The old hall master's passing left Hu Tao quiet for a while.
But once she understood the truth, she quickly emerged from her grief.
Which meant—she was lively again.
Her grandfather, who had spoiled her since childhood, was gone, but her mother Axiu was still here. And the two retainers who indulged and pampered her were still here as well.
Zhongli was rather relieved that Hu Tao treated him with more respect—she much preferred clinging to the Second Retainer.
Seeing Gu Chen get entangled by Hu Tao yet again, Zhongli gave him a good luck to you look and strolled away leisurely.
Presumably, Mr. Zhongli—who placed great importance on quality of life—was heading out to listen to some opera.
Gu Chen rubbed his brow with a headache, then looked at Hu Tao beside him.
"Hall Master, you're now the hall master in name and reality. Don't you have anything to do?"
"Yes, I do!"
Hu Tao planted her hands on her hips and said righteously,
"Bonding with the retainers! Strengthening their sense of belonging to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, so they'll put in more effort when things come up! That's exactly what this hall master is doing!"
That argument was…
Surprisingly well-reasoned.
Gu Chen didn't know how to refute it for a moment.
After laughing helplessly, he said, "Actually, I have a suggestion—"
Before he could finish, Hu Tao slung one arm over his shoulder and covered his mouth with the other, her little face serious.
"You want to say the First Retainer, right? Look at him—bird-walking, opera-listening, wandering around all day like a useless layabout. In this hall master's opinion, he's already hopeless!"
Gu Chen couldn't help laughing. "Does Mr. Zhongli know you talk about him like this at home?"
"Just a joke!"
Hu Tao giggled, then continued, "Second Retainer, I'm assigning you a task."
"Please instruct me, Hall Master," Gu Chen said solemnly.
Hu Tao stood on tiptoe, pressed him down onto the stool with both hands on his shoulders, and said,
"This hall master will be right back!"
With that, she dashed off in a whirlwind.
Not long after, she returned, holding the Qiankun Taigua Cap the old hall master used to wear, and handed it to Gu Chen.
Gu Chen took it, puzzled.
"Grandpa was big and sturdy—his head was way bigger than mine!"
As she spoke, Hu Tao took the cap back, plopped it on her own head—half her face disappearing under it—then handed it to Gu Chen again, hands on hips.
"Second Retainer, this is your task. Adjust the size. Shouldn't be hard, right?"
Gu Chen stroked his chin, glanced at Hu Tao, then at the hat, and nodded.
"Since it's an order from the Hall Master, I'll give it my all. Tell me—how do you want it changed?"
Hu Tao's eyes curved into crescents.
"First, resize it. Then add some decorations. See the plum tree in the courtyard that I planted when I was little? Take fresh blossoms, dry them, dye them, oil them… then pin them to the hat. Mm—if it's you, Second Retainer, it'll definitely look great!"
"Well, you've already laid on the flattery," Gu Chen chuckled. "Looks like if it's not beautiful, you won't be satisfied. Leave it to me."
"Great, great! I'm counting on you! This hall master's off to play with Qiqi!"
Hu Tao whooped and ran off.
Ever since she obtained her Pyro Vision, she'd grown even more energetic.
Relying on the fact that she was older now—and that Gu Chen wouldn't lecture her—she simply took a shortcut and vaulted over the wall.
Watching her disappear, Gu Chen shook his head with a wry smile.
"That girl…"
Axiu, having learned Hu Tao's intention, brought over needle and thread. Half amused, half helpless, she said,
"She really does need to be reined in. Otherwise, who would dare marry her in the future?"
"In this world, there's always something that counters something else," Gu Chen said with a smile, shaking his head. "The Hall Master is still young—let fate take its course."
Axiu naturally understood. After setting the things down, she said,
"Thank you for the trouble, Mr. Gu Chen."
"It's nothing. A good way to pass the time," Gu Chen replied lightly.
[Kaeya]: Honestly, with a quirky girl like Hall Master Hu, who could possibly rein her in?
[Venti]: The one whose finger got stabbed by a needle in the video, obviously. (Zhongli · Dragon King crooked grin)
[Nilou]: Huh? So we've finally found something Mr. Gu Chen can't do—he can't do needlework! (Nilou · popping in)
[Collei]: The all-capable Mr. Gu Chen isn't so all-capable after all… wait, he figured it out already?! (Paimon · shocked)
[Gu Chen]: (Zhongli · Dragon King crooked grin)
[Kirara]: Wuu, the Second Retainer is really so kind. Even if it's something he doesn't want to do, as long as Hu Tao acts cute, he'll do it. (Hu Tao · acting cute)
[Kaeya]: There's such a thing?! @[Gu Chen] Hurry up and crossdress for me to see. (Hu Tao · acting cute)(Hu Tao · hello)(Hu Tao · thanks boss)
[Hu Tao]: ?
