Inside a room .
"Master, what did you just say?"
"I said, I need you to go out and run an errand for me."
"Where to, exactly?"
"Mondstadt."
"That's way too far! I'm not going!"
"Really?"
"Not going! I just made a breakthrough in my research. I don't have the time!"
"I see… I was worried you might not be able to handle the task properly, so I was going to give you my Astrology Orb..."
"!"
"But since you're not willing to go, I guess I'll just—"
"Ahem… it's not about the Astrology Orb or anything. It's just that Master, you're getting on in years and travel's no longer easy for you. After some thought, it's only right that I, your loyal disciple, take your place."
"Oh? You've got time now?"
"Heh, what's my research compared to your needs, Master? It can wait!"
"Mm, very well…"
"So what's the task, really?"
"It's not anything big. Fifty years ago, I made an agreement with a friend to have her safeguard a box for me. Now the appointed time has come, and it's time to retrieve it."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"What's your friend's name? How do I find her?"
"Her name is Alice. She's quite well-known in Mondstadt. Just ask around when you get there—you'll find her."
"Don't worry, Master! I'll bring back that box no matter what!"
"Good. I'm counting on you."
"No problem, Master! Now… where's that Astrology Orb?"
"Here. Take it."
"Hehehe…"
"No time to waste. I divined this morning—it's a good day for travel. Head out now."
"Oh, alright."
…
"Master, I'm heading out."
"Mm. When you see Alice, remember to greet her on my behalf. And don't embarrass me. We've been rivals in occult studies our entire lives, and never once has either of us yielded an inch. Don't make me lose face now."
"! She's that formidable?"
"With her personality, she won't just hand you the box. She'll definitely put you through some kind of trial. Just do your best."
"!! You didn't mention any of that before!"
"Oh, and one more thing—once you have the box, under no circumstances are you allowed to look inside. If you dare peek at what's in it… well, you'll see for yourself."
"!!! Whoa, whoa, whoa! What's in the box?! Is it that terrifying!?"
"That's enough. It's getting late. Off you go."
"I—I'm not going anymore!—"
BANG!
"Master! Don't close the door! I don't even want this stupid Astrology Orb anymore! Master! Masteeer!!"
"…"
"Stupid old hag! Always scheming! I'll remember this!!!"
A hooded girl stomped off into the distance, muttering curses.
"Tch, no way I'm taking this job seriously. Since I'm heading out anyway, and with the Lantern Rite coming up, I might as well swing by Liyue for some fun. I'll go to Mondstadt whenever I feel like it—let that old crone stew!"
---
At the Summer Shop.
Shenhe blinked in mild surprise. "The Mingxiao Lantern's design?"
Ganyu nodded and explained, "Yes. During the Lantern Rite, one of the most important events is the release of a giant lantern—the Mingxiao Lantern. Each year, the design is based on a chosen Adeptus, as a form of tribute."
"Has Master ever been chosen before?"
"Of course. Not just Master—Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver have also been featured."
"Then why… pick me this year?"
"Well, it started when Lady Ningguang came to me for suggestions. Since I'm familiar with the Adepti, she wanted my opinion. And you'd just told me about your recent breakthrough… so I casually mentioned your name. She gave it some thought and realized you'd be a perfect fit."
"Hmm?"
Ningguang, who had been sitting nearby, finally spoke. "You took part in the battle at Guyun Stone Forest, defeated Beisht alone… In the public's eyes, you're a hero who saved Liyue."
"Now that Morax has retired, Liyue is shifting from divine rule to human rule. You, unlike the other Adepti, are fully human. Making you the symbol of this year's Mingxiao Lantern carries significant meaning."
"Also, the Lantern Rite is one of Liyue's grandest festivals. Travelers from all over the continent will gather here. This is a great opportunity to raise your public profile."
"Of course, we want your consent as well."
"That's why we're asking—are you willing?"
Shenhe fell silent for a moment, then quietly said, "I need some time to consider."
Ningguang nodded. "Of course. Let me know in the next couple of days."
Diona and Zhu Zi, being foreigners, had never witnessed the Lantern Rite and were instantly intrigued.
"How long until the Lantern Rite?"
"The first full moon of the year. But the days leading up to it are also part of the celebration. During this period, people pray for peace and drive away misfortune. Liyue calls it bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new."
Hearing those words, Xia Zhi's expression turned thoughtful. It reminded him of Chinese New Year in his past life… and also the Lantern Festival, which fell on the same day.
"What's a Mingxiao Lantern exactly?"
"The small hand-held lanterns people release during the festival are called Xiao Lanterns. The giant one built by all of Liyue's citizens together—that's the Mingxiao Lantern. During the reconstruction of the Jade Chamber, Miss Yun Jin donated the largest piece of Sunset Vermillionite, and many others offered massive chunks as well. I bought them all. I plan to use the biggest one as the lantern's foundation."
"Wow, that's quite the investment!"
"That's just the base. We also need loads of velvet wickwood, lantern paper fiber, and other materials. The Lantern Market opens next week. Every major Commerce Guild will join—not for profit, but to help gather resources. It stays open all night—lanterns everywhere, truly breathtaking."
"Wow! I wanna go!"
Xia Ci lifted her head. "I guess the Millelith will be busy—fire safety, theft prevention, crowd control…"
"Exactly. Every festival takes a massive effort behind the scenes. I hope Yelan makes it back in time. She's the one I trust most with security."
"Miss Yelan, huh…"
Xia Zhi suddenly smiled and said,
"Don't worry, Miss Ningguang. She'll be back before the Lantern Rite."
"Oh? And how do you know that, Mr. Xia?"
"I happen to know a bit of divination."
"Mr. Xia knows that too?"
"Our boss knows everything!"
"During Madame Ping's birthday last time, I even discussed divination with Moon Carver. We had a great talk. But you'd already returned to Yuehai Pavilion, Miss Ningguang, so you missed it."
"I see. In that case, Yelan's mission must have gone smoothly."
A hint of relief flickered in Ningguang's eyes.
With the Chasm's condition still unclear, she'd been worried about Yelan these past few days.
"I didn't expect Miss Ningguang to trust me so much."
"I've long heard of Moon Carver's mastery of divination. Since you got along so well with him, I trust your skills too."
"Is that so?"
"Mr. Xia, would you mind telling my fortune?"
"What would you like to know?"
"My luck for next year."
Xia Zhi nodded. "Alright."
He took a few Mora, tossed them onto the table, and let them settle into a divination pattern.
Keeping up his "blind man" persona, Xia Zhi reached out and felt the positions to interpret the signs.
"Well, Mr. Xia?"
"Overall, it's an extremely auspicious sign—one of abundant wealth."
"Overall? So there's a catch?"
"Look here—see this one Mora? It's just slightly tilted."
"So?"
"That tilt shifts the meaning. Now it's a fortune of both wealth and romance."
"…"
---
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