Changle, Xianzhou Luofu. The twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month—the evening before Fu Xuan and Qingque's wedding.
"I win again!"
Qingque swept another pile of credits toward her. Her fellow players stared. Thirteen wins in a row. Absurd.
"Qingque, your wedding with the Grand Diviner is tomorrow. It's already this late, and you're still playing jade tiles?"
Another chimed in. "She's right. A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. You should go home and prepare."
Qingque waved a hand, brimming with confidence. "My luck is incredible today. I never get this lucky. Can't waste it."
The three exchanged glances. She's still this obsessed.
"What if the Grand Diviner comes to drag you home again?"
Qingque smiled. "To be honest, I'm not that scared of her anymore. If she dares show up tonight and ruin my streak, I'll give her a piece of my mind. Let her know who's really in charge of this household."
Her opponents froze, staring at something behind her. The same look they always got when Fu Xuan appeared.
Sweat beaded on Qingque's forehead.
Thirty seconds passed like three autumns. Then the others broke into grins.
"Changed our expressions a little, and you're already terrified. Still say you're not afraid of the Grand Diviner?"
Qingque gritted her teeth and picked up another tile. "Afraid? Of course not. Just a little dizzy. Let's keep playing."
They sighed and indulged her.
By nine-thirty, Fu Xuan checked her jade abacus. Still playing. The wedding is tomorrow. Unbelievable.
She fumed. But for Qingque's sake, she held back. Normally, she would have marched straight to the parlor, grabbed her by the ear, and lectured her in front of everyone.
An hour passed. Ten-thirty.
The parlor was nearly empty. Her opponents tried again. "Qingque, that's enough. Your wedding is tomorrow. Go home and rest."
Qingque waved them off. Nineteen consecutive wins. She wasn't stopping now.
"No, no. Let's keep playing."
The words had barely left her mouth when her opponents froze, staring at something behind her.
Qingque scratched her head. "You're trying to scare me again? It won't work. I'm not falling for that little—"
"Ow!"
Her ear was caught in a familiar grip. Fu Xuan's smile was cold, her laughter laced with frost. The other players scattered with weak excuses.
All of Qingque's bravado evaporated. "Grand Diviner..."
Fu Xuan's voice was dangerously calm. "Tomorrow. What is tomorrow?"
Qingque smiled weakly. "Tomorrow is the thirteenth day of the twelfth lunar month. Our wedding day."
Fu Xuan snorted. "Then why are you here? Look at the hour."
"I'm sorry! I was just passing time, and I lost track—"
Fu Xuan rapped her on the head. "Passing time. Lost track. Then tell me, who is this 'little Xuan' you were talking about?"
Qingque's blood ran cold. She heard that? Last time, in that Heliobi illusion, it was understandable. But now? What excuse could she possibly give?
---
Elsewhere on the Luofu, Ruan Mei and Herta walked together under the night sky.
Herta gazed at the lights. "The Xianzhou. Still so bright, even at this hour."
Ruan Mei said nothing, walking ahead.
Herta quickened her pace. "Are you upset?"
Ruan Mei opened her eyes and looked at her. "What do you think?"
Herta looked away. "Who upset you? I'll handle them. Was it Asta? Herta Ninety-Nine?"
Ruan Mei pointed toward the distant Star-Gazing Terrace.
Herta understood. Some places held memories.
"Then handle them, Herta. The one who upset me."
Herta coughed, looking for a way to change the subject. She summoned a [Mirror] and called on 'Yu Qingtu'.