Zhinü, the lonely weaver, cried to the heavens, 'Father, brothers, sisters! If you will not allow me to see my beloved, then let me die!'
'I will allow it for one day a year. On the seventh day of the seven month, your stars will align again, and a flock of magpies will create a bridge for you', said the Mother of the West.
'But what of the other days? At least let my children come to me. How can you be so heartless?'
'You chose to mate with a mortal, Zhinü. Your children will stay among their kind', the other goddess said sternly.
The Jade King, however, took pity on his daughter and said, 'You may create your own retinue of immortals to serve you and keep you company.'
Using the first spark of creation and ancient spells known only to the immortals, Zhinü created her three White Handmaids to entertain her and three Red Guards to protect her realm. Yet she still yearned for a child. Looking at the mortal world from above, she saw her sons age from beautiful younglings to handsome men and warriors, then eventually die of old age. It had been a long life for them, but the time seemed pitifully short for her, the eternal one.
As she walked through her garden, touching its exquisite bounty and scattering the last of the sparks of creation, she spoke, 'I will have a son who will live forever. Tall, graceful and slender as this young tree, bending but unbreakable. Almond eyes and cherry blossom lips on white jade complexion. He will be the epitome of youthful beauty, and I will call him Wan Mei (ideal, perfection).'