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ArabicGenshin Impact: A Guide to the Unofficial History of Teyvat — Chapter 54
Chapter 54: The Feiyun Commerce Guild’s Stage
Xingqiu flipped the pages of the bound manuscript until he reached a specific chapter, tapping his finger against a lengthy passage detailing the inner workings of the Feiyun Commerce Guild. Although the descriptions were cleverly woven into the scandalous plot, the sheer level of detail and the unique perspective it offered were far beyond what any ordinary street storyteller could ever hope to achieve.
“Brother, look at this,” Xingqiu said, his tone entirely too calm for someone whose reputation was currently the talk of the town. “This Mr. Li Xin, while seemingly writing about the private matters of noble ladies, unintentionally showcases the excellence of our guild’s goods. It highlights the breadth of our trade connections and the brilliance of our reputation to the common people of Liyue. Those who previously knew little of our operations now hold the impression that the Feiyun Commerce Guild possesses deep, unshakeable foundations, all because they follow this absurd story.”
A distinct glint of cunning flashed in Xingqiu’s amber eyes. He snapped the book shut and continued, “Think about the unfamiliar merchants our guild has hosted recently. Despite their rather impure motives for visiting, hasn’t their recognition of our financial strength been noticeably higher during cooperation discussions than ever before?”
His older brother paused, carefully recalling the events of the past few days. Indeed, it was entirely true. Many of their newest clients would sit down at the negotiation table and immediately start with, “We have long admired the great name of the Feiyun Commerce Guild. Even that strange… ah, that popular story clearly explained your vast reach.” This bizarre phenomenon invisibly reduced the initial cost of building trust for new business partnerships.
This was practically a completely different, highly effective form of advertisement.
“also,” Xingqiu said, a slight, knowing smile curving his lips, “after this entire incident, the name of the Feiyun Commerce Guild is known to absolutely everyone in the harbor. The more bizarre and outlandish the rumors about this supposed Second Miss become, the stronger the public’s curiosity about our guild grows. This sheer volume of attention is a fortune in its own right. Why do we not simply ride this wave?”
“Ride the wave?” His brother frowned, rubbing his temples as a headache threatened to build. “How exactly do we ride a wave of gossip about my little brother secretly being a woman?”
“Rumors are exactly like flowing water. It is always better to guide their path than to try and block them entirely.” Xingqiu walked over to the window, looking down at the bustling, vibrant street below. “Since everyone is so deeply interested in the Second Miss, then our Feiyun Commerce Guild might as well be generous about it.”
Ever since reading this particular book for the very first time, Xingqiu had been forming a vague, highly entertaining plan in his mind.
Since the true identity of this Second Miss was currently being so hotly debated across the tea houses, why not just play along with the farce? Perhaps in certain delicate situations, this completely fabricated identity could serve as a convenient cover or a useful tool.
Of course, this brilliant idea could not be shared with just anyone yet. He especially had to keep it a secret from the little daoist priest Chongyun, who took absolutely everything far too seriously. However, confiding in his own family was perfectly fine.
Next, Xingqiu slowly and methodically laid out his plan.
His brother listened in silence, his expression growing more stunned by the second, before he finally threw his head back and burst into loud laughter. “You certainly know how to take things in stride, Xingqiu. I will give you that.”
“Life is much like a play, Brother. It all depends on the quality of the acting,” Xingqiu replied with a serene smile. “Since everyone loves watching this particular show so much, why do we not just play along? Perhaps there will be unexpected gains to be found.”
Just at that moment, the sound of frantic, hurried footsteps echoed outside the study doors. This was immediately followed by Chongyun’s familiar, highly anxious voice echoing down the hall.
“Xingqiu! Xingqiu, this is bad!” The doors burst open, revealing a breathless exorcist. “Hu Tao… she brought dozens of copies of Secret Tales of Feiyun and set up a literal stall right at the guild entrance! She is shouting to everyone that it is to celebrate the renowned fame of the Second Miss, with a special Wangsheng Funeral Parlor package giveaway!”
Xingqiu and his brother exchanged a long, silent look. They both saw the exact same helpless resignation, mixed with a distinct hint of amusement, reflected in each other’s eyes.
It seemed the recent unease surrounding the Feiyun Commerce Guild was going to continue for quite some time yet.
Xingqiu stood up from his chair, elegantly straightened the folds of his silk robes, and allowed a genuine smile to curve his lips.
“Let us go, Brother. We should go meet Director Hu. She fears nothing more than a world without chaos, after all.”
