At the foot of Mt. Tianheng, in Ryen's courtyard, the atmosphere was unusually quiet.
Tonight, Ningguang and Ganyu had returned to the Jade Chamber for an overnight council meeting.
Guizhong's revival was not a trivial matter, not at all like Azhdaha's return.
After all, Guizhong had once ruled over Guili Assembly.
Put bluntly, she was one of Liyue's original leaders.
Although she would not interfere with present-day human governance, they still needed to decide how she should be integrated.
As Zhongli had said, Guizhong's wisdom remained invaluable even now.
It was necessary to plan how she would participate.
Lisa, however, for once did not demand that Ryen "pay his nightly taxes."
Instead, with an air of mystery, she announced that she intended to bring Jean over for a long-overdue tea party.
She even added, quite meaningfully,
"If all goes well, Ryen, you'll be blessed in the future."
Ryen couldn't understand what she meant, and even if he could, he would pretend he didn't.
Thus, tonight belonged entirely to Hu Tao.
Having too many wives had its inconveniences, rest was a luxury.
Every evening seemed destined to be… productive.
Not that Ryen considered this a problem.
He welcomed it wholeheartedly.
Hu Tao lay sprawled across the fluffy fur blanket, her expression glowing with bliss.
It wasn't the most practical bedding, hard to clean, impossible to salvage,
but Ryen was wealthy.
He treated it as a one-time luxury item.
The important thing was Hu Tao's comfort.
"That was amazing…"
She whispered breathlessly, turning and curling into his arms.
This was their intermission.
Ryen teased,
"Are you praising me, or admiring yourself?"
Hu Tao blinked mischievously.
"You're amazing! This Hall Master is very satisfied. Keep up the good work next time!"
Ryen tapped her forehead lightly.
"You're just as amazing."
Hu Tao huffed, puffing her cheeks.
"See? Letting Ganyu and the others go first did help, they've trained you well!"
"What kind of warped logic is that?"
He couldn't help laughing.
Hu Tao only giggled, then sat up eagerly.
"Well? Well? Did I improve??"
Ryen inspected her theatrically, then sighed in mock regret.
"Hard to tell. Some dishes must be tasted to know whether they're ready."
Hu Tao froze, then puffed up angrily.
"Nonsense! You were literally just, just tell me already! Did I change or not!?"
Ryen pulled her into his arms, adopting a scholar's solemn tone.
"Overall, yes, there's progress. But not a dramatic leap."
"Eh…?"
Her disappointment was immediate.
"Then when will I catch up to Ganyu and the others…"
Ryen hesitated and kept the truth to himself.
Such things…
depended on talent.
Judging by Hu Tao's natural aptitude, she might never reach Ganyu's level.
But it hardly mattered.
He rubbed her nose gently.
"Slow and steady. Everyone has their strengths."
"Liar! You weren't saying that when you were with Ganyu and the others!"
Hu Tao glared, then suddenly beamed.
"But I like your sweet talk anyway. This Hall Master is pleased!
I shall reward you!"
Ryen raised an eyebrow.
"What a coincidence, I was thinking of rewarding you too."
Their break barely lasted minutes before round two began.
Tonight was Hu Tao's night, and she refused to waste even a second of her rare exclusive access to Ryen.
If possible,
She wanted to be the first among the wives to have a baby.
Then she could rightfully claim the position of principal wife.
Motivated by this ambition, Hu Tao threw herself into the night with renewed vigor.
Meanwhile, in the neighboring courtyard, Jean and Lisa had reunited over tea.
They talked about the day's events,
The clearing of the Twilight Forest,
the new sword and staff,
and most astonishing of all, Guizhong's resurrection.
Their prospects against Celestia were steadily rising.
Everything seemed to be moving in the right direction.
Jean took a quiet bite of a tea pastry.
"At present, nearly three thousand people from Mondstadt have been deployed into Ryen's world."
"I think that's enough for now. We should arm and train those already there first."
"Kaeya and the others are overseeing things back home, so I don't need to worry.
After some time, I want Mondstadt's civilian life to follow Liyue's example."
"When the Knights handle food, shelter, and livelihood, the people can enjoy true freedom."
"It's all thanks to Ryen…"
At this, Lisa gave Jean a very pointed look.
"My dear Jean…
Ever since Ryen and I got together, do you know how long it's been since we enjoyed a tea party like this?"
"And yet now, you want to talk official business?"
Jean blinked, then smiled apologetically.
"Sorry, Lisa. What would you like to talk about?"
In the past, Jean would have insisted that Mondstadt's wellbeing outweighed everything.
But now, she had learned much from Ningguang and the others.
Mondstadt was improving daily, and her burdens were lighter.
So she was willing, eager even, to discuss things she once considered frivolous.
Lisa rested her chin on her palm, voice lilting with mischief.
"Why don't we talk about romance instead?"
Jean's eyes flickered, but she sighed softly.
"You want to talk about your love life?
But isn't your relationship with Ryen going quite well?"
Lisa immediately perked up, pride gleaming in her eyes.
