When Shajin led Rosalyne into the Jade Chamber, the place was already bustling with guests.
He scanned the room calmly. Furina and Hu Tao were deep in conversation, laughter flowing between them like a spring breeze. The harmony between the two made Shajin nod quietly to himself.
So his instincts were right—those two did have a lot in common.
Just then, the delicacies began arriving one by one, their rich aroma quickly filling the air. Shajin strode steadily toward Ningguang and whispered,
"Ningguang, it looks like almost everyone we invited has arrived."
Ningguang was playing with a fine slip of paper, her slender fingers folding it deftly before handing it to Baixiao beside her. Then she raised her eyes and glanced around at the guests. With a gentle hand under her chin, she frowned slightly and murmured,
"Strange. I thought today's gathering would be all women?"
Shajin tilted his head, puzzled. "Why would you think that?"
A playful smile tugged at Ningguang's lips. She tapped Shajin's chest lightly with a jade-like finger, laughing softly.
"You really have no self-awareness at all~"
"Huh?"
Shajin spotted Nahida sitting alone on a chair, her large eyes blinking unblinkingly at the crowd.
Ningguang leaned in close and whispered into his ear.
"She's been sitting there since you left. We're not sure if it's just… divine temperament or something? But we didn't want to disturb her."
Shajin gave it some thought.
Fair point. Every Archon he'd met had their own quirks.
He shook his head, then walked over and scooped Nahida up in one motion.
Mm, very satisfying to hold.
"Nahida, why not go mingle a bit? Make some friends?"
Nahida was startled at first.
But realizing it was Shajin, she didn't resist. She replied honestly,
"I've never attended a banquet before. I don't really know how to start a conversation."
Shajin chuckled.
"That's easy."
He pointed toward Zhongli, who was sipping tea, and Venti, who was draped across a table waiting for wine.
"See those two? The yellow one is Morax, the Geo Archon. The green one is Barbatos, the Anemo Archon. Go talk to them—you'll definitely gain something from it~"
Nahida's eyes widened.
She could understand the Anemo Archon. But…
"Wait, isn't the Geo Archon already… No, he definitely has a divine aura… Then why is the Hydro Archon…?"
Shajin gently stroked her hair.
"Morax faked his death for Liyue's future. As for Fufu, her case is… unique. But in a certain sense, she's earned her place as the Hydro Archon."
Nahida understood quickly.
She clenched her little fists and encouraged herself.
"Mm! I'll give it a try!"
Shajin set her down and walked with her toward Venti and Zhongli.
Venti spotted them and reflexively shivered.
Shajin couldn't help but laugh softly.
"Venti, I'm not some monster. Am I really that scary?"
Venti rolled his eyes and muttered,
"With someone as scheming as you, if I don't bring at least 800 tricks, I'll be helping you count money after you sell me."
Zhongli ignored their teasing and sipped his tea quietly. Then his gaze fell on Nahida, his expression softening as he spoke slowly.
"You must be the newly ascended Dendro Archon of Sumeru."
Nahida nodded shyly and replied in a small voice,
"Yes… Hello, I'm Nahida."
Zhongli dipped his head slightly in greeting, every movement calm and elegant.
Shajin gave Zhongli a pat on the shoulder.
"Morax, do me a favor—teach her a bit about what it means to be a god."
Zhongli paused, eyes lowering into brief contemplation.
Teach divine knowledge?
He couldn't help but think back to his idle days of "strategic retreat" from work.
Would it be appropriate to teach her how to slack off cleverly?
Of course, that thought passed in a flash.
…
Under Shajin's guidance, Nahida slowly began to relax.
She looked first at the carefree bard Venti, then at the steady presence of Zhongli. Her curiosity toward the two Archons grew deeper.
"Um… Morax, I've heard you're the guardian deity of Liyue."
She asked gently, hope in her voice.
"Could you tell me, as a god… how should we coexist with humans?"
Zhongli slowly set down his teacup, his movements graceful and unhurried.
In his eyes—deep as ancient wells—a gentle light glimmered like a star in the night. His voice was low and warm.
"Nahida, the way a god interacts with humans is like all things in this world—ever-changing, with no fixed rule. Each Archon walks a different path, shaped by their nature and past."
"But above all, one must hold a compassionate heart, and truly understand and respect the hopes and choices of mortals. After all, they are the lifeblood and foundation of this land."
As he finished, Venti set down his wine cup with a mischievous glint in his eye and chimed in.
"Oh? The old man's giving life lessons now?"
He turned to Nahida and added in a breezy tone,
"Don't mind his seriousness. Gods, above all, should enjoy themselves~"
Shajin looked at the two gods—polar opposites in temperament—and couldn't help but smile.
He knew Venti's carefree demeanor often hid layers of insight.
"Nahida, there's no need to be so tense. Gods are people too—we feel joy, sorrow, anger, and love."
Venti nodded encouragingly.
"Try to understand them. And let them understand you."
Nahida nodded firmly, eyes filled with resolve.
"I will. Thank you, both of you."
…
As time passed, the banquet grew livelier.
Laughter rang out from Furina and Hu Tao, their chatter dancing from food to travel and everything in between.
Shajin and Ningguang joined in, sharing their own amusing tales.
In another corner, Nahida's conversation with Zhongli and Venti deepened.
She began to understand that being a god came with heavy responsibilities—but also with freedom and joy.
Zhongli shared wisdom on governance and foresight.
Venti spoke of freedom and adventure.
"Remember, Nahida," Venti said softly, "our power comes from the faith of our people—but we also have to live for ourselves."
Nahida nodded earnestly, clarity dawning in her heart.
As a god, she must protect Sumeru and its people with compassion.
But she must also find joy and peace in her own long journey—and write a story that is truly her own.
_
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