"It's been a while since I last visited the Luofu. I should check in on the Dreamjolt Tavern. Excuse me."
'Yu Qingtu' took her leave without waiting for a response. Herta frowned. She had summoned the woman to lighten the mood, and she just wandered off?
Ruan Mei walked ahead in silence, ignoring them both.
A familiar scene caught her eye. The two protagonists of tomorrow's wedding were in the distance. She could hear Fu Xuan's voice, sharp with barely contained fury.
"Explain yourself. What do you mean by 'Little Xuan'? Look at me when I'm talking to you."
Qingque's face was a mask of nerves and dread. Then she spotted Ruan Mei and Herta. A weak smile tugged at her lips.
"You're both here?"
Fu Xuan turned. Her expression brightened at the sight of Ruan Mei—then soured when she saw Herta beside her. She remembered the last time they had met: Herta's magic key tapping her forehead, her dismissive words about her Matrix of Prescience, her casual mockery of Nous.
"Just here for the wedding," Ruan Mei said. "Is something wrong?"
Qingque seized on the question like a lifeline. "Madam Ruan Mei! Little Xua—I mean, Fu Xuan and I were just admiring the night view. With the Lantern Festival coming up, the decorations are quite lovely."
Ruan Mei nodded and looked at Fu Xuan.
Fu Xuan flushed, suddenly aware that she had been tugging at Qingque's ear in front of her savior. She let go, feigning composure with a cough. "Yes. We were looking at the lanterns. It's late. We should head back. Tomorrow is the wedding."
The words were final, edged with unspoken threat.
Qingque knew exactly what awaited her if she went home now. The kneelings, the lectures, the litany of proper behavior. She needed to stall.
"Well... Grand Diviner, Madam Ruan Mei has been so good to us. It would be rude not to show her around a little. I can escort them for a while."
Fu Xuan saw through the delay immediately and opened her mouth to object.
Herta cut her off. "You should both rest. Tomorrow's your wedding. Ruan Mei and I can manage on our own."
Fu Xuan blinked. She had never gotten along with Herta, but this time she nodded. "You're right. Qingque, we're leaving."
Qingque stared. Herta and Fu Xuan, agreeing on something?
She shot Ruan Mei a desperate look. Please, say something.
Ruan Mei turned away. Another couple's quarrels were none of her business. Herta smirked and followed. As she passed Fu Xuan, they exchanged a glance. An understanding.
Qingque gaped. "You—"
Herta was already gone, leaving her alone with Fu Xuan.
Qingque turned back, her eyes pleading. "Grand Diviner, I'm sorry. I won't let it happen again."
Fu Xuan laughed, the sound cold. "Won't let it happen again? You mean there will be a second wedding?"
Qingque shook her head frantically, but Fu Xuan had already taken her arm. There was no escape.
She regretted it. All of it. She had meant to play three rounds and go home. Three wins became four. Four became five. She had lost track of time, grown too confident, and said too much.
If I could go back... I'd go home after the third win.
---
In another part of Changle, at the Ruomu Pavilion, Ruan Mei leaned against the railing, watching the distant Arbor. Leaves of immortal mist drifted past, settling in her hair.
Herta stood beside her, stealing glances from the corner of her eye. She was perfect. More evocative than any Light Cone could capture.
"Are you looking at me?"
Herta stiffened. "Looking at you? I'm looking at the Arbor. Yes. I was just thinking about the Arbor. Its power level. Whether we could use it as a setting in the new Simulated Universe. An event, maybe."
Ruan Mei turned to look at her. Still making excuses. Still afraid of being straightforward.
"An Arbor event. I'm listening."
Herta's mind raced. That was an excuse. Why is she taking it seriously?
Anyone else would have let it drop. But Herta was not anyone else. She rallied.
"We could include the Plagues Author faction. Offer three Abundance blessings. Or three Abundance curios. Set it against the background of Shuhu, the High-Cloud Quintet..."
She was still talking when Ruan Mei turned away. She had heard enough excuses.
"Madam Ruan Mei. You're here too."
Ruan Mei looked up. Peach-blossom eyes. A familiar face, carrying the soft light of the Vidyadhara.
"Lingsha."
Lingsha smiled. "I'm honored you remember me."
She stepped forward—and was immediately blocked by a dark shape. She blinked, focusing.
Herta.
For days now, Lingsha had dreamed of this woman. Taking Ruan Mei away. Mocking the gap between them. Her personal nightmare. The absolute villain.