Gu Sanqiu shrugged nonchalantly. "Alright, I'll take your word for it. I don't usually pay much attention to these things."
"Heh, that's just how your Gu family is," the Old Mother replied in a leisurely tone. "Do you know what enemies hated most about Shaochong back in the day? It was how he'd claim he wasn't good at combat while effortlessly overpowering foes that everyone else thought were unbeatable."
"Plenty of enemies who didn't deserve death were captured instead, but after being thoroughly beaten, they'd tremble at the mere phrase, 'I'm not very good at this.' Ah, youth—it's a wonderful thing."
Oh, come on, Gu Sanqiu thought, this ancestor of mine sounds like a professional troll.
And that "standard" for what counts as being good at combat? It was probably based on the oldest and craziest of the Gu family—a figure forged in the fires of the Archon War. Comparing anyone to someone like that wasn't fair.
"So, uh... I am curious, Old Mother. How exactly did you meet my ancestor?"
"I once dreamed of traveling the world like the Thousand Winds, and not long after arriving in Liyue, I met Shaochong," she said.
"At the time, he was the brightest star in Liyue. I never expected to encounter someone like him so soon after stepping onto Liyue soil."
"He hosted grand banquets where mortals and gods alike drank together, led the people of Liyue in battles to subdue the monsters of the land, and quelled chaos far and wide. If not for his own insistence against it, those indebted to him would have crowned him Little Emperor."
"I was fortunate enough to fight alongside him against the forces of evil. I doubt the young girls in the Church today could imagine that their beloved Old Mother once had such a life."
Gu Sanqiu's expression grew more complicated.
Alright, this is getting weirder by the second.
There was an unmistakable air of affection in how she spoke of Gu Shaochong—a sentiment that hadn't faded even now.
"You're not wrong," the Old Mother said, as though reading his thoughts. "I did have feelings for Shaochong."
Gu Sanqiu glanced downward. "Wait, can you read minds?"
She chuckled softly. "You're a smart child. With everything I've said, how could you not think that way? A fool wouldn't have come up with the idea of faking a Wind God's response to solve a disciple's problem."
Her tone turned nostalgic. "Back then, feelings like mine were perfectly normal. Countless girls admired Shaochong; I was just one among many."
"Still, I suppose I was bolder than most, as you might say in modern terms. I confessed to him."
Gu Sanqiu's jaw dropped.
"Twice."
Gu Sanqiu was speechless.
"Care to share the details, Old Mother?"
She smiled slyly. "Call me Grandma, and I'll tell you."
"Grandma."
Without hesitation, Gu Sanqiu sold out his ancestor.
"Haha, well, it's nothing secret. The first time I confessed, Shaochong told me we were too far apart in age and that I deserved someone better."
"I thought it was just an excuse because he didn't have time for romance, so I let it go."
The Old Mother sighed. "Because of him, I stayed in Liyue instead of continuing my travels."
"But when it came time for me to return to Mondstadt, I confessed again. That scoundrel told me, 'I'm not suited for love,' and, 'How can I settle down when the world is still in turmoil?'"
Dark, almost comical energy seemed to emanate from the Old Mother as she continued. "I was so furious that I left a farewell letter and returned to Mondstadt, cutting off all contact after that."
Gu Sanqiu hesitated before saying, "You know, it sounds to me like Shaochong genuinely wanted to resolve the chaos before considering a relationship. He didn't outright reject you, so why not talk things through like adults?"
A faint blush crept across her face. "Well, aside from pressure from the Church, I also had some... ridiculous doubts at the time."
She sighed again. "So many girls adored him, yet he rejected them all. Then, there was an Inazuman man who crossed the sea—Shaochong went out of his way to connect him with Daoist teachings and even arranged for him to have servants. At one point, I thought he might prefer men."
Hold on. Is this getting spicier? Gu Sanqiu thought.
If this Inazuman man was who he thought it was... it had to be Harunosuke, right?
"Looking back now," the Old Mother mused, "it's clear they shared a camaraderie, a bond born from their shared ideals to save and uplift others."
Gu Sanqiu tilted his head. "You're alive and well. Why not visit Liyue for tea and settle things with him?"
"I did decide to, once I understood my feelings. I made the trip," she said, her voice suddenly tinged with melancholy.
"But when I arrived, one of the Qixing informed me that Shaochong had vanished. Even the adepti of Jueyun Karst couldn't find him."
Gu Sanqiu's expression turned serious. "The Chasm?"
The Old Mother shot him a surprised look. "You're well-informed, but no, the timing doesn't match. The Chasm incident was long before I met him. Shaochong was much older than me, so he likely used that as an excuse to keep me at a distance."
"I didn't believe it, though. I told the Qixing where he might've gone, but they said the adepti had already searched those places thoroughly."
Gu Sanqiu fought the urge to curse. This wasn't just juicy gossip anymore—it was turning into a heavy burden.
If her timeline was accurate, Shaochong had likely been involved in the events surrounding the Chasm 500 years ago. He might've witnessed something that left him determined to focus solely on his work, leaving no room for personal life.
A man who once threw grand banquets inviting gods and mortals alike wouldn't reject love for shallow reasons. His words had been sincere.
Perhaps his generosity toward Harunosuke stemmed from seeing too much tragedy and wanting to ensure others avoided the same fate.
"Child, do you know why I've told you all this?"
The Old Mother smiled warmly. "Because Shaochong only disappeared. I believe he's still alive. That hope is what keeps me going."
"As a mortal without a Vision, I've survived this long by relying on various life-extending methods—and hope."
"I believe Shaochong is out there. I want to see him again, to slap him across the face."
"I may be old—so old that the wrinkles on my face could trap a fly—but I still want to tell him, one last time, that I love him."
"And if he refuses me again? Well, I'll slap him once more."
She laughed lightly before continuing. "Even though I know the response you fabricated wasn't from Barbatos, I still support you becoming the West Wind Saint. Do you know why?"
"For hope?" Gu Sanqiu asked softly.
"Yes, for hope," she replied.
"Barbatos hasn't answered the prayers of Mondstadt for a long time. What would become of our faith? Young people are already losing their way."
Her head leaned back against her chair. "Until recently, when the East Wind Guardian returned to the skies, singing like the wind and dragon it was, and healed Mondstadt's wounds. Only then did people's faith strengthen once more."
"But such events can't become the norm."
"A godlike dragon soaring through the heavens will always be a distant star to mortals."
The Old Mother looked at Gu Sanqiu with warmth. "But you... you gave me a wonderful surprise."
"You have the right temperament, a reassuring background, and the strength to inspire. Someone like you as the West Wind Saint would bring hope to the Church and Mondstadt."
"To mortals, a kindred spirit on the ground might be more comforting than a star in the sky."
Her eyes twinkled. "So, what do you say, child? Would you help Grandma out and accept a position with the Church?"