It was afternoon, the peak time for drawing omikuji lots at the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Many people were gathered there, drawing their fortunes and praying for the protection of Narukami.
At that moment, three people suddenly appeared beneath the Sacred Sakura Tree, drawing quite a bit of attention.
"Isn't that Lord Ye Xi!?"
"I actually saw Lord Ye Xi! Today's fortune is definitely a 'Great Blessing'!"
"Hiss... look at those two beautiful girls!"
"Their outfits are a bit strange, but they're so pretty!"
"If the tailors at Ogura Textiles & Kimonos saw this, they'd definitely pay a fortune just to buy one and study it!"
The crowd buzzed with excitement as everyone turned to look.
Just then, Yae Miko stepped out from the side of the shrine.
"You're back and you didn't even say a word? Come inside first."
Ye Xi led Ganyu and Xiangling into the shrine.
Sitting on a prayer mat, Yae Miko let out a yawn, looking utterly languid.
Ye Xi knew this fox was likely hiding in here for a midday nap. She had made a fuss about not sleeping the night before and was now slacking off during the daytruly scandalous behavior.
"Big Sister Ganyu, Xiangling, what brings you to Inazuma?"
Xiangling was taken aback to hear Yae Miko call Ganyu "Big Sister." She remembered that Yae Miko was over five hundred years old! How old did that make Ganyu? Perhaps hundreds of years ago, Ganyu had told Yae Miko to call her "Sister" just like she did today.
Ganyu spoke softly, "I came to pick some fresh Sea Ganoderma..."
Yae Miko smiled faintly, covering her lips with her hand. "Big Sister Ganyu is as much of a foodie as ever. I originally planned to bring some fresh Sea Ganoderma to Liyue myself, but Ye Xi wouldn't let me go."
Ganyu looked at Ye Xi with a face full of confusion, while Ye Xi looked completely innocent.
"When did I ever say you couldn't go?"
Yae Miko chuckled, her eyes sparkling with the cunning of a fox.
[This Sly Fox is trying to pit me again!]
[I'll have to give her a proper lesson later!]
Hearing Ye Xi's inner thoughts, Yae Miko's eyes grew soft and sultry. With just one look, Ye Xi felt himself nearly losing his train of thought. This fox was dangerously charming!
"And what about you, Xiangling? Are you here looking for new ingredients?" Yae Miko turned her gaze toward the chef.
Ye Xi explained the plan he had in mind.
Hearing his words, Yae Miko's eyes lit up with genuine interest.
"I think this is a wonderful plan. Ei should learn a bit more about the culinary arts!"
"Xiangling, I'm counting on you!"
Yae Miko thought this might be a perfect way to "torment" Raiden Ei. Ei spent every single day moping inside the Plane of Euthymia with no one to play with; her only company was light novels. If she kept this up, she would only become more and more shut-in.
Learning to cook would be good for her. It was like practicing calligraphy; over time, it would help her find inner peace. Perhaps one day she'd have an epiphany and finally come out of the Plane of Euthymia on her own.
Xiangling nodded determinedly. "I will do my absolute best to teach her!"
"Then, without further ado, I shall take you to the Plane of Euthymia."
They descended Mt. Yougou and crossed through Byakko Plain.
Xiangling looked around curiously, searching for ingredients she had never seen before. Meanwhile, Yae Miko, walking behind, was busy with little provocations.
She poked Ye Xi in the waist with a slender finger and whispered sourly into his ear, "You gave them those clothes, didn't you?"
Ye Xi smiled and replied, "Don't worry, I have one saved for you. I'll give it to you tonight."
"Really?" Yae Miko actually didn't want it that badly, since Ye Xi had already given her one before. But since he had prepared it specifically for her, she would naturally accept it.
Ye Xi took it as a matter of course. "When have I ever lied to you? Besides, how could I ever trick a little fox like you?"
Yae Miko's tail began to sway behind her, brushing against Ye Xi's back. "Am I small? You said I was quite big yesterday."
"Cough, cough!"
Ye Xi nearly choked on his own saliva.
[This Sly Fox... she really knows how to play.]
Hearing Ye Xi's inner voice, Ganyu and Xiangling, who were walking ahead, both turned back to look.
Yae Miko retracted her tail, acting as if nothing had happened, though the slight flush on her face betrayed her.
As they entered Inazuma City, the surroundings became increasingly bustling.
