Eula was truly startled by Ye Xi. She was a descendant of the Lawrence Clan, regarded as a sinner by the people of Mondstadt. She had always thought that someone like her would only bring shame upon Ye Xi—never expecting that Ye Xi would actually say such a thing right in front of everyone!
Though her heart was deeply moved, she still couldn't help but murmur in a low, tense voice, "What are you doing?! Now everyone's going to think you're an accomplice of a sinner!"
Ye Xi didn't answer. Instead, he glanced around at his surroundings. At that moment, the merchants nearby and the crowds passing to and fro were all frozen in place.
None of them could have imagined that the sinful descendant of the Lawrence Clan could actually latch onto Ye Xi's coattails. This sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard.
Did they despise Eula?
The answer was, without a doubt, yes.
Centuries ago, the Lawrence Clan had enslaved the people of Mondstadt. Were it not for Vennessa and the awakened Anemo Archon toppling them, there would be no free Mondstadt as it existed today. They didn't care whether this had anything to do with Eula or not. They simply, purely, hated every single member of the Lawrence Clan!
Even though Eula was a descendant of the Lawrence Clan removed by who knew how many generations, they still regarded her through the same tinted lenses as always.
And now, a person capable of bringing tremendous change to the city of Mondstadt had appeared.
Someone who could make free Mondstadt even wealthier, even livelier.
And this incredibly important person had just declared that he and Eula were the closest of friends.
For a moment, they had no idea what to do.
The old merchant who had just been presenting his respects to Ye Xi reacted with remarkable speed.
He hurried over to Ye Xi and said with an ingratiating smile, "Master Ye Xi, you must be mistaken!"
"Miss Eula is indeed a descendant of the Lawrence Clan, but the era when the Lawrence Clan stirred up trouble passed away many years ago!"
"Even if the Lawrence Clan committed many evils back in those days, those are all grievances and grudges of their ancestors!"
"As the Spindrift Knight of the Knights of Favonius, Eula has always been contributing to the protection of Mondstadt's citizens. Everyone can see it plainly!"
"In truth, everyone is very grateful for the contributions Eula has made for Mondstadt. How could there ever be rumors that her reputation is poor!"
As soon as this string of flattery was spoken, the people around all chimed in one after another.
Eula's face was full of astonishment.
She had thought Ye Xi would be pushed to the crest of the storm, becoming the target of everyone's scorn.
Yet unexpectedly, these people instead went out of their way to fawn over him!
It caught her utterly by surprise.
Ye Xi feigned sudden realization and nodded. "So it was all just rumors. Then I can rest easy."
The moment these words left his mouth, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Clearly, these merchants all understood that the profits Ye Xi could bring were beyond immense!
This was by no means the first time they had heard of Ye Xi's great name. As merchants, they had to possess a keen sense of smell.
As long as one went out to trade, one would naturally learn of the news drifting over from Liyue and Sumeru. Back then, Ye Xi had shown his face at Sumeru's Sermon Day, and had also given a speech alongside Lady Ningguang atop the Jade Chamber in Liyue.
How could such rumors possibly be sealed off airtight?
Having seen both Liyue and Sumeru taste the sweet rewards one after another, these merchants had been longing for Ye Xi's arrival like one wishing upon the stars and moon.
Compared to business and Mora, Eula was nothing more than an outsider.
Could the good or bad reputation of an outsider ever compare to one's own Mora?
If they offended Ye Xi, then their business would be even more hopeless!
As for those smaller vendors, though they weren't as well-informed as the great cross-national merchants, each of them ran a modest little enterprise. Ye Xi's help could increase the flow of visitors to Mondstadt—the more travelers came to Mondstadt, the better their business!
One had to understand that once the train began running, guests coming from either Sumeru or Liyue could all come over to have fun.
By then, the number of people heading out to enjoy themselves would surely be enormous!
They were all just scraping together a living—no need to go hungry just to keep holding a grudge against Eula!
And so, in an instant, they all quickly picked their side.
A few of the vendors who had offended Eula in the past even shamelessly sidled up to her and apologized in hushed voices.
"Captain Eula, I offended you quite a bit before. It was my fault. From now on, when you come to my shop I'll give you a discount!"
"Knight Eula, please, a great person doesn't hold the faults of the small against them. Don't dwell on what happened before!"
Hearing the low apologies drifting into her ears, Eula nodded in acknowledgment, an inconceivable feeling stirring in her heart.
She had never imagined that a day like this could ever come in Mondstadt!
To be treated fairly by the people of Mondstadt was simply a fantasy! And all of this had been done by Ye Xi!
Not far off, Amber and Grand Master Jean were also happy for Eula.
Amber felt both delighted and envious in her heart.
She felt that Eula must be so happy right now!
Ye Xi had actually done something as risky as tarnishing his own reputation, all for Eula's sake!
This showed that Ye Xi truly cared about Eula!
Not only had he gone on a date with Eula up in the snowy mountains today—climbing the peak and soaking in the hot springs—but now he was shielding her behind him. How could she not be envious?
She was growing more and more impatient.
After dealing with all these small merchants who had come to curry favor, Ye Xi proposed, "Eula, you still owe me a round of drinks. You can't put it off this time, can you?"
"Huh?"
Eula was momentarily dazed, then immediately recalled the matter of promising to treat Ye Xi to drinks. Earlier, she had worried that the people around would look at her with disdain and disrupt her drinking with Ye Xi.
Now that Ye Xi knew about all this and was still willing to take her out for drinks, what did she have left to hold back for?
So she nodded and said, "You've brought it up so many times now. If I still don't treat you, wouldn't you call me stingy?"
"Come on, let's go to the Cat's Tail. Their special cocktails there are delicious."
Once the decision to go drinking was made, Eula also invited Grand Master Jean and Amber.
However, Grand Master Jean said the Knights still had matters to attend to, and then hurriedly took her leave.
Amber looked as though she very much wanted to go, but as if suddenly thinking of something, she shook her head.
Eula didn't understand what Amber was up to and asked in puzzlement, "Amber, what's wrong with you? It's just a few drinks—why are you being so distant?"
Amber giggled, her eyes brimming with playfulness.
Seeing the suggestive look Amber shot her way, Eula understood at once, and a wave of embarrassment washed over her. "You—you're letting your mind wander! We're just going for drinks, that's all!"
Clearly, Amber wanted to give her and Ye Xi a chance to be alone together! 'This girl!'
Eula's face flushed slightly red, and she couldn't help but feel a little touched.
Amber leaned close to Eula's ear and whispered, "Eula, you're coming home tonight!"
"Cough, cough, cough…"
Eula broke into a fit of coughing. Before she could say anything, Amber waved her hand and said, "Alright, I'll head back first. You two have fun!"
Watching the retreating figures of Eula and Ye Xi, Amber let out a soft little sigh.
She could sense that the mood between Ye Xi and Eula was just right—if she tagged along, she'd only be a third wheel.
Though she too wanted to grow closer to Ye Xi as quickly as possible, as Eula's good friend, how could she ruin her good friend's good fortune!
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