Time flowed swiftly, and finally, Liyue Harbor welcomed the annual Qixing Rite of Descension.
On the day of the Rite, Qin Yu was chatting with Yanfei.
"Another year has flown by," Yanfei sighed. "But living a full life isn't so bad, actually! I'd only find myself bored if I had nothing to do."
Qin Yu's gaze swept over the crowd. There are so many foreign visitors this year, she thought.
Smiling, she replied, "That's true. I'm really happy that you're living such a fulfilling life, Yanfei."
"Huh? Why?"
Qin Yu replied, "Because I wanted to see Yanfei happy!"
Yanfei's thoughts raced.
She's happy just seeing me happy? Only someone who's been paying close attention to me would feel that way... So she's been watching me all this time... Yanfei pondered the implications of Qin Yu's words, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
"O-oh, I see..."
Evaluation: D
Yanfei's typically easygoing nature reassured Qin Yu.
"Speaking of which, are you sure it's okay that you're not with Ningguang?" Yanfei asked.
"There's still some time before the Rite of Descension begins. Besides, Lady Ningguang said that Senior Baishi is enough to transcribe Rex Lapis's God's Edict this time. Senior Baiwen and Senior Baixiao are staying at the Jade Chamber to handle other matters."
As she spoke, Qin Yu felt a hint of resentment.
Transcription? Anyone could do that! If it can be entrusted to Baishi, why couldn't Ningguang have assigned it to me? And why specifically Baishi? If it were Baiwen or Baixiao, I wouldn't mind so much.
Or is Ningguang trying to make me jealous...? No, who's jealous?
Well, if this arrangement gives me some downtime, it's passable, I suppose, Qin Yu thought absentmindedly.
"Anything else?" Yanfei asked casually.
Qin Yu considered what she could reveal before replying, "Yes. The Rite of Descension is crucial, so we can't overlook any suspicious clues. We've actually gathered some relevant intelligence recently."
"Really? Ah, it seems the Fatui in Mondstadt have decided to withdraw. They've been pressuring the Knights of Favonius, using heavy-handed tactics, and even clashed with them... Could they be involved?" Yanfei wondered aloud.
Wow, she has incredible intuition.
The suspicious intelligence Qin Yu had gathered recently indeed all pointed to the Fatui.
These people from Snezhnaya seemed to be conducting some kind of research, though the specifics were still being analyzed. This was precisely why Baiwen and Baixiao were still stationed at the Jade Chamber.
But this matter couldn't be shared with others, even though Qin Yu knew Yanfei wouldn't spread rumors.
"We haven't finished organizing and analyzing it yet," Qin Yu said.
"Ah, no worries, no worries. Just a casual question. But if you ever need help with a lawsuit... Hehe, you absolutely have to call me! I guarantee I'll do everything in my power to assist you!" Yanfei grinned.
What a dedicated professional!
"By the way, Yanfei, are you planning to go watch the Rite of Descension at Yujing Terrace?" Qin Yu asked curiously.
"Me? I think I'll pass. Not that I'm not interested, but I have two cases to handle today. And I suspect I'll only get busier later..." Yanfei sighed.
Once Rex Lapis issues a God's Edict, Liyue will inevitably undergo changes. These new developments will bring about new regulations, and as a legal expert, Yanfei naturally needs to study and adapt to the updated laws.
Qin Yu realized with grim clarity: studying law is a dead end.
At least, that was true for her.
After chatting with Yanfei for a while longer, Qin Yu bid her farewell.
"Shenhe still hasn't arrived..."
Gazing down the bustling corridor, Qin Yu searched for that familiar flash of white amidst the crowd.
Just a few days ago, Shenhe had learned that the Rite of Descension was approaching. Seemingly intrigued, she asked Qin Yu to accompany her to watch the ceremony on the appointed day.
Since it was Shenhe's request, Qin Yu naturally agreed. After all, it wasn't a difficult favor to grant.
Yet now, Shenhe was nowhere to be seen.
They had agreed to meet by the pavilion, so why hadn't she arrived yet? Getting lost... that seemed unlikely; Shenhe wasn't the type to lose her way. Could something have happened on her way here?
Growing increasingly restless, Qin Yu was about to go looking for Shenhe when a familiar voice drifted from beside her ear.
