**Chapter 49: Columbina's New Scarf**
Yae Miko raised her orchid-like fingers, her signature mischievous smile playing on her lips.
"What's wrong? Is there a problem with Cloud Retainer, Ningguang, and the others attending our wedding?"
"Ah, well... if you're happy with it, then it's fine."
Yae Miko deliberately leaned closer to Jingchen, pressing against him even as he tried to move away. She gripped his hand tightly and whispered in his ear, "This Guuji went to great lengths to broker a truce between Watatsumi Island and Narukami Island. I even persuaded Ei and Kokomi to attend our wedding. Shouldn't you praise me more? Give me some~"
Jingchen abruptly stood up, his pupils constricting, his smile freezing on his face.
Cloud Retainer, Senior Sister Ganyu, Ningguang—their attendance was one thing. But the Raiden Shogun herself?!
Originally, Columbina had planned to marry Yae Miko solely to obtain the Thunder God's Heart, without disturbing Ei. Now, not only were his master and senior sisters attending, but Ei would be there too.
"Ei... Ei has been secluded for so many years. Maybe... maybe we shouldn't invite her after all?"
Yae Miko stared intently into Jingchen's eyes.
"Why not? I'm her familiar and her best friend, you know. Besides, you and Ei seem to get along quite well, don't you?"
She even taught you some sword techniques. In return, you took care of her meals and daily life during your time at Tenshukaku.
You confessed your feelings to her during that period, but the Raiden Shogun intervened forcefully, slashing you several times before you reluctantly withdrew.
If not for the Raiden Shogun, your child with Ei would probably be ten years old by now.
Yae Miko's casual words made Jingchen's brow furrow, and he couldn't help but recall Ei.
Ei's personality... how to put it? She neither agreed nor refused, always dragging things out.
No matter how subtly he probed, she would always deflect with excuses about wanting three-colored dango.
Before long, the Raiden Shogun sensed something was amiss.
Believing Ei had strayed from the path of eternity, she forcibly reclaimed control of the puppet and attacked Jingchen without restraint.
Each of the Raiden Shogun's strikes was lethal. If not for his own strength and a stroke of luck, he would surely have perished.
Ei didn't want to lose him, yet she refused to take their relationship further, content to maintain their current status quo for eternity.
That was Ei's attitude toward him.
"Yae Miko, let's not talk about Ei anymore. I want to see your Thunder God's Heart."
"The Thunder God's Heart? That's your true purpose for coming here, isn't it?"
Five hundred years ago, before secluding herself in the One Mind Pure Land, Ei entrusted the Thunder God's Heart to Yae Miko.
"The Executive is collecting the Seven Gods' Hearts for the Ice God," Yae Miko said with a serious expression. "We must use this Thunder God's Heart wisely to keep Jingchen in check."
"After all, the Thunder God's Heart belongs to Ei," she continued. "Allow me to consult with her first."
"Are you sure about that?!" Jingchen demanded.
"Of course I'm sure, little Jingchen! The Thunder God's Heart belongs to Ei. How could I possibly give it away without her consent?!"
Jingchen fell silent.
In the original storyline, during the Fatui's Evil Eye factory incident, Lumine was ambushed by Scaramouche. Yae Miko appeared silently, offering the Thunder God's Heart in exchange for Lumine's freedom. This was entirely Yae Miko's unilateral decision.
*Good grief!* Jingchen thought. *Now she's claiming she needs to consult with the Raiden Shogun? What a sly fox!*
Jingchen knew he had to act decisively and not let Yae Miko manipulate him. He said coldly, "It seems we were destined to be star-crossed lovers. Mistrust and suspicion will always be the melody between us. Leave."
He rose and returned the formal attire Yae Miko had given him.
Yae Miko was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of genuine bewilderment crossing her face for the first time. But in an instant, her composure returned.
"The Thunder God's Heart is the sacred artifact of a nation's ruling deity," she said calmly. "Jingchen, your actions put me in a difficult position."
"If it's too difficult, then don't bother."
Jingchen prepared to leave without hesitation, but Yae Miko quickly grabbed his hand.
"Aiya, it's just the Thunder God's Heart! Why make our relationship so strained over it?"
"Yae Miko, I have a question for you."
"Oh? Ask away, little Jingchen. I'll answer anything you want to know."
"What's your opinion of the Seelie race?"
Yae Miko looked slightly puzzled. The Seelie? The Seelie who guided humans?
No, those were the cursed, soulless Seelie.
Yae Miko yawned and said with a dismissive air, "A lost race, endlessly cursed, with no future and no hope."
Jingchen clenched his fists tightly. Yae Miko's words were truly contemptuous.
Her arrogance was exactly the same as when she rejected him ten years ago.
In this eternal nation, she had grown accustomed to her lofty position, watching the fleeting lives of Inazuma's people—their births, deaths, joys, and sorrows.
"When can I have the Thunder God's Heart?"
"I'll give it to you on the eve of the wedding."
"Oh. Then goodbye."
A flash of lightning flickered in the corner of Yae Miko's eye.
*Goodbye?! This is my Grand Narukami Shrine, and you're about to become—! And you're just saying goodbye?!*
Yae Miko huffed softly, stepped forward, and firmly pressed the wedding robe into Jingchen's hands.
Terrifying lightning crackled in her eyes.
"I never imagined we'd have such an unpleasant encounter before the wedding. But there's plenty of time ahead, so don't get too worked up. As for this dress, keep it or toss it—it's up to you."
Yae Miko slammed the door behind her, leaving Jingchen alone with the dress.
He retrieved the Serenitea Pot from his spatial backpack, entered it, and silently cradled the sleeping Columbina. He remained by her side, watching over her.
As dusk fell, Columbina yawned and sat up. Her gaze immediately fell on the gift behind Jingchen.
"Achen? Is that from that wretched fox?"
"Mm-hmm."
Columbina snatched the dress.
"She wants you to wear this to the wedding?!"
"Mm-hmm."
Columbina huffed loudly, tearing off the sleeves of the dress with one hand and fashioning them into a scarf. She draped it around her neck.
"Achen, I've always wanted a special scarf like this!"
Jingchen gently stroked Columbina's hair.
"If you like it, that's all that matters."
"Achen, you seem a bit preoccupied. What's on your mind?"
"Yae Miko was too aggressive. Her arrogance and that smug, condescending smile made me uneasy. Plus, my master, senior sister, Ningguang, Raiden, and the others will all be coming to the Grand Narukami Shrine for the wedding."
......
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(End of Chapter)