"The restaurants here look quite good! I want to try their cooking!" Xiangling's interest in local eateries was piqued whenever she visited a new place. It was a chef's instinct. Comparing skills and learning local specialties allowed her to master new techniques and create even better dishes!
Yae Miko smiled and said, "The Uyuu Restaurant here is quite delicious. Their flavors are a one-of-a-kind experience."
There was a hint of pride in her voice. She was very fond of the food there, especially the Fried Tofu and the Kitsune Udonboth were fantastic!
Sure enough, Xiangling was immediately eager to try it.
"Xiangling, I'll take you to Uyuu Restaurant later. Today, we need to go to Tenshukaku first."
Ye Xi quickly held Xiangling back, otherwise, the girl would have bolted toward the restaurant right then and there. Only after receiving his promise did Xiangling suppress her excitement.
They entered Tenshukaku. With Yae Miko leading the way, their journey was incredibly smooth.
The Raiden Shogun was currently seated in the center of the grand hall. When she saw Yae Miko bringing Ye Xi and the others inside, her gaze was icy and detached.
"Miko, why have you brought so many outsiders into Inazuma!?"
Hearing those cold, inhuman words, Xiangling jumped in fright and dove behind Ye Xi, seeking a shred of security. She felt as though the person's sheer presence was suffocating her!
"Is this the Raiden Shogun? She looks terrifying!"
The person before them gave off an aura of total rejection. No one would want to get close to her! This was nothing like the shut-in Raiden Shogun that Ye Xi had described. In Xiangling's mind, the Shogun was exactly like this: solemn, dignified, and ready to execute anyone who dared cause trouble before a deity.
If she had to teach this person how to cook, she wouldn't dare!
Yae Miko smiled and shook her head. "She is merely a machine. We don't need to mind her."
"You!" The Raiden Shogun's brow furrowed as she spoke icily, "You intend to destroy Inazuma's Eternity!"
At that moment, the blade Musou Isshin released a surge of spatial power, and the group vanished into the Plane of Euthymia.
As the Raiden Shogun disappeared, Xiangling patted her chest, feeling the invisible pressure on her lungs finally lift. It was much easier to breathe now.
However, as she looked around and took in her new surroundings, she realized there was a figure facing away from them that looked identical to the Shogun outside.
"Xiangling, that is Ei."
Ye Xi pressed a hand to his forehead in exasperation. He hadn't expected Raiden Ei to become so decadent in just a few days.
The Plane of Euthymia was currently a mess. Bamboo sticks from Tricolor Dango were scattered across the floor. Piles of light novels were strewn about haphazardly, some left open and half-read.
Raiden Ei was currently sprawled on a mat, covered by a clean quilt. She was flipping through a novel while sipping on a cup of boba.
She looked exactly like a stereotypical shut-in.
"Miko, you're here?"
Ei didn't even turn her head. She was engrossed in her book, letting out a soft giggle every now and then.
Xiangling's eyes widened at the sight. This was the Raiden Shogun? The current Electro Archon? She rubbed her eyes, staring at the clutter on the floor in utter disbelief. She felt that the Shogun outside felt more like a god with divine dignity. This Archon was a bit... casual?
Beside her, Ganyu couldn't help but sigh. "I never imagined the once-majestic Electro Archon would end up like this..."
Hearing Ganyu's voice, Raiden Ei realized something was wrong. She scrambled up and looked toward Ye Xi's group, freezing instantly.
"Eh? Ye Xi... you're back?"
Ei glanced at Ye Xi, then at Ganyu and Xiangling.
Yae Miko covered her mouth with a smirk. "Ei, we have guests."
Those words acted like an alarm clock for Ei. Like a startled rabbit, she bolted out from under her quilt.
"Wait, wait, wait! It's not what it looks like!"
"Just a second!"
She frantically began grabbing the books off the floor and rushing to tidy up the scraps of paper.
Yae Miko stepped forward and hugged Ei, grabbing her shoulders. "It's no use, Ei. There's nowhere left to hide."
Ei looked devastated. "Why... why didn't you say something earlier? I'm not usually like this! Let me explain!"
Xiangling just peeked out from behind Ye Xi, blinking her large eyes as she watched. Ganyu, on the other hand, watched her with a calm, knowing expression.
"It's over... my image is ruined..."
"Wu wu..."
Ei was on the verge of tears. She felt that in the eyes of these two guests, the Raiden Shogun was now nothing more than a sloppy girl who slept in and read trashy books all day.
