Yelan returned to the Yanshang Teahouse.
"Lady Yelan, you're back!"
"Yes. How's the intel gathering been while I was away?"
"We've never slacked off!"
"Good. Hand it all over."
"Yes!"
Yelan made herself a cup of [Silver Dew] to refresh her mind, then began sorting through the reports.
First up—anything related to the Sumr Shop.
Good. No new "fox spirits" had shown up.
Next, she reviewed the rest of the files.
"Liyue Newspaper Agency established; tabloids stir up rumors between Lady Ningguang and the Sumr Shop's mysterious boss."
"Fatui Harbinger No. 8, 'The Crimson Witch of Fla,' perished at the hands of the Raiden Shogun in Inazuma. All current Harbingers recalled for her funeral."
"Lantern Rite market at Xiao Street opens. Millelith now enforcing strict security."
"Unexplained anomaly appears briefly on Mt. Tianheng."
"Xiao, the Guardian Yaksha, seen in Liyue City with Consultant Zhongli from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. After paying respects at Yiyan Hall, both vanished."
"Doctor Baizhu of Bubu Pharmacy hosts free clinic. Miraculous recoveries abound."
…
She sipped her tea and quickly skimd through the reports. Once finished, she closed her eyes to rest briefly, then called for her aide.
"Lady Yelan, your orders?"
"Bring every newspaper published since the Liyue Newspaper Agency was founded."
"Yes, ma'am."
Soon, a large stack of papers landed on her desk.
Yelan began to flip through them.
She focused on the entertainnt section.
"Tch… Lady Ningguang really went all in…"
After reading them all, she went quiet in thought. Then she pulled out two particular profiles.
One was for Charlotte—the chief editor of the Liyue Newspaper, originally from the Steambird in Fontaine.
The other was for a mysterious astrologer who contributed weekly to the newspaper's astrology column—Mona.
She examined both profiles in detail.
"Mona submits every week… and tomorrow is her scheduled submission day…"
Yelan chuckled softly.
"Perfect."
—
The next day.
Mona left the newspaper office with a spring in her step.
Yes! Another 10,000 Mora for the week's column!
Ti to hit the shops!
No—wait. Gotta save up. The Lantern Rite's coming. I'll splurge then!
She turned toward ho, thoughts full of shopping plans.
But as she passed through a quiet alley, a cool voice called out to her.
"Excuse , miss. Please wait a mont."
"Huh?"
Mona turned around to see a tall, statuesque woman leaning against the wall.
"You were calling ?"
"Yes, Miss Mona."
"!"
Mona's expression imdiately turned guarded—especially when she spotted the Hydro Vision on the woman's waist.
"You know who I am?"
"Of course. You're the astrology columnist for the Liyue newspaper."
"What do you want?"
"No need to be alard, Miss Mona. I just want to propose a deal."
"A deal?"
"You're a great astrologist. I'm troubled by a question and hoped you might perform a reading."
"Sorry, I don't do readings for strangers."
"Is that so?"
"Mm. Please ask soone else. I'll be going now."
Mona turned to leave.
Yelan smiled slightly and didn't block her—she just started to recite.
"'Astrologist Mona gistus.'"
Hearing her full na spoken so precisely, Mona froze mid-step, then turned around in surprise.
Yelan continued reading from her file:
"Arrived in Liyue last month. Checked into the city's finest inn on day one. Day two, passed by a Suru rchant nad Dori and spent nearly all her Mora on an astrological device. Moved to the cheapest inn the next day. Soon couldn't afford food and had to read fortunes on the street for pocket change… and yet you say you 'don't do readings for strangers'?"
Mona's face turned red. "They paid Mora! That doesn't count as 'free' readings!"
Yelan chuckled. "I can pay too."
"I don't need your Mora!"
"Confident, huh? Must've just gotten paid."
Mona glared. "Even if I hadn't, I'd still say the sa thing!"
Yelan stepped away from the wall and approached slowly.
"Let ask again—just like those passersby. I'll pay, and you read my fortune. Deal?"
Mona's eyes flickered. "Depends. What's the offer?"
Yelan raised a finger.
Mona frowned. "What's that supposed to an?"
Yelan spoke softly, "I'll give you one million Mora."
"Wha—wait, did you just say one million Mora?!"
"Well?"
"…It's not about the money, really. I just think… since you're a fellow Hydro Vision holder, it'd be rude not to help you."
Yelan chuckled. "Well said. We might beco even better acquainted in the future."
"I still don't know your na."
"Yelan. A local of Liyue."
Mona pulled out her astrology orb. "What would you like to divine?"
"My love life."
"Love?"
"Yes. Tell who my destined one is, where they are, and when I'll et them."
Mona gave her an odd look.
A million Mora… just to ask about romance?
Master was right. Won down the mountain really are easy marks.
"I understand."
Mona gazed into her orb.
Strange constellations shimred through the sphere.
Her expression shifted.
Yelan tilted her head. "Miss Mona, what's the result?"
Mona looked up, brows furrowed. "I got a result, but…"
"But what?"
"Let try again. Just to be sure."
This was a million-Mora client. She had to be thorough.
She divined again.
The sa stars appeared.
Sa result. No doubt.
Mona exhaled in relief. "Miss Yelan, I know who your fated partner is."
"Who?"
"Do you know the famous juice shop in Liyue?"
Yelan's eyes twitched. "You an the Sumr Shop?"
Mona nodded. "That's the one. Your destined one is the owner of that shop. Anything else you want to ask—?"
Before she could finish, Yelan handed her a card.
"No need. Thank you for the reading, Miss Mona."
And with that, Yelan turned and walked away with a spring in her step.
"If you ever run into trouble in Liyue, co to the Yanshang Teahouse. I'll help you once."
Mona stared at the card, utterly baffled.
Did… did I just stumble into wealth beyond belief?
---
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