The address "brother-in-law" clearly grated on Qingque's father, but for the sake of ensuring his daughter wouldn't end up alone—for her future—he forced a smile and raised his glass again.
"Ah, my fellow in-law. Our Qingque works in the Divination Commission library, and with her talents—now that she's marrying Fu Xuan—perhaps she could be promoted to Deputy Grand Diviner?"
Fu Qing kept his expression neutral, but inwardly, he was far from pleased. Deputy Grand Diviner today, Grand Diviner tomorrow, and General the day after—inheriting the Lightning Lord and becoming Luofu General had been Fu Xuan's dream for centuries, and he couldn't let some unexpected contender snatch it away. After all, there was a world of difference between being the Luofu General and being the Luofu General's wife.
"Brother-in-law, such matters must be decided by General Jing Yuan and the Six Edicts. I'm afraid it's not for me to say."
Qingque's father wanted to press further, but Fu Qing had already risen.
"Come, brother-in-law. Let me pour you another drink. Let's not dwell on this—it only sours the mood."
"Fine. I'll drink to the Fu family elders once more."
From the sidelines, Qingque watched her old man work the room. Her father, Qing Ming, had been a Cloud Knight on the Yaoqing in his youth, following the late General Yueyu across the stars to hunt Abundance remnants. He was a kind man who helped the common people, never sought the spotlight, and simply wanted to be average—to share the hardships of ordinary soldiers.
Thirty years ago, during the Third Abundance War, Yueyu fell, and Qing Ming was gravely wounded. After recovering, he retired and returned to the Luofu, where he still practiced swordsmanship, martial arts, and cultivation in his later years. Occasionally, he'd play a few rounds of jade tiles—and get caught by his wife, much like how she herself got caught by the Grand Diviner.
"Old man, maybe ease up on the drinking. You never could hold your liquor."
Qing Ming stiffened, but for Qingque's sake, he pulled her aside. "What do you mean, can't hold my liquor? Back when I followed General Yueyu into battle against the Abundance, I drank like water! And I don't like showing off—but I'm not toasting to the drink; I'm toasting to your future, to relationships."
He looked at her, his weathered face bearing the marks of time—so much like hers. "Qingque, your old man's last wish in this life is just to see you live well. I'll get back to the toasts. You rest here."
He turned and walked away, leaving Qingque to lean against the railing and gaze at the distant Arbor. When she was small, her father's only wish had been to walk the Path of the Hunt, to crusade against Abundance remnants, and to serve the Reignbow Arbiter.
A gentle breeze stirred, and a familiar silhouette appeared beside her.
"Qingque, those old men are just playing politics. Don't take it to heart."
She turned to find her Grand Diviner. "Grand Diviner, there's something I've always wanted to ask."
Fu Xuan closed her eyes and nodded slightly. "Speak."
Qingque turned to face her, scratching her head with a sheepish grin. "What exactly do you see in me?"
Fu Xuan froze. Everything? Too ordinary—everyone says that. Appearance? She circled Qingque, studying her carefully: features fine, eyes clear, a little shorter than her perhaps—acceptable. Personality? Optimistic, easygoing, content with being average—hiding in plain sight, playing the fool.
"Qingque, what kind of answer are you looking for?"
Qingque smiled wryly, meeting her gaze without flinching. "I'm asking you. Why are you turning it back on me? You're not still holding a grudge, are you?"
Fu Xuan blinked and feigned composure with a cough. "Ahem. Grudge? We're getting married in three days." She rapped Qingque on the head. "Don't overthink it. I've told you: when I become Luofu's General, you'll be the new Grand Diviner. There's a long road ahead. In short... your strengths and weaknesses—I can live with them."
---
Ruan Mei's Laboratory.
Ruan Mei slowly opened her eyes. She had been leaning against the table, drifting between sleep and waking, but the vast laboratory was now empty—only faint blue lights flickered in the darkness. Normally, she would have risen to retrieve data on the True Stings and continue her research, welcoming the silence. But today, her mind lingered on Herta, on Tingyun, on Wisteria Cake and Ruan Mei Cake, on Herta Ninety-Nine and the endless crowd of Herta puppets.
Tranquility suited her, she thought, but maybe—just maybe—a little noise, a little liveliness, were what made life feel real.
[Exactly. A little liveliness. Fireworks together, meals together... why not visit the space station?] ♪
Ruan Mei was silent for a moment before her hand drifted to her phone. What if Herta messaged her? Unlikely. But still... She logged into an account she hadn't touched in centuries, and a notification pinged.
"Herta?!"
For once, a flicker of hope crossed her usually expressionless face. 99+ messages—hundreds of unread messages. But not from Herta. She sighed. Why did she expect that woman to reach out?
Still, she opened them anyway.
Day One.
"Hello, Madam Ruan Mei. This is Asta. Thank you for your help today. If your research needs funding, please let me know."
Day Two.
"Madam Ruan Mei, what does my sleeve pendant look like? Could you give me a hint? Of course, whatever you send—even if it's shaped like a True Sting—I'll treasure it always."
Day Three.
"Madam Ruan Mei, what would you like as a return gift? A Starcrusher Swarm King Emanator might be... difficult."
Day Four.
"Madam Ruan Mei, do you like Robin's music? It's truly like a heavenly voice."
Day Five.
"Madam Ruan Mei, you and Madam Herta—" Message recalled.
A few minutes later, a revised version appeared.
"Madam Ruan Mei, yesterday Topaz came to collect a debt. Madam Herta literally scurried away. I could have just paid it for her. She never gives me a chance to shine."
Day Thirty-One.
"Madam Ruan Mei... what do you think of me?"
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Power Stone Progress: 291/325 (5 Chapters)
Power Ranking: 47/10 (15 Chapters)