Huohuo heard Herta's lingering words echo through the spatial rift.
"Since it's already handled, no need to say more."
"Oh, little one. If you ever have time, come visit my space station. That Trailblazer Stelle? Everything she said was exaggerated nonsense. And no, I'm not terrifying at all."
"Next time we meet, no more tears. Consider this a welcome gift."
Where Herta had just stood, a treasure chest remained.
"Huohuo! Don't just stand there! Go take a look!"
"Oh."
---
Starlight fell like rain. Firework trees blossomed. Lanterns adorned the brightness. The celestial streets outshone the day, their shimmering brilliance illuminating the Xianzhou.
Ruan Mei looked up, quietly taking it all in. The Luofu's night view—still so captivating, so calming to the soul.
Herta teleported away for six seconds and returned with a plum blossom hairpin. She offered it to Ruan Mei.
"Mutual courtesy. Respect maintained."
Hearing this, Ruan Mei let out a soft laugh and half-closed her eyes.
Herta stepped forward and carefully placed the hairpin in Ruan Mei's hair. Then, naturally, she praised herself.
"Of course. The moment I laid eyes on this hairpin, I knew it was perfect for you. And I was right."
"Your taste is improving."
"My taste has always been impeccable."
Praise from Ruan Mei brought the most natural, confident smile to Herta's face.
"Oh, Ruan Mei. I want to buy some traditional Xianzhou attire."
Ruan Mei opened her eyes and studied Herta.
"Can any Xianzhou garment surpass what you're already wearing?"
Herta casually smoothed her bangs, her expression proud and aloof.
"Why would it need to surpass anything? Whatever I, Madam Herta, wear, I wear with purpose."
"So you want me to come with you?"
"Exactly! Right answer. Reward: I'll buy you an identical outfit. Deal?"
Ruan Mei looked at Herta's magic hat and couldn't help but smile.
"You're not going to pick some Hanfu and top it off with one of those beaded crowns, are you?"
(A/N: Like the one Fuli, the Aeon of Remembrance, wears.)
"Of course not. I'm not Fuli's Emanator. Now come on."
A [Mirror] transported them. Ruan Mei looked around. Every kind of traditional Xianzhou garment imaginable was on display.
"Stelle, how does this look on me?"
"Stelle! What about this one?!"
Ruan Mei turned toward the voices. Not far away, March 7th and Firefly were also trying on traditional clothes. Stelle, as usual, faced a difficult decision.
Just as Ruan Mei turned back, she saw Herta teleport in thousands of her puppets via [Mirror].
"You lot, go that way. You lot, this way... You know Madam Herta's standards. Understood?"
"Roger!"
Herta delegated the entire outfit selection process to her puppets. She sat down, leisurely sipping coffee.
Ruan Mei smiled faintly.
"Herta, is all this really necessary for one outfit?"
"Absolutely. I am Madam Herta. I must find the most beautiful, most magnificent, most elegant, most expensive, and most culturally profound garment imaginable."
Ruan Mei looked around. Nearly every garment on display had several Herta puppets examining it.
They inspected every detail—the silk, the collars, the stitching.
One shop employee tried to approach. Several puppets blocked his path and casually tossed a purple gold card at him. He fell silent.
March 7th's eyes went wide.
"Oh my god! I've never seen this many Herta puppets at once—not even at the space station!"
While March 7th was distracted, Firefly seized the moment to ask Stelle again.
"Stelle, how does this Firefly Moon outfit look on me?"
"Not bad at all."
Firefly brightened. But a glance at the price tag made her shake her head. Reluctantly, she changed back.
Seeing how much she loved it, Stelle decided to buy it later—a surprise.
---
Six minutes later, thousands of Herta puppets had narrowed down over ten thousand garments to the ten that best met Herta's standards.
The shop employee tried to approach and explain the cultural significance. The puppets blocked him.
"The great Madam Herta and Ruan Mei will choose alone. This area is now private. Go clear the store."
"Ah?! But—"
"This purple gold card has no limit."
"Understood. Understood, ma'am."
The employee scurried away.
Herta #11: "Great Madam Herta, please consider this Celestial Moon garment. Legend says it's woven from ten-thousand-year-old Qingqiu silk. Costs one week of Asta's allowance. Its defining feature? Exorbitant price."
Herta #22: "Unmatched beauty, Madam Herta. Please consider this Rainbow Dress Star garment first. Its defining features? Elegance, dignity, and profound cultural charm~"
Herta #33: "Madam Herta, look at mine first! Whatever you wear, you look great!!"
"Look at mine first!!"
Herta turned to Ruan Mei.
"What do you think?"
Ruan Mei replied softly.
"Whatever you like."
Herta waved a hand. The arguing puppets fell silent.
"Forget it. Pack them all. Consider them gifts for Asta. She'll probably like them."
Ruan Mei was speechless. Using Asta's money to buy gifts for Asta. Only Herta.
Anyone else, and Asta would have been on the phone already.
"None of these caught your eye?"
Herta shook her head. Then she noticed one puppet in the distance, holding a single garment.
"You. Yes, you. Come here."
The puppet emerged from the crowd, carrying a phoenix crown and rosy cape.
Herta's eyes lit up with anticipation. She gently traced the crown.
"Perfect. Absolutely perfect. Beauty, elegance, dignity, and extravagance—all in one."
"What number are you?"
"Ninety-nine."
"Ninety-nine. Where were you stationed at the space station?"
"The platform."
"Good. Ten? You there?"
Number ten stepped forward.
"Report to the platform from now on. Ninety-nine, you're assigned to my Simulated Universe."
Herta removed her magic hat and reached for the phoenix crown. Just as she was about to put it on, ninety-nine spoke up.
"Great Madam Herta. Let Ruan Mei crown you."
Herta blinked. She looked at Ruan Mei, then handed her the crown.
Ruan Mei hesitated. Around her, the Herta puppets began to chant.
"Elegant, graceful Madam Ruan Mei! Bestow the phoenix crown upon Madam Herta! Drape her in the rosy cape!"
Not far away, March 7th and the others watched.
"Wow! What are Madam Ruan Mei and Madam Herta doing?!"
"What is that crown? It looks so elegant. Stelle, buy me one too!"
Firefly shot March 7th an icy glare. March 7th responded with an innocent blink.