After the main meal, Xianyun, Shenhe, and Xiao gathered together, whispering among themselves about who knew what. All three wore expressions of relief and the quiet joy of having survived a great ordeal.
Rhodeia stood up with a sigh and began clearing the table.
Nearby, Zhongli, Lora, and Venti—along with Zhongyue—had also clustered together. Four thoroughly shameless individuals, apparently deep in discussion. Lumine listened in for a moment, only to realize it was still nothing more than mutual praise for each other's "acting."
"Well played, Miss Lora," Venti said with a grin.
Lora smiled back.
"The feeling is mutual, Great Poet."
Venti then turned to Zhongli. "But in the end, Mr. Zhongli's composure and acting were still on another level."
"You flatter me," Zhongli replied lightly. "A poet who tells stories for a living must naturally possess such skills."
Zhongyue looked up at the three of them and muttered under her breath, "These three old geezers really do make it look convincing."
"Hey now, that's not quite right," Venti said seriously as he turned to her. "This is our true selves. During a festival, the most important thing is to be happy."
"Indeed," Zhongli nodded in agreement. "Speaking frankly, what just happened genuinely lifted my spirits."
"Exactly," Lora added without hesitation.
Venti then asked Zhongyue, "Didn't you have a lot of fun too?"
Zhongyue fell silent, thought it over for a moment, then nodded. "Mm… yeah, I did."
Off to the side, Hu Tao called everyone over. "Even if we're all friends here, it is the Lantern Rite. We should still have a bit of ceremony!"
"Oh? Is there some traditional custom involved?"
Venti immediately perked up.
"Nope," Hu Tao replied briskly, then continued, "But for good luck, I've just made one up! Since we don't have anything special prepared, we'll use this incense burner on the table. It's been burning for quite a while now, and the incense is almost used up. Let the most honored guest here add more incense for everyone."
"It symbolizes continuity and prosperity—may everyone enjoy great fortune in the coming year!"
"So that's how it is! What a wonderful symbol!" Venti applauded enthusiastically. "As expected of Director Hu! Then surely the most honored guest here must be Guest Consultant Zhongli, right? Knowledgeable of past and present, wise beyond measure—by any standard, he's extraordinarily distinguished!"
"When it comes to eloquence, the Great Poet truly excels," Zhongli said, shaking his head. "I merely have a good memory. Such an unremarkable trait hardly makes me worthy of that title." His gaze shifted to Lora. "If we speak of distinction, Lora is an esteemed guest of Tianquan Ningguang, her status exceptional. Moreover, she even invited Adepti to this gathering. Naturally, she should be the one to light the incense."
"Eh?"
Lora froze.
As everyone turned to look at her, she discreetly gave Zhongli a thumbs-up, then said, "Zhongli, you're joking. I'm just an ordinary mortal. No matter how you look at it, my status can't possibly be higher than that of an Adeptus or an Adeptus disciple."
"Mm, that's true," Zhongyue nodded.
"Which is exactly why," Lora continued smoothly, "with the Conqueror of Demons present, it should of course be him who renews the incense for everyone."
Venti immediately burst into applause, but Xiao hurriedly tried to distance himself. "I am absolutely not the most honored person here! Please don't choose me. Shenhe has vanquished demons, defended Liyue Harbor during times of great calamity, and saved countless Millelith lives—she…"
"That won't do," Shenhe said at once, stepping back. "I bear the fate of the Lone Star Calamity, so I'm naturally unsuitable. I believe Director Hu would be the most appropriate choice."
"Eh, no, no! How could I?" Hu Tao waved her hands. "I'm the host! I already said this should be done by a guest!"
Watching everyone shove the responsibility back and forth, Lora cut in decisively. "Then how about Paimon? Since none of us want to do it, that clearly means Paimon is the most suitable choice!"
"Huh? So… I'm the most honored person here?" Paimon froze, staring at Lora in disbelief.
Lora nodded. "Of course."
"Mm, indeed," Zhongli agreed.
"I support it! Excellent choice!" Venti laughed.
The three original Archons praised Paimon without the slightest hint of embarrassment.
Aside from Zhongli, the other two racked their brains and unleashed every compliment they could think of, until Paimon was thoroughly dazzled and floated off to light the incense on everyone's behalf.
Outside the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, the street was gradually filling with people.
The lively atmosphere drifted indoors, and Hu Tao's eyes lit up when she heard it. "Ah! Looks like the time has come—the Mingxiao Lantern is about to be released! Let's all head out together!"
Everyone followed Hu Tao outside, with Xianyun and the others walking behind Lora's group.
Noticing that they hadn't immediately followed, Lora paused and asked, "What's wrong? Are you hoping for red envelopes?"
"Huh? But I don't have any Mora…" Venti blinked, looking a little embarrassed.
"If you did, I wouldn't mind accepting one to soothe my soul after that scare," Xianyun remarked dryly.
"Hehe…" Lora scratched her head sheepishly. "Sorry about earlier. The situation was just too tempting to play around with. I rushed out today and didn't bring any red envelopes. Let's put it on a tab? Charge it to Zhongli."
"I'll add one too," Venti chimed in cheerfully. "Consider it an apology."
"N-no, we wouldn't dare…" Xianyun and the others could joke with Lora, but when it came to the Anemo Archon—someone they weren't particularly familiar with—they didn't dare be too casual. When a god jokes with you, it's because they're easygoing. If you truly crossed a line and angered one… the consequences were impossible to predict.
Even if the gods present were all quite gentle.
"Come," Zhongli said with a smile. "The sky lanterns will soon be released. Liyue is about to welcome a new year. Let's go and see it—see the Liyue Harbor of today."
"Yes," Xianyun and the others replied, nodding.
When they stepped out of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, they could already see crowds streaming toward the harbor. There, towering above the port, stood the Mingxiao Lantern shaped like the statue of the Skyward Guide.
The harbor was packed, every gaze fixed upon the Skyward Guide's likeness.
Ping'er stood by the railing of Yujing Terrace, quietly watching. She gazed at the statue for a long time before letting out a soft sigh.
Within the crowd, Zhongli, Lora, and Venti stood side by side, with Zhongyue next to Lora.
The four of them looked almost like a family of four. Zhongli's voice, calm and unhurried, told the story of the Skyward Guide.
The others listened in silence. In Xiao's and Xianyun's eyes, there was only remembrance.