Work Text:
Dear Zhenyu,
I am your Reader, and I’m writing this on behalf of my brother’s friend Bennett, who has gifted me Volume I of your novel, A Legend of Sword. I am from Liyue and the copy is written in the Mondstadt language under the title “Die Legende vom Schwert”, but luckily I understand their text, so I can read it without exerting too much effort. At first, I was surprised that it’s a sci-fi. I assumed it would be about an ancient warrior on a journey. I thoroughly enjoyed Vol. I and eagerly await more of your protagonist, Emperor Sher, and his sister, especially their backstory.
Best Regards,
Your Reader
Dear Reader,
Greetings! It is my utmost pleasure to respond to you, as this is the first mail I have received from a reader. Truthfully, I have been quite unmotivated lately because I assumed that no one has been reading it at all. I’m surprised you found the Mondstadt version in Liyue. Many thanks for your thoughts and time!
P.S. Apologies for writing this with blue ink, I reserve the black ink for my story parchment.
Many thanks,
Zhenyu
Dear Zhenyu,
I’m dying to know if you have based Emperor Sher off anyone in real life. I’ve thought of the golden-haired Traveler who recently saved Mondstadt from the dragon Stormterror’s winds, since he’s on the lookout for his twin sister (according to Bennett). But how could that be? It’s not like he’s from outer space. (1) Have you based Emperor Sher off yourself? (2) Why write about swords? (3) If you are, how did you turn out to be a writer?
Sorry for asking a lot of questions. I hope I’m not being too nosy, I am just so hyperfixated on the world you created. I am very enamored with brave warrior characters and that is why I am curious if you are one as well.
Blue ink is fine. I guess you’re left-handed because there’s stains! It’s endearing, though.
Best,
Your Reader
Dear Reader,
Clever eye! I am left-handed. To respond to your questions, I am quite delighted to hear that you have put this much thought into my work. I am more than overjoyed to respond to your questions:
- I did not base Emperor Sher off myself or the Traveler. (He truly is famous—I myself have crossed paths with him and Paimon during the Lantern Rite!) Sher is a product of my imagination, which came from daydreaming during my lessons.
- I write about swords because I come from a clan of swordsmen.
- Although I am a swordsman myself, I also think that books are essential to a warrior’s wisdom. My peers in class would agree with you, since they all seem to love reading as much as you do.
I am flattered that you think I am as great as Emperor Sher that you would compare him to me. If you have any more questions, please ask away! :)
Sincerely,
Zhenyu
Dear Zhenyu,
Wow, you know the Traveler and Paimon too!? It’s funny to think that we’re only one person away from each other. I’ve crossed paths with them during the Lantern Rite too because they came with me to dine at Xiangling’s restaurant, but unfortunately our time got cut short because a certain someone saw him and waved him over to join his table instead!
Aw, I thought for sure that you based Sher off him. But I guess it’s also a good thing because I think there Sher is so dreamy with his wit and strength, and I’d avoid associating that stuff with the Traveler because he's well, the Traveler. You’ve written Sher, the not-Traveler, so well, I must applaude your creativity. Thank you so much for writing him!
Reader
Dear Reader,
It’s my pleasure. Thank you for your reading! Attached here is a poster I commissioned an illustrator from Mondstadt to paint for you.
The canvas is a bit cold to touch since it came from Dragonspine.
Your humble servant,
Zhenyu
Dear Zhenyu,
Hello!
I know it’s been nearly two months since our last correspondence, but may I ask when Volume II is coming out? No pressure. I’m just looking forward to reading it. I’ve been fangirling so hard over your handwriting spelling out “Your humble servant” with my name, it’s a bit embarrassing and I hope no one finds out.
I’m in awe of your mind, and I hope everything is going smoothly in your writing process.
Your Reader
Dearest Reader,
I’m humbled by your passion and interest! To be honest, I’m suffering a terrible case of writer’s block. Attached here is an excerpt of Volume II’s first page. I think you deserve a preview! (Please don’t tell my editor.)
It’s a bit tricky to connect all my plot points into one. Perhaps I’ve flown too close to the sun… but I digress!