"But of course. My dear is absolutely enamored with me.
He comes looking for me every two or three days."
"…Even though it's wonderful during the moment, afterward I can barely walk.
That man, he's built like a raging bull."
"And no matter how many times I warn him, he never listens! Honestly, so troublesome…"
Though she complained, her voice was full of bliss.
Jean glanced at Lisa, a faint trace of envy softening her expression before she discreetly looked away.
"…Lisa has found someone she can rely on for life. I'm truly happy for you."
"That I have…"
Lisa pressed her lips together, looking toward the distant courtyard.
Her gaze softened with unmistakable yearning.
"I love him very much… and I know he loves me as well…"
Then, her expression shifted.
She raised a brow and stared directly at Jean.
"I almost let you dodge that, hm? Jean, you've gotten sneaky."
Jean stiffened slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Lisa chuckled.
"Is there anything you need to hide from me? Jean… you've never been good at concealing your heart."
"These days, you look at Ryen far too often.
And that look… is exactly the same one I used to have."
Jean fell silent.
A long moment passed before she exhaled, weary and conflicted.
"…I'm sorry, Lisa. I didn't want this."
"I'll forget it as soon as I can. I won't interfere with your relationship."
Lisa reached out and held Jean's hand gently.
"No, Jean… you still don't understand me, do you?"
"You don't have to force anything down. Do you think I don't know what Ryen is like?
He's a hopeless flirt, he never refuses anyone."
"Besides, I get along well with Ganyu and the others.
Why would I worry about you ruining anything?"
Jean bit her lip.
"But…"
"There are no 'buts' in matters of the heart."
Lisa's voice was soft, but firm.
"When I met Ryen, he already had Ganyu and the rest.
Did that stop me from diving headfirst? No."
"Jean, I'm not telling you to abandon your feelings or to 'do the right thing.'
I want you to be happy."
For the first time in a long while, Lisa's tone carried serious weight.
"Ryen may be a flirt, but he treats each of us sincerely. I can feel it."
"And Jean, you've spent your entire life worrying about Mondstadt.
Now that Mondstadt is growing stronger, isn't it time you think about yourself?"
"Do you plan to live alone forever? To grow old in solitude?"
Jean's lips parted slightly.
"I… I never…"
"No excuses."
Lisa gave a sly smile.
"How many years have we known each other? I can read you like a book.
Let me guess, A Maiden's Veranda, volume three, is in the second drawer of your bedside table?"
"And if I'm not mistaken… you're hiding it under a copy of A Guide to Regional Governance, aren't you?"
Jean flushed scarlet.
"You went through my drawers!?"
Lisa laughed outright.
"Why would I need to check? You're that easy to read."
Jean sighed helplessly.
"Having you as a friend is… unexpectedly exhausting sometimes."
Lisa smirked.
"Let me guess again. You've been dreaming quite a bit these days, haven't you?"
"In your dreams, you're Maiden Vela… and Ryen is your gallant prince?
The two of you riding across Mondstadt's plains on horseback?"
"Living like an ordinary couple, working at sunrise, resting at sunset?"
Jean's eyes widened in panic.
"H-how do you know that!?"
"Oh, I know much more."
Lisa's gaze turned teasingly sharp.
"Two days ago, before dawn, you snuck outside with a pile of clothes to… dispose of evidence.
My sensing abilities are excellent, you know."
Jean went completely red.
"That was… that was…"
"I understand, Jean, age catches up to all of us."
Lisa giggled to herself.
That night, she and Ryen had been… enthusiastic.
Anyone with an ounce of imagination could guess what kind of dreams Jean had afterward.
"I'm sorry, Lisa. I didn't want to dream about your man…"
Jean lowered her head, ashamed.
Lisa only shook her own.
"If anything, I wish you would join me."
"…???"
Jean choked.
Her thoughts went somewhere catastrophic in an instant.
Lisa burst into laughter.
"Judging by your reaction, you've clearly read not only Maiden Vela, but my entire forbidden collection."
"I… I didn't mean to…"
Lisa waved a lazy hand.
"No secrets between us."
Then her tone softened again.
"Jean… if you truly care for Ryen, I'm willing to help you."
Jean instinctively tried to answer, but Lisa stopped her with a look.
"Think before you speak. This concerns your happiness, I won't push you recklessly."
"But your state these past few days has been obvious.
Not just to me, Ningguang and the others have noticed too."
"Jean… think carefully. What do you actually want?"
"Mondstadt can stand on its own now. You can afford to loosen your grip."
"Tell me… do you want to spend your life alone?"
"Ryen may be a flirt, but he would treasure you."
"Because you like him… don't you?"
"Life is bitter enough.
Living without someone you love beside you… would be even harsher."
"Don't you think so, Jean?"
Jean forced a small, fragile smile, lowering her gaze.
"…I'm sorry. I need to think, Lisa."
Lisa placed both hands on Jean's shoulders and looked straight into her eyes.
"Then think about only one question."
"Do you love him?"
~~----------------------
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