Chapter Text
It started out like any other day, where Zhongli, the former Archon of Liyue, strolled around the morning market on his way to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, the gentle sounds of the waking harbor echoing in the distance. He had remembered to bring his wallet this once, and decided to indulge in some jianbing guozi that was offered by one of the stalls when he felt someone gently tap at his shoulder. Ah, had someone recognized him and desired his historical or cultural prowess at this time? Who was he to deny attention to one of his citizens who chose to approach him first.
He turned his head to the side to glimpse at the one who requested his attention, and found that it was one of the older gentlemen that ran the antique shop he frequented.
"Ah, Mr. Hanxi. To what do I owe the pleasure to us meeting this fine morning?" He greeted with mirth, offering a polite yet timely handshake to the aged fellow.
"Mr. Zhongli, my apologies for disrupting you out of the blue, but I was hoping to pass on a message to you, from both myself and my wife."
A message? How intriguing. Zhongli would be lying if he said his interest wasn't piqued by such an open ended possibility, so he chose to prod it further.
"A message? If you don't mind, let's hear it. After all, your business has provided me with countless artifacts that offer glimpses into the past and I respect you as both a businessman and an honorable citizen of Liyue."
His compliments seem to have an adverse reaction than what he expected, the man's expression becoming more solemn and filled with sympathy as he placed his hands over Zhongli's own and bowed his head. "...Oh, Mr. Zhongli. We're so sorry for your loss."
Loss? What loss? Zhongli, for once, didn't have an answer, simply drawing a blank as he tried to recall who in the world may have departed from the mortal realm recently.
It couldn't have been that Snezhnayan rascal… Zhongli was keeping a close eye on his companion to ensure he keeps out of too much trouble and doesn't somehow cause another diplomatic crisis as he had with Osial's summoning. Did he mean Hu Tao, the young funeral director and his employer? No, that doesn't sound right, as Hu Tao is one of the most knowledgeable souls there is about the afterlife and spirits. Even if she passed away, Zhongli could attest that her funeral would be anything but a time to mourn, but rather a final celebration to the life she lived alongside her loved ones. One by one, Zhongli tried to narrow down who in Celestia may be this passed on soul until the older man spoke up once more, taking Zhongli's silence as pained grief.
"Your father, Mister Zhongli... To have had such an illustrious father such as Rex Lapis must make his passing all the more difficult. You must have carried such silent grief as you were entrusted with his own Rite of Parting. It was a wonderful ceremony and your father must have seen that final act of love before he truly departed from us all."
Zhongli stood there quietly, trying to process what in Teyvat were the words the older man uttered. The older man didn't say much after, offering a bow as he excused himself, and leaving with the promise that the antique store would always have their doors open to the son of Rex Lapis.
What . W H A T ?!