Having learned about the Fu family's situation—almost the entire household opposed to the marriage—
Ruan Mei closed her eyes and asked calmly.
"And Qingque's family? What's their situation?"
Herta took a delicate bite of plum cake and answered without hesitation.
"Apparently, when Qingque's parents heard she was getting married, they were shocked. They thought she'd grow old alone in some parlor, so they had no expectations for her partner."
"When they found out it was Fu Xuan, they said their ancestral land must be smoking with blessing. Wished her and the Grand Diviner harmony through the years. A good life together."
"They're covering the three golds. The bride price. Everything."
A faint smile crossed Ruan Mei's lips.
"Qingque's family supports her. Completely opposite to the Fus."
Herta pressed on.
"Oh, Ruan Mei. Do you have any family? I was an orphan from birth."
Ruan Mei's eyes held a flicker of pity.
Herta noticed. Proud as she was, she could not be pitied—not even by Ruan Mei.
She feigned composure with a cough.
"You pity the first being in human history to transcend the bounds of space and time? To achieve rejuvenation? The unparalleled genius?!"
"Keep your pity. Even an Aeon—"
Ruan Mei leaned forward. With a handkerchief, she gently wiped a crumb from the corner of Herta's mouth.
Herta froze mid-sentence, staring at her in disbelief.
Ruan Mei's expression remained unchanged. But her eyes, her voice—they held warmth. Care.
"At least you'll never be an orphan again."
"I've been by your side for several Amber Eras. I'll stay by your side. Always. Never leave, never abandon."
Herta's heart raced. She quickly changed the subject, retreating into tsundere mode.
"Yes, yes. The Simulated Universe. Research and development. Future variables. Our cooperation spans Amber Eras. We should maintain that."
Ruan Mei's brow furrowed. Running again.
Herta looked away, unable to meet her eyes.
"Ahem. Ruan Mei. In six days, what gifts are you preparing for Fu Xuan and Qingque?"
Ruan Mei produced two sleeve pendants—cat-cakes of Fu Xuan and Qingque.
"I'll give Qingque a delaying agent for Fu Xuan's Matrix. Along with these pendants."
Herta glanced at the Fu Xuan Cake and Qingque Cake nearby. Compared to the chaos of Wisteria Cake, Ruan Mei Cake, and Forgotten Cake's love rivalry,
These two were remarkably peaceful. Harmonious.
"Good choice. I'll go prepare something. Six days. I'll come for you. We'll go to the Luofu together."
She summoned her magic key, opened a [Mirror], and returned to Herta City.
But Ruan Mei's words echoed in her mind: Never leave, never abandon.
"Madam Herta. 'Yu Qingtu' has reached ninety percent assimilation."
Herta Ninety-Nine's voice snapped her back.
"Hmm?! Ninety percent? Good."
"When 'Yu Qingtu' fully emerges, according to plan, she'll confess to Ruan Mei."
Herta Ninety-Nine launched into praise mode.
"Madam Herta, unmatched in the universe! Madam Herta, Ruan Mei's one and only!"
Compared to other puppets, her praise carried more... humanity.
"Ruan Mei's one and only." Herta liked that.
A faint smile crossed her lips. Her mood lifted.
"Oh, Herta Ninety-Nine. What gift should I prepare for Fu Xuan and Qingque?"
Herta Ninety-Nine pondered briefly, then analyzed comprehensively.
"Madam Herta. Do you know what Madam Ruan Mei is giving?"
Herta yawned.
"Two cat-cake pendants. One Qingque Cake. One Fu Xuan Cake. And some delaying agents for Fu Xuan's Matrix."
Herta Ninety-Nine understood immediately.
Madam Herta's gift should complement Madam Ruan Mei's. Not identical, but coordinated. A manifestation of their rightful relationship.
"Then, Madam Herta, make puppets of Qingque and Fu Xuan."
"The delaying agents should have a similar effect to the curio [Foreign-born Fruit]."
"Fine. I'll have the puppets make them. You retrieve the fruit."
"I'm tired. Resting."
Herta Ninety-Nine nodded, watching her leave.
---
At the same time, the Xianzhou Luofu, Divination Commission.
Fu Xuan had contacted every member of the Fu family. Not one would attend her wedding to Qingque.
"Infuriating!!"
"They say they won't recognize it. That it dishonors the Fu name. I'm about to become Luofu General! Why should I care about outdated traditions?!"
Qingque gently comforted her.
"Grand Diviner. Maybe contact General Jing Yuan? Ask him to speak on your behalf."
Fu Xuan closed her eyes, frowning. If I inherit the Lightning Lord. Become the new Luofu General.
Those old Fus—who would dare deny me and Qingque then?
But Jing Yuan. Always slacking off. Living his leisurely retirement.
When will he truly step down? Give me the Lightning Lord!! The capable should rule.
"Make the arrangements."
Qingque turned to leave. Fu Xuan stopped her.
"And contact General Feixiao. Ask her to speak for us too. To those old Fus."
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Power Stone Progress 238/275 (5 Chapters)
Power Ranking: 36/10 (15 Chapters)