"Qin Yu, I'm here."
Whoa!?
Qin Yu jumped in surprise, realizing Shenhe had already appeared beside her without her noticing.
Don't scare me like that! Qin Yu grumbled inwardly, then relaxed. Shenhe seemed perfectly fine—good.
"Good morning! Did you run into any trouble on the way?" Qin Yu asked, concerned that Shenhe was later than expected.
"Yes."
"Huh? What happened?"
Really? Something actually happened?
Shenhe's expression remained calm, but she said, "A lot of people."
"Ah—indeed. Since it's the Rite of Descension today, many foreigners have come to pay their respects to Rex Lapis. I'm sorry, I really should have been the one to pick you up," Qin Yu said awkwardly.
Qin Yu felt a pang of guilt. She had known all along that Shenhe disliked crowded places, and even if Shenhe had suggested meeting in the city, she should have insisted on a different arrangement.
Without thinking, Qin Yu took Shenhe's hand.
"How about now?"
Shenhe's heart calmed. She squeezed Qin Yu's hand in return and said, "It's fine now."
Evaluation: D
"That's good," Qin Yu smiled.
Shenhe paused, then said, "I don't mind. You don't need to apologize. Besides, I was the one who suggested meeting in the city in the first place."
She doesn't mind?
Qin Yu suddenly felt a mischievous urge to tease Shenhe. She wondered if Shenhe would mind if she did.
She wanted to see Shenhe flustered.
"If you don't mind, let's try walking without holding hands for a while?" Qin Yu said with a mischievous, cat-like grin.
Shenhe paused, then nodded. "I understand."
Ha?
She really doesn't mind? Qin Yu felt a twinge of irritation. So, for Shenhe, this is insignificant? And after she always says such embarrassing things...
Well, let's see.
Qin Yu withdrew her hand. Shenhe watched her do so, a strange, uneasy feeling stirring within her, yet she said nothing.
...How boring. Qin Yu sighed inwardly and took Shenhe's hand back.
"I was just joking," Qin Yu said with a smile. "It's crowded today. If we don't hold hands, we might get separated!"
"Mn," Shenhe murmured in response.
Her inner turmoil and tranquility were entirely dictated by Qin Yu's every action. Even the Red String couldn't fully suppress these emotions, Shenhe realized, voicing her true feelings:
"I truly cannot live without you, Qin Yu."
Evaluation: C-
"E-eh... A-ah... Th-that..." Qin Yu felt her mind melting into a burning mess.
Oblivious to Qin Yu's flustered state, Shenhe continued to express her genuine feelings without restraint.
"This is my honest truth."
Evaluation: C+
"Oh... well, um..."
I get it, I get it! Stop saying such embarrassing things when others are around! Are you trying to humiliate me? Do you find my... discomfort amusing?
You're being completely unreasonable! At least consider my feelings! Qin Yu ranted inwardly.
But this response didn't seem quite right.
What do you mean by "oh"?
Yet answering with "I can't live without Shenhe either" was impossible—not to mention untrue. Qin Yu believed she could live just fine without Shenhe by her side.
And I absolutely can't let it come to that.
After a moment's thought, Qin Yu squeezed Shenhe's hand in response.
This wordless reply was even more ambiguous than her earlier verbal one. Yet Shenhe didn't dislike it, returning the gentle pressure with equal firmness.
Evaluation: B
Get lost.
"Let's go, then? The Rite of Descension is about to begin," Qin Yu said.
"Alright."
Just as they were about to ascend the steps to Yujing Terrace, a voice called out, stopping them.
"Excuse me, where is the Rite of Descension being held?"
Qin Yu and Shenhe turned in unison to see a petite girl floating in the air asking the question. Beside her stood a young girl with golden hair and eyes, dressed in foreign-style, revealing attire.
Qin Yu recognized them.
"Are you...?" she couldn't help but ask.
"Us? We're the Traveler and her trusty guide! I'm Paimon, and she's Lumine! We're here to watch the Qixing Rite of Descension!" Paimon chirped with a smile.
The moment Qin Yu's eyes met Lumine's golden gaze, a premonition stirred within her.
Could it be...?
Target List Updated
Target Object: Lumine
I knew it would come to this.