"Oh, this?" Zhongli raised his hand, and an invitation appeared in his grasp. He handed it to Lora. "This is your invitation."
"There really is one?" Lora exclaimed in shock. She stared at Zhongli in disbelief. "Where did you get it?"
"The proprietor of the Pearl Galley, Rouran, had someone deliver it to me," Zhongli explained calmly. "She heard that a distinguished guest of Tianquan Ningguang played a significant role during the recent Liyue crisis. However, she had no way of sending the invitation into the Jade Chamber, so after making inquiries, she sought me out and asked that I pass it on to you."
"I see…" Lora nodded as she took the invitation from his hand. "Alright. I'll be there on time tomorrow."
"Very well. I'll take my leave." Zhongli inclined his head and departed.
Shenhe also spoke up. "Purifying Water Adeptus, I'll be heading back now. My master does not allow me to stay out overnight."
"It's not even that late…"
Lora glanced up at the sky. The streets of Liyue were still bustling with noise and activity—hardly the hour to return home. But when she saw Shenhe's expression, she understood.
It seemed Shenhe still wasn't accustomed to overly lively environments, and was once again using Xianyun as her shield.
Lora sighed softly and nodded. "Very well. Be careful on the way."
"Mm. Please rest assured."
Hearing Lora's concern, Shenhe nodded, a rare hint of a smile crossing her face before she turned and left.
Lora watched Shenhe's back until she disappeared from sight. Only then did she turn to Rhodeia at her side. "Rhodeia, let's go. Time to do some shopping."
"Yes, My lady."
Rhodeia nodded and followed after her.
...
When the time stated on the invitation arrived, Lora brought Rhodeia to Liyue Harbor and sought out a boatman named Pinghai.
Seeing the two approach, Pinghai spoke up as they drew near. "If you're looking to go fishing, you'll need to find another boatman. This boat is reserved exclusively for guests of the Pearl Galley."
Lora gave the invitation a light shake. "I'm headed to the Pearl Galley."
"Ah—! My apologies for failing to recognize an honored guest!" After checking and confirming the invitation's authenticity, Pinghai immediately put on an ingratiating smile and ushered Lora and Rhodeia aboard.
Lora herself showed no particular reaction, but Rhodeia cast Pinghai a look of undisguised disdain.
The trip passed in silence as Pinghai ferried them to the Pearl Galley.
Upon boarding and reaching the top deck, Lora saw several banquet tables already laid out. Guests mingled freely, glasses clinking as laughter filled the air.
The Pearl Galley's attendants moved about with smiling faces, voices lilting and lively, creating a scene of bustling elegance.
Scanning the crowd, Lora soon spotted Zhongli's table.
"Zhongli, I'm here."
She walked over and greeted him.
"You've arrived."
Zhongli rose to his feet to welcome her.
At the side, the archaeologist Wanyan glanced at Lora and Rhodeia and asked, "Mr. Zhongli, are these two your friends?"
"Indeed," Zhongli replied, formally introducing Lora to those present. "This is an old friend of mine. She is also a distinguished guest favored by Tianquan Ningguang. In terms of status, I'm afraid none of us here can compare to her."
Lora: "…"
What utter nonsense.
He really did lie without batting an eye.
So this was how it was—one god bending rules and cutting corners, another speaking falsehoods as naturally as breathing.
"So this is Lady Ningguang's esteemed guest! Our apologies for the discourtesy!"
Upon hearing Zhongli's introduction, several people hurried to greet Lora, adopting an air of familiarity.
"We were just discussing the topic of 'Rex Lapis in history,'" Zhongli continued. "Would you be interested in listening?"
Hearing this, Lora frowned slightly. "Uh…"
Even Rhodeia, who had remained silent behind her, looked puzzled.
Why would Zhongli involve himself in such a discussion? Even in retirement, as the Geo Archon, shouldn't he steer clear of topics with so little substance?
Just as both mistress and attendant were feeling confused, the archaeologist Hanxue, seated on the opposite side, spoke up in a measured tone. "Sir, it seems you've underestimated Rex Lapis's divine power. As a professional archaeologist, I must correct that view."
"Well… I think Mr. Zhongli still has plenty of authority to speak on this matter," Lora said, glancing at Zhongli. Seeing his calm, unruffled expression, she sighed and addressed Hanxue.
"I'm afraid I can't agree," Hanxue replied with a smile, waving his hand lightly.
"We're discussing the whereabouts of the 'first Mora in history.' As everyone knows, under Rex Lapis's guidance, Liyue's ancestors smelted ore and used their earliest goods to trade with nations across the world. Today, Liyue holds the sole right to mint Mora across the entire continent. Therefore, the very first Mora must have been personally forged by Rex Lapis thousands of years ago."
Wanyan followed up, "Based on my research, along with a bit of conjecture, I believe this first Mora was secretly passed down as a kind of 'token.' For example, before assuming their positions, the Liyue Qixing may well undergo some mysterious ritual."
"No, no, no. According to my studies, the first Mora is far from that simple…"
The archaeologists immediately fell into heated debate, completely ignoring Lora and Zhongli standing to the side.
Lora stood beside Zhongli and rose slightly onto her toes, leaning closer as she asked in a low, curious voice, "So what did you do with the world's first Mora?"
"I spent it," Zhongli answered without hesitation.
"What? You actually spent it? That was the very first Mora," Lora said, genuinely surprised. She had assumed Zhongli would have kept it as some sort of keepsake. Spending it so casually was far beyond her expectations.
Zhongli replied evenly, "Mora was forged to be used as currency. Being spent is its only destiny. What use would there be in keeping it? The first Mora is still just Mora."
"That makes sense," Lora nodded.
Over on the other side, Hanxue had already leapt from the topic of the "first Mora" to speculating that Rex Lapis had forged a blade and a sword, and that whoever obtained them could rule all of Liyue. Even Lora found the train of thought bewilderingly erratic—fitting, she supposed, for someone who wrote books.
Zhongli sighed softly. "I cannot agree."
"Hm?"
Hanxue frowned and turned to look at him.
Meeting the challenge, Zhongli continued, "Setting aside the credibility of these sword-and-blade claims, Mora—and money itself—was created merely as a convenient medium for the formation of 'contracts.' Thus, I believe the world's first Mora was simply spent by Rex Lapis as ordinary currency."