Asta's mind went blank. Her gaze flickered, uncertain. Finally, she scratched her head and forced a sheepish smile, playing the fool just as Qingque had.
"Well... ahem. This crystal fragment—so flawless, more perfect than any diamond or jade—I just thought 'flawless crystal' seemed fitting."
Herta glanced at Ruan Mei. She wasn't offering any comment, so Herta let it go. She had lived for countless Amber Eras, and she had never even heard of such a thing. If it wasn't related to Nous or the Simulated Universe, she didn't care.
Seeing that Herta wasn't pressing further, Asta quickly changed the subject. "Madam Ruan Mei, Madam Herta, it's getting late. Weren't we going to set the ocean lanterns adrift?"
"Fine."
Herta and Ruan Mei walked ahead. Asta deliberately kept three steps behind, giving them space. The sooner you catch her, Madam Herta, the sooner my wish comes true. Her eyes gleamed with hope.
---
The lanterns blazed like daylight. Fireworks bloomed. Arbor mist drifted from the Arbor. The two figures before her seemed painted into a scroll. Asta took a photo with her phone and set it as her new wallpaper. Coming to the Luofu was the right choice.
"Great Demon Lord Ruan Mei! Great Demon Lord Herta!"
Bailu was waving at them from a distance, running over with three cups of Immortal's Delight. "My treat. Here."
She handed them out. Asta nodded politely, but when she noticed the purple gold card in Bailu's hand, she paused. "Who gave you that card?"
Bailu studied her. Who was this polite woman beside Herta and Ruan Mei? She had heard the voice at the wedding, but she had been too busy eating and fighting Yunli over candy to look up.
"Herta gave it to me. Who are you?"
Asta smiled. My card. Generous as always. "I'm Asta, station master of Herta Space Station. A friend of Madam Ruan Mei and Madam Herta."
Bailu circled her, examining her closely. Another genius? "How old are you? Over a thousand?"
Asta laughed awkwardly. "Little Bailu, do you think all of Herta and Ruan Mei's friends are that old?"
"Yes."
Asta had no response. Some things were better left unsaid. But she wished she had a thousand years of experience—just to keep up with them.
Ruan Mei spoke up. "Bailu, why are you alone on the Lantern Festival?"
Bailu sighed. "The Grand Diviner used to spend it with me. Now she has Qingque. I didn't want to intrude."
Asta looked at her with sympathy. "Don't you have family? The Lantern Festival is about reunion."
Bailu shook her head. "No family. Vidyadhara are born alone. Lingsha promised to spend it with me this year, but I haven't seen her all day."
Asta glanced at Herta. Herta was looking at Ruan Mei as if nothing was wrong.
Bailu looked up, confused. "Why do I smell Lingsha's scent on all of you? But she and Herta never got along."
Herta and Asta exchanged a glance. Asta spoke first. "Lingsha had an accident. She's in Herta City. Healing."
Bailu was still puzzled. "But she's the Cauldron Chief. Why go somewhere else?"
Herta added, "It's a rare disease. Beyond the Alchemy Commission. She had no choice."
Bailu nodded, innocent. "There are many strange illnesses. Take good care of her, Great Demon Lord Herta."
Herta's lips twitched into a faint smile. First one in ten thousand years to provoke me and live. "Don't worry. Herta City will keep her very much alive."
Bailu drank her Immortal's Delight. "Good. Great Demon Lords, when can I have your wedding candy?"
Herta glanced at Ruan Mei. Their eyes met—and she looked away, stammering. "That... well... probably..."
Asta cut in. "Soon, little Bailu. Very soon."
Bailu's face lit up. "Good. It'll be at the space station, right?"
"Yes!"
Bailu cheered. "Finally, I can leave the Luofu and see the outside world!"
She yawned. "It's late. I should go back to the Alchemy Commission. Enjoy the festival. See you next time."
After she left, Herta said, "Children speak without thinking. Don't blame her."
Ruan Mei gave her a cold look and walked away.
Asta sighed. "Madam Herta, what were you thinking? I have no words."
Herta crossed her arms, proud as ever. "Was I wrong? Our wedding—why would we hold it at the space station?"