Under Zhongli's intense gaze, Jiang Bai guiltily turned away, pretending to examine his surroundings.
Zhongli ignored him, continuing his detailed lecture on selecting quality Noctilucous Jade.
"…High-quality Noctilucous Jade is particularly receptive to Pyro elemental energy. Under intense heat, the bluer its glow, the higher its quality."
Aether and Paimon felt they'd gained new insights.
Eventually, under Zhongli's precise guidance and careful testing, Aether selected the best piece of Noctilucous Jade available.
Then Zhongli promptly bought an entire crate.
When the shopkeeper learned the jade was intended for Rex Lapis's Sending-off Ceremony, he generously charged only half-price.
Without a doubt, Aether and Paimon gained a deeper appreciation for the Geo Archon's significance to the people of Liyue.
Even the notoriously stingy shopkeeper of Jade Mystery appeared profoundly saddened by Rex Lapis's passing, eventually breaking into genuine tears.
After recording the purchase on Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's tab, Jiang Bai delivered the Noctilucous Jade to Yujing Terrace, where a jeweler Zhongli had hired would craft ceremonial vessels from them.
Zhongli had also rented Yujing Terrace as the venue for the ceremony itself.
Currently arranging decorations at Yujing Terrace, Hu Tao waved upon seeing them.
"How's everything going?"
Jiang Bai set down the heavy crate of jade, stretching his arms. "We just finished gathering the first item."
"No rush. This is the Geo Archon's Sending-off Ceremony—it must be done meticulously. I'll join you once I finish setting up here."
"You keep busy, Director. We'll head off first."
"What's the next thing we need to prepare?" Paimon asked.
"Fragrance balm," Zhongli replied.
"Fragrance balm? Where can we get it—do we just buy some?"
"No. Fragrance balm suitable for divine rituals must be specially crafted. The quality of the Silk Flowers required is equally crucial—"
As Zhongli launched into yet another lengthy explanation, Jiang Bai's mind wandered.
Come to think of it, I don't think the Director ever uses fragrance balm, does she?
Perhaps he could commission a special fragrance balm for her as a gift.
But what fragrance would she like? Glaze Lily? Sweet Flower? Silk Flower? Maybe plum blossom—it is her favorite, after all.
I could sneak a few blossoms from the plum tree in her courtyard… She probably wouldn't notice.
Just as he was lost in thought, Jiang Bai felt someone tap his shoulder.
"Hey, what are you spacing out for? We're about to order the fragrance balm!" Paimon snapped him back to reality.
Seeing Zhongli already a few steps ahead, Jiang Bai quickly jogged to catch up.
"Where are we ordering the fragrance balm from again?"
"We're heading to Wanyou Boutique first to buy Silk Flowers," Paimon replied, hands on her hips. She glared suspiciously at Jiang Bai, wondering if he'd heard even a word Zhongli had said.
"Oh, I also wanted to order some fragrance balm. Can you wait for me there once you've bought the flowers? I need to fetch something first." Before anyone could respond, Jiang Bai dashed away.
Paimon scratched her head, puzzled. "Why does he want fragrance balm anyway? Is it a gift?"
"Probably for a girl," Aether guessed thoughtfully.
After all, he doubted Jiang Bai would use it himself.
"Ohh…" Paimon nodded, enlightened.
Jiang Bai sprinted back to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, sneaked into Hu Tao's courtyard, and carefully clipped a few branches from her beloved plum tree. Worried it might not be enough, he quickly collected some additional petals.
By the time he arrived breathlessly at Wanyou Boutique, the group had already purchased their Silk Flowers and were waiting for him.
Paimon sniffed suspiciously around Jiang Bai. "What's that fragrance on you? Smells nice."
"Is there? You must be mistaken," Jiang Bai denied hurriedly.
I probably got some plum blossom scent on me earlier.
Zhongli merely glanced at Jiang Bai, instantly recognizing the scent, but said nothing.
"So, which Silk Flowers did you get?"
Paimon spread her hands helplessly. "Mr. Zhongli bought all three types."
Jiang Bai pressed his hand against his forehead, despairing slightly. He should've expected this outcome.
Aether also sighed. "We did try persuading him otherwise, but Mr. Zhongli insisted fragrance balm was too important to guess. He didn't know which scent Rex Lapis would prefer, so he decided to get all three, then let Rex Lapis pick himself…"
"Let Rex Lapis pick himself?" Jiang Bai looked incredulous. "What, is Rex Lapis going to rise from the dead just to choose fragrance balm?"
"No, no! We're placing them before his Statue of The Seven…" Paimon quickly explained.
"Oh." Jiang Bai relaxed visibly. "For a second, I thought Rex Lapis was really going to come back to life…"
"But the shopkeeper didn't charge us once he knew it was for the Geo Archon!" Paimon announced happily, delighted to save a sizable sum of Mora.
Jiang Bai quietly sighed.
Though the Liyue Qixing hadn't formally announced Rex Lapis's death, rumors had inevitably spread, and many citizens already knew—just unwilling or unable to accept it.
These shopkeepers weren't isolated cases.
Organizing the Sending-off Ceremony confirmed this heartbreaking truth for many. Tonight, countless citizens would weep quietly into their pillows.
Without lingering further, Jiang Bai and Aether headed directly to Scent of Spring upon learning Miss Ying'er there was renowned for her fragrance balm skills.
Zhongli, however, excused himself, departing to handle other preparations.
"You've finally arrived," Ying'er greeted them from the shop entrance, leaning casually against the door frame with a playful giggle.
"Huh? You knew we were coming?" Paimon asked in surprise.
"I heard someone very fragrant had been wandering around the city looking for certain people…" Ying'er covered her mouth mischievously. "I worried you wouldn't come find me. In a way, it's quite a test of my charm…"
Jiang Bai felt something strange about her wording. Looking for certain people? Why does she phrase it in such an ambiguous way?
"You're making us sound dangerous…" Paimon pouted, hands on hips.
"Rumors spread quickly," Ying'er chuckled. "You might want to be cautious."
She led them into the shop. "But don't worry—I know exactly why you're here. You'd like me to make fragrance balm, correct? What scent are you thinking of?"
Aether handed her the Silk Flowers. "Make three separate fragrances from these three types of Silk Flowers, please."
"Oh my, three at once? You're still so young, yet you have quite the appetite…" Ying'er teased openly, eyes twinkling with amusement. "Could the earlier rumors actually be true? Were you scouting potential recipients for fragrance balm?"
At Ying'er's teasing, Aether blushed faintly. "It's for Rex Lapis…"
Seeing the handsome young man flush shyly, Ying'er laughed even more merrily. "Using Rex Lapis as an excuse, how cunning! Even if you're courting three girls at once, I wouldn't judge you…"
Jiang Bai, who'd originally planned to ask Ying'er for his custom balm, abruptly changed his mind.
Miss Ying'er is way too good at making embarrassing remarks!
He could easily imagine her making suggestive comments about him and Hu Tao—then Paimon and Aether would immediately discover his feelings toward the Director.
Though unlikely, Jiang Bai's guilty conscience made him certain he'd be exposed if he asked now.
Imagining that scenario, Jiang Bai shuddered and wisely decided he'd better request his custom fragrance balm privately, once Aether and Paimon weren't around.