The grand, imposing entrance of the Feiyun Commerce Guild had instantly been transformed into Liyue Harbor’s newest and most chaotic stage.
Hu Tao stood right in the center of the commotion, wearing her signature dark coat. The vibrant plum blossom petals attached to her hat trembled slightly with her energetic, sweeping movements.
She had somehow managed to drag over a small square table, upon which dozens of brand-new, freshly printed copies of Secret Tales of Feiyun: Hidden Beauty in the Boudoir, the Second Miss’s Sword Shadows and Literary Grace were neatly stacked into a pyramid. Beside this questionable display stood a temporarily sourced wooden board. It was inscribed with hasty yet incredibly forceful calligraphy:
“Celebrating the massive sensation caused by Secret Tales of Feiyun across all of Liyue! Wangsheng Funeral Parlor offers a special celebratory discount!”
“Purchase the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Intimate Secret Tales Package today and receive a completely free copy of the bestselling masterpiece, Secret Tales of Feiyun!”
“A rare opportunity, first come, first served! Miss it today, and you might have to wait another year! Or maybe forever!”
She enthusiastically shouted out to the growing crowd of curious passersby, her voice crisp and carrying perfectly over the street noise. “Come, come, take a look! Step right up! Today’s absolute top headline in Liyue Harbor, the stunning and scandalous secrets of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, all perfectly contained within this very book!”
“Do not pass by without taking a look! You will not lose money buying it, and you certainly will not be cheated! One single novel to let you fully experience the romance, the sword shadows, and the literary grace hidden behind the mercantile giants!”
“Buy the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor super value package right now, and not only can you reserve a highly comfortable seat for your final destination in advance, but you also get this year’s hottest bestseller completely free! A book in hand means you have all the best gossip! Enjoy your life while you still can, do not let these juicy secrets face the moon in vain!”
Her entirely unique bundle sales method and highly impactful advertising slogans successfully drew the attention of nearly every single person walking down the street, causing a massive crowd to stop and watch the spectacle.
The shop assistants and guards standing just inside the guild entrance exchanged nervous glances, completely unsure whether they should laugh or cry.
If they stepped forward to stop her, it would cause an incident. Hu Tao was the esteemed Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and had legitimate business dealings with the guild, so it was highly inappropriate to simply drive her away like a common vagrant. But if they did not stop her, this entire scene was truly far too improper! Did they still care about the Second Young Master’s reputation at all? Granted, there was very little of it remaining at this point.
Right at this incredibly awkward yet lively moment, Xingqiu and his brother casually walked out of the main doors, closely followed by a frantic, pacing Chongyun.
“Hu! Tao!” Chongyun spotted the familiar eccentric figure and the glaring, highly offensive wooden sign at a single glance. His face instantly flushed a deep, vibrant crimson, and he practically gritted out her name through his teeth.
He could feel his Pure Yang Spirit beginning to heat up uncontrollably, the fiery energy surging through his veins, especially when he saw the highly meaningful, gossipy smiles plastered on the faces of the surrounding crowd.
Xingqiu, however, maintained a perfectly calm and unbothered expression. He elegantly raised his hand, gently using his closed folding fan to signal his brother to stop and wait. He then walked directly toward Hu Tao’s small makeshift stall with smooth, composed steps, a slight, polite smile even gracing his face.
“Director Hu, what a pleasant surprise to see you setting up shop at the very entrance of our Feiyun Commerce Guild today,” Xingqiu said, his voice remaining perfectly clear and betraying absolutely no anger. “And setting up such a grand, eye-catching display, too. You truly bring immense glory to our humble establishment.”
Seeing the main character of the hour finally appear, Hu Tao’s plum blossom pupils instantly lit up with delight, and her cheeky smile became even more radiant. She quickly snatched up a copy of Secret Tales of Feiyun and waved it enthusiastically in front of Xingqiu’s face as if displaying a priceless treasure.
“Oh my, oh my, if it isn’t the most talked-about Second Miss in all of Liyue Harbor right now!” Hu Tao’s tone was incredibly exaggerated, placing a very deliberate, teasing emphasis on the title. “I have come specifically to offer my most sincere congratulations! Look at this, your story is now known to every single household, and even our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is benefiting from the reflected glory! Our business has improved quite a bit thanks to you!”
As she spoke, she leaned in and gave Xingqiu a dramatic wink. “How about it, Second Miss Xingqiu, would you like a copy too? Considering our very long and fruitful acquaintance, I will give you a special twenty percent discount! Just sign up for our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Intimate Secret Tales Package, and this wonderful book is completely free!”