Matriarchal Genshin Impact: Taken Away by the Raiden Shogun at the Start
Chapter 23

Strange, I Feel Like Someone Snuck into My Bed Last Night

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[Minna-san, I'm back!]

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[The book suddenly got a little popular yesterday, and the author didn't know what to do. I was excited all night qwq]

Night on the Jade Chamber was unbelievably quiet.

Moonlight streamed through the carved window lattice, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow across the guest room floor.

Baichen lay on the soft, spacious bed, the Electro-patterned magatama on his chest glowing faintly purple in the dark. Ever since he entered this palace in the sky, its connection to Inazuma seemed to have been blocked by some kind of power.

[System hibernating...] [Night mode activated] [Good night, Host zZZ]

Good night zzz.

The clouds outside the window stirred slightly, and a dark figure slipped silently into the room.

Yelan landed lightly on the carpet, her long, dark-blue hair tied loosely with a red cord. Her close-fitting night clothes outlined her shapely curves.

She narrowed her amber eyes as she studied the sleeping youth.

"He's even cuter than the intel described..." she murmured silently, her fingertips brushing gently over his cheek.

Still asleep, Baichen unconsciously nuzzled the cool hand, drawing a soft chuckle from Yelan.

She bent down, her red lips nearly touching his earlobe:

"That woman Ningguang actually left such a delicious little thing on the Jade Chamber..." Her warm breath brushed his ear. "She really doesn't know how to share..."

Yelan's lips grazed the youth's ear and traveled down to his neck, where she placed a light kiss on the Electro-patterned magatama.

The magatama seemed to sense something and flickered faintly, but soon grew still again.

"Inazuma's surveillance?" Yelan toyed with the necklace. "That won't work in Liyue~"

She lifted a corner of the blanket, slipped nimbly underneath, and drew the youth into her arms.

Baichen mumbled indistinctly in his sleep and instinctively edged closer to the source of warmth. Satisfied, Yelan tightened her arms around him and rested her chin on top of his head:

"Sleep well, little one..." Her fingers gently combed through his hair. "There's a surprise waiting for you tomorrow..."

[Yelan's affection +5%, current: 25%] [Night raid successful (not doing it, it's not that fast yet)]

When morning light filtered through the gauze curtains, Baichen blearily opened his eyes.

A faint, delicate fragrance still lingered on the other side of the bed, but there was no one on the pillow.

He sat up and rubbed his eyes.

Good morning, System.

[Good morning, Host!] [Sleep quality analysis: Excellent] [Strange... why is there an unfamiliar perfume scent on the bed?]

Baichen lowered his head and sniffed. Sure enough, he caught a faint, elusive, crisp fragrance-

It smelled like a blend of mint and night-blooming jasmine. Just as he was wondering about it, someone knocked on the door.

"Mr. Baichen, are you awake?" Ganyu's gentle voice came from outside. "Lady Ningguang asked me to show you around Liyue Harbor."

He gently pushed open the window, and a fresh sea breeze brushed his face, carrying a hint of salt.

The whole of Liyue Harbor gradually unfolded before his eyes like an exquisite painting.

Morning mist shrouded the harbor in a thin veil, giving it the understated elegance of an ink painting.

Distant mountains appeared and disappeared among the clouds and mist, like a fairyland.

At the docks, countless ships set sail while others came and went, creating a bustling scene.

Sailors busily carried cargo, their calls and work chants rising and falling in a lively symphony.

Ganyu stood quietly at the door, like a blue flower in full bloom.

Today she had changed into a light, pale-blue long dress. Its soft, smooth fabric fluttered gently in the sea breeze.

Several small bells adorned her qilin horns, chiming pleasantly in the breeze as though adding a touch of cheer to the beautiful morning.

"Did you sleep well last night?" Ganyu asked with a smile, though her gaze inadvertently swept over the rumpled bed.

"I-it was all right..." Baichen instinctively tugged at his collar, afraid there might be some kind of mark. "I'm just a little unused to sleeping in a different bed."

Ganyu considerately asked no further questions and led him to the Jade Chamber's dining room.

Breakfast was ready: Liyue-style almond tofu, shrimp dumplings, and a steaming bowl of seafood congee.

"Lady Ningguang has urgent official business, so I'll be accompanying you throughout the day," Ganyu explained. "Is there anywhere in particular you'd like to go?"

Baichen scooped up a spoonful of congee. "I heard there's a famous place in Liyue called Wanmin Restaurant?"

Ganyu's ears twitched slightly. "You mean Xiangling's restaurant?"

Her coral-colored eyes lit up. "It's certainly worth trying, but..." She hesitated. "We may have to wait in line."

[Ganyu's affection +2%, current: 26%] [Note: A shared love of good food]

Leaving the Jade Chamber meant taking the floating-stone-powered lift platform again.

