Chapter 2
Shenhe woke up from yet another bad dream, trembling slightly, eyes wide, panting heavily. She took a few deep breaths and turned to Cloud Retainer, who was by her bedside.
“Another bad dream, child?” Cloud Retainer asked gently.
Shenhe nodded, sighing. “Yes, Master… about…him,” she answered.
Cloud Retainer sighed. “Listen to one, child. He is not important in your life anymore. He will never love you. He never did, remember? You have to let him go, child.”
Shenhe nodded again, instead of saying, “You don’t understand, Master. He appears everywhere. When I see a father scolding their child, I see my father. When I hear someone yelling, I hear my father. I can’t let him go.”
Cloud Retainer used a wing to gesture to a dress on the edge of Shenhe’s bed. “You should get ready now, child. We will have to meet with the other Adepti soon.” She flew out of the room to give Shenhe privacy.
Shenhe sighed and stood up. She put on the dress that Cloud Retainer had helped her pick out. It was a light grey coloured dress. The dress showed off her curves and reached her ankles. Shnehe supposed the dress would be okay for both the wedding and fighting, if necessary.
Once the dress was on, Shenhe grabbed her polearm and joined Cloud Retainer on the way to Yujing Terrace, where the Adepti were at.
*
“Hello, Miss Shenhe!” Yaoyao exclaimed happily as she embraced Shenhe. Though Yaoyao wasn’t an Adeptus, she was a disciple of Madame Ping and thus had to follow along. She wore a pretty light green dress.
Shenhe awkwardly returned the hug. She wasn’t so used to so much contact. “Greetings, Yaoyao,” she said, finally drawing back. She nodded at Ganyu and Keqing, who nodded back. She bowed to Zhongli, or Morax, the Geo Archon, to show her respect.
“Is everyone here?” Madame Ping asked, adjusting her glasses on her nose.
Shenhe looked around. It seemed like it. She saw Xiao, Yanfei, Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper…well, the list went on.
Zhongli nodded. “It appears so.” He cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. “All right, we shall now make our way to Bu’yun on the Yuehai Pavilion to get to the Jade Chamber. Everyone, follow me.” She strolled off, with Madame Ping and Cloud Retainer next to him.
Yaoyao had taken Yanfei’s hand and started to chat with her animatedly. Keqing was discussing Abyss Mages with Xiao. Something about how their population was increasing rapidly and how they had to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Ganyu approached Shenhe. “Hello, Shenhe,” she said with a soft smile.
Shenhe wasn’t close with any of the Adepti, with the exception of Cloud Retainer, Madame Ping and Ganyu. She and Ganyu had celebrated many Lantern Rites together, sometimes with Keqing or Yaoyao. Ganyu was Shenhe’s closest friend.
“Hello, Ganyu,” Shenhe said. “How are you coping with you lack of sleep?”
“Ah, well, it’s growing worse,” Ganyu admitted, slightly sheepish. “I tend to overwork myself too much these days. But, I’ll catch up on my sleep, maybe during the wedding. I’ll fall asleep on a table.”
“Lady Ningguang won’t mind?” Shenhe questioned as she glanced up at the Jade Chamber.
“I doubt so. Even if she does, I’ll hide behind Keqing.” Ganyu smiled at the thought of her beautiful girlfriend. Someone that Shenhe could never even dream to be.
Shenhe pushed away a flicker of jealousy as she said, “I am going to ask Rex Lapis something.”
Ganyu smiled and nodded. “Okay.”
Shenhe walked off, pushing away her train of thoughts. Once upon a time, Shenhe had liked Ganyu. Once upon a time, Shenhe wanted to confess to Ganyu. But, then, she’d found out from Madame Ping that Ganyu was in a relationship with Keqing. Shenhe had been heartbroken when she’d found out. She hadn’t told Ganyu about it, afraid that would ruin their friendship, or whatever it was.
Shenhe found herself next to Zhongli soon enough. “Greetings, Rex Lapis,” she said in a polite tone. “I have a…burning question to ask.”
Zhongli turned to her and nodded, keeping a stoic expression. “What is this question?” he asked.
“What is it like, to be alo-” Shenhe began, only for a familiar voice to interrupt her.
“Mister Zhongli!! Xiansheng!!”
The Adepti, Zhongli, and Shenhe whirled around to see a man with ginger coloured hair running towards them, a wide grin on his face. Shenhe recognised him.
Childe, or Tartaglia, the Eleventh of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers. The one that had tried to destory Liyue months ago.
All the Adepti reacted instantly, without hesitation. Ganyu pulled out her Amos Bow, preparing to shoot if necessary. Keqing pulled out her sword and frowned at Tartaglia. Yaoyao pulled out Yuegui in case someone got injured. Yanfei gathered Pyro in her hands, Xiao put on his Yaksha mask and grit his teeth, his grip on his polearm deadly. Shenhe already held hers in her hand, boring a hold into Tartaglia.
