By your resolve, Tapisserie Éternelle has been unleashed—this is but one of the four treasures you have earned!
---
After escorting Ganyu and Shenhe out of the city, Luo Qing decided to give Ganyu his last remaining "Teleportation Toilet" to facilitate easier travel between Sumeru and Liyue.
He insisted that she install it in her personal quarters once she got back to Liyue.
Having spent enough time in Sumeru to understand the device's peculiar yet practical function, Ganyu felt a little conflicted but ultimately nodded in agreement.
Before parting ways, Luo Qing took a moment to share a kiss with both Ganyu and Shenhe, stamping his own "seal of approval" as a farewell gesture.
He watched them walk away until their figures disappeared entirely before turning back toward Sumeru City.
By the time Luo Qing made it home, the day had stretched on a bit longer than expected.
After updating Makoto about Ganyu and Shenhe's departure, Luo Qing settled onto the sofa. He focused his thoughts and projected his awareness into the Void.
Although Lumine no longer wore a Void Terminal, Alhaitham still did—and Luo Qing had discreetly marked Alhaitham's terminal for tracking long ago.
Following the trail through the Void network, it didn't take long before Luo Qing located Alhaitham's position.
With a flick of his will, Luo Qing slipped his awareness into Alhaitham's mind. Moments later, Alhaitham's point of view unfolded before him.
The man was seated at a long wooden table, engrossed in a discussion with several others.
Across from him sat Lumine, Paimon, Dehya, Cyno, and others. Judging by their numbers and the intensity of the conversation, this must have been the moment they were finalizing their plans to retake Sumeru City.
"Moving faster than I expected…"
Satisfied with their progress, Luo Qing was about to withdraw his consciousness from Alhaitham's mind when a flicker of curiosity held him back.
What goes on inside this Grand Scribe's head on a normal day?
Unable to resist, he skimmed through Alhaitham's thoughts and memories.
"Studying, reading, sleeping, studying, reading, planning the rebellion…"
Yep. Just as I thought—a textbook scholar's brain.
Disappointed, Luo Qing shook his head. He'd been hoping to find something a little spicier.
He exited Alhaitham's mind and prepared to log off from the Void when a powerful pulse of awareness emanated from the direction of the Jingliu Workshop.
Curious, Luo Qing redirected his consciousness toward the source.
"This is…"
Luo Qing's gaze locked onto the awakened Scaramouche at the head of the Perfected God. He was slightly taken aback.
He's awake already?!
Had Scaramouche already fully absorbed the power of the Gnosis?
Luo Qing swallowed hard, considering whether to approach him directly for a conversation.
But before he could act, Scaramouche abruptly lifted his head. His gaze, as if piercing through space, seemed to lock directly onto Luo Qing's awareness.
"That place again…"
Sensing that the probing consciousness originated from the residential area, Scaramouche's irritation flared.
He was a god now—yet some unseen force kept challenging his authority.
Feeling his divine dignity affronted, Scaramouche silently vowed that once he had fully mastered the power of the Gnosis, he would leave the workshop and personally visit that house to uncover the truth.
Back in his own home, Luo Qing retracted his awareness with a wince.
The image of Scaramouche's enraged expression lingered in his mind.
Did he notice me? No way… right?
Troubled, Luo Qing stood up and headed upstairs. He stopped at the second room on the right and pushed the door open.
"What are you doing?! How can you just barge in without knocking?!"
Ei's startled voice greeted him as she hastily pressed her light novel against her chest and scooted further into her bed.
Her loose kimono left her clad in little more than a pair of panties, so she instinctively tugged the blanket over her exposed legs.
"This is serious business," Luo Qing said, shutting the door behind him as he walked toward her bed.
"If it's serious, then talk! Why are you taking off your shoes? It's not even nighttime yet!"
Panic flashed across Ei's face as she pulled the blanket tighter, retreating further into the bed.
With Ganyu and Shenhe now gone to Liyue and Ayaka off at the Grand Bazaar with Nilou, the only people left in the house were Makoto, Theresa, and herself.
