Lumine impassively observed Yunqin: the young girl still had a smile on her face, but the blankness deep in her eyes was heavier than yesterday, as if covered by a thin veil;
The Vision on her chest remained dim, its warm golden light so weak it almost melted into the darkness, and even the morning light could not reflect its sacred glow.
"I'm fine." Lumine was the first to recover, forcing a smile and shaking her head, while her heart churned like a stormy sea.
Zhongli must have seen Yunqin.
With Zhongli's abilities, it was impossible for him not to notice the anomaly of the Vision. Could it be that he hadn't returned the real Vision to her?
Or was the Yunqin before her...
Not the real Yunqin at all?
But she could clearly feel the passion on the girl's body, that vivid, slightly childish playfulness, which didn't seem to be faked.
Could a fake imitate it so accurately?
Tartaglia's expression darkened slightly, his eyes filled with vigilance.
Today's Yunqin felt even more like a stranger than yesterday's.
The Yunqin of the past was like a little sun; even just standing next to her, one could feel her warm vitality.
Yesterday's Yunqin, however, was like a small flame, its heat weaker, but still possessing warmth.
But today's Yunqin, even that faint "flame" was nearly extinguished. If it weren't for the fact that she was still smiling and still playing around, Tartaglia would have almost thought the person before him was just a soulless husk.
Besides, he had a rough idea of Yunqin's strength.
At most, she could proficiently use the Geo element and control a little UFO; it was absolutely impossible for her to achieve a "silent approach."
Had she suddenly become stronger?
It didn't seem like it. Rather, it felt more like she was using a more eerie ability.
Countless questions swirled in Tartaglia's mind, even leading him to consider the possibility of "replacement."
But each of these conjectures was more outrageous and more unsettling than the last.
He didn't dare show his reaction, only looked at Yunqin and managed to force a smile: "It's nothing, just got startled by you. You girl, getting naughtier and naughtier."
"Alright, alright, no more playing!" Yunqin retracted her smile and clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling as if she had found a new goal, "Let's hurry and go pick out the gift!"
"I know where Liyue Harbor's most famous jewelry store is, let's go to the commercial street! The jewelry there is all transported from Sumeru and Fontaine, it's exceptionally beautiful!" She leaned forward, her tone carrying a hint of certainty, "Ningguang is the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, so the gift we give her can't be mediocre. Pearl jewelry is most suitable for her."
"With Ningguang's snobbish nature, she'll definitely like this kind of expensive and high-status item. As long as the Traveler gives her pearl jewelry, she'll surely become your friend, and her attitude towards you will improve a lot!"
"Traveler? Ningguang? Snobbish?" Tartaglia's eyes narrowed slightly, and the doubts in his heart grew even heavier.
Yunqin just said "Traveler," and her gaze drifted into the air, not as if she were talking to Lumine, but more as if she were reciting something.
Besides, from what he knew of Ningguang, although she valued profit and was good at scheming, she was by no means a "snobbish" person. On the contrary, she regarded Liyue's safety as more important than anything else.
There was definitely something wrong here. Yunqin's perception of Ningguang seemed to have been deliberately twisted by someone.
But he didn't call her out on it, just clapped his hands with a smile and went along with her words: "Alright! Then the first stop will be the commercial street. With me here, you can pick whatever you want, price is no issue... the Northland Bank's reserves can still afford this small expense."
"Really?" Yunqin's eyes widened round, full of disbelief, and even her voice rose slightly, "You're really willing to help us pay? I thought you'd ask us for payment!"
Tartaglia nodded confidently and reached out to ruffle her hair, then the four of them headed toward the commercial street.
Just as they walked into the jewelry shop, the glint of all sorts of shiny gems caught their eye. Deep red velvet cloth covered the counters, upon which various pieces of jewelry were displayed, shimmering with an alluring glow.
The rounded pearl necklace glowed with a soft pink light, the jade bracelet looked like it held a pool of green water, the agate earrings twinkled with tiny red flickers under the lights, and even the gemstone ring was carved with an exquisite auspicious cloud pattern.
Yunqin and Paimon's eyes instantly lit up.
Paimon floated in front of the counter, pointing at the largest pearl necklace, her voice trembling: "Wow! This pearl is so big! It's rounder than any pearl I've ever seen! Ningguang would definitely look beautiful wearing this, she'll definitely love it!"
Yunqin also leaned in, her fingertips gently tracing a jade bracelet through the glass, her eyes filled with envy. Her fingertips even absentmindedly rubbed the glass, as if she were imagining what it would look like to wear the bracelet on her wrist.
"This one is also beautiful. Green makes the skin look fair. It would definitely look very elegant on a wrist. If only I had one too."
Lumine watched Yunqin leaning over the counter. This lively personality did not seem to be a deliberate act.
The envy in her eyes, the longing in her fingertips, none of it was faked.
But every point of Tartaglia's earlier analysis was still correct. The abnormality of the Vision, the disappearance of her aura, and the twisted perception of Ningguang, every detail was strange.
Lumine couldn't make up her mind and could only quietly observe Yunqin's every move, especially that dull Vision.
Lumine followed Yunqin and Paimon's gaze across the counter, and her eyes were suddenly caught by an ornament in the corner.
It was a small stone carving of Rex Lapis, made of warm, blue-gray rock jade. The craftsmanship was so delicate that even the folds of Rex Lapis's wide sleeves, the lines in his hair, and even the jade pendant hanging from the hem of his robe appeared lively.
Lumine instantly remembered that Yunqin's greatest skill was with the Geo element, so she joked with a smile, "Yunqin, look at that stone carving of Rex Lapis. Why don't we give this to Ningguang?"
"After all, as a member of the Liyue Qixing, Ningguang must revere Rex Lapis. Giving this might be more to her liking than the pearls."
The moment her words fell, Yunqin froze abruptly.
She slowly turned her head to look at the stone carving. The envy that had filled her eyes just moments ago instantly turned cold, and even her tone carried a hint of inexplicable resistance: "Don't give this! Rex Lapis is not suitable for someone as powerful and influential as Ningguang."
The smile on Lumine's face instantly froze.
Paimon also stopped her exclamations and moved closer to Yunqin: "Why? Doesn't Ningguang respect Rex Lapis?"
Yunqin's eyes flickered, as if she were trying hard to recall a predetermined answer, and after a few seconds, she spoke stiffly: "It is precisely because she is powerful and influential that it is not suitable."
"Rex Lapis is a god of the past who has long since ceased to manage Liyue's affairs. Ningguang must govern the present Liyue. How can she carry out the Qixing's duties well if she is always dwelling on a god from the past?"
"Giving her this would only distract her. It's not as practical as pearl jewelry, which she can wear to show off her status and let others know the majesty of the Tianquan."
"Rex Lapis..." Lumine murmured these words softly. The doubts in her heart were like clouds swept up by a wild wind, instantly thickening until they were impossible to unravel.