"Lantern Rite Festival, this is a festival in Liyue Harbor, I wonder if there will be any delicious food."
Durandal and her group, who had finally returned to Liyue Harbor, saw the people of Liyue preparing for something. Upon inquiring, they learned that they were preparing for the Moonchase Festival.
As soon as the Lantern Rite Festival was mentioned, Paimon thought of delicious food. Usually, such festivals would feature many tasty snacks, and he couldn't miss them.
"You only think about eating, Paimon. However, during a festival, you should just do what you want to do."
However, none of them knew much about the Lantern Rite Festival, so after returning home, they pulled in White Oriole, a local, to learn about the situation.
"The Lantern Rite Festival, ah, the first full moon of every year is the Lantern Rite Festival. On this day, everyone releases lanternss, letting the lanternss carry everyone's wishes to distant places."
"lanternss? What are those?"
"This... just talking won't do much. Please wait a moment, I'll make one for you."
The materials for lanternss could be bought anywhere in Liyue Harbor. For White Oriole, who grew up in Liyue Harbor, making lanternss was naturally not difficult.
In just a moment, a lanterns was made. Looking at the lanterns in front of him, Paimon couldn't help but exclaim.
"So beautiful, White Oriole is amazing."
"You flatter me. This is something every Liyue person basically knows how to do. When I was little, I tried making lanternss to earn money. Although I couldn't make too many due to material constraints, that was one of my few sources of income at the time. Even though it's been a while since I made any, I've kept this skill in my heart."
Before White Oriole became a housekeeper, her economic situation wasn't very good either. The demand for lanternss during the Lantern Rite Festival each year was very high. This item was, after all, a consumable; as long as it was made, people would buy it.
Of course, the premise was not to make it too bad. Even a lanterns had to be pretty, otherwise no one would buy it.
"lanternss... Lantern Rite Festival, making money... Where can I gather these materials, White Oriole?"
"Eh? These can be gathered outside of Liyue. With Lumine's ability, she must be able to gather a lot of materials."
She had witnessed Lumine's strength. The monsters in the wild were no match for her. If it were her, she could probably gather a lot of materials.
"Traveler, you're not thinking of..."
"Mm! Since the materials can be zero-cost, I can also try making some. I already understood the process when White Oriole was making them just now. The rest will be much simpler."
After speaking, Lumine clenched her right hand, her eyes serious, and said, "My costs are zero, so I'm not afraid of competing on price with others. Even if they don't sell out, I can keep them until next year, so there's no need to worry at all."
"But you already earn so much Mora from your commissions. What do you need so much Mora for now?"
Paimon looked at Lumine, puzzled. She wasn't against Lumine earning money, but during a perfectly good festival, why would she look for trouble instead of enjoying herself?
"I'm going to use all the money I earn this time for a bounty, a bounty for my brother's whereabouts."
"Oh, so it's for a bounty… Huh? Huh?! What did you say? For a bounty? Like the wanted posters on the Liyue notice board?"
Around Liyue, there were often Treasure Hoarders who endangered passing merchant caravans, as well as some individuals with malicious intent. The General Affairs Department had issued wanted notices for all of them.
Paimon had seen a few when she occasionally passed by with Lumine, and the female Treasure Hoarder named Bao'er was the most familiar face.
Did Lumine also want to put a bounty on Aether, like those wanted criminals?
"Hmph! Something like that. But I'm not trying to lock him up. I just want to influence his actions in this way. How dare he treat me like that? Does he really think I can't find a way to deal with him?"
Hmph! Although Lumine understood that Aether did it for her own good, she just couldn't get over it. If she couldn't get over it, she had to do something to get back at Aether.
After much thought, Lumine felt this was the best method. She could affect Aether's movements, and if others caught him, they could earn money. A win-win situation!
"I'm going to work hard and try to make all of this year's lanternss myself."
"Paimon will help too!"
Lumine and Paimon were full of spirit, while Miss Durandal, who was watching from the side, looked helpless.
She couldn't help but marvel at Lumine's clever ideas, that she could come up with such a targeted approach.
It had to be said, this method would be quite effective. At the very least, it would make Aether feel very disgusted, and it wouldn't be as easy for him to travel to the cities of the Seven Nations anymore.
"Uh, I'm back."
Just then, a voice that hadn't been heard for several days came.
Turning around, they found Shenhe standing at the doorway, holding something unfamiliar, looking at them with a nervous expression.
"Shenhe! You're back!"
Paimon was the first to fly in front of Shenhe, looking at her with a big smile.
