**Chapter 50: The Storm Before the Wedding**
The rivalry between Yae Miko and Columbine was truly dramatic.
Regardless, Jingchen would always stand by Columbine's side.
When Columbine heard that even Cloud Retainer from Liyue and Ningguang would be attending, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.
"The more the merrier! I want to see that sly fox's face twist with shock, regret, and despair.
She loves scheming and acting all arrogant and aloof, doesn't she? Well, I'll make her underestimate me and lose everything. I'll use her own schemes to orchestrate a grand wedding for us both.
As for the Raiden Shogun, with your master and senior sisters here, she won't dare make a scene in public."
"But what if it's the Raiden Shogun who comes?"
"The Raiden Shogun?! With your master, senior sisters, and the two of us, we should be able to put up a fight. At worst, we can always run away with your master."
Jingchen smiled helplessly, gently stroking Columbine's hair.
"Is this wedding... a case of the cuckoo stealing the magpie's nest?"
"What cuckoo stealing the magpie's nest?! A'Chen, I'm the magpie, and she's the cuckoo!
She rejected you before. If she regrets it now, she should have seen this coming."
Columbine wove the dress into a blanket.
"This Byakko Fox stuff is amazing! Why don't you ask her for more? I have other uses for it."
Jingchen couldn't help but smile. Indeed, Byakko Fox fur was several times more valuable than silk or brocade.
(Yae Miko is a descendant of the Byakko Fox. Don't even mention the color being off.)
Columbine wrapped herself in the blanket, sighing contentedly.
"With this, even Snezhnaya won't feel cold."
Hearing the name "Snezhnaya," Jingchen recalled their cozy little home there with Columbine.
*Only where Columbine is can truly be called home.*
"After we get the Raiden Shogun's Heart, let's go back to Snezhnaya for a while to rest."
Columbine nodded slightly, her eyes crinkling with a smile as she leaned against Jingchen.
"A'Chen, Ayaka, Yoimiya, and Kirara are eavesdropping outside the door."
"Ah?! Should we chase them away?"
"No need. They should understand their place by now."
Outside the door, Kirara pressed her ear against the wood, her cat ears twitching as she listened to Jingchen and Columbine's conversation.
Yoimiya and Ayaka kept urging her on.
"Kirara, what else did Jingchen and Columbine say?"
"It seems they were mostly talking about Lady Yae Miko. Oh, and that after obtaining the Raiden Shogun's Heart, he'll be taking a vacation in Snezhnaya."
Ayaka and Yoimiya fell silent.
If Jingchen obtained the Raiden Shogun's Heart, he would leave Inazuma and return to Snezhnaya. When they saw him again, it might be years later.
By then, the trees would likely be lush with shade, their branches heavy with fruit, and everything would have settled into an irreversible state.
Seeing Ayaka and Yoimiya's silence, Kirara lowered her head, her cat ears drooping, and said with a mix of disappointment and confusion, "If we could just prevent our Benefactor from ever getting the Raiden Shogun's Heart, he and Columbine could stay in Inazuma forever! We could keep seeing them every day, right?!"
Yoimiya and Ayaka exchanged glances. Kirara, that silly cat, had indeed voiced the only scenario that would keep Jingchen in Inazuma.
But...
Wasn't this utterly unrealistic, like chasing the wind?
First, Ayaka, Yoimiya, and Kirara could only watch them every day, powerless to do anything more.
Second, they couldn't abandon their own missions. Would they be too selfish to do something like that?
Third, jealousy, envy, and regret would gradually change a person. Perhaps leaving behind only memories was enough.
***
In Liyue Harbor, Keqing and Ningguang stood like statues on the docks, their faces dark with anger.
Ganyu continued to try to reassure them.
"Ningguang, Keqing, there might be some misunderstanding here."
Ningguang closed her eyes tightly and replied coldly, "A misunderstanding?! Announcing a wedding to the entire world with such fanfare? And with Yae Miko of all people? How could that be a misunderstanding?"
"Exactly, Ganyu. Jingchen is just that kind of guy—birds of a feather flock together. Last time, a girl came to the General Affairs Bureau to report a guy named Tide."
"Junior Brother Jingchen would never do such a thing!"
"Fine, I don't want to argue with you. Let's talk again after we've seen Jingchen himself."
Ganyu clenched her hands tightly. *Junior Brother Jingchen... he... he would never do such a thing.*
*No third party could ever come between him and Columbine.*
Keqing crossed her arms and pressed Ganyu further.
"Ganyu, when will your master and senior sisters arrive?"
"They should be here soon."
"What kind of person is Cloud Retainer?!"
"Ah?! She's... very good at conversation?"
Keqing stared at Ganyu in disbelief. *How could an Immortal be so... strange?!*
"Good at chatting?!"
Hu Tao, who was strolling along the beach composing a limerick, spotted Ganyu, Keqing, and Ningguang. She immediately approached them to say hello.
"Ganyu, Keqing, Ningguang! Good evening! Where are you all headed?"
"We're going to Inazuma," Ganyu replied.
"Inazuma? I know Inazuma well! Yoimiya always tells me about what's happening there whenever she visits Liyue. By the way, what business takes you to Inazuma?"
Keqing was about to tell Hu Tao about the engagement when Zhongli silently appeared behind Hu Tao, his eyes closed and his expression serene. He gestured for Keqing to remain silent.
Keqing paused, surprised. *The Honorary Consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?! Does he want me to keep Jingchen's news from Hu Tao?*
She glanced at Hu Tao again. *Maybe he's right. Hu Tao's still young; it's best not to burden her with such matters.*
Keqing smiled politely at Hu Tao. "Ahem, we're just going to Inazuma to discuss some business with people there."
"Hmm? Official business, then I won't pry. Eh? Zhongli, what are you doing here?!"
Zhongli replied casually, "Just enjoying the sea breeze at the harbor."
"Oh, you seem to have plenty of time on your hands. Should I assign you some work, Hall Master?"
Just as Hu Tao and Zhongli were conversing, Cloud Retainer descended from the sky with Changsheng's sister, Shenhe, Lumine, and Paimon.
They instantly transformed into human form.
Hu Tao stared at Cloud Retainer with a puzzled expression.
"Immortal, what's this about?"
Cloud Retainer replied casually, "I've been invited to my disciple's wedding."
"Ah?!"
Hu Tao stared at Cloud Retainer in astonishment, her mind racing.
Cloud Retainer had only three disciples: the goddess Shenhe standing before her, the Secretary-General of the Seven Stars, Ganyu, and Jingchen!
Since they were all here, could the wedding be Jingchen's?!
*Sigh, that makes sense. Columbine and Jingchen should be getting married soon.*
"Columbine and Jingchen's wedding, right?! I'm going too!"
Hearing Hu Tao's words, Cloud Retainer turned to Zhongli with a look of panic.
Zhongli remained as calm as ever, though a faint crack appeared on the teacup in his hand.
Cloud Retainer hurriedly turned back to Hu Tao, trying to dissuade her.
"Hu Tao, why don't you just stay here? Inazuma is crawling with monsters. You'll get hurt."
"Immortal! Don't try to trick me with such childish excuses!"
"I... *sigh*."
Cloud Retainer turned to Zhongli with an innocent expression.
Tomorrow is the wedding at Grand Narukami Shrine.
......
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(End of Chapter)