[Azhdaha]: @[Hu Tao] Hurry and bless the brothers—put that great face of the Cult Leader in a skirt or black stockings or something, with a shy expression… (slippery grin)
[Furina]: Hall Master Hu, please!! (Klee · begging)
[Lumine]: I want to see too! (slippery grin)
[Raiden Makoto]: Mm… I'm a little tempted. (Raiden Ei · soft laugh)
[Buer]: It's a bit abstract, but… maybe not impossible.
[Yae Miko]: @[Hu Tao] The sisters are counting on you!
[Zhongli]: Hall Master, I think it's feasible. The Cult Leader really is soft-hearted toward you—if you pester him enough, he might agree. (nodding)
[Hu Tao]: I won't! (Paimon · hmph)
[Hu Tao]: Even if he does wear it, I'll secretly look by myself! (Hu Tao · wicked grin)
[Gu Chen]: Just you wait.
[Venti]: Is the Cult Leader going to buy clothes now? (Venti · starry-eyed anticipation)
[Paimon]: No—he's memorizing names.
[Kaeya]: Cult Leader, that was just inner demons acting up, you get it, right? (kneels)
[Azhdaha]: My erosion was clearly cured—why did my brain short-circuit? It must be the Heavenly Principles messing with me! (certain)
[Sustainer of Heavenly Principles]: You people are truly ridiculous. (Zhongli · black lines)
A few days later.
Gu Chen finished modifying the Qiankun Taigua Cap.
At thirteen, Hu Tao had grown quite pretty. Perhaps because she'd always been active, she was now almost up to Gu Chen's chest.
Gu Chen sat on a stone bench. Hu Tao dragged over a small stool and sat in his lap as he combed her hair.
Because of her preference, he tied it into twin ponytails.
Zhongli sat nearby sipping tea, a faint smile in his eyes.
After a moment—
"All done."
Hu Tao sprang up.
"Turn around," Gu Chen said, holding the hat.
"Oh!"
She turned, plum-blossom eyes fixed on his face.
Gu Chen placed the hat on her head and adjusted the brim.
Hu Tao kept staring at him, lips curving upward. After a long moment, she said,
"Second Retainer, it's been ten years. You don't seem to have aged at all."
Gu Chen's hand paused for a split second before he replied calmly,
"Following Mr. Zhongli's health regimen every day. Good maintenance."
"Really?" Hu Tao's eyes curved with mischief.
"Of course," Gu Chen nodded.
She didn't press further, instead turning to Zhongli.
"First Retainer, what do you think?"
She pointed at the hat.
Zhongli examined it carefully and praised,
"Excellent craftsmanship from the Second Retainer."
"Heehee, this hall master's eye is sharp! Handing it to the Second Retainer was the right call!"
Hu Tao beamed, hands on hips.
Ignoring her delight, Gu Chen sat down to drink tea.
"Next time, it'll be Mr. Zhongli's turn."
"That wouldn't do. I'm not as versatile as Mr. Gu Chen," Zhongli shook his head.
Seeing the two retainers about to start their usual mutual praise, Hu Tao dragged her stool closer, propped herself on the table, and watched them play chess.
"Did you hear? Ningguang's become the Tianquan."
"She has?" Zhongli placed a piece. "As expected."
Gu Chen sighed softly.
"To reach that position in just over ten years—exceptional talent."
Hu Tao recited with gusto,
"Tianquan Ningguang, wealth unmatched;
Bright eyes and fair grace, blooms shamed;
Sight keen, ears sharp—hundreds solved, thousands handled!"
"Nicely balanced," Zhongli said.
"Good lines," Gu Chen agreed.
Their praise made Hu Tao ecstatic.
After watching the game for a while and getting bored, she said,
"Ahh, I'm off! You two old antiques keep playing!"
She ran off like a little whirlwind.
Only after she disappeared did Zhongli speak.
"I hear Mondstadt is suffering a dragon crisis."
"So that's the case," Gu Chen replied, not looking surprised.
Zhongli nodded. The two didn't dwell on it.
[Kaeya]: A dragon crisis? Then in a few years, the Traveler arrives. Hey @[Lumine]—how would you feel meeting the Cult Leader in the video? (slippery grin)
[Lumine]: No idea. (shrugs)
[Yae Miko]: Isn't it like… finding your husband living in another woman's house? (Yae Miko · wicked grin)
[Lumine]: In this episode, I have no connection with him. And obviously I wouldn't carry memories—so we'd just be strangers.
[Osial]: Wait—damn it! If that's the case, don't I get beaten again?! @[Tartaglia] Get out here and take responsibility! If you hadn't let me out, would I have gotten beaten?! (angry)
[Tartaglia]: Fine, my fault—but first I'd like to criticize certain someone who wanted to retire and played everyone like fools! (angry)
[Zhongli]: If we're assigning blame, then it starts with the Heavenly Principles. If not for erosion, would I have retired this way? (angry)
[Sustainer of Heavenly Principles]: Are you people just passing the buck now?! (angry)
After inheriting Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao was often busy.
