The way of tea

From backstage came a lilting, melodious song, seemingly in an entirely new style.

Lin Yi sat alone in the gallery, watching Master Yun Jin closely as she combined the lyrics he had provided with movements of her own creation in a nearly flawless performance.

Whatever shortcomings there might have been in Lin Yi's instruction, Yun Jin had expertly corrected them all.

"Every trade has its masters. You certainly live up to your reputation, Master Yun. What extraordinary talent!"

Lin Yi applauded as he praised her. Even Yun Jin, accustomed as she was to thunderous applause,

could not help feeling a little bashful at that moment.

"The lyrics provided by the Geo Archon convey their stories beautifully and have clear themes. They, too, are treasures without equal, not to be stolen or imitated."

Yun Jin treated people kindly, but seldom offered praise. Earning her approval for opera lyrics was no easy feat.

Though Lin Yi had merely offered up someone else's work, hearing her praise was still immensely gratifying.

Then Lin Yi heard a soft sigh from Yun Jin, as though something was troubling her that she found difficult to voice.

"What is it, Master Yun?"

"Ever since I became involved with the Yun-Han Opera Troupe, my days have revolved around singing and verse. Over the years, there has been far more toil than leisure."

Lin Yi had noticed, of course. While Yun Jin was trying out the songs, her voice had sounded a little weak, with a faint rasp.

That was the result of prolonged strain. If she continued without proper rest and recovery, it would do her nothing but harm.

"Besides, the lyrics you have provided are of the very highest quality, Lord Geo Archon. If I cannot sing them at my best, wouldn't I be doing such fine works a disservice?"

Yun Jin's love and sincerity toward her craft touched Lin Yi as well.

In short, Yun Jin had been feeling rather worn out lately and wanted to rest, but lacked a suitable excuse.

"Isn't that simple? You're standing before a god. With a single word from me, you people of Liyue would naturally have to do as you're told."

Yun Jin's heart stirred as she understood what Lin Yi meant.

The following day, a handwritten decree from Lin Yikesi, Liyue's Geo Archon, arrived, ordering the Yun-Han Opera Troupe to return to Liyue immediately for reforms under a new policy.

Not only Yun Jin, but the entire troupe felt relieved upon receiving the decree.

At last, they could pack up, go home, and take some time off.

Of course, reforming the troupe was not merely an empty promise. Adjustments made while preserving its original charm would also lay the groundwork for introducing idols, boy bands, and girl groups in the future.

A few hours after the decree was delivered, Yun Jin paid Lin Yi a special visit.

At the time, Lin Yi was chatting with Zhongli and the others, learning about Liyue's past.

"Lord Geo Archon, forgive the intrusion."

"Master Yun, please have a seat. We happen to have some excellent Golden-Throat Tea. It's good for the throat."

Yun Jin smiled but did not sit down. Instead, she bowed to Lin Yi in thanks.

"What is this for?"

"Thank you, my lord. Everyone in the troupe was exhausted, and we feared we could not do justice to our upcoming performances. Now that we can recuperate, the whole troupe has asked me to bring you this gift of thanks."

With both hands, Yun Jin presented an unlimited admission pass to the Yun-Han Opera Troupe's performances, complete with top-tier VIP seating and service.

Naturally, Lin Yi liked it and accepted it with thanks.

But before he had even had time to warm it in his hands, he heard Zhongli set his teacup down on the table beside him with rather more force than necessary.

He glanced over.

Although Zhongli said nothing,

Lin Yi could tell that this retired freeloader was hoping to wring a little something out of him.

This guy... When is Childe coming? If only he'd hurry up and take him off somewhere else to play!

After exchanging pleasantries, Master Yun departed.

Zhongli looked at Lin Yi.

"All right, all right. With Yun Jin here just now, I couldn't exactly hand the pass straight over to you. Since you like it, it's yours."

"Then I thank the Geo Archon for his generosity. I shall accept without further protest."

Once Zhongli had the pass, his eyes nearly narrowed into slits with his smile.

Lin Yi curled his lip at the sight. Who knew how this retired old man would fleece him in the future?

"I have heard about your land reclamation plans. How do you intend to proceed?"

Lin Yi did not care for the taste of tea, but he rather appreciated the meaning it could convey.

Two or three leaves floated in his cup, while seven or eight lay at the bottom. What they reflected seemed to be Liyue's current state.

"Remove the old leaves and add fresh tea. Add enough, and naturally you can fill all the gaps. Tea may be expensive, but it is neither rare nor precious. So for now, I prefer the flavor that comes with quantity."

Adding too many leaves to a bitter cup of tea might make it more bitter, but at least it would have a full-bodied flavor.

Zhongli nodded.

"If my old friend Guizhong were still here, her expertise in mechanisms might have been of help to you. Alas."

"Hey, hey, stop right there. This is a brand-new era. It's high time we left the sentimentality and sorrow behind. Just eat well, drink well, and enjoy watching, old man."

"Then I shall rest easy. I have a few other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave. Until we meet again."

Zhongli left first.

Lin Yi watched his retreating figure and simply waved goodbye.

Looking back at the table, Lin Yi compared their teacups and saw that his was slightly larger than Zhongli's.

In the way of tea, equal cups signified friendship, while a larger cup denoted higher standing.

Draining one's cup and turning it upside down showed respect for the host.

"How did Zhongli learn to saddle me with titles too?"

Lin Yi chuckled.

He spent a few days resting at Wangshu Inn.

Keqing and Xiangling had accompanied him on this trip, finally stealing a little leisure from their busy schedules and thoroughly enjoying themselves.

But at night, Lin Yi would toss and turn, unable to sleep, his mind filled with that tall, graceful figure.

I wonder if my wife Ningguang is thinking of me right now.

He had been away for more than a week. Claiming he did not miss her would have been an outright lie.

Of course, Ningguang always said the opposite of what she felt.

Out loud, she wished nothing more than for Lin Yi to drop dead out there and never return.

But one day, while Baiwen was cleaning Ningguang's room,

she unexpectedly discovered a small, human-shaped cushion tucked deep inside the bed.

"Huh, how strange. Miss Ningguang never keeps anything beside her when she sleeps. Baishi or Baixiao must have left it behind. How careless!"

Just as Baiwen picked it up, she turned it over for a look.

A man's likeness had been painted on it in colored ink.

Curious, Baiwen examined it from one side and then the other.

At last, she realized to her astonishment that the figure depicted on it was none other than Lord Lin Yi, the Geo Archon.

Besides Lady Ningguang's fragrance, the cushion even bore a faint lipstick kiss mark...

"My goodness, could this be..."

"Baiwen, what are you doing!?"

Ningguang's voice suddenly rang out. Startled, Baiwen's hands shook, and the cushion bearing Lin Yi's likeness slipped from her grasp.

Ningguang instinctively reached out to catch it, but suddenly seemed to remember something. She withdrew her hand and watched the little cushion fall to the floor.

"My lady, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to go through your room!"

Baiwen panicked. From the irritation in Lady Ningguang's voice, she was clearly angry.

"Your allowance for this month will be reduced by thirty percent. Don't let it happen again. And this cushion is not what you think it is. You must not go spreading nonsense about it."