A Brief Respite

Oh, here you are, Rover.

No, I'm here for work today. Madam Jinhsi entrusted me with this letter for you.

As you're involved with the Moonlit Fair, she may have something important to discuss with you.

Have you finished reading it, Rover? Do you have any messages you would like me to convey?

Indeed, I have many affairs to attend to, but I think Madam Magistrate was exaggerating.

"Sanhua has eight hundred matters to handle simultaneously," she wrote… That's impossible. Not even the Academy's computers could do that.

I suggest we first patrol the nearby area. The Moonlit Fair has attracted many visitors, and any incursion by Tacet Discords or criminals could have dire consequences.

Or, we could survey the visitors to evaluate their interests, providing reliable data for future events.

Or, we could…

Yes, Rover? Is there something wrong with my plans?

I apologize. I forgot I'm not in City Hall handling affairs right now.

Something I want to do… Please give me a moment.

Yes, I've never actually seen anyone make that dessert before. It's called... Plumpcake, right?

Similar to Wuthercake but with different fillings and shapes. I bet it has a unique taste.

No, I simply want to learn how to make it, then I can…

Sure. I've watched them make it enough to have a general idea of how to do it myself.

Besides, I have some new ideas… Can we go gather the ingredients together?

There's a special lotus seed called Twin Lotus Seed, found near lakes in the Whining Aix's Mire.

I once read about it in The Grand Library. It has a unique fragrance.

I believe using it in the Plumpcake would elevate the flavor.

But it's rare and only grows where Tacet Discords roam, making it hard to come by.

Then let's get going, Rover.

Welcome, Rover and Lady Sanhua! What can I get for you?

Haha, you've come to the right person. Plumpcake is a traditional dessert that's been around for at least a few hundred years.

Not many people can make it nowadays. I bet most of the youngsters have never seen one.

Though it might seem easy, making Plumpcake takes a lot of effort.

Kneading the dough and preparing the fillings are just the beginning—every step has its secrets. It takes at least a year or two of practice to get that perfect crispy texture with a lingering aftertaste.

You know, when I learned how to make it, I spent three whole days just memorizing the recipe!

You can count on me. I just observed the baking process a bit more, and I have memorized it all.

Alright, I'll let you use my stove.

Thank you, Rover. Please peel the lotus seeds for me.

Lotus seeds…? No, these are…

Twin Lotus Seeds, freshly picked. Baking them at high temperatures brings out their fresh fragrance. I'll be using them to enhance the taste.

But these are said to only grow in the depths of Whining Aix's Mire, where many monsters live...

...On second thought, with Rover and Lady Sanhua, getting those seeds would be a breeze. Can't wait for your Plumpcake!

Done. Rover, please give it a try.

How do you like it?

Thank you. I'm glad you like it.

This is for you, Rover.

That is for Madam Jinhsi. Since you enjoyed the Plumpcakes I made... I think she'll like it too.

Me? I don't need it. Eating cake isn't part of my duty.

I see… So that's what Madam Jinhsi really wanted to convey?

Now I get it. Festivities like this help people let go of the past's sorrows and the future's unknowns…

It's a chance to live in the moment with their loved ones. Finding joy in the little things in life.

Thank you for your company, Rover. I had a great time today.

I don't have a plan yet. I will probably continue enjoying the Moonlit Fair, just as Madam Jinhsi hoped. Perhaps the tasks on my to-do list aren't as urgent as they seem.

If you need me for anything, you need only call. I'll be by your side right away, Rover.

These are the Twin Lotus Seeds I wanted. I think we have picked enough of them.

My main duty is to protect Madam Jinhsi.

I also assist her with paperwork, meet visitors, and convey her orders to other departments.

Let me think… I sometimes drink flower wine… but not too much, as overdrinking leads to mistakes, which would affect my performance as a guard.

Other times, I listen to the storytellers. I learn about how other people live their lives, how they respond to life's ups and downs, and everything in this world that I cannot witness myself.

In fact, I learned from a story that Twin Lotus Seeds taste better than ordinary ones.

But I don't have much time for that. After all, Madam Jinhsi's safety is always my top priority.

I'm afraid so. Jinzhou is located on the borders, and safety has been a constant concern. But my workload may lessen in a few years.

The Threnodian is no longer a threat, and everything is getting back on track. I am positive life will be tranquil for our people soon.

So am I, Rover.

Tacet Discords…

To collect the Twin Lotus Seeds, we'll need to get rid of them first.