But after the old hall master's case, Gu Chen, Zhongli, and the attendants weren't worried.
They trusted she wouldn't mess things up.
Opinions about Hu Tao varied, but when it came to funeral rites, approval was unanimous.
Usually quirky and mischievous, she became exceptionally steady and solemn during ceremonies.
Wangsheng closed during the day and worked at night.
Gu Chen and Zhongli kept normal schedules—spending days sipping tea and playing chess in the courtyard, or slipping out the back gate to wander the streets.
"I've noticed you have a habit of not carrying Mora lately," Gu Chen said, eyeing Zhongli with a faint smile.
Zhongli grew awkward under the look.
"I'll be more careful in the future."
"Will you? You'd better," Gu Chen replied, smiling without elaboration.
Zhongli never revealed his identity, and Gu Chen never spoke of his origins.
But they both understood.
"Time really does pass quickly," Zhongli said, changing the subject.
"Yes," Gu Chen followed. "In the blink of an eye, Xiao Tao's already sixteen."
Three years had passed since she became hall master at thirteen.
She'd grown taller—now reaching Gu Chen's shoulder.
Compared to her title as Hall Master of Wangsheng, her fame as an alleyway doggerel poet traveled even farther.
"I heard guards at the Ministry of Civil Affairs saying our Hall Master keeps the two stone lions at the gate as pets," Zhongli laughed.
"Her tastes are… unique," Gu Chen said, unsure how to comment.
"By the count, that 'Young Master' should be treating me to a meal soon," Zhongli said, looking at Gu Chen. "He's heard your name and wants to invite you as well."
Gu Chen shook his head.
"Forget it. I'm not interested in that."
"Very well. I'll pass it on," Zhongli nodded.
Not long after Zhongli left, Hu Tao woke up, ate something, then asked,
"Where's the First Retainer? He's been all mysterious lately."
"Someone invited him to dinner," Gu Chen replied.
"Oh~"
Hu Tao suddenly understood, then said,
"Nothing going on today. Second Retainer—let's go on an outing!"
"That's rare. What's gotten into you?" Gu Chen asked.
"Hey, life's about being happy while you're alive! Come on, come on!"
She grabbed his arm and dragged him out.
"Shouldn't we bring something for an outing?" Gu Chen sighed.
"What's there to bring? We'll eat at Wanmin Restaurant, then go wander Mount Tianheng behind it. This poet has a premonition—this afternoon I'll compose a masterpiece to be sung for ages!"
Gu Chen had no idea where that confidence came from, but he went along.
They ate at Wanmin, then—just as Hu Tao planned—headed up Mount Tianheng behind Liyue Harbor.
From on high, gazing far into the distance as clouds rolled and unfurled, the view was refreshing.
Gu Chen sat on the ground. Hu Tao wandered around with her hands behind her back, muttering to herself.
The sunlight was perfect.
Gu Chen yawned, clasped his hands behind his head, and enjoyed the afternoon. Before long, his breathing evened out.
Hu Tao, having just come up with a poem she was very satisfied with, ran over excitedly to share it.
"Second Retainer?"
She called softly. No response.
Tiptoeing closer, she plucked a foxtail grass and tickled his nose with it, her plum-blossom eyes full of mischief.
Gu Chen woke from the itch and glared at her.
"Hall Master, don't mess around."
"Heehee!"
She tossed the grass aside and lay down beside him, stretching lazily.
"Ahh, such rare good weather~"
Gu Chen ignored her and closed his eyes again.
Feeling him fall asleep, Hu Tao rolled over, propped her face on her palm, and studied his features.
Her fair face showed faint worry. Something flickered in her eyes as she murmured,
"Sixteen years… not a change in appearance at all. The Retainer really doesn't age…"
She puffed her cheeks and sat up, chin resting between her knees, arms wrapped around her legs, looking somewhat forlorn.
[Kirara]: Oh no, oh no! Miss Hu Tao's noticed Mr. Gu Chen doesn't age! (Ganyu · distressed)
[Nilou]: Sixteen years! Miss Hu Tao's clever—she remembers her childhood clearly. With no change in Mr. Gu Chen's appearance, she must have guessed something.
[Collei]: If only Mr. Gu Chen were ordinary—living a simple life with Miss Hu Tao would be so nice! (Diona · frustrated)
[Paimon]: Just thinking about it feels so regretful!! (Amber · nooo)
[Hu Tao]: (Hu Tao · messed up)
—[Wen Duxing] Thanks for the monthly ticket, boss! (Hu Tao · heart)
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