Tingyun carefully accepted the invitations.
Her foxian ears drooped slightly as her clever eyes scanned them. The invitations were adorned with a combination of jade tile and Matrix of Prescience hairpin motifs.
"Oh, you two. When is your wedding exactly?"
Qingque scratched her head and smiled.
"Stellar Calendar 8100, twelfth lunar month, thirteenth day. That's one week from now—an auspicious day. The venue is Changle. About three thousand tables."
(T/N: Man that was quick; I kind of wanted to see the process.)
Tingyun's smile gradually froze. She stared at them in disbelief. Changle? Three thousand tables?!
"The entirety of Challe is your wedding venue?"
"Yes! Today, the Grand Diviner and I are choosing our three golds and attire. The day after tomorrow, at the earthly branches hour, we'll register at the Earthly Affairs Commission."
Tingyun nodded slightly, inwardly sighing. When will Benefactor Ruan Mei and Madam Herta be like this?
Hopefully within my lifetime. I need to work harder—give Madam Herta some sense of crsis.
"Oh, who will be the wedding officiant?"
Qingque glanced at Fu Xuan. Fu Xuan gently tapped her head.
"Tell Tingyun the truth."
"Oh."
"Well, we originally wanted to ask Madam Ruan Mei or Madam Herta. But we couldn't reach them. So we had to settle for Jing Yuan and Miss Lingsha."
Fu Xuan crossed her arms, a hint of dissatisfaction in her proud tone.
"Hmph. That Jing Yuan claimed he's 'too old' and just wants to be a guest, watching from the audience and enjoying the feast."
"If he's truly that old, he should retire early and let the capable step in!! I am certainly capable of inheriting the Lightning Lord."
Tingyun blinked, lost in thought.
Last time Lingsha came up in conversation, Madam Herta's expression darkened. She was extremely displeased with her.
But the Grand Diviner is still so bold. Her intentions are clear to all. The next Luofu General? With Qingque around, can she really achieve that?
"I'll head back now and deliver these invitations to Madam Ruan Mei and Madam Herta."
"Everyone, see you in a week."
---
Half a day later, Tingyun finally returned to Ruan Mei's laboratory. She handed the wedding invitations to Ruan Mei and Herta.
Then she recounted everything—Fu Xuan and Qingque choosing their three golds, their attire, registering for marriage, and finding an officiant.
Even Ruan Mei's usually aloof, emotionless eyes showed a flicker of surprise. She knew Fu Xuan and Qingque would get together.
But this fast?
Weren't they supposed to experience life and death? Separation? Falling to mara? Realize each other's importance? Then, finally, take this step?
[Oh, you forgot. When you and Herta were on the Xianzhou, Fu Xuan had already fallen to mara. Herta just snapped her out of it, easily.] ♪
Ruan Mei glanced at Herta. Herta stole a glance back.
Ruan Mei, internally: Fu Xuan is just as tsundere as you. Why are the outcomes so different?! Is it my fault?
Herta, internally: Why is Ruan Mei looking at me?! Is this my fault? Impossible. I, the great Herta, am never wrong. I just have occasional... issues.
Their eyes met. Herta guiltily looked away.
Ruan Mei asked softly.
"Herta. Will you attend the wedding?"
Herta crossed her arms and replied casually.
"Go? Why not?! No Simulated Universe research those days anyway. You?"
Ruan Mei set down her lute.
"I'll prepare gifts tomorrow."
Herta quickly turned.
"Then I'll go prepare mine now."
She tried to use this as an excuse to flee. Ruan Mei grabbed her arm.
"Have you been hiding something from me lately?"
Herta snatched off her magic hat to hide her face. Guilty and uneasy, she still feigned composure.
"Hiding? What would I hide from you? Wait—Asta's calling."
She pretended to answer.
"Hello? Asta? What? Another Doomsday Beast wandered into the space station?! Fine, I'm on my way."
She steadied herself, summoned her magic key, and opened a [Mirror].
"Ruan Mei, you heard. A lost Doomsday Beast. I need to go."
Ruan Mei stared at her, speechless. She pointed at Herta's phone.
Herta looked down. The phone was upside down. And powered off.
The air grew heavy. Silent.
Three seconds passed. She remotely triggered Herta #3156 to call her.
This time, the phone was on. Everything normal.
Herta #3156, recently demoted to guard the Simulated Universe, wanted to ignore her. But remembering Herta Ninety-Nine's rise, she played along.
"Madam Herta. Problem with the Simulated Universe. I can't fix it alone. Come back quickly."
Herta nodded, feigning anger.
"The Simulated Universe is malfunctioning?! How are you guarding it?! Fine, I'm on my way. Wait there."
This time, Ruan Mei let go. Give her some face. She cares so much about dignity.
"Ruan Mei. I'll come back once the Simulated Universe is fixed. And I'll go with you to Qingque and Fu Xuan's wedding."
With that, Herta fled through the [Mirror].
How embarrassing!! I, the great Madam Herta, made such a basic mistake!!
Sigh. First, check on 'Yu Qingtu's' progress. Hopefully, by the day before the wedding, she'll be one hundred percent ready.