And Ei had heard… rumors.
Rumors about how her elder sister and Theresa had shared Luo Qing's bed on occasion.
If Luo Qing made a move on her now, those two were more likely to cheer him on than stop him. They might even offer guidance!
"There's nowhere else to sit, so I'm just squeezing in," Luo Qing said nonchalantly.
"You—!"
Speechless, Ei watched as Luo Qing shamelessly climbed onto the bed, settled behind her, and casually wrapped an arm around her waist.
"I wanted to ask you something," he said.
"Then ask!" Ei huffed, frowning as she grabbed his wandering hand. "Ask your question, but stop touching me."
Luo Qing rested his chin on her shoulder, his gaze falling on the light novel in her hands. "Remember that puppet you abandoned?"
"You mean…"
Ei's expression shifted, memories of a certain young boy surfacing in her mind.
"So, you do remember," Luo Qing said, nodding. "He's in Sumeru now."
"And?" Ei huffed dismissively, her attention drifting back to her novel.
By now, she no longer resisted Luo Qing's displays of physical affection. If she had, she wouldn't have let him cuddle her to sleep that one night—or sniff her chest.
"I set him free ages ago. Where he is or what he does has nothing to do with me."
"But he doesn't see it that way~," Luo Qing teased, chuckling. "He's still holding onto a grudge against you."
"..."
Ei's eyes lingered on the page in her hands for a moment before flicking back to her book.
"Let him. That's his choice. It has nothing to do with me."
"Tsk, you're such a cold-hearted parent," Luo Qing remarked, planting a kiss on her shoulder. "What will you do if he comes seeking revenge?"
"Revenge…"
For a moment, Ei's gaze turned vacant, but her voice soon regained its usual calm.
"If he wants a fight, so be it. I'm here in Sumeru. Tell him that if he thinks his strength is sufficient, I won't mind facing him in battle."
"Really?"
"Why would I lie?" Ei scowled, yanking Luo Qing's hand out of her kimono.
He's so shameless! Touching me when I'm not wearing anything underneath!
"If that's all you wanted to say, leave. Stop interrupting my reading."
"Come on… let me sit a little longer…" Luo Qing muttered, pretending to settle in further.
While enjoying Ei's company, Luo Qing's mind wandered. He wondered if he should warn Lumine once she returned, just in case things escalated.
If this mother-son pair really ended up fighting, Sumeru City might end up with a new "middle parting."
By your resolve, Tapisserie Éternelle has been unleashed—this is the second of the four treasures you have earned!
---
Morning at the Kamisato Estate
The sun had just begun to rise over the sea, casting a soft glow across Inazuma. Kamisato Ayaka stirred awake in her futon, slipping into her usual homely kimono. She tied her hair neatly before quietly sliding her door open.
Her plan was simple: freshen up, then sneak off to Sumeru using her teleportation device.
As she passed by her brother Ayato's room, curiosity got the better of her. Ayaka gently pushed the door ajar, peeking inside.
The room was dark. It seemed Ayato was still fast asleep.
Relieved, Ayaka closed the door and headed for the bathroom.
After a short while, she emerged looking refreshed, her mood visibly brighter. A small smile graced her lips as she prepared to return to her room and lock the door before teleporting away.
But just as she walked past Ayato's room again, the door suddenly opened.
There he was—Kamisato Ayato, fully dressed, standing right in front of her.
"B-Brother?" Ayaka stammered, a flicker of panic flashing in her eyes.
At this time of day, her brother should have just gone to bed after finishing his nightly duties.
Why is he awake so early?!
"You're up early today…" Ayaka ventured cautiously.
"I thought the same about you," Ayato said with a warm smile. "It's been a while since we've had breakfast together, hasn't it? Father always said that breakfast is the best way to nurture bonds between family members. Even though it's just the two of us now, we should cherish these moments. Come, let's eat together."
Without waiting for her response, Ayato stepped past her and began walking toward the dining room.
"Y-Yes, Brother," Ayaka replied hesitantly, following behind him.
As she trailed after him, a sense of unease gnawed at her.
