The 'Maiden's' lips curved slightly as she finished reading the letter, murmuring softly, "Interesting."
This friend of Tartaglia's seemed to know a great deal, not only warning Tartaglia about 'The Doctor' but also having dealings with 'Scaramouche.'
What intrigued the 'Maiden' the most was that this person appeared to be very interested in her.
She sent the letter back to Tartaglia with a wave of her hand, and her figure flickered, disappearing from the rooftop once more.
From this moment on, she couldn't help but feel a spark of interest in this stranger she had never met.
...
Several days later, Feng Yi bid farewell to his friends in Mondstadt and set off on his journey back to Liyue.
He had received a message from Ningguang, informing him that the clandestine conflict between Liyue's secret agents and the Fatui had entered its next phase.
Returning to Liyue after several days, the land was as lively and bustling as ever.
Children, clutching ice cream from Wanmin Restaurant, ran joyfully through the streets of Liyue.
The Rite of Descension was approaching, and every household in Liyue was actively preparing, hoping to gain good fortune during the ceremony and bless their future with prosperity and success.
For a time, the entire Liyue was filled with joy, even more vibrant than the Lantern Rite.
Feng Yi also noticed many unfamiliar stall vendors along the way, who were constantly glancing around, as if observing something.
Feng Yi guessed that these might be Ningguang's plainclothes agents.
As he walked, Feng Yi suddenly heard a familiar voice, which sounded like Paimon's.
Pushing through the crowd, he indeed saw Paimon trailing behind Lumine, a bag of snacks in her hand and her mouth stuffed full.
"Lumine, you really have to try this candied hawthorn, it's sweet and sour, and so delicious..."
Swallowing the food in her mouth, Paimon's eyes sparkled as she waved the candied hawthorn, strongly recommending it to Lumine.
"You can just eat it yourself, I'm not hungry right now."
Lumine smiled and shook her head, declining Paimon's offer.
"Lumine, are you thinking about that guy Feng Yi again? He said he'd come to Liyue to find us, but we've been waiting for so long, and he's still not here! I think he's just itching for a fight, and when he gets here, I, Paimon, will teach him a lesson..."
Paimon waved her tiny fists at the air, imagining it was Feng Yi, looking very fierce.
"Don't say that. It hasn't even been a month. Even if Feng Yi is coming, how can he be here so soon?"
Lumine told Paimon to be careful not to disturb the passersby.
"Hmph, I'll give you some face then, otherwise I won't let him off so easily..."
Paimon put her hands on her hips and grudgingly nodded.
At that moment, a leisurely voice sounded by Paimon's ear: "I heard someone wants to teach me a lesson. Paimon, do you know who that person is?"
"Ah, Feng... Feng Yi, why did you suddenly appear? You scared me to death!"
Paimon, with guilt in her heart, trembled all over from fright, almost forgetting how to fly.
She was just badmouthing him one second, and the next he appeared. This was too awkward.
Could she pretend she hadn't said anything, and Feng Yi hadn't heard?
"Feng Yi, you're here? Is everything arranged in Mondstadt?"
Lumine's eyes lit up, and she looked at Feng Yi with joy.
"Yes, yes, everything is arranged. Now that I'm free, I came to find you."
As he spoke, Feng Yi glanced at Paimon.
It seemed this Paimon was indeed itching for a fight, badmouthing him as soon as he was gone.
His Lumine was much better, unswayed, thinking only of him.
"Um... the weather is really nice today, and the streets are so lively. I heard it's the annual 'Rite of Descension' ceremony. By the way, Feng Yi, you've lived in Liyue for a while, have you ever participated in the 'Rite of Descension'?"
To ease the awkwardness, Paimon quickly changed the subject.
Paimon: Please, forget it, forget the badmouthing I just did...
This clumsy attempt at changing the subject made Lumine too embarrassed to watch; it was too abrupt.
"I have indeed lived in Liyue for a considerable time, but I haven't participated in the 'Rite of Descension.' However, I do know some related information..."
Feng Yi pinched Paimon's small cheek as a form of punishment, then continued with Paimon's topic, letting the previous matter go.
"Oh, oh, so this is the 'locals don't visit local attractions' phenomenon?"
Paimon rubbed her almost red cheek and said with relief.
She knew that the matter of badmouthing was finally over.
"Then, take us around and tell us about this 'Rite of Descension.' It sounds very interesting."
Paimon chuckled. With Feng Yi, the 'local expert,' around, it would be much easier to gather information.
"Alright, follow me."
Feng Yi smiled slightly and took Lumine's hand, walking towards Yujing Terrace.
Lumine responded with a soft 'mm,' allowing Feng Yi to hold her hand, a faint smile on her lips.
Paimon took out a snack from her pocket, eating as she followed Feng Yi, not forgetting to eye the snack stalls along the way.
Passing by a teahouse, Feng Yi overheard a few shop owners discussing the 'Rite of Descension,' and he slowed his pace.
Everyone's focus on the 'Rite of Descension' differed. Ordinary people were concerned about Rex Lapis descending to bring peace and fortune for the year.
Merchants, on the other hand, paid more attention to the commercial insights revealed during the 'Rite of Descension,' planning ahead to make a substantial profit in the future.
As for Feng Yi's focus, it was entirely on watching the spectacle of how Zhongli was arranging his own funeral.
Feng Yi recognized one of the people talking enthusiastically as Bolai, the owner of 'Goods & Wares.'
The same guy who said, "Watching others make money is more painful than me losing money."
He had initially been thinking about how to introduce the 'Rite of Descension' to Lumine, but upon seeing Bolai, he realized he could save himself some breath.
Bolai, this chatterbox, could handle the common knowledge about the 'Rite of Descension' perfectly, making things so much easier.
Feng Yi, with Lumine, walked over and informed the group of their intention.
"You also want to witness the 'Rite of Descension'? I do too! We all do! As businessmen, how can we not pay attention to Liyue's most important commercial developments? Last year's seventeen divine pronouncements caused quite a market fluctuation..."
"Moreover, there have been whispers this year that the 'Tianquan' Ningguang has been making moves in secret... She wants to exclude rocks created by Vision holders using elemental power from the definition of minerals in taxation..."
"Lord Rex Lapis is the oldest among the Seven Archons, and we have always trusted his strategic vision. Understanding this year's divine pronouncements first might allow us to get ahead and seize the opportunity to get rich..."
Bolai, this talkative fellow, could indeed ramble on, almost putting Paimon to sleep.