Yujing Terrace
Madame Ping's Resting Place
"Granny! I'm back!"
Outside the door, a girl who appeared extremely lively and youthful, yet was in truth fifty years old, gently pushed open the wooden gate within the small garden.
This was Yanfei, the seasoned legal advisor of Liyue Harbor.
A shrewd young woman of mixed adepti beast heritage and a renowned legal consultant in Liyue Harbor. She always managed to secure the maximum benefit for her clients within the bounds of the law, making Yanfei the bane of many foreign merchants.
After all, she was far too meticulous. Those customary "understandings" held no weight in Yanfei's eyes, which caused these foreign merchants no end of frustration.
She had found her own perfect balance between strict adherence to the rules and flexible adaptation. Relying on her unique position as a legal advisor and her own distinctive, experience-honed methods, she meticulously guarded the contractual scales of Liyue.
Even her method of attack was of her own design, shaped like a scale—a character who could be described as both adorable and intimidating.
Yanfei wore a red legal cap, holding down her coral-colored waist-length hair. White horns, fading to yellow—symbolizing her half-adepti heritage—extended from both sides of her head.
Her attire was rather daring for Liyue Harbor, with her midriff and legs exposed, which seemed quite unconventional in a port where most dressed conservatively.
This held true even in the height of summer. But Yanfei was a half-adeptus and a supremely competent legal consultant. No one in their right mind would question her choice of dress.
Her red and white scarf was attached to her red top. A short black skirt was adorned with a red waist apron, fastened with a yellow bow on the left side.
Her arms were clad in white sleeves with red armored fittings, and a few pale scales were visible on the backs of her hands and at her waist.
At this moment, Yanfei had just finished handling a pile of cases and had returned for a brief respite, planning to head out again once she was refreshed.
But upon her return, she encountered an unexpected guest. She held no particular dislike for this guest named Hu Tao.
People often said the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had eccentric ways, likely having picked up strange habits from her line of work. Yanfei could only sigh at such antiquated notions.
The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was a legitimate business, a fundamental component of commerce.
Legends said that during the Archon War, the very first predecessor of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had contributed no small effort!
Of course, in matters pertaining to rites of passing and healing.
"My, if it isn't Yanfei, finally back? Was it exhausting? Come, have a seat. This old lady just brewed some fine tea."
Seeing her descendant return, Madame Ping was visibly pleased.
"Not exhausting at all. It's all in a day's work!" Yanfei flashed a bright smile and quickly took a seat beside Madame Ping.
Faced with this scene, Hu Tao, sitting to the side, suddenly became as quiet as a mouse, looking somewhat timid and utterly endearing.
"Director Hu, what brings you here today? Could it be you've encountered some legal difficulty?" Looking at the unusually silent Hu Tao, Yanfei couldn't help but ask curiously. In the past, whenever she had seen Director Hu promoting her services to others, she was always exceptionally talkative.
Of course, those were chance encounters.
Why did she become so reticent upon meeting her? It was rather peculiar!
"Ah, it's nothing. I just came to see how Granny was faring. You two chat, I'll just be on my way..."
"I won't disturb you any further. I'll take my leave..."
Hu Tao's expression at that moment resembled someone with a guilty conscience. She had come today precisely because Yanfei was supposed to be absent, hoping for a stealthy visit. She hadn't expected this one to return so swiftly.
'With such a formidable person present, she certainly couldn't proceed with her promotional spiel. What a headache!'
"Wait a moment. You can't leave just yet." Faced with Hu Tao's attempt to depart, Yanfei's expression suddenly turned stern.
This command to halt startled Hu Tao considerably. 'No way? Could this woman be about to hold her legally liable?'
'Please, no! She was still so young! She hadn't married yet, hadn't had children! Certain parts of her hadn't even fully developed! She hadn't even designated the next Director! She couldn't become a defendant and end up in jail!'
'Could it be that she, the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, was to meet her downfall today at the hands of this lawyer?'
At this thought, a cold sweat broke out on Hu Tao's brow. The sixteen-year-old girl's mind was racing with vivid imaginations.
"Ahem... Attorney Yanfei, was there... something else?"
Hu Tao was even stammering a little now, completely unlike her usual self. In short: discretion was the better part of valor.
Hu Tao and Yanfei had little interaction. Ordinary folk tended to give Hu Tao a wide berth, as if avoiding a harbinger of misfortune. Hu Tao viewed Yanfei in a somewhat similar light.
Although Hu Tao was the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in Liyue Harbor, her knowledge of certain legal intricacies was not comprehensive. Thus, she feared her earlier actions might have skirted illegality.
Seeing Hu Tao in this state, Yanfei couldn't help but cover her mouth with a light chuckle. Director Hu was simply too adorable! For some reason, Yanfei felt an inexplicable fondness for Hu Tao upon seeing her.
"Director Hu, there's no need for such an expression. Since you've made the trip, why not sit and enjoy a cup of tea?"
"Really, it's quite alright! I just received word that the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's consultant, Mr. Zhongli, has been... detained by a restaurant. I must go and resolve the matter!"
Hearing this, Yanfei tilted her head in thought. The implication was likely that Mr. Zhongli had enjoyed a meal without settling the bill, again.
It seemed a minor affair, but if left to fester and grow, it wouldn't merely tarnish the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's reputation—it could escalate into a legal issue.
That was a serious matter!
"In that case, Director, you should hurry along. It was a pleasure making your acquaintance! When I have time, I shall certainly visit you!"
Yanfei said with a smile. The Director was truly too endearing. For some reason, a slight urge to tease Hu Tao stirred within Yanfei.
In any case, if she found herself with spare time, she could take a stroll by the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor or other bustling areas. She might just run into the Director!
"Ah... this..." Upon hearing Yanfei mention future visits, Hu Tao's face fell immediately. This was a disaster!
If she had known, she would never have come to Yujing Terrace to see Granny Ping today. Now she was entangled with this legal expert, Yanfei. It seemed troubles were on the horizon...
"Does the Director have any further questions?" Yanfei asked again, her smiling gaze narrowing slightly as it rested on Hu Tao.
"No, no, no, no! I really must be going now. The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor eagerly awaits your patronage!" After uttering these words, Hu Tao executed a swift leap and vanished from the premises in a flash.
"Pfft—"
At that moment, Bonanus, perched on the rooftop, was practically bursting with stifled laughter! The exchange between these "very familiar" individuals was utterly hilarious!
Who would have thought Director Hu Tao could wear such an expression? It was tremendously amusing! It seemed Yanfei was Hu Tao's natural counter!
A case of absolute, one-sided suppression!
Although she had laughed aloud, Bonanus merely covered her mouth with a soft chuckle. She had, after all, endured the rigorous training of Mihoyo's narrative blades. She wouldn't laugh unless the situation absolutely called for it.
Unless she couldn't help it.
But just as her mirth was subsiding, Bonanus was interrupted by a aged voice. The speaker was none other than Madame Ping.
"Since you're already here, you may as well come down and join us for a conversation."