Best wishes,
Zhenyu
Dear Zhenyu,
The first page looks great, especially for a sequel. I’m sorry about your writer’s block and for being an annoying pest about it. Now I really am embarrassed of how obsessive I am with your character and story. Don’t forget to take a break.
I don’t know if you want feedback, but Sher seems like he’s at a pretty lonely point in his life. Are you ever going to write a love interest for him? Maybe that’ll help drive the story forward.
With humility,
Reader
My dear Reader,
How curious. It is funny to me that you think of Sher as your fictional crush because in memory of your previous letters, Sher is the manifestation of what I aspire to be. Heroic, brave, strong… and well, perhaps being lauded as a handsome hero is a bonus. But I struggle with it in my family, especially since I have an elder brother who embodies all of these attractive qualities, and it is I suppose also the reason as to why I like to bury my nose in books and notes.
If Sher were to ever have a love interest, I would have to experience love to be able to write about it at all. I do not want to write corny clichés about love at first sight where two characters meet, a conflict arises, and they spend the last act trying to get back together. I want to write about it in depth and express how I feel.
Of course, there’s not much room for that given that I hardly receive attention, aside from the occassional fan mail. And of course, from you, my dearest Reader.
With thanks,
Zhenyu
Dear Zhenyu,
How humble and gracious you are! It makes me blush. Perhaps you can base Sher’s future love interest off all the adoring praises I have for your brain and your writing? Kidding. (Hahaha.)
I agree with all that you say about love. I’m sick of all these strange titles from Inazuma! I mean really, how can we read words about deep and everlasting love in light novels like I got hit by Baal’s lightning bolt and now I’m reincarnated as an Electro slime? The title is too long — so unlike the mysterious “A Legend of Sword”! Yet its fun plot sells. I think that if you wrote a love story, it would be loved by all who read it. I hope you fall in love soon so I can read what you write about it and get jealous of your elegant muse.
Sorry for this silly rant. I’ve perfumed this letter with sweet flower essence so you at least have something to smile about.
Always,
Your Reader
My Reader,
Perhaps I shall write a love interest for Emperor Sher. Your words have made me chuckle on this rainy day. I suppose you’re not into Inazuma manga? If so, I recommend you read Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji), which is one of Inazuma’s first real novels. The main character, Genji, falls in love with the pretty, smart, and funny Lady Murasaki. I know we haven’t met in real life, but I think that you are just like her. If I were Genji, I think I’d fall, too.
Such is the search for a muse!
With affection,
Zhenyu
Dear Zhenyu,
That was a practice for romantic prose, right? So you can write a love story! I'm grinning ear-to-ear at how funny you are. How do you know I'm your age? For all you know, I'm as old and wise as the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor guy who's always drinking tea near the storyteller. (I know he's not ancient or anything but you get what I mean.) But I know you're not since that man would probably rather talk about dusty artifacts than books.
Sincerely,
Your Reader
My Reader,
Well, silly me for getting away with myself—my editor doesn't exactly review these letters. I know you're around my age (and not Mr. Zhongli) because only people my age like to wear sweet flower essence since it's a youthful scent. All the older ladies and gentlement prefer rainbow rose cologne from Fontaine which is a bit too strong for me.
It's nice to be in touch with you. I always look forward to your letters.
Respectfully,
Zhenyu
Dear Zhenyu,
I'm really surprised that you admit to being around my age because it means that you must be quite young. Yet you create stories themed with the maturity of an experienced soldier. Well, that's also exciting because it means that you've still got a lot of fresh ideas.
It brings me joy to know that you appreciate my whims because to be honest, A Legend of Sword is a great escape from real life which is way too serious for my liking. I swear, I'm not a stalker or an obsessive fan or anything, I just think your work is awesome. And the person behind it is, too. You have been so gracious and kind to me.
With love,
Your Reader
My dearest Reader,
Please enjoy this gift as they reminded me of you, and I too want you to have something to smile about.
Yours,
Zhenyu
[This letter is attached to a perfectly preserved Glaze Lily bouquet thanks to “Zhenyu’s” Hydro Vision, which you place in a flower vase on your windowsill with a heat in your cheeks that fails to hide your lovely smile.]