Social death! This was true social death!
Xiangling stepped out from behind Ye Xi and said seriously, "It's okay! Everyone wants to relax when they're at home! I'm the same way!"
Ei looked at her as if she were a literal lifesaver, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Mm-hmm!"
Xiangling smiled. "Actually, I feel like I'm seeing the most real side of the Shogun. It turns out the deity of Inazuma is just like us normal girlsreading novels, being lazy in bed, and eating snacks!"
Ei's eyes sparkled with little stars as she nodded along with Xiangling's words. "You're such an understanding girl!"
"I am Xiangling, a chef from Liyue. I'm best at making all kinds of brbr... wu wu, I'm getting nervous!" Xiangling bit her tongue during her self-introduction.
Seeing such an adorable girl, Ei couldn't help but step forward and pull Xiangling into a hug.
"You're so sweet. Just call me Ei. I'm so happy to meet you! We're going to be best friends from now on!"
Being hugged by the "big sister" figure felt a bit suffocating. Xiangling was muffled by the "facial cleanser" effect, patting Ei's arm. "Sister Ei, I can't breathe!"
Ei finally let her go. Xiangling gasped for air, unable to help but praise her. "You smell so good! Are all beautiful sisters this fragrant?"
For some reason, at that moment, Ye Xi actually felt a bit envious of Xiangling!
Ganyu also stepped forward to greet her. "It has been a long time, Your Excellency."
The two of them had known each other for ages.
"Oh, it's Ganyu. I almost forgot... back when we were drinking with Rex Lapis, you were still so chubby"
"Cough cough!" Ganyu hurriedly interrupted Ei, her face flushing deep red. That was over two thousand years ago. The Seven Archons would often gather in Liyue to drink, and she would be there to hitch a meal. Thus, all the Archons remembered what she looked like back then. Thinking about it was mortifying!
Ye Xi couldn't help but chuckle.
[Back then, Ganyu was still 'The Adeptus who rolled down the mountain.']
Ganyu shot a look at Ye Xi, then subconsciously glanced at Yae Miko and Xiangling. Everyone here could hear Ye Xi's heart voice! If Ye Xi kept thinking about it, wouldn't her dark history be completely exposed?
"Ye Xi, don't we have things to do!?" She grabbed his arm and gave it a frantic shake.
Reminded of their purpose, Ye Xi nodded. "Right. Ei, I have a task for you this time!"
Ei's expression sharpened instantly, the aura of the Raiden Shogun flaring up. "Xi, who bullied you? Tell me and I'll go cut them down!"
Ye Xi didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
[Sigh, a girl like this really makes you love her and want to hit her at the same time!]
Xiangling watched Ei in surprise. In that instant, the Shogun's majesty had returned!
So she only turns back into the Electro Archon when she's worried about Ye Xi?
It seems Sister Ei really likes Ye Xi a lot...
Ganyu felt a bit helpless. Raiden Ei was a warrior at heart. During the gatherings of the Seven, her sister, Raiden Makoto, was the one who loved to talk and socialize. Ei, as the younger sister, had always been quiet and a bit blunt. Thousands of years had passed, and though Ei had changed much, that warrior's spirit remained unyielding.
Ye Xi spoke up, "Ei, the reason I brought Xiangling here this time is to have her teach you how to cook."
Upon hearing this, Ei's imposing aura vanished instantly. She clutched her head and pleaded, "Don't make me cook! I can do anything else, but I really can't cook!"
In the past, if she acted spoiled like this, Ye Xi would have let her off. But this time, he remained firm.
"No. Until you can make a decent dish, the Tricolor Dango is confiscated."
"The light novels are confiscated."
"The boba is also confiscated!"
As he spoke, Ye Xi began packing up the snacks and books.
Ei collapsed. "Wu wu... everything's gone all at once... wu wu wu wu!"
Xiangling stared blankly. "She really is crying 'wu wu wu'!"
She hadn't believed it when Ye Xi told her earlier, but witnessing it firsthand was almost too much to process. Now it was her turn to initiate the hug.
She put her arms around the sobbing Ei and began to comfort her. "Sister Ei, I'm here! I promise I'll teach you in no time!"
"Stir-frying is actually very simple. You'll learn it before you know it!"
Ei looked at Xiangling with tearful eyes. "Really?"
Xiangling's face was full of sincerity. "Of course! I'm the best little chef in Liyue! Success is guaranteed!"
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