After the people from the Yashiro Commission and the Kamisato Clan dispersed, a sly smile crept across Yae Miko's face in the distance.
The Kamisato Ayaka from earlier had seemed so soft and delicate, almost too easy to tease.
Her show of vulnerability played right into Miko's hands.
She was already scheming up some amusing ideas.
Mornings in Inazuma City were never leisurely.
Shops opened early for business, and farmers and fishermen alike headed out to till the fields and cast their lines.
But today was especially lively.
A single piece of news had spread to every corner of Inazuma, big and small.
"Our White Heron Princess has found her true love!"
"This morning, the young lady of the Kamisato Clan bid farewell to Lord Ye Xi and even gifted him her cherished dance fan as a token of affection!"
"Lady Ayaka vowed to dance only for him alone!"
"Lord Ye Xi returned the gesture with a jade flute for Lady Ayaka! This is clearly an exchange of love tokens!"
"The White Heron Princess and the heir of Narukami have pledged themselves in secret—this tale is bound to become another legendary romance in Inazuma!"
No one knew exactly what had happened, but upon waking, they found the story buzzing through every street and alley!
Everyone offered their heartfelt blessings to Kamisato Ayaka!
Some even sighed in admiration.
"What a match made in heaven!"
"I'm so envious of Lady Ayaka—this story is too romantic!"
"Exchanging love tokens... it's the dream of every young girl!"
"The White Heron Princess and Lord Ye Xi together—it's well-deserved, a perfect union!"
Amid the envy, many began to speculate.
"This must be the General's doing! I heard that when Lord Ye Xi left, even the thunderstorm ceased!"
"It was an order from the Raiden Shogun? Damn, I was just about to propose to the Kamisato estate!"
"Who would dare defy the Shogun's will? It's suicide!"
Thanks to deliberate efforts, the morning's events spread across nearly all of Inazuma!
Some folks were all wind and no substance, embellishing the tale with extra flair.
What started as a farewell gift exchange twisted into an engagement.
Passed from mouth to mouth, the engagement became a full marriage.
In the end, it morphed into an entirely different version.
"Young lady, the rumors outside are saying that Lord Ye Xi has already moved into the Kamisato estate and has been... living with you for quite some time..." The servant reporting this bowed his head low, not daring to meet her eyes.
Kamisato Ayaka's delicate face flushed crimson at the hearsay, and she exclaimed in shock, "How did it turn into something like this...?"
The very idea of living together with Ye Xi—she wouldn't even dare to imagine it!
Meanwhile, Kamisato Ayato nearly laughed himself breathless.
"Who would've thought a little rumor could snowball like this!"
"That's the power of gossip for you!"
"This is excellent!"
"Now, no one will dare provoke the Kamisato Clan lightly!"
"The clan's future endeavors will surely sail smoothly!"
Ayato set down the clan records and let out a relieved breath.
He hadn't expected that just leaking the news would clear the path—several great families had already stepped aside for the Kamisato Clan!
Even those former adversaries who had hounded them relentlessly were now keeping their distance!
And all this, simply from Ye Xi's reputation!
At sea.
The Alcor cut through the waves like a knife slicing water, leaving a trail of white foam in its wake.
On deck, sailors hauled cargo while others adjusted the sails based on the wind.
They went about their duties amid cheerful banter.
But the conversation inevitably circled back to two words—Ye Xi.
"Big Sis, it's been a while. You're still drinking like a champ as always."
Ye Xi set down his cup, inwardly grumbling to himself.
[This "cup" is clearly a bowl!]
[Drinking from this, even a teetotaler like me would be flat on my back...]
In his previous life, he wasn't some stubborn teetotaler who shunned alcohol entirely.
Work and social obligations meant he had to drink now and then.
Sometimes after work, he'd even grab a light drink with female colleagues.
But it was always just a buzz, nothing more—and the glasses were those bar ones that looked big but held barely anything.
He simply couldn't handle Beidou's boot-camp-style drinking.
Beidou burst into hearty laughter, grabbing the jug to refill Ye Xi's cup. "You're still the same as ever—never fully committing to the fun!" The first mate and sailors nearby twitched at the corners of their mouths.
In the Crux Fleet, it was always the crew pouring for Big Sis. Who had ever qualified for her to pour for them!? Ye Xi here was probably the one and only!
Big Sis's behavior today had completely upended their worldview!
No one could've imagined she had this side to her.
She was treating Ye Xi like a blood brother!
"Brother Ye Xi, I'm the first mate on this ship—just call me Old Zhao."
With that, Old Zhao raised his bowl, and Ye Xi's face stiffened.
But the follow-up—"I'll down mine, you take it easy"—let him breathe easy.
After a few rounds of toasting, Old Zhao chuckled and asked, "Brother Ye Xi, we rarely hear Big Sis mention you. How exactly did you two meet?" At Old Zhao's question, everyone's eyes turned toward them.
Even the working sailors perked up their ears, listening in.