"What are you all talking about?" Yun Jin asked.
"Yun-sensei, we were talking about the strange things happening in Qingce Village," Xingqiu said. "Have you heard someone died here? The whole thing is really odd."
"That's exactly why I came," Yun Jin said. "I was worried it might affect Granny Ruoxin, so I came to keep her company and ask her for some guidance while I was here."
Granny Ruoxin smiled. "I'm already this old. In my memory, Old Wang was always in good health. He never had any serious illness, so for him to suddenly pass like this…"
She paused, then said, "Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is handling it now. If you think there's something wrong, you can follow along and investigate."
"We understand, Granny Ruoxin," Chongyun said.
"Qingce Village won't really have a problem, will it?" Dunyarzad asked.
"Even if there are demons or monsters, I'll protect you," Dehya said, patting her chest.
"Don't think too much about it," Ryou said with a smile. "You came here to have fun. Qingce Village is this beautiful now, so you should enjoy it."
"That's true." Dunyarzad nodded. "Ryou, thank you for bringing us here."
Ryou smiled and looked outside Qingce Village.
Quite a few people were walking in from outside, and the road had grown much livelier. The whole village was covered in a layer of mist, making it look like a paradise.
Ryou was about to say something when he noticed Xingqiu and Chongyun whispering to each other.
He looked at them. "What are you two talking about?"
"Cousin," Chongyun called.
"What is it?" Ryou asked.
"Xingqiu said you met an adeptus earlier, and that the adeptus even bowed to you. Is that true?" Chongyun asked.
Ryou shot Xingqiu a look.
Didn't I tell you to keep quiet?
Then he noticed Yun Jin, Dunyarzad, Dehya, and Granny Ruoxin all looking at him.
The three girls' gazes had clearly changed.
Yun Jin especially looked surprised. She was staring straight at him.
Suddenly, Ryou felt a sharp pinch at his waist. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Keqing had pinched him.
He quickly caught her hand and squeezed it gently.
Keqing felt the change and glared at him.
She blamed Xingqiu a little too. Why did he have to say that out loud?
She already had enough rivals.
Tabibito, Ningguang, Xiangling… they were all watching Ryou closely enough already. Now another one?
Wasn't he just making trouble for her?
Keqing had been feeling relieved earlier because Cloud Retainer had taken Shenhe away for some reason.
And now Yun Jin appeared out of nowhere.
Yun Jin had not shown anything that obvious, but Keqing was a woman too. She could tell when another woman was interested in a man.
If a woman became interested in a man, that meant she might fall for him.
Which meant Keqing might have another rival.
And this time, it was Yun Jin.
What was going on?
Fine, her husband was handsome. Fine, he was capable.
But why did everyone keep staring at her husband?
"I invited Moon Carver to have a cup of tea," Ryou said. "Qingce Village looks this beautiful, almost like a paradise, because of that adeptus."
Yun Jin looked at Ryou and felt even more impressed.
"Ryou really is amazing," Yun Jin said. "You can even befriend an adeptus."
Then she took out an invitation. "Ryou, do you like opera? I have a new performance tomorrow night, and I'd like to invite you to watch it. Would that be all right?"
"This…" Ryou was not sure how to answer.
He did not really like opera, and he did not understand it either.
But Yun Jin had kindly invited him. Refusing would feel a little rude.
Since he had not been too busy lately, going to watch a performance would not hurt.
Besides, Ryou was also wondering if he could ask Yun Jin for a stage costume.
He had wanted Keqing to wear one for a while now. If the chance was here, he had to take it.
"Yun-sensei, why is there only one invitation?" Keqing asked.
"Well… actually, I have another one here." Yun Jin took out a second invitation. "I only thought Keqing was always busy and might not have time, so…"
"No, I have plenty of time now." Keqing took the invitation. "Don't worry. I'll bring my husband with me."
"Then… thank you for coming," Yun Jin said.
Yun Jin could feel the hostility in Keqing's words.
Keqing had also put extra weight on the word husband.
That left Yun Jin feeling helpless.
After all, she and Ryou had only met a few times. They were not especially close.
But Ryou had a good personality, and she had heard quite a bit about him before.
After that, he had become a great hero of Liyue.
