The Emperor was even more extraordinary, dressed differently from now, with longer hem, shoulder armor with fluttering ribbons—looking just one word: elegant.
Liyue people cried out they couldn't take it; when are we most sensitive? Every moment seeing the Emperor!
As for Guizhong, this was still her first appearance in everyone's eyes; though not yet showing her face, she had already won quite a few people's affection.
The large hem made her look tiny, arm slightly raised, under the cover of the large cuff even more pitiable.
["This adeptus once used a gathering as pretext to invite the most impartial Geo Archon Emperor to judge the superiority of two mechanism arts..."]
["Yet the Emperor said that Guizhong's 'Shadeveil Mechanism' was slightly superior to mine."]
The scene shifted to a close-up of Cloud Retainer, her back to the other two, not wanting them to see her expression.
That face with red half-rim glasses was full of tsundere, one eye closed, the other eye still secretly glancing back, observing the two behind.
Little mouth pouted, lightly huffing out.
["Hmph, though hard to admit, this adeptus knows full well that Guizhong is indeed a cut above in mechanism arts."]
The scene to Guizhong, her long sleeves lightly covering her smile, both eyes curved into crescents, girl-next-door vibe hitting full force.
Readers were very troubled: one tsundere big sis, one loli girl; which to choose?
Xianyun herself was a bit restless; these thoughts were inner words she didn't want Guizhong to hear! Now all known to Guizhong!
"This prophecy isn't accurate; this adeptus wouldn't have such thoughts." Xianyun retorted.
"Mhm mhm, Little Yunyun's right." Guizhong smiled, tiptoeing to pat Xianyun's head.
Xianyun's face flushed red: "This adeptus won't argue with you."
After saying that, she ran off; her nature was actually quite introverted, facing such a situation she didn't know how to cope, thus choosing to flee the scene.
Everyone didn't stop her; for such a 'self-destruct truck' scenario, the person herself unable to take it wasn't strange; earlier Ganyu had been so shy she wanted to crawl under the table.
Ganyu was still sitting here now because she was even more shy than Xianyun; she didn't even have the courage to run.
In any case, though Xianyun ran, everyone was still watching the her in the story telling the story.
["As for the story of Guizhong and Streetward Rambler, it starts from a bell."]
The scene was Guizhong in 'inventing' mode, tools in hand, expression cautious; most eye-catching was her playful tongue, seemingly unconsciously sticking out a bit, licking her upper lip.
How to put it: good thing Guizhong no longer had fanatic believers; otherwise, seeing this scene, who knows if they'd plant a couple kisses?
Probably not, right? Such blaspheming of the divine, how could it be?
["Guizhong believed that though mechanism arts couldn't fully replace human-composed music, their products could suffice to match simple creations."]
The scene readers loved hadn't ended; shifting to after Guizhong's invention, holding a brush writing on a scroll.
What caught the eye in this painting was her little feet, that pair of small feet bare and a bit off the ground, just like the girl's heart—pure.
Little toes happily interlocking, declaring her owner's playful personality.
["Streetward Rambler believed music was the resonance of souls, born of inspiration, absolutely impossible to generate spontaneously from mechanisms."]
No time to sigh over Guizhong's cuteness, the scene to the big sis beside Guizhong.
That was a blue-haired blue-robed big sis, eyes closed lightly plucking the instrument on her lap, that serene look exactly opposite to Guizhong's playfulness.
Readers' eyes bulged: who? Beauty, who are you? Where's my Granny Ping?!
Damn, change back!
Originally between Cloud Retainer and Guizhong I was already hard to choose; now three, even harder!
The next scene was the two women confronting: left side Guizhong with hands on hips, little mouth pouted in unconvinced look, slightly raising her small head staring at Streetward Rambler, eyes saying 'not convinced'.
Right side Streetward Rambler opened her eyes; different from the serenity when closed, open-eyed she had a bit more cool aloofness, expressionless with arms crossed, slightly lowering her head looking at Guizhong.
Seeing this scene, Guizhong also felt some nostalgia, lifting her head to look toward Streetward Rambler.
Just right, Streetward Rambler was also looking at her; the two just like in the picture gazing at each other, only this time both faces wore smiles.
This scene and sentiment shouldn't be here; under the car, Xianyun continued telling the story.
["The two argued endlessly; I had no choice but to invite the Emperor to intervene."]
Readers couldn't help nodding: one cute girl, one cool big sis; indeed hard to choose, must invite the Emperor.
["He took the bell, to be used in managing various rituals."]
With the Emperor making a move, one knew if it worked; he directly confiscated the bell.
Kids fighting over a 'toy', what to do? Beat them... I mean, take away the toy is fine.
Indeed fine; readers looking at the scene of the long-robed Emperor single-handedly holding the bell, posture upright, just like a perfect clothes rack; readers also fine.
No time, decided to choose the Emperor.
["After that, I saw them often gathering in the mountains."]
["Discussing elegant music, mechanism arts, and all manner of human affairs."]
The scene was mountain path at sunset dusk, sun's rays warm and fuzzy, mountain grass green and lush; at this time all became backdrop to the two women.
The two walking the mountain path, Guizhong a head shorter than Streetward Rambler, tilting head on tiptoes close to Streetward Rambler.
Even without seeing faces, everyone could imagine the two giggling; truly mountain fairies.
Readers couldn't help the smiles at their lips, all showing auntie smiles: so wonderful.
Indeed, Shikikan, if you want, you can still draw such scenes! So good!
Just sighing over this heartwarming scene, flip the page to a statue with cracks appearing on its cheeks.
That crack on the cheek right under the eyes, for a moment making one unable to tell if it was crack or tear stain?
'Deng deng dong'! Readers had a bad premonition: Shikikan, you wouldn't expose your true nature again, right? I seem to already see the 'knife handle'.
Readers' premonition right again; the scene pulled back, exactly the petrified Guizhong.
The atmosphere in Lucian's home also became a bit heavy; such a scene inevitably weighs on the mood.
Guizhong looked left and right wanting to speak up to liven the atmosphere, but always felt if she spoke, it might backfire.
["Later, in the Archon War, Guili Plains ablaze with battle; Guizhong no match for the invaders, perished immortally in the fray."]
["By the time this adeptus and Streetward Rambler arrived, amid the ruins... only the remains of an old friend."]
Guizhong, already dead.
Just like Ei, they were also one step late; just that one step late.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice Lines · Zhongli: About Guizhong's Story
"Young friend Lucian's stories are as excellent as ever, moving even the divine to emotion."