Meanwhile...
Paimon: Huh? I forgot to ask where we're supposed to meet.
Just then, Qixuan's voice echoed in Aether and Paimon's minds.
Qixuan: Aether, Paimon, once you've finished making the fragrant balm, Zhongli and I will be waiting for you at the Seven Archon Statue.
Paimon: Huh!? What's going on? Aether, did you hear that?
Aether: I did.
Paimon: Qixuan-jie, how did you do that?
Qixuan: Don't worry about it. Be careful, or I'll blurt out what you're thinking about eating tonight.
Paimon: Ugh, no, no! Paimon won't ask anymore. Aether, let's go quickly!
After Aether and Paimon left the spot, a crimson feather appeared on the ground, then dissipated...
Paimon: I wonder if the Adventurers' Guild has anyone suitable?
Or maybe, we should find Lan first? I think I remember she's the Liyue branch master.
Aether and Paimon found a woman dressed in Adventurers' Guild attire.
Paimon: Lan, we'd like to ask for your help...
Lan: I haven't taken any commissions for a long time. I apologize, both of you; please find other Adventurers.
Paimon: You don't need to post a commission! It's just a very, very small matter...
Aether: Lan, do you know how to make fragrant balm?
Lan: Hmm... Do I look like someone who would use that kind of thing? I feel like you're looking down on me.
Paimon: But Lan, you do smell very nice! If it's not fragrant balm, what could it be?
Lan: Now that you mention it... there is indeed a scent. Let me think...
Oh! Could it be the Qingxin I picked last time? It turns out I've been carrying it with me all along...
Paimon: Huh? So that's it! Lan even has the 'elegant hobby' of picking flowers by the roadside.
Lan: Hmm... it's just for medicinal purposes.
Alright, alright. If it's fragrant balm you're looking for, why not ask Qiming?
Paimon: Is that the 'fortune teller' sister? Hmm... she does give off a fragrant impression...
Paimon: Well then, we'll be going now. Thank you, Lan.
Subsequently, Paimon and Aether found Qiming by the harbor.
Qiming: Hmm? Is there something I can help you two with?
Paimon: Miss Qiming, if you're free, there's something we'd like to ask.
Aether: Miss Qiming, do you know how to make fragrant balm?
Qiming: Fragrant balm? I don't use it much usually.
Nor have I thought about making it myself...
However, I probably have some powder scent on me, which might have misled you.
I usually set up my stall near the docks, and I don't want the scent of fragrant balm to attract a bunch of ill-intentioned 'sailors'.
Paimon: Oh, I see. That's a shame.
Qiming: But... speaking of fragrant balm, haven't you heard of 【Ying'er's Handmade Fragrant Balm】?
Paimon: Ying'er? Are you talking about... Ying'er from 【Springscent Pavilion】?
Qiming: Yes, many young ladies from wealthy families ask her to concoct fragrant balm for them.
It's said that the quality of her handmade products is even better than what's sold on the market.
Paimon: That's great! Thank you for the information. We shouldn't come up empty-handed this time!
【Springscent Pavilion】...
Ying'er: Oh? Have you finally found me? I've been waiting for you for a long time.
Paimon: Huh? How did you know we were coming?
Ying'er: I just heard... that two people were searching the whole city for people who smell nice to 'approach'...
I was worried you wouldn't come. In a way, this is also a test of my charm...
Paimon: Huh? 'Approach'? Why does that make us sound dangerous!
Ying'er: Rumors spread easily, and a lie repeated often becomes truth. It's best to be cautious with your words and actions.
Don't worry, I know why you're here. You want my help to make fragrant balm, right?
What kind do you need?
Aether: We want to use these three 【glaze lily】.
Ying'er: Ohhh? You want to make 'three portions' at once?
I didn't expect someone so young to have such a large appetite.
Hehe, could the previous rumor be true?
Are you 'scouting for targets to give fragrant balm to'?
