At the end of her chat with Zhongli, Mu Qingge asked him why he held a funeral for himself.
Zhongli simply explained that he did not want Liyue's traditions to be forgotten, and also told Mu Qingge that the Rite of Parting had the tacit approval of the Qixing; Ningguang and the others were not as Mu Qingge had previously said.
The Geo Archon was speaking up for Ningguang and the others, probably worried that Mu Qingge would develop a rift with the other six Qixing over this matter.
But how could that be?!
She liked all the characters in Genshin Impact; how could she have a rift with them?
Ahem, for this persona, Tartaglia and other overt 'villains' who aren't really villains don't count.
It would be strange if she truly had no rift with them.
Afterward, the two went to the Jade Chamber, waiting for Lumine and Paimon, who had borrowed the Cleansing Bell.
Paimon imitating Madame Ping was truly amusing; if not for maintaining her image, Mu Qingge would have laughed for a while.
Then, a few of them went to buy kites, and Tartaglia appeared when they were paying.
"Childe?" Paimon was startled by Childe, who suddenly interjected.
"Haha, just passing by."
Tartaglia glanced at Mu Qingge among the four, somewhat puzzled as to why she was there.
But now was clearly not the time for suspicion.
"Zhongli is still the same; he never looks at the price or his wallet when paying or asking someone else to pay."
"But then again, he actually understands the value of money and the hardships of the human world, but he seems unable to comprehend that 'poverty' could also be a situation he might experience himself."
"Or, to put it another way, he simply cannot imagine himself without money."
Paimon quickly echoed, "That's incredible! How has someone like him not starved to death?"
Mu Qingge looked at Zhongli, then at Paimon, her expression briefly off, but in the end, she said nothing.
And when this part of the story played out on the player interface, the camera also lingered on Mu Qingge's face.
While players appreciated the stunning beauty, they didn't think much of it.
The previous conversation between Zhongli and Mu Qingge near the Statue of the Seven was not included in the game, so players still didn't know Zhongli's identity at this point.
Then Childe gave Lumine another sum of money; Mu Qingge didn't pretend to be rich this time; she was indeed out of money.
This month's salary hadn't been disbursed yet.
The four together hired several workers at the dock; with Mu Qingge there, these workers hardly haggled, taking the money and getting to work!
For these workers, it was: Even if Lady Mu didn't pay them for what she asked, they would still do it!
Among the Qixing, although Mu Qingge managed the military, she held considerable prestige among the common people.
After everything was finished, when both Zhongli and Mu Qingge were absent, Tartaglia came to find Lumine and Paimon.
"Yo? Done with the task? You don't need to return the remaining money; keep it. Those who work for the Fatui never lose out."
Paimon hugged her small hands and said haughtily:
"Hmph, do you think such charity can buy me off?"
Unfortunately, Paimon in this state only lasted a few seconds before deflating, looking at Tartaglia with some anticipation:
"When will you give us the next sum of money?"
Lumine helplessly rubbed her forehead.
Paimon, where is your ambition?
"Haha, I have a piece of information. As long as you can tell me, I'll open the Northland Bank's vault to you for half an hour."
"What information?"
Paimon's interest was piqued, but Lumine immediately became wary, remembering the Fatui's reputation and Mu Qingge's earlier warning, she stopped Paimon:
"No!"
"Huh? Do you know what he wants?"
Lumine almost instinctively said:
"What else could the Fatui want? Remember, in Mondstadt..."
Paimon covered her little mouth: "Ah, in Mondstadt, the Fatui's Fair Lady..."
Paimon hadn't finished speaking when Tartaglia grunted displeasedly, his tone no longer as friendly as before:
"Alright, alright, seriously, what are you talking about?"
Seemingly sensing the impropriety of his tone, Tartaglia continued: "What's wrong with us? The atmosphere just now was so strange?"
Paimon was startled by Tartaglia's earlier demeanor, uncharacteristically not speaking up immediately.
Lumine was also silent.
Just then, Zhongli and Mu Qingge walked over, Zhongli spoke of their next plan, and halfway through, he noticed the strange atmosphere and asked in confusion.
Tartaglia briefly explained, then found an excuse to leave.
"Lumine, what's wrong?"
Lumine shook her head, and Paimon also remained silent. Seeing them like this, Mu Qingge didn't ask further.
---
Livestream.
: "I just knew this Childe was off. His expression just now clearly showed anger!"
: "It seems what my wife Mu said before was indeed true; the Fatui definitely have an unspeakable secret."
: "Would it be better if we told Qingge?"
: "Foolish! We should tell Qingge. I think Tartaglia seems very wary of her."
---
Back in Liyue.
Bubu Pharmacy, the story was still progressing.
Mu Qingge knew the upcoming plot, but she didn't intend to stop it.
Isn't it also a very interesting part of the game?
She couldn't reduce the players' gameplay experience for her own convenience.
So, at the request of the little zombie Qiqi, the four ran to Mt. Tianheng, repaired the Guizhong Ballista, and then returned with no harvest whatsoever.
Finally, Zhongli and the other two, understanding Qiqi's intention, were speechless.
But facing the adorable Qiqi, they could only admit defeat.
It was Baizhu who came to relieve them.
Soon after, Tartaglia also arrived. Hearing about the four's Cocogoat incident, he couldn't stop laughing and offered to pay.
Finally, Zhongli still said those words:
"Hmm, two million nine hundred ninety-nine thousand. At first glance, it's nothing, but from a universally rational perspective, it is indeed ten thousand less than three million."
The matter of the Everlasting Incense was also resolved. Zhongli bid farewell to a few people and left the place.
Mu Qingge left after Zhongli.
Childe's conversation with the Fatui spy as he left revealed the location of the Exuvia: the Golden House.
---
Player's perspective.
: "So their target is the Exuvia!"
: "Although what was said before is not wrong, their actual target is the Gnosis!"
: "Oh no, oh no, doesn't anyone know the Fatui have already gotten the news?"
: "Uh... how do you take a Gnosis? By disembowelment? That would be too cruel!"
: "Referring to how Barbatos had his Gnosis taken, you'll know that they probably only take the Gnosis, without harming the body. It shouldn't be that cruel, after all, this is a 16+ game."
---
Liyue.
The Rite of Parting preparations were almost complete. Zhongli decided to treat them to a meal.
Mu Qingge declined the Geo Archon's kind offer; she would not participate in the subsequent events.
It wasn't because she was unwilling but because she needed to return and take charge of the overall situation.
Fengyan had already sent someone to urge her; he was undecided on several major issues.
Perhaps it wasn't that he was undecided, but that Mu Qingge's decisions were always correct, and he didn't want to take risks with these major aspects.
Additionally, Mu Qingge also needed to prepare for upcoming events, whether it was facing Childe or Osial, and her wife Baizhi.
The Millelith must be fully prepared!
These soldiers are treasures to their families; their lives must be protected!
.
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