The guests stared up at the fleet of Starcrusher ships, wondering who could possibly afford such extravagance.
A girl descended from the largest vessel, dressed in a sky-blue gown that flowed like water. Her eyes held stars, her brows curved like autumn moons, her presence as gentle as a still stream. Starlight steps materialized beneath her feet. She walked down with quiet elegance.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"She looks like an angel!"
"She could be Robin's twin—so elegant, so perfect!"
The girl stopped before Ruan Mei and inclined her head in greeting.
Herta squinted. Familiar. Who—
Her gaze caught on the starry sleeve pendant at the girl's wrist. She went still.
Asta?
She'd always been... ordinary. This woman was stunning. And the entrance— Herta's eyes narrowed. She should have thought of that first.
Ruan Mei recognized her immediately and inclined her head in return.
Qingque approached with Fu Xuan. "Hello, are you—"
Asta's smile was gracious, and her voice measured. "Qingque. Fu Xuan. I'm the station master of Herta Space Station. A friend of Madam Ruan Mei and Madam Herta."
Qingque brightened. "A friend of friends is a friend. Please, sit anywhere."
Asta found a seat near the stage and settled in to watch. Madam Herta was wearing her usual clothes. She could have dressed up for the occasion. She never quite understood these things. But Madam Ruan Mei—the ancient elegance of her robes suited her. The cold indifference in her brow was striking.
A notification echoed through the hall: Nine million credits received. Six hundred thousand Stellar Jades. Thirty million credits.
Everyone turned to Asta.
Even Qingque and Fu Xuan stared. That sum could fund dozens of tile parlors. A lifetime of ease.
Fu Xuan tapped Qingque's head. "That's the station master showing respect to Herta and Ruan Mei. Go offer her a toast."
Qingque hurried over with wine. "I've never seen so much. I'll keep the sentiment. Can I return ninety-nine percent of it?"
Ruan Mei and Herta said nothing, their gaze on Asta.
Asta warmed under their attention. Usually, Herta looked at her like she was barely worth noticing. Ruan Mei often didn't look at her at all.
"It's just pocket change. A token. Please don't return it—that would be unlucky, wouldn't it?"
Qingque nodded helplessly. She could live a thousand years and still not spend it all.
Guests assumed Asta was the last to arrive.
Then the suona sounded across the Luofu.
Heads turned skyward.
Eight Herta puppets in crimson robes carried a bridal sedan chair. Thirty-six more puppets in varying forms followed with gift boxes spilling gold, silver, silk, and brocade.
Hundreds more appeared, each holding a Xianzhou chime bell. They rang nine times, nine chimes each. A banner unfurled across the sky.
Herta Ninety-Nine, Deputy Station Master of Herta Space Station, next Governor of the Blue Planet, and Acting Deputy Lord of Herta City, honors this wedding.
May Fu Xuan and Qingque be blessed on this auspicious day.
The crowd gaped.
Even Herta's eye twitched. She had told Ninety-Nine to handle Lingsha. Not make an entrance.
Asta stared. So that's where her loan went. Not limited edition figures or new novels.
Only Ruan Mei smiled. "Herta Ninety-Nine. What a delight."
Asta and Herta both felt a sharp pang of jealousy.
She'd pay for this.
The sedan chair settled. Herta Ninety-Nine stepped out and presented gifts.
"This one from Madam Herta. This from Station Master Asta. This from Madam Ruan Mei."
Qingque and Fu Xuan exchanged glances. They didn't understand.
Asta and Herta's estimation of her rose slightly. Only slightly.
Herta Ninety-Nine had her reasons. She wanted recognition and needed to be seen. Presenting gifts in their names would earn favor. It was calculated.
She turned to face them.
Herta and Asta did not hide their displeasure.
Ruan Mei's expression held something like appreciation.
Herta Ninety-Nine's mind went blank.
This wasn't how she imagined it.
She hurried to Ruan Mei. "Madam Ruan Mei, you've doomed me!"
"What do you mean?"
She felt the weight of two cold stares on her back.
She understood her position. Herta could strip everything away. Asta could cut off her funds. She would be back on the platform, counting stars, wondering if it had all been a dream.
"Madam Ruan Mei, this was all at Madam Herta and Station Master Asta's command. I'm just a bystander. I have urgent business at Herta City. Excuse me."
She fled, Herta #33 and the others scrambling after her.
Her arrival and departure were swift. Everyone understood now who the real power at this wedding was.