The clinking of glasses and boisterous cheers echoed endlessly into the night. Ryen noticed Klee shifting uncomfortably against his chest, her small brow furrowing.
His daughter was not sleeping well. Ryen tapped Ningguang's shoulder, signaling his intent to retire for the evening.
Ningguang and the others looked at the four exhausted little girls with softening eyes. They had played hard all day and fallen asleep early, yet none had fussed to go home, silently considering everyone else's enjoyment. Exchanging a brief glance, the women dispersed to gather their belongings and prepare for departure.
Ryen remained alone at the edge of the plaza, anchored by the sleeping children.
Ei's gaze drifted toward him. She hesitated, her fingers curling slightly into her palms, before she closed the distance with slow, measured steps.
"Ryen, thank you."
Ryen blinked, a teasing smile touching his lips. "Don't tell me you want to offer a toast now? My hands are a bit full."
He gestured with his chin. Klee clung tightly to his right arm, while Qiqi hugged his left. Nahida and Yaoyao had their arms wrapped securely around his neck. He was entirely immobilized. It looked suffocating, yet a profound warmth radiated from his expression.
Ei shook her head gently. "No wine. I simply came to express my gratitude. Thank you for bringing my sister and Kitsune Saiguu back. Thank you for showing me the sheer magnitude of my past mistakes. And thank you for giving Inazuma a future of peace."
Ryen chuckled. "I will accept the first two. But the prosperity of your people is entirely due to Makoto's governance. I had no hand in that."
"No." Ei shook her head stubbornly. "Without the boundless resources of your world, repairing the devastation I inflicted upon Inazuma would have taken centuries. My sister could not have achieved this so quickly."
Ryen's smile deepened. "So you finally admit your pursuit of eternity was a devastation?"
She had previously acknowledged her errors in private, but using such a damning word revealed a profound, agonizing self-reflection.
Ei lowered her gaze, nodding slowly. "My people died because of my decrees. They were displaced and broken by my eternity. If that is not devastation, what is?"
Seeing her shoulders slump, Ryen offered a reassuring tone. "A harsh cure is better than letting the disease fester. Inazuma is thriving now. With Makoto at the helm, you only need to stand by her side and clear the path."
Ei straightened her posture. "Therefore, I must thank you. You are the absolute foundation of Inazuma's rebirth."
"I've heard those words enough times tonight." Ryen shook his head, glancing over his shoulder. Ningguang and the others were still inside. He adjusted the thick blanket over the four sleeping girls. "I will take them inside shortly."
"I... do not know what you desire." Ei stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You have no worldly ambitions in Teyvat. Anything you might want, Ningguang or Zhongli would immediately secure for you. I have nothing of value to offer. But if I do not repay this debt, it will weigh on my soul forever."
Ryen opened his mouth to dismiss her concern, but Ei's pale skin suddenly flushed a deep, burning crimson. The color spread rapidly to the tips of her ears. She bit her lower lip hard.
"You... you enjoy drawing the Musou Isshin, do you not?" Her voice trembled slightly. "In the future, I can... I will let you draw it. Whenever you wish. Please do not misunderstand. It is the only personal leverage I possess to repay you."
Ryen stared at her. The Almighty Shogun, the supreme martial god of Inazuma, had just offered the most staggering proposition. Her usually imposing aura was entirely replaced by a nervous, fluttering vulnerability. As a predator who rarely refused a willing prize, Ryen had absolutely no intention of playing the noble saint and pushing her away.
Raising a brow, Ryen freed one hand and gently hooked his finger under Ei's chin, forcing her shifting gaze to meet his. "Are you absolutely certain?"
His warm breath brushed against her skin, sending her pulse into a frantic rhythm. She had resolved herself. She had nothing else to offer a man who held the cosmos in his palm. Her only desperate hope was that by sharing her blade, she might eventually convince him to learn proper swordsmanship instead of relying purely on brute strength.
"You offered. There is still time to retract it," Ryen murmured, his hand sliding to rest on her shoulder.
Ei stiffened, then set her jaw. "I will not retract it."
"Excellent." Ryen nodded. "Whenever you fight, I will draw the blade for you. Let us practice the technique."
