"Ladies and gentlemen, once the Luofu's reorganization is complete, I will, on behalf of the Xianzhou Luofu, present the Astral Express with a token of our alliance."
"In the meantime, please enjoy your stay on the Xianzhou Luofu. This will also give the Astral Express time to replenish its supplies."
"All expenses incurred during your stay will be covered by the Seat of Divine Foresight—that is, General Fu Xuan."
Jing Yuan waved his hand, a smile playing on his lips as he turned to Fu Xuan, deftly shifting the responsibility onto her shoulders.
Fu Xuan: ?
A question mark popped above Fu Xuan's head, her face etched with bewilderment.
Why does everything fall to the Seat of Divine Foresight? Shouldn't hosting honored guests and covering expenses be the Sky-Faring Commission's domain?
"Very well," Fu Xuan relented. "You've assisted the Luofu, and I am deeply grateful. Such a trivial matter as settling the bill... I mean, this General will handle it."
Though Fu Xuan couldn't quite grasp why this task fell to her, she reasoned that the Astral Express had done the Luofu a great service. As the... No, as the acting General of the Seat of Divine Foresight—even if only acting, it was still a genuine General—she ought to step forward and demonstrate her resolve.
As the Master Diviner of the Divination Commission, Fu Xuan's net worth was astronomical. Thus, aside from wondering why she was the one paying, she had no other objections to covering the bill.
It's just a meal, after all. How much could a few people possibly spend?
"This General? You've actually become a General?" March 7th immediately seized on the key detail, her face lighting up with surprise at Fu Xuan's self-proclaimed title.
"Naturally. This one... this General's skills are unparalleled. Becoming a General was simply a matter of course!"
At these words, Fu Xuan's brow arched, a flicker of pride crossing her features. She crossed her arms, a faint smile gracing her lips.
"Ah, Master Diviner, you've actually become a General? Is the Luofu doomed?" March 7th muttered in disbelief after receiving confirmation, her face filled with incredulity.
Oh my heavens! March 7th had thought Fu Xuan's ambition to become a General was just a casual remark, never imagining she would actually achieve it...
This wasn't meant as a slight against Fu Xuan. It was simply that, when comparing her to Jing Yuan... what quality did Fu Xuan possess that would make Jing Yuan pass on the General's position to her?
"What's that supposed to mean?" Fu Xuan's brow furrowed as she caught March 7th's unguarded expression, instantly discerning her thoughts. She seemed slightly displeased.
"Ah... no, no! I didn't mean to belittle you!" Realizing she'd blurted out her inner thoughts again, March 7th frantically waved her hands in denial.
"I just... accidentally spoke my mind. Don't take it to heart, okay?"
Seeing the slightly hostile look on Fu Xuan's face, March 7th hurriedly offered an explanation.
This explanation... might have been better left unsaid.
As expected, Fu Xuan's face darkened instantly upon hearing March 7th's sarcastic explanation.
If not for her position as General and the impropriety of attacking an honored guest, Fu Xuan would have dearly loved to sew March 7th's mouth shut and imprison her in the Shackling Prison for life—with full room and board, of course!
"Master Fu Xuan... General Fu Xuan, please forgive her. March 7th bumped her head as a child and, well, she's been a little off ever since."
"So please bear with her, General. After all, a fool deserves a little special treatment, right?"
"We can't expect a fool to act normally."
March 7th: ???
Seeing Fu Xuan's expression, as if she wanted to devour March 7th whole, Lumina stepped in to restrain her slightly, while simultaneously delivering a harsh jab at March 7th.
"Sister Lumina!"
Hearing this, Fu Xuan's expression softened, but March 7th instantly bristled.
Hands on her hips, she glared at Lumina, her cheeks puffed out with indignation, a glint of "wisdom" flickering in her eyes.
March 7th seemed genuinely puzzled. Why would her beloved Sister Lumina call her a fool?
She knew to eat when hungry, to rush home when it rained, and could handle plenty of other things! As March 7th, she was clearly no fool!
Therefore, Sister Lumina's deliberate humiliation of her in front of others made March 7th extremely unhappy.
"Hmph! Since that's the case, then this venerable one... I mean, this general, will not stoop to arguing with such a fool as March 7th." Hearing Lumina's explanation, Fu Xuan's expression softened slightly. After casting a dismissive glance at March 7th, she turned her attention elsewhere.
"Lu—"
"Shh... Little March, you wouldn't want to attract the attention of a high-ranking general on the Xianzhou Luofu, would you?"
March 7th had opened her mouth to protest, ready to explain that she wasn't a fool at all, but Lumina immediately cut her off.
Lumina winked at March 7th with her left eye, offering a subtle hint, and chuckled softly.
"Hmm... you're right, I guess." Hearing her beloved Sister Lumina's words, March 7th suddenly found them incredibly reasonable.
Regardless of whether Fu Xuan's abilities truly qualified her for her position, she was currently the General of the Luofu—an undeniable fact.
Being on the Xianzhou Luofu and then going out of her way to offend a Luofu General? That was simply foolish behavior...
If she stubbornly continued to argue, she might genuinely come across as a complete fool in Lumina's eyes...
March 7th absolutely didn't want that to happen!
"Since that's settled, you might as well admit you're a fool," Lumina said with a soft laugh, as if she could read March 7th's thoughts.
"Mhm, I'm a fool, I'm a fool," March 7th replied, nodding frantically like a chick pecking at grain. Her whole demeanor radiated an endearing, almost foolish charm.
Lumina's smile widened at this.
Watching March 7th beside her, repeatedly calling herself a fool and muttering about her own foolishness, Lumina felt a wave of warmth and healing wash over her heart.
March 7th was perfect in every way—except for her lack of brains. Hmm... perhaps that wasn't exactly a flaw? Maybe it even counted as half a virtue?
Lumina muttered to herself inwardly.
Such delightful foolishness! So easy to trick... I mean, so easy to get along with!~ o( ̄▽ ̄*)ブ*
March 7th only needed to be adorable; brains were something she could simply discard.
"Ha ha ha! Seeing you all getting along so well with Lady Fu puts my mind at ease," Jing Yuan chuckled, watching the scene unfold before him.
He didn't dwell on March 7th's earlier remarks to Fu Xuan. In fact, he rather encouraged her to speak her mind.
As General, being caught in the storm of public opinion was inevitable.
Fu Xuan was currently only the Acting General, so the public pressure might not yet be too intense. With her capabilities, she likely wouldn't care much about it anyway.
But when the day came for her to truly assume the General's mantle and be plunged into the full fury of public scrutiny, Jing Yuan wondered if she could weather the storm...
At least, judging by Fu Xuan's current temperament, Jing Yuan doubted she could pass this "trial by fire."
Indeed, time is still needed for refinement and settling...
Jing Yuan sighed inwardly.
Fortunately... thanks to Lumina's Blessing, I now have the time to properly guide her...