Qing Nü offered to save Dou Jiande and send him back to Hebei to rebel against Great Tang.

• Verdant Green Maiden barred visitors from seeing Li Xiu Ning for half a month and nursed her until she recovered enough to train again.
• Li Xiu Ning asked whether Verdant Green Maiden was truly not her Master, and Verdant Green Maiden answered with a question before they shared an understanding.
• Li Yuan grew alarmed by Dou Jiande’s popularity in Hebei and ordered Li Jiancheng to kill him despite Great Tang’s promise to spare his life.
• Li Jiancheng agreed to the decree but secretly sent a messenger to alert Li Shimin while delaying his departure.
• Qing Nü told Dou Jiande she would save him and return him to Hebei to raise a rebellion against Li Yuan, and Dou Jiande worried about the bloodshed it could cause.

Verdant Green Maiden convinced Dou Jiande to return to Hebei, hoping to avert the future devastation of the An Lushan Rebellion, and spirited him out of Chang'an. Li Yuan learned of Dou Jiande's escape and was told the Heavenly Maiden had acted, leaving him to wonder whether she could stop the person who escorted Dou Jiande away.

• Verdant Green Maiden persuaded Dou Jiande that his survival could prevent the enmity between Hebei and Guanlong from worsening, and he resolved to return to Hebei.
• Li Jiancheng arrived to find Dou Jiande gone, while Hong Luan diverted Li Shimin to Heavenly Maiden Palace.
• Li Shimin admitted he knew Li Yuan wanted Dou Jiande killed, and Verdant Green Maiden told him she was sending Dou Jiande back to Hebei.
• Verdant Green Maiden led Dou Jiande past guards who ignored them and out of Chang'an, then hurried toward Hebei.
• Li Yuan ordered Dou Jiande's guards beaten to death, but Hong Luan stopped the punishment and said the Heavenly Maiden had gone after Dou Jiande's escort, who might be an Immortal.

After Li Jiancheng failed to conquer Hebei, Li Shimin took command and fought Dou Jiande until Li Yuan recognized Dou Jiande as King of Xia to guard the region against the northern Turks. Li Jiancheng accepted that he could not match Li Shimin, while Li Xiu Ning kept their master’s identity secret.

• Verdant Green Maiden helped Dou Jiande rebuild his forces in Hebei, then watched the Tang Court prepare to confront him.
• Li Jiancheng led the Tang army against Dou Jiande for a year but failed to pacify Hebei, while the northern Turks began threatening to invade.
• Li Shimin took command, fought several hard-fought battles against Dou Jiande, and won without capturing his capital.
• Li Yuan recognized Dou Jiande as King of Xia and allowed him to rule Hebei, prompting Dou Jiande to lay down his arms and trust Li Shimin.
• Li Jiancheng admitted to Li Xiu Ning that he was no match for Li Shimin, and she stayed silent about Verdant Green Maiden being their master.

Li Jiancheng defied Li Yuan’s order and went to Shuozhou to defend the northern border, where the Turks’ growing forces threatened to overwhelm the city. There, Qing Nü revealed her true identity as his Master, and Li Jiancheng asked whether Great Tang’s future belonged to him or Li Shimin.

• Li Yuan refused Li Jiancheng’s request to lead troops against the Turks, but Li Jiancheng secretly left Chang’an for Shuozhou with Li Xiu Ning’s help.
• Li Yuan learned of Li Jiancheng’s departure, scolded Li Xiu Ning, and ordered someone to bring Li Jiancheng back.
• In Shuozhou, Li Jiancheng ordered civilians moved inside the city and directed the army to hold its defenses until Li Shimin could return.
• Li Jiancheng insisted on sharing the danger at the front, though he privately feared Shuozhou could not withstand the Turks for long.
• Qing Nü entered Li Jiancheng’s quarters and revealed that she was the Shunde Heavenly Maiden and his Master.
• Li Jiancheng asked Qing Nü whether Great Tang’s future lay with him or Li Shimin, and whether he should yield the Crown Prince’s position.

Li Jiancheng revealed that he planned to die defending Shuozhou so Li Shimin could become Crown Prince, and refused to abandon the city's people when the Turkic siege broke through. Verdant Green Maiden saved him from the Turkic soldiers, saying that only the Crown Prince of Great Tang would die that night, and led him toward Mount Tai.

• Verdant Green Maiden told Li Jiancheng that Heaven had chosen Li Shimin as the future Son of Heaven, and Li Jiancheng resolved to yield the throne by dying in Shuozhou.
• Li Jiancheng refused Li Yuan's summons, and he remained in Shuozhou as the Turkic forces laid siege to the city.
• After Shuozhou fell, Li Jiancheng refused to flee and fought alongside the defenders as they protected the city's people.
• Surrounded by Turkic soldiers and about to kill himself, Li Jiancheng saw Verdant Green Maiden arrive through the snow.
• Verdant Green Maiden killed the Turkic soldiers with ice arrows and led Li Jiancheng toward Mount Tai.