Ei's chest tightened. She closed her eyes, and with a soft crackle of Electro energy, the hilt of the Musou Isshin materialized above her collarbone. She turned her head away, her breathing shallow.
A moment later, Ei's eyes snapped open. She immediately grabbed his wandering hand. "I thought... you were going to draw the sword?"
Ryen maintained a perfectly innocent expression. "Before drawing the blade, one must thoroughly inspect the scabbard. Proper maintenance is crucial."
"Is that so?" Ei eyed him with deep suspicion.
Ryen nodded solemnly. "As a man who owns an entire arsenal of Slash Blades, do you doubt my expertise?"
Ei pursed her lips, her face burning, and slowly released his hand.
Checking the perimeter to ensure the intoxicated guests were distracted, Ryen leaned in and pulled Ei close. She grabbed his lapels instinctively.
"Ryen, you..."
"Are you not prepared?" he asked.
Her voice was barely a whisper. "Is this... also preparation?"
"This is polishing the scabbard," Ryen whispered back, leaning down to capture her lips.
All her lingering hesitation melted away. After a brief, rigid pause, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. In the shadows of the Jade Chamber, faint, silken threads of Electro energy sparked and intertwined.
A long moment later, Ei tapped his shoulder frantically. Ryen pulled back. She immediately averted her eyes and hastily adjusted the collar of her kimono, smoothing out the fabric before anyone could notice.
"You will... take responsibility, correct?" she asked, her voice tight.
Ryen did not answer with words. He merely traced her lower lip with his thumb and leaned in for another brief, reassuring kiss. The unsaid promise settled the remaining turmoil in her chest.
"Ryen, we are packed and ready to leave!" Ningguang's voice called out from across the plaza.
Ei jumped, swiftly stepping away from Ryen and hurrying back to Makoto's side. In the blink of an eye, her expression returned to an impenetrable, stoic mask.
However, her sudden shift could not fool Makoto. A single glance was all the older sister needed. Makoto smoothly shifted her posture to block Ei from the crowd's view.
"You are too careless, Ei," she murmured. "Clear the marks on your chest."
Ei flinched. Glancing down, she spotted the faint, unmistakable redness peeking above her collar. She instantly channeled her Electro energy to purge the flush from her skin. "Sister..." she stammered.
Makoto chuckled softly. "It is your private affair. I will not interfere. Besides, you are at that age. Work hard, Ei. I am quite looking forward to helping you raise a child."
"Sister!" Ei hissed, her face burning anew.
Makoto patted her head, ending her teasing. She turned her gaze to the Raiden Shogun standing silently nearby. "Shogun," Makoto noted, "Love, too, is a form of eternity."
The puppet Shogun looked at Ei, processing the data, and gave a slow, silent nod.
Ryen carefully carried the four sleeping girls back toward the main banquet area. He scanned the plaza, finding it devoid of Ningguang and his wives, despite having just heard her call out.
Before he could ask, the doors to the inner hall opened. Ningguang, Ganyu, and the others emerged, carrying several steaming ceramic platters.
Ryen froze, his eyes widening. "Are those... dumplings?"
Zhongli stepped up beside him, nodding. "You mentioned that the Lantern Rite coincides with the New Year in your homeland. The Tianquan informed us that it is customary to share a reunion dinner and eat dumplings on this night."
"We cannot recreate the exact reunion dinner of your world," Zhongli continued, his amber eyes reflecting the soft light. "But these dumplings were made by everyone here. It was... my very first attempt at cooking. You are welcome to offer extensive praise."
He turned to face Ryen fully. "Happy New Year, my friend."
"Happy New Year, Ryen!" the group chorused in unison.
The genuine, joyous greetings washed over Ryen, leaving a tight knot of emotion in his chest. He looked at the faces of Ningguang, Zhongli, and the others. The feigned drunkenness had vanished entirely from their expressions; they stood bright and alert, having orchestrated this final surprise.
Ryen fell silent for a long moment. Then, a broad, incredibly fulfilled smile broke across his face.
"Thank you all," he said softly. "My reunion dinner... I am already having it."