As they descended, the clamor of Liyue Harbor gradually grew clearer. On the streets of Feiyun Slope, early risers had already begun their busy day.

Sure enough, a long line had formed outside Wanmin Restaurant.

They could smell the enticing aroma from a long way off. A young woman with her hair in a ponytail was busy at the stove, her spatula flying through the air and sending up bursts of flame.

"That's Xiangling," Ganyu said. "Liyue's youngest master chef."

As if sensing their gazes, Xiangling suddenly looked up and waved her spatula at them. "Sister Ganyu! Did you bring a friend to eat?" she called warmly. "I've saved you the best seats!"

[Wanmin Restaurant's head chef Xiangling makes her first appearance] [Current affection: 22% (warm and welcoming)]

The best seats were right next to the kitchen, where they could watch Xiangling cook up close.

The flames behaved like obedient pets in her hands as ingredients flew about in the wok, releasing enticing aromas.

"Have a taste!" Xiangling set a plate of Golden Shrimp Balls in front of Baichen. "My newly developed extra-spicy version!"

The shrimp balls were coated in bright-red chili powder, and the smell alone made his nose itch.

Baichen braced himself and took a bite. The heat instantly brought tears streaming down his face. Xiangling burst out laughing and hurriedly handed him a glass of ice-cold water:

"Just kidding! Here's the normal version for you~"

The real Golden Shrimp Balls were crisp on the outside and tender inside, the fresh sweetness of the shrimp bursting in his mouth. They were truly delicious.

Beside him, Ganyu sampled her vegetables in small bites, too graceful to look as though she were eating at a little roadside restaurant.

"Your cooking has improved again, Xiangling," Ganyu praised softly. "This dish was cooked just right."

Xiangling planted her hands on her hips. "Of course! After all, I'm..." Her words were cut short by a commotion.

Outside the restaurant, a young woman wearing a hat bearing the Qian and Kun trigrams of the Tai hexagram was bouncing up and down and waving at them. "Xiangling! Is my 'Ghostly Grand March' set meal ready?"

"Hu Tao..." Xiangling pressed a hand to her forehead. "How many times have I told you not to cause trouble at mealtimes?"

The director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had already slipped nimbly through the crowd and plopped down in the empty seat beside Baichen. "Oh, isn't this the cutie from Inazuma?" She leaned closer to inspect him. "Did you sleep well last night? Was the bed on the Jade Chamber hard?"

Baichen was left speechless by the sudden questions.

But Hu Tao wouldn't let up. "Want to come try the 'peaceful slumber package' at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? I guarantee it's more comfortable than that woman Ningguang's lousy bed!"

[Hu Tao's affection +3%, current: 23%] [Note: Playful closeness]

Ganyu coughed lightly. "Director Hu Tao, please don't..."

"I know, I know~" Hu Tao waved a hand.

Breakfast continued in a relatively peaceful atmosphere.

As they were leaving, Xiangling even packed some snacks for them. "Take these for the road! Liyue's a big place, so don't go hungry~"

[Item obtained: Xiangling's special snacks] [Effect: Stamina recovery +20%]

Their itinerary for the rest of the day was packed. Ganyu and Baichen would tour Feiyun Slope's shopping street together.

The street was one of the busiest places in Liyue, with many famous shops and attractions along the way.

First, Ganyu took Baichen to Liyue's largest bookstore, the Feiyun Commerce Guild.

The bookstore was not only enormous, but also housed a rich collection of books covering knowledge from every field.

Baichen was full of curiosity about the books. He wandered among the shelves, picking out titles that interested him.

Ganyu patiently introduced him to some classic works, and the two engaged in a lively discussion about their contents.

Afterward, they came to Mingxing Jewelry.

The antique shop displayed a dazzling array of strange and unusual antiques.

Baichen was curious about these ancient objects. He carefully examined each antique as he listened to Ganyu tell the stories behind them.

In this place steeped in history, Baichen felt as though he had traveled back in time and experienced Liyue's rich cultural heritage.

"Where would you like to go next?" Ganyu glanced at the sky. "There's still some time before dinner."

Baichen remembered the strange fragrance on the bed that morning. "I heard there's a very famous teahouse in Liyue?"

Ganyu's ears twitched slightly. "Do you mean... Yanshang Teahouse?" Her expression became somewhat complicated. "That place... isn't really suitable..."

"Who says it isn't?"

Suddenly, a soft, slightly languid female voice sounded leisurely behind them, as though it had drifted out of thin air.

The voice was like a morning breeze, slowly brushing past their ears and stirring an urge to find out more.

Like a ghost, Yelan appeared silently at the street corner.

Her arrival seemed to add a touch of mystery to the ordinary corner.

Today, Yelan wore a dark-blue qipao, its color as deep and mysterious as the midnight sea.

The qipao was perfectly tailored, outlining her slender figure and accentuating her graceful, swaying form.

A sheer outer garment draped over her shoulders, as light and transparent as morning mist.