"How was it? How did you feel these past few days back? Did you miss us?"
"Hmm, these days on the mountain were the same as before. Whenever I was free, I would think of the time I spent with you all."
Shenhe gently stroked Paimon's little head and looked towards Miss Durandal and Lumine.
Lumine was naturally very happy about Shenhe's return and eagerly greeted him.
Miss Durandal, on the other hand, walked up to Shenhe and asked, "You weren't bullied on the mountain, were you? If anything happened, tell me, and I'll settle it for you."
"...Thank you, but I'm fine. Master is still the same as before; I wasn't bullied."
Although Cloud Retainer usually seemed difficult to get along with, she was very kind to those she was familiar with.
As her disciple, Cloud Retainer naturally took great care of Shenhe, let alone bullying him.
"That's good."
"Eh? Shenhe, what did you bring back? It smells so good~, like something to eat."
Although the item was covered, Paimon could still smell a very fragrant aroma.
Based on her sense of smell, it was undoubtedly delicious, very delicious food.
"I made this on the mountain. To keep it from getting cold, I rushed back as quickly as possible."
His speed at that time, even the swift Xiao, would probably have to offer praise.
"Something delicious? Yay ヾ(?▽?)ノ! Yay! Hurry up and let me see it."
Paimon looked at Shenhe impatiently, wanting to quickly see what delicious things he had made.
Shenhe didn't make her wait too long. He lifted the cloth covering the items, revealing several portions of richly fragrant... grilled wings?
"Woah~! Grilled wings! Yay! Shenhe is amazing!"
Paimon didn't think too much and directly took the bucket of food from Shenhe's hand, running to the side to feast.
Lumine thought more. These grilled wings were clearly made from Fowl. Mt. Aocang was in Jueyun Karst, and Jueyun Karst was home to many birds, so it wasn't strange for Shenhe to obtain these ingredients.
It's just... is it really not strange for you to use these ingredients to make this? Would Cloud Retainer really not say anything?
"Um, Shenhe. When you were making these, was Cloud Retainer with you?"
"You mean Master? At first, she was busy researching mechanisms, so she wasn't there. She only came to find me when I was almost finished. I originally planned to ask Master to evaluate the taste, but for some reason, when she saw these, her eyes were very strange, and no matter what I said, she refused to eat them."
It was really strange. Cloud Retainer loved good food; even the condition for meeting her was to set out a table of delicious dishes.
Yet, when his disciple wanted to offer her something delicious, she didn't appreciate it. What was going on?
"I can understand why Cloud Retainer wasn't interested."
Lumine sighed. Fortunately, Cloud Retainer didn't dwell on this matter, otherwise, she would definitely think Shenhe was provoking her.
Shenhe tilted his head, looking at Lumine in confusion. She could understand Master's feelings? What did that mean?
Lumine didn't answer, just patted Shenhe's shoulder, and then went to snatch food from Paimon.
Only Miss Durandal and Shenhe remained standing, watching the two interact. They could make such a fuss just by eating, even White Oriole couldn't help but laugh.
"The Lantern Rite Festival is in a few days. Do you have any memories of this festival?"
Shenhe shook his head: "I've heard of it, but I've never experienced it."
In the past, the village where he and his family lived was some distance from Liyue Harbor. Although the village also held this festival, due to his constitution, he couldn't go out and meet others.
So, as a child, he could only stay in his room, watching the lanternss fly into the air.
After being taken to Mt. Aocang by Cloud Retainer, such opportunities became even rarer, as Cloud Retainer wouldn't specifically celebrate human festivals.
"I haven't experienced it either. This is my first time experiencing this festival. This time... would you like to spend this Lantern Rite Festival with me?"
Shenhe's body trembled, and his pupils visibly constricted as he looked at Miss Durandal.
After a long while, he finally showed a brilliant smile and nodded.
"If... if I can, I would be very happy to spend it with you."
"Okay, then it's settled."
The matter was settled just like that. Afterwards, it was about understanding some things about the Lantern Rite Festival, and then the few of them would happily celebrate the festival together.
It was unknown if this Lantern Rite Festival would proceed smoothly, after all, this was the first festival without the Geo Archon.
The Liyue Qixing must also be very nervous. If this festival wasn't handled well, there would be no way to appease the restless public.
Nor would there be any way to deter those who coveted Liyue Harbor. Fortunately, Miss Durandal's presence gave the Liyue Qixing a chance to catch their breath.
"Hello, do you have some time?"
Just then, an unexpected guest arrived at the door. She was the Yuheng Star—Keqing.
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