Yun Jin also remembered being invited to Ryou's house for dinner last time.
She had tasted his cooking.
It had not been at Xiangling's level back then, but his skill was definitely not bad.
Then, not long ago, Yun Jin had met Xiangling, who mentioned him again.
Xiangling said Ryou's cooking had improved at an incredible pace and had even surpassed hers.
That alone showed how outstanding Ryou was.
Yun Jin looked at Keqing and could not help feeling a little regretful.
Liyue Harbor did not strictly force monogamy, and Ningguang even supported polygamy.
But Ryou was already married, and with Keqing's personality, she would never let go.
"It's nothing," Yun Jin said, shaking her head.
Ryou glanced at Yun Jin. "I don't really understand opera, but I'll go and support you."
"Also, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."
"Ryou, just tell me what you need," Yun Jin said.
"Thank you. I'll tell you the details later," Ryou said.
"All right." Yun Jin nodded.
Keqing remembered that Ryou had once wanted her to wear a stage costume, then turned to look at him.
She saw the look in his eyes right away.
Keqing instantly understood. Ryou was absolutely planning to buy a stage costume from Yun Jin.
This man still had not given up on that costume.
Keqing glared at him. "That thing doesn't need Yun-sensei's help, does it?"
Ryou only smiled and said nothing.
He then remembered that Tabibito had been resting for a few hours. It should be about time.
"Sit here for a bit. I'm going to handle something," Ryou said, standing up.
"Do you need help?" Keqing asked.
"It's fine. I'll be back soon." Ryou waved his hand and entered the pocket world.
As soon as he went in, he saw Tabibito sitting at the table and eating with great enthusiasm.
Before Ryou left, he had prepared food and set up a table for her.
He had not even fully stepped inside when he heard Tabibito eating crayfish and shouting, "This is so good!"
"Paimon, leave some for me!"
"No!" Paimon cried. "Paimon hasn't eaten enough yet!"
Ryou waited until the two of them had almost finished eating before walking in.
The moment he entered, Tabibito threw herself into his arms.
"You're back," Tabibito said.
"I came to bring you outside."
"You look like you've recovered pretty well." Ryou rubbed her head. "I'm in Qingce Village now."
"Qingce Village looks like a paradise right now."
"You'll definitely be shocked when you see it."
"Shocked?" Tabibito looked at him.
"Of course." Ryou pinched her cheek, then brought her out of the pocket world.
"Hiss… It's so beautiful!" Tabibito stared at the scenery around Qingce Village in amazement. "How did Qingce Village become this pretty?"
"Is that adeptal mist?" Paimon asked. "Paimon has only seen something like this in Jueyun Karst. It's really beautiful."
"Come on. I'll take you to see Dunyarzad and Dehya first." Ryou took Tabibito's hand and led her uphill.
As they walked up, Ryou heard people talking below.
One man's voice was especially deep. "That couple just now looked perfect together."
"What are you talking about? That was Ryou-sama!"
"What? Ryou-sama?"
"Do you mean the one from the Ministry of Civil Affairs?" the man cried, his voice rising. "That man married my goddess!"
"Do you mean Keqing?" a girl asked.
"That's right!" the man said.
"They've been married for more than a month already. Why are you acting so shocked?" a woman said.
"Exactly!"
Ryou shook his head faintly.
He and Keqing had been married for a while now, yet people were still talking about it.
Then again, a lot of outsiders had come today, so it made sense.
When Ryou returned to the pavilion, he saw Keqing look over. Her gaze fell on Tabibito, but she said nothing.
"Keqing!"
"If Ryou hadn't spoken up for you, I would definitely teach you a lesson!" Tabibito said aggressively.
"Keqing, I have something to ask you!"
"What is it?" Keqing asked.
Keqing did not really want to answer Tabibito, but then she thought about how she had thrown Tabibito all the way to Mondstadt the day before yesterday.
And after thinking about Ryou, she felt a little guilty.
So she responded.
"Keqing, tell me."
"Why do you have two Visions?" Tabibito asked.
The moment she said that, Dehya, Dunyarzad, Yun Jin, and the others all froze.
What did she mean?
Keqing had two Visions?
[End of chapter]
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