A few days have passed since the chaos on the beach.
During this time, Qin Yu, whose dark past had been exposed, was not having an easy time.
Mistakes must be punished.
And the punishment given by the women, led by Ying, was...
On Seirai Island, in the newly built pavilion.
"Sigh—"
Sunlight streamed in through the window.
Qin Yu opened his weary eyes and sat up, clutching his waist.
He glanced at Keqing and Ayaka, who were curled up on the bed, sleeping peacefully, and his face stiffened.
He Qing, he Li.
That's right, the punishment was to be locked in the "black room" to reflect.
And the content of the reflection was to be taken turns by the women...
Of course, this was only possible because his life force had been locked by Mrs. Tree King, preventing him from replenishing his stamina.
As the saying goes, there is no land that cannot be plowed, only oxen that are worked to death.
And what's more, there were so many fields!
"Heh... hehe..."
Recalling the past few days, Qin Yu shivered and quickly shook his head.
It was too terrifying.
"Mmm, you're awake."
The morning stir woke up Ayaka and Keqing.
They rubbed their sleepy eyes, their clothes disheveled, revealing glimpses of spring.
Unfortunately, they encountered Qin Yu in his "wise sage" mode.
"Mmm, today is the day the confinement is lifted."
Qin Yu chuckled, rubbed the heads of the two women, and playfully messed up their smooth hair.
As expected, they both gave him a glare.
"Master, shall I help you get dressed?"
Ayaka's eyes were gentle. She leaned behind Qin Yu, hooked her arms around his neck, and tilted her head.
This little cotton-padded jacket was becoming more and more like a gentle wife.
Of course, there was also the cute Keqing cat.
"Okay."
Qin Yu nodded, taking Ayaka and Keqing's hands.
Next was a harmonious and loving time for washing up.
"Whew, a new day."
Qin Yu temporarily bid farewell to the two women, stretched his body, and walked down the quiet corridor.
He stopped as he passed Ying's room.
After a moment of thought, he chose to push the door open and enter.
They were already an old married couple, so knocking and waiting would be too formal.
"..."
Qin Yu tiptoed to the soft, large bed.
The slightly puffed-up quilt still exuded a pleasant, subtle fragrance that soothed his mood.
"Ying—!"
Qin Yu pounced like a hungry tiger.
But the next second, he froze.
It was empty.
"Ying is already awake?"
Qin Yu was a little confused. Where had the "great leader" gone?
With a spirit of exploration, he went to Raiden Makoto's room next door.
It was also empty.
"That's strange."
Qin Yu muttered and had to reluctantly give up for now.
Perhaps she had gone out for something.
Thinking this, he passed by the kitchen.
"Sizzle—"
A strange sound attracted Qin Yu's attention.
Someone was cooking in the kitchen?
He quietly crept to the kitchen door and peeked inside.
Two beautiful purple-haired women were standing by the stove.
"It's Makoto and Ying."
Qin Yu murmured to himself and chose to observe from the shadows.
...
"Sister, is it ready yet?"
Ying stared at the bubbling pot emitting a sweet and sour aroma, her purple eyes filled with longing.
She was wearing a loose, home-style kimono, her purple hair tied up. The majesty and aloofness of the Raiden Shogun were greatly diminished.
What remained was the gentleness and warmth of a wife.
Of course, there was also a trace of another quality.
Maternity.
"Wait a little longer, my dear sister."
Makoto gently hugged Ying and whispered to comfort her.
Ying's appetite had been growing lately, and as her older sister, Makoto knew it best.
"...Mmm."
Ying's eyes drooped slightly, lost in thought.
[... ]
Qin Yu concealed his presence and smiled silently.
Ying was indeed becoming more and more gluttonous.
It's just...
Why was it a dish with a sour taste?
...
"Sister, if you can't wait any longer, you can have dessert first."
Makoto brought out a plate of three-colored dango.
However, facing the dessert, Ying shook her head, appearing to have lost her appetite.
"I want to eat something sour."
"Alas... you still don't want to tell Yu?"
Makoto gently cupped Ying's face and encouraged her softly.
You have to be honest eventually.
"Sister, I'm not ready yet."
"But you haven't had... Who?!"
Just as Makoto was about to mention the child in Ying's womb, her expression changed.
"Ying, Makoto."
Qin Yu walked in. "What are you two whispering about?"
"Yu—!"
...
On the other side.
The garden in the early morning was fresh and fragrant.
Flowers of all colors bloomed, elegant and captivating.
And amidst this sea of flowers, there were even more elegant and beautiful presences.
"Hum... hum hum... ♪"
A graceful figure hummed a tune from Fontaine, pouring two cups of black tea.
She pushed the teacups towards the opposite side.
She then adjusted her noble dress, a slight curve to her lips.
"Little Sandrone, you can come and chat."
"..."
After a moment of silence, two figures appeared.
Sandrone and Colombina.
"Good morning, Miss Furina."
Sandrone had deliberately changed into a dress, looking like a true noble lady, and curtsied elegantly.
She hadn't expected to reunite in this way after their parting.
"Good morning, Furina, Hydro Archon."
Colombina was more formal.
"It's been many years, you've grown so tall... Please, have a seat."
Furina smiled, seemingly in a good mood.
Colombina and Sandrone took their seats.
"If you have any questions, please feel free to ask."
Furina propped her chin on one hand, looking at Sandrone with keen interest.
It was as if she were observing a cute little kitten.
"What did you mean by what you said on the beach that day?"
Sandrone didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point.
She clearly remembered.
That day, she and Sister Colombina had welcomed the Tsaritsa.
But Furina had said...
"That woman, she might have already found a younger boyfriend behind your back."
"How is that possible?"
Sandrone instinctively wanted to retort.
Her Majesty the Tsaritsa was noble and aloof, and there was no man she would deem worthy.
Besides, what man could even get close to her in normal times... !
"Sister Sandrone, you've forgotten someone."
Colombina said with a lingering tone, reminding her.
"...No way."
Sandrone's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she was deeply shocked.
Before she could speak.
"Then what about the ring she wears on her middle finger?"
A ring on the middle finger signifies being in love.
Seeing Sandrone fall silent, Furina's lips curled into a slight arc.
"Little Sandrone."
"If you have your suspicions, wouldn't it be more interesting to test it yourself?"
"Take advantage of the Tsaritsa's special training with Qin Yu today."
Furina revealed a mischievous smile, a devilish whisper.
After all, the Hydro God and the Cryo God never got along.
If she could see the Tsaritsa's secret romance exposed...
Furina, the mischievous one, was about to burst out laughing.
*Sigh, stay calm.*
She was an elegant lady.
"Okay, I'll find a way to confirm it."
Sandrone raised her head, her gaze becoming serious.
After all, Qin Yu was also her partner, and she had been there first.
Even Her Imperial Majesty the Tsaritsa...!
"Sister Sandrone."
"Sister Colombina, let's team up!"
"You, don't go too far."
The two Harbingers began to gossip about the emotional life of their "great leader."