Post canon where Binghe unexpectedly ascends and SQQ only knows that Binghe went missing. He's panicking. Meanwhile Binghe is swept away immediately upon his ascension for an on-boarding tour and paperwork, at which point it becomes clear who, and more importantly, what, he is. The Heavenly Officials are panicking. He's brought to an impromptu mass meeting of the Upper Court, and is summarily locked in the Heavens until the current Heavenly Emperor can figure out wtf is going on. He's panicking.

Of course, the demonic imperial court is clueless and left without an emperor. Everyone is pretending nothing's wrong so as not to show weakness. As his right hand, Mobei Jun is left to take care of business. Whispers are starting and noble demon families are already preparing to make the case for their daughters to get in w the new emperor first. Mobei Jun is panicking. Shang Qinghua happens to be aware that at least a few of these would be brides are assassins. He's double panicking. They need to come up with a cover story to stall for time while they try to track down Binghe.

At the Peaks, the rumors are flying. Sha Hualing has taken it upon herself to plant a story that she and Binghe ran off together. Meanwhile she's lying on the cool purple sands of a remote island, being served fancy cocktails and snacks by the local imps, whom she has terrorized into being quiet. The rumor grows legs and spreads around the Peaks. Everyone thinks Shen Qingqiu is having a breakdown because Binghe left him for Sha Hualing, when in reality he's having a breakdown because Binghe is missing and Binghe wouldn't leave him unless there was something huge going on. They all agree not to mention That Woman's name around SQQ. He's recruiting people to help search, and they're all looking at him with eyes full of pity. Except for Liu Qingge, who is seething. "I knew that half-breed walking hair-do couldn't be trusted! The nerve of him to leave Shen Qingqiu for that trollop! Absolutely disgusting." Mingyan is equally disgusted. "That skinny little homewrecker! Bingqiu divorce era MY ASS!"

The introduction to the mysterious Heavenly Officials that preside over our SVSSS world would be absolute clown shoes. Maybe some familiar faces. Liu MingYan sneaks away to investigate these rumors and Liu Qingge has to track her down. She unwittingly stumbles onto the truth by following tropey investigation techniques. Before she knows it, she's accidentally infiltrated the Heavens, Liu Qingge hot on her heels. Turns out there's a portal to the mortal realm in Pei Ming's back garden. Liu QingGe grabs Liu MingYan and she loses her veil in the ensuing tussle. Pei Ming is on the way home from another round of panicking meetings about Binghe. He turns the corner of his palace and comes face to face with an unveiled Liu MingYan. They both freeze. Pei Ming hears swelling violins, birds start singing, he blushes... and then Liu QingGe pops up next to her. The beat drops. Pei Ming and Liu QingGe are both flabbergasted. Liu MingYan realizes no one us paying attention to her anymore, so she creeps away to search for signs of Binghe. Pei Ming and Liu QingGe continue to stare at each other. A drop of sweat rolls down Pei Ming's forehead. Liu QingGe squints. Pei Ming clears his throat.

"So. Um. cough I'm Gay Ming. PEI! PEI MING...and you are...?"

"Liu Qingge-ge. No, not ge ge. Just ge. I mean Qingge."

"Ahem, I see, yes. Aah..." Pei Ming claps his hands together. "Right! How about tea. Or something harder? I mean...aha...to drink. Of course to drink, what else could I mean? Haha WINE?? WOULD YOU LIKE WINE"

Liu QingGe continues to squint. "You... you must have a HUGE... kill count..."

"OHO!"