Aether: It's to offer to 【Lord of Geo】...
Ying'er: Hehe, did you make up such an excuse in a hurry?
Even if it's to offer to 'gods,' you wouldn't need so many varieties, right? It's full of holes...
Paimon: Hmm... Zhongli also said that this tradition has been forgotten for a long time.
Ying'er: In any case, 【pluck the blossoms while you may, lest you wait for withered branches to sway】. Who can say what you're doing is wrong?
Paimon, covering his head: Oh... Paimon doesn't understand again...
Ying'er: Alright, alright, I'll help you make it.
Come be my assistant. During the time we're concocting the fragrant balm, you must focus all your attention on me alone...
Aether: Alright... (Why does this woman feel like trouble?)
If Qixuan were here, she would definitely say,
'Oh, isn't this Liyue's Racing King?'
Ying'er: So, where would be best to concoct it?
Aether: In 'Dadaupa Gorge'?
Ying'er: Where's that? Mondstadt? It's just making fragrant balm; there's no need to make such a 'big fuss,' is there?
Or... do you have other intentions towards me?
Aether: ...
Ying'er: Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. How about we choose a closer place?
Let's just borrow the kitchen at 【Wanmin Restaurant】?
Inside 【Wanmin Restaurant】...
Ying'er: I've already spoken to Master Mao. Now it's time to start working.
Are you ready to be responsible for me?
Paimon: Hmm?
Aether: No.
Ying'er: Hehe, I meant to take on the responsibility of being my 'assistant'.
While I'm doing the preparatory work, you can go fetch some water for me first.
After Aether fetched the water...
Ying'er: Hmm... the water quality is quite good. Next, I'll need your help to extract the essential oil from the 【glaze lily】 at the 【Crafting Bench】.
The method for making fragrant balm is very different from alchemy. I'll teach you...
You need to... gently... tenderly hold the pestle like this...
Your palm also needs to be 'close-fitting' to prevent it from 'slipping off'...
Then stir with your most comfortable rhythm... until the 【glaze lily】 juice...
Aether: Don't worry, I'm very skilled.
Ying'er: Hmm~ You really have a Talent for this. You understand as soon as I explain.
Take these and try it at a nearby 【Crafting Bench】, shall we?
Remember to distinguish the types well. Once you're done, I'll help you put them into three different boxes.
After Aether finished making the essential oils...
Ying'er: Hmm~~ These are truly excellent 【glaze lily】 essential oils. Now comes the most crucial part...
I'll put it in water and simmer it over low heat until the water almost evaporates.
The heat here is very important. If the heat is too high, it will affect the fragrance.
Please pay attention to the 'strength' of the stove fire. This is the last step.
Those 【glaze lily】 juices, you must ensure 'not a single drop' is left.
Under Ying'er's guidance, Aether quickly finished making the fragrant balm...
Ying'er: Hmm~ All three fragrant balms are complete. Assistant, you did a great job.
This also shows that you are someone willing to work hard for your emotions, which is rare.
Aether: I told you it's not like that.
Ying'er: Alright, alright. Shall I help you introduce these types of fragrant balms? It might help you 'prescribe the right remedy'.
Paimon: Paimon wants to hear too!
Ying'er: This first type of fragrant balm~ has a sweet and dreamy feel, which little girls love most.
The second type smells noble and imposing, a favorite among rich young ladies.
The last type of fragrance is soft yet long-lasting, like dim twilight and hazy mist, most popular with mature women.
Did you remember? Don't use them in the wrong situation.
Aether: I... I remembered...
Ying'er: Then let me give you one last piece of advice: if you want to have three partners, you must think carefully about which foot to lift first...
Aether: ...
Ying'er: Hehe, come back to 【Springscent Pavilion】 to keep me company when you're free, okay?
Then Ying'er left...
Paimon: That was really something, wasn't it? Let's go find the Seven Archon Statue.