It fluttered gently in the breeze, offering fleeting glimpses of her fair skin and the delicate patterns on her qipao.

She held a slender smoking pipe between her fingertips. Smoke curled up from it and lingered around her, as though draping her in a hazy veil.

"Secretary Ganyu, I'll borrow your cutie for a while~" Without waiting for an answer, she linked arms with Baichen. "My teahouse just received a fresh batch of fine tea. It's the perfect chance to invite a guest to sample it."

Ganyu tried to stop her, but Yelan silenced her with a glance. "Don't worry, I'll return him safe and sound before dinner." She lowered her voice. "As for Ningguang... you understand."

[Yelan makes her formal appearance] [Current affection: 30% (highly interested)]

Yanshang Teahouse stood in a secluded corner of Feiyun Slope. Its exterior looked ordinary, but its interior was extravagantly decorated.

Yelan led Baichen to the innermost private room and personally brewed a pot of premium Biluochun tea.

"Try it. It's fresh tea from this spring." She pushed a cup toward Baichen. "It's much better than that woman Ningguang's 'thunder tea.'"

The tea was clear and fragrant. Baichen took a careful sip, and it did indeed leave an endlessly sweet aftertaste.

Yelan watched his reaction with satisfaction, then suddenly asked:

"How did you sleep last night?"

Baichen's hand trembled slightly. "I-it was all right..."

"Really?" Yelan leaned closer, her red lips nearly touching his earlobe. "Didn't you feel... someone sleeping beside you?"

The direct question nearly made Baichen knock over his cup. Yelan, however, giggled and lightly traced a finger across his cheek:

"Just kidding~" She sat back in her seat, though a sly light flickered in her eyes. "But... if you want, you can really experience it tonight."

[Yelan's affection +3%, current: 33%] [Note: Blatant flirting]

The tea gathering lasted until evening.

Yelan not only prepared an assortment of tea snacks but also demonstrated her superb tea-making skills.

By the time Ganyu arrived to pick him up as agreed, Baichen was already a little tipsy. Yelan's tea seemed to have contained a little alcohol.

"What did you give him to drink?" Ganyu asked with a frown.

Yelan blinked innocently. "Just ordinary 'drunken tea'~" She slipped a room card into Baichen's pocket. "There are guest rooms on the teahouse's second floor. You're welcome anytime~"

[Item obtained: Yanshang Teahouse VIP room card] [Effect: Right to check in anytime]

Dinner was a formal banquet held at Xinyue Kiosk. Besides Ningguang and Keqing, several members of the Liyue Qixing were also present.

Throughout the meal, Ningguang repeatedly put food on Baichen's plate, making Keqing roll her eyes again and again.

"Tomorrow is the start of the sightseeing season." Ningguang raised her cup. "Get to bed early tonight." She gave Yelan a meaningful look. "Stay at the Jade Chamber."

Yelan snorted softly. "Maybe he'd rather stay at my teahouse~"

Their gazes clashed in midair, and in the end, Ganyu stepped in to smooth things over. "I've already arranged a room at the inn where Mr. Baichen is staying..."

After the banquet, Baichen politely declined everyone's offers to escort him and decided to walk back to his lodging alone.

The night view of Liyue Harbor was breathtaking, countless lights reflected on the sea like a cascading river of stars.

As he turned a corner, a dark figure suddenly dropped from the eaves. Yelan landed lightly in front of him, a mysterious smile playing on her lips:

"Lost, little one?" She reached out and brushed a petal off his shoulder. "Would you like big sister to take you home?"

The night breeze carried her distinctive, delicate fragrance to him-the very same scent that had been on his bed that morning. Baichen suddenly realized something and widened his eyes:

"That was you last night...?"

Yelan held an index finger to his lips. "It's a secret~" She turned and walked toward the shadows.

"See you tomorrow, my little cutie." Baichen stood rooted to the spot.

Just then, the system's voice rang out in his mind:

[Yelan's affection +5%, current: 38%]

Baichen took a deep breath and decided to return to his lodging first.

But when he arrived at the inn Ganyu had arranged, he was told there was a problem with the room and he couldn't stay there.

As he worried over what to do, he suddenly remembered the room key card Yelan had given him. After much hesitation, he headed for the Yanshang Teahouse.

When he returned to the teahouse, Yelan seemed to have expected him. She greeted him at the door with a smile. "I knew you'd come."

Blushing, Baichen followed Yelan up to the second floor.

The room was furnished in a warm, elegant style. Yelan poured a cup of tea and handed it to him. "Get a good rest tonight. Don't think too much."

With that, she quietly closed the door and left. Baichen sat on the edge of the bed, sipping his tea, but his heart was still racing.

Outside the window, moonlight spilled over him like water. He gazed at the night view, both nervous and excited about the days ahead in Liyue.

But would tonight really pass so simply?

End of Chapter
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