“Stay away from the Lord of Geo, Fatui,” Keqing commanded. Shenhe had to hand it to her; she sounded just the right amount of fierceness, not even a trace of fear in her voice. Truthfully, she knew that all the Adepti were afraid of Tartaglia, after he almost destroyed Liyue and took off with Zhongli’s gnosis with La Signora.
“Do not attempt at trying to talk your way out, either,” Shenhe warned, taking a step closer to Tartaglia. Cryo appeared on the wet grass. She pointed her polearm at Tartaglia’s neck. “We all know your dirty Fatui doings.”
To Shenhe’s annoyance, Tartaglia laughed.
Oh, the nerve of this man-
“Oh, Zhongli Xiansheng, tell them all that I mean no harm!” he exclaimed, throwing his arms into the air.
Confused, Shenhe’s gaze slid over to Zhongli, who coughed and averted his eyes from everyone else’s.
What was going on?
“The Fatui Harbinger is correct,” Zhongli told everyone. “He’s…an acquaintance of mine. Do not be alarmed; he really does not mean any harm.”
“But, he is Fatui, Rex Lapis,” Ganyu muttered, keeping her eyes trained on Tartaglia, tense. “They are not to be trusted easily! Remember the events in Mondstadt, when La Signora had taken away Barbatos’s gnosis? Remember when she’d taken your gnosis-”
Zhongli held up a hand to silence her. “All is well, Lady Ganyu,” he said. Shenhe noticed that his eyes stared into Tartaglia’s ocean blue ones. “He has my trust.”
“If you are positive, Rex Lapis,” Ganyu murmured, though hesitant as she put away her bow. The other Adepti followed. All but Shenhe, at least. They watched Tartaglia closely, afraid what the Fatui Harbinger would do.
Zhongli looked toward the Adepti. “You all shall proceed to the Jade Chamber first. I shall follow you all later.”
Keqing bit her lip but nodded. She glanced at the seemingly stunned Adepti. “You heard Rex Lapis! Let’s go!” Taking charge, she walked off. After a second, everyone else followed, with Xiao giving Tartaglia a death glare.
Only Shenhe remained. She was still wary of the Fatui Harbinger…
“Mister Zhongli,” Tartaglia said, walking over to Zhongli’s side and slinging an arm around Zhongli. “So, I heard from a little birdie that you’re gonna attend the Tianquan’s wedding?”
Zhongli nodded. “You are correct,” he simply replied.
Tartaglia sighed, “Ah, well, it’s too bad that I’m not invited so I can spend time with you during the special occasion.”
‘Spend time with you’? What did he mean?
To Shenhe’s absolute shock, Zhongli interlaced his fingers with Tartaglia’s. “I could go out to lunch with you the next day. After all, who am I to let you be alone without me for such a long period of time?”
Tartaglia chuckled, “Since when was the Geo Archon ever this sweet?” he teased.
“Only for you,” Zhongli murmured, burying his head in the crook of Tartaglia’s neck. Tartaglia chuckled again.
“Ah, I wish I could spend more time with you, Xiansheng,” Tartaglia said, a hint of guilt in his voice. “Sadly, duty calls. I have to train with some new Fatui members.”
Zhongli nodded. “Very well. I will be looking forward to lunch with you at Wanmin Restaurant.”
Tartaglia grinned and kissed Zhongli on the forehead. He pulled away from Zhongli. “Bye, Xiansheng! Have fun at the wedding!” he called out as he ran off.
Zhongli raised a hand in farewell, a small smile on his face. When Tartaglia was out of sight, he turned to Shenhe as if knowing she had been there, a blank look on his face again. “Let us catch up to the others,” he said. “By the way, you had a question for me?” he asked.
Shenhe shook her head. “It’s not important, now that I think of it,” she lied. “Forget it.”
After all, Zhongli had given her an answer, showing that he and Tartaglia were lovers. It seemed like Shenhe was the only one after all.
*
The Jade Chamber was decorated with Glaze Lilies everywhere, the petals from a few of the flowers detaching and falling off. Guests were everywhere, chattering happily.
Ganyu and Keqing were congratulating Ningguang on her wedding. Ningguang was wearing a blue cheongsam which reached her ankles. She had a flower in her hair. She was smiling brightly.
Beidou, Ningguang’s wife-to-be, was talking to Kaedehara Kazuha and his boyfriend, Wanderer (at least, that was what Shenhe had heard Kazuha say his name was). Beidou’s grin practically touched her ears.
Yaoyao ran towards Shenhe, who was sitting at a table by herself. “Here, Miss Shenhe!” she exclaimed, handing her a flower crown. “I made this for you, with Qiqi’s help!”