The siblings sat cross-legged at a low table, their breakfast spread before them: traditional Inazuman pastries and steaming bowls of rice porridge.
After the servants retreated, leaving them alone, Ayato broke the silence.
"Ayaka, do you have plans to go out today?" he asked casually, his tone light.
"Um…" Ayaka nodded slightly, her gaze darting away.
"I heard from Thoma that you've been learning to dance recently," Ayato continued, taking a bite of his food.
"Y-Yes, that's true," Ayaka replied softly.
"Strange… I remember you once saying that dancing wasn't your forte. Did you develop an interest in it recently?"
"Well… something like that," Ayaka said, avoiding his gaze.
She couldn't possibly tell her brother that she was learning to dance for Luo Qing's sake!
"Yes, I've grown interested in it lately…"
"I see."
Ayato's expression remained composed, though he inwardly sighed.
"By the way," he said after a pause, "I have business at the Shogunate today. With the Raiden Shogun away, Lady Yae Miko has been handling state affairs, so I need to discuss several matters with her.
"Incidentally, Lady Yae has mentioned wanting to meet you several times. Why don't you come with me today?"
"W-What?!"
Ayaka's heart sank.
A trip to the Shogunate would take at least half a month, counting the journey. But she'd promised Nilou that she'd practice dancing with her at the Grand Bazaar every day!
Not to mention Luo Qing's house was full of rivals—her absence might give them an advantage.
Why now, of all times?
Ayaka stole a glance at Ayato, who was smiling at her with an unreadable expression.
After a moment of hesitation, she ventured timidly, "Brother… I already have plans with someone. Perhaps another time?"
"Is it Luo Qing?"
"Wha—No! It's… someone else!" Ayaka's voice faltered, her mind scrambling.
"Ayaka…" Ayato sighed, his tone heavy.
"We're family. There shouldn't be secrets between us. Besides, I'm not opposed to your relationship with Luo Qing, so there's no need to hide it from me."
"I-I'm sorry, Brother…" Ayaka's cheeks flushed as she lowered her head. "Yes, I've been spending time with Luo Qing recently."
[Frustration +1 from Kamisato Ayato]
Sigh… My little sister has reached the age where she seeks romance…
"I thought he left Inazuma?" Ayato asked.
"He…" Ayaka hesitated, then whispered, "He left me a teleportation device so I can visit his home directly from my room."
[Frustration +1 from Kamisato Ayato]
Teleportation… to Luo Qing's house. His house.
House…
Ugh…
Ayato took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure. "And the dancing? Is he involved?"
"N-No! The dancing is something I'm learning from a friend in Sumeru. It has nothing to do with Luo Qing!" Ayaka quickly clarified.
"I see…"
Ayato felt a small measure of relief. At least she wasn't practicing dance at Luo Qing's house.
"Brother…"
Noticing Ayato's prolonged silence, Ayaka cautiously spoke up again.
"I… I've finished eating," she said, hinting that she wanted to leave.
Ayato sighed, noticing how her eyes kept darting toward the door.
"Ayaka," he said, his voice calm but firm. "You remember that Luo Qing is a Harbinger of the Fatui, don't you?"
"I…" Ayaka's heart sank. Why did her brother always fixate on that?
"The relationship between Inazuma and the Fatui—" Ayato began, preparing to lay out the political implications.
But before he could finish, Ayaka raised her head and interrupted him.
"But, Brother… the Shogun is just like me."
"What?"
Ayato froze, his mind blank.
Just like her?
"That… That doesn't make sense!"
"It does," Ayaka said quietly, lowering her gaze. "The Shogun is also staying at Luo Qing's house. And, Brother, you've heard the rumors about her and Luo Qing on Ritou, haven't you?"
"You mean… that incident was real?!"
Ayato's calm façade shattered.
He had heard the tales—rumors that the legendary Raiden Shogun had approached Luo Qing on Ritou and demanded a kiss. He had dismissed it as idle gossip.
After all, how could the Raiden Shogun—
But Ayaka's expression was serious.
And that… was terrifying.
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