Keqing suddenly realized something.
Hu Tao, who had greeted them the moment they entered.
Yun Jin, who had rushed out even though she was still in the middle of doing her makeup.
And Ganyu, who had been so busy lately yet still asked about Bai Ge every time they met.
And of course—herself.
Wasn't Bai Ge… a little too popular with girls?
While she had been buried in work, just how many girls had Bai Ge gone out and gotten involved with?
The more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt.
Her delicate, beautiful face gradually cooled.
"What's wrong?" Bai Ge asked, puzzled, after seeing Yun Jin off.
"Nothing," Keqing replied lightly, shaking her head. She pulled Bai Ge over to an empty table that Fan Er-ye had specially reserved.
But her behavior was noticeably more intimate than before—she sat right next to him.
Yes.
Thinking back on the days of feeling rejected and hurt, then remembering how happy she'd been when Bai Ge finally acknowledged her again—
Now, with Yun Jin's appearance triggering that sense of crisis, Keqing suddenly felt a powerful urge to hold on and not let go.
And just so happened that the teahouse was filled with members of the Seven Stars, the Eight Great Houses, and Liyue's mid-level merchants and bosses—
Perfect witnesses.
Sure enough, seeing a figure like Keqing—one of the Seven Stars—behave this way, especially when she wasn't even the main focus of the social circle, made countless people suck in sharp breaths of air in shock.
At the same time, Bai Ge also noticed Keqing's change.
Feeling the soft body pressing close and the gentle affection of a beauty who was now openly expressing her feelings—
With that former look of rejection gone, an unbelievable thought arose in his heart.
Master Keqing…
No way… right?
But before Bai Ge could confirm that thought—
The tea master began serving tea.
Then, the lights of Heyu Teahouse dimmed, and the main spotlight shone upon the center of the stage.
Yun Jin's new play—Records of the Flame Witch—began!
In the planning Bai Ge and Yun Jin had done together, this two-hour play was divided into four major acts and eight smaller sections:
Beginning — A Mondstadt girl and a knight meet through song, grow close, and fall in love. Sweetness, then sorrow, as the girl leaves to study abroad.
Continuation — The knight's passionate fight to protect his homeland, his heroic death, and the girl's anxiety for her nation while far away.
Turn — The girl's return and overwhelming grief; her transformation into the Flame Witch; endless battles against monsters; and finally, her complete fall as the Flame Witch, rejected and feared by all.
Conclusion — The Flame Witch, on the verge of burning herself out, is enlightened by the Ice Queen, saved by a god. Loyalty to one's sovereign, devotion to duty, and praise for this tragic yet glorious legend.
Under Yun Jin's exquisite singing, the audience fell into rapt silence, utterly immersed.
Led into this magnificent story by Yun Jin's voice, Keqing forgot her earlier thoughts entirely. She became deeply absorbed in the opera, entering its world together with everyone else—rejoicing in joy, grieving in sorrow, alongside the girl named Rosalyne.
...
Two hours later—
The final lines faded away in Yun Jin's gentle, lingering chant.
The story of the witch from a neighboring nation finally came to an end.
Within the not-so-large Heyu Teahouse, thunderous discussion erupted.
"Excellent—absolutely excellent!"
On the first floor, Xingqiu clapped and exclaimed,
"The Flame Witch—I've read records of her in books before, but I never imagined such a tragic and poignant story lay behind her!"
"Indeed," Xingqiu's elder brother sighed.
"Master Yun's performance drew us into a deeply moving tale."
"Though from our perspective, the girl Rosalyne went to extremes, that very extremity gives the story its dramatic power."
"And in the end, being saved by the Ice Queen—one could call that a perfect ending."
"Exactly! Her Majesty the Tsaritsa is just such a benevolent ruler! I like this play very much!" said the Snezhnayan merchant, Ivanovich.
"Heh, my view differs somewhat from yours," Tian Shu interjected.
"Entrusted by one's sovereign, loyal in one's duty—though the Flame Witch strayed for a time, she was saved by her ruler and went on to serve her. That, too, is a fine tale."
One could say that for a thousand audience members, there were a thousand versions of Rosalyne.
Judging by the reactions alone, there was no doubt—this play was a resounding success.
"Master Yun is truly amazing—she can sing and write alike. A true all-rounder!"
Heyu Teahouse overflowed with praise for Yun Jin.
"Though earlier I heard Master Yun say the inspiration came from that young man who arrived with Lady Keqing—quite a promising talent as well!"
"But where is that promising young man now?"
At this moment, Bai Ge—well aware of how terrifying it could be to stay once Yun Jin finished her opening performance—had already grabbed Keqing and fled.
Meanwhile, in the main hall of Heyu Teahouse, on the second floor—
Listening to Hu Tao's nonstop chatter—especially her enthusiastic talk about wanting to give the Flame Witch proper rites and send her peacefully onward—Zhongli's handsome face showed a trace of helplessness.
But soon, his gaze shifted.
It settled on a seemingly ordinary Mondstadt woman seated in a corner of the first-floor hall.
Because that person—
Was The Lady, in disguise.