Shenhe took the flower crown and put it on. She patted Yaoyao’s head. “Thank you,” she said.
Yaoyao beamed and ran off, towards Qiqi.
“Aunt Shenhe!”
Shenhe turned around to see Chongyun and Xingqiu. Behind them was a tall woman. Shenhe’s heart fluttered.
The woman was beautiful.
She had short, dark blue hair and the prettiest green eyes that Shenhe has ever seen. She had blue earrings and a dice necklace. She wore a white jacket. Her lips were turned up the slightest bit. She was the prettiest woman that Shenhe has ever seen.
“H-Hello, Chongyun,” Shenhe said at last, remembering her manners. She took a deep breath and regained her composure. “This must be Xingqiu’s Aunt Yelan, yes?”
Yelan smiled. “It’s nice to know that many people know me now,” she said. (Holy shit was her voice as hot as her.) “Yes, my name is Yelan. I work under the Ministery of Civil Affairs.” She extended a hand and Shenhe shook it.
Yelan studied Shenhe with what seemed like interest. “Ah, you look hot,” she commented. She leaned in towards Shenhe’s ear and whispered, “I like hot women, like you.”
Shenhe shuddered slightly as Yelan drew back. Was this what the word flirtatious meant? She guessed so.
Shenhe bowed. “I am Shenhe,” she said, putting on an expressionless look on her face. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”
Yelan smiled. “And I, you.”
“Xingqiu! Chongyun! Get over here!” Hu Tao called out from somewhere on the Jade Chamber.
Xingqiu turned and nodded. “We’ll be right there, Tao!” He turned to Yelan. “Bye, Aunt Yelan,” he said as he and his boyfriend ran off.
Yelan chuckled. “Bye,” she said. She turned to Shenhe. “Come on, Shenhe. Let’s get something to eat or drink.” She walked to the food and beverages table. Shenhe followed her.
On a long table, covered with a white fabric sheet, was a spread of food. Shenhe recognised a few dishes, like Grilled Tiger Fish, Crab Roe Tofu, and others.
Yelan helped herself to some food and wine. She turned to Shenhe. “You’re not hungry?” she asked.
Shenhe shook her head. She didn’t know what to eat anyway, even if she was.
Shenhe followed Yelan back to their table. They sat opposite each other.
Yelan took a sip of wine. “So. are you an Adeptus?” she asked.
Shenhe’s heart dropped a little at the question. Yet another person who guessed that she was. “No. I’m a human. I’m just strong enough to be mistaken as one,” she explained.
Yelan nodded. “Yup, I figured.”
Shenhe brightened. Yelan guessed that she wasn’t an Adeptus? She saw Yelan in a new light now.
Yelan popped some Jueyun Chili Chicken into her mouth with her chopsticks. “So, you here to protect Lady Ningguang at her wedding, right?” she asked.
Shenhe nodded. “Yes. That is what my Master said, anyway.”
Yelan nodded slowly. “So, you possess a Cryo Vision? Hmm, that’s cool.” She cracked a smile at the joke that she hadn’t meant to make.
Shenhe smiled faintly as well. She didn’t really get it, but she just went along. “And, you posses a Hydro Vision?” she asked.
Yelan grinned. “Yeah.” She leaned in closer to Shenhe. “Wow, I didn’t expect to meet a hot woman who’s also smart. That’s nice.”
Shenhe’s face burned. She cleared her throat. “Ah, thanks?” she said.
Yelan nodded. “Don’t mention it, pretty girl.”
Shenhe was about to ask why Yelan had called her that when music began to play. They turned to see Beidou at the makeshift alter, next to Barbara, a church idol from Mondstadt.
Ningguang was walking slowly toward them. Yaoyao and Qiqi threw flowers everywhere, with Qiqi pausing every once in a while, supposedly forgetting what she was supposed to do.
Once Ningguang was standing opposite Beidou, Barbara turned to Beidou and said, “Captain Beidou of the Alcor, do you take Lady Ningguang of the Liyue Qixing as your wife?”
Beidou grinned. “Hell yeah I do!” she exclaimed, then quickly corrected herself by saying, “Ah shit, I mean, yes, of course I do.”
Ningguang chuckled softly. Barbara stifled a giggle before turning to Ningguang.
“And, do you, Lady Ningguang, head of the Liyue Qixing, take Beidou as your wife?” Barbara asked.
Ningguang nodded. “I do.”
Barbara smiled. “With that, I pronounce you as wives!” She turned to Beidou. “You may now kiss the bride!”
Beidou grinned. “Don’t have to tell me twice.” She wrapped her arms around Ningguang and closed the distance between them.
The room erupted into applause. Shenhe smiled at the newlyweds. Then, her gaze slid to Yelan.
Shenhe’s smile widened the slightest bit.