-
The sound of your classmate’s quill on parchment has begun to sound like nails on a chalkboard. When you glance at him over your book, you can see that the lace on his sleeves has become stained with blue ink, a rather nasty sight considering how expensive the silk must have cost.
Xingqiu is so spoiled, you think with irritation.
He notices your frown, and doesn’t pass up the opportunity to quip at you.
“Are you going to say something, dear classmate, or are you just going to keep glaring at me from your peripheral vision?”
You roll your eyes. His incessant scribbling was a unique quirk at first, but now, it is a distraction. He is supposed to be the future of the Guhua clan — your future business partner once it was your turn to be the head of your clan — but right now, he is your nettlesome seat-mate whose head is always stuck in the clouds instead of paying attention in class.
“You took the Traveler away from me during Lantern Rite, now you want to take away my precious time, too?” you asked, annoyed. “Please, it’s our free time. Let me enjoy my book in peace.”
“What book is that?” he teases. “A Legend of Sword?”
He says it like it’s something you’re not fun enough to understand. You’re annoyed that this annoying annoyance wants to annoy you. How dare he mention your special interest! You refuse to give in and share your love for Emperor Sher’s great story with him. He doesn’t deserve to know a fraction of Zhenyu's great work!
“Puh-lease,” you say. “You wouldn’t know great literature if it smacked you in the face.”
“Oh, I get it,” Xingqiu says with glee, “You must be reading I got hit by Baal’s lightning bolt and now I’m reincarnated as an Electro slime! I bet that’s exactly what you love to read.”
“Absolutely not!” you cry out. “That’s absurd. I only read deep, intellectual, and artistically valuable literary works that a dandy boy like you wouldn’t understand.”
(You did read I got hit by Baal's lightning bolt and now I'm reincarnated as an Electro slime and thought it was hilariously good, but he doesn't need to know that.)
“Intellectual, huh?” he asks. Xinqiu grins, his ridiculously fine features stretching into an impish curve. “What are you reading, then?”
To make a point, you turn the book in your hand to show him the cover. It’s the Mondstadt translation of Genji Monogatari. In your haste to display the pretty cover, which features the handsome Genji and gorgeous Lady Murasaki getting married under a cherry blossom tree, your bookmark falls out and clatters onto your desk.
It’s a resin press of your glaze lilies. It smells like sweet flowers. You see Xingqiu’s eyes flit to it after seeing the title, and his brows knit in confusion.
“Huh,” he says. “Perhaps I was a bully to tease you. I loved reading the Tale of Genji, too.”
“What?! You’ve read it?” you ask in disbelief. You’re aghast. You thought this was a special, niche recommendation from the Zhenyu. Unfortuantely, Xingqiu seems to have read it before you. “I didn’t take you to be the type to read Inazuma literature.”
“Well, it’s a good book, is it not? It’s one of my favorites.”
Me too. You almost say it, but the words hang on your lips. You purse them instead, especially to hide your reluctant admiration when it seems like Xingqiu has a lot to say about it. Apparently he is rather smart and perhaps… interesting?
“Pardon me, but as most Liyueans would rather read A Legend of Sword, I’m dying to know,” says Xingqiu, “where did you find this recommendation? It’s not common from most people.”
You suppress a smirk. Xingqiu might faint with envy if he ever found out that you were in frequent correspondence with a handsome, strong, dreamy, perfect, and renowned fiction author like Zhenyu, so you do him a favor by not telling him. Instead, you throw him an incredulous look and raise your brows.
“Someone who’s a better writer than you are, that’s for sure.”
Xingqiu huffs. “Okay, then. Keep your secrets.”
“Aiah. Please reduce your scribbling volume. I’m trying to read.”
“And I’m trying to write.”
“As if I’d ever read anything you have to write. I bet you need an Akasha to write slop for you just like those technology-dumbed idiots in Sumeru.”
“I hope not.”
You place your bookmark back and ignore him, turning to the next page. "Sorry. I won't go that far."
"Heh. Worry not, my liege. I know. You do, after all, read good literature."
"Glad you know."
"Will you just focus on Genji already so I can discuss the manga adaptation as soon as you're done?"
You suppress an amused smile, but say, "Don't rush me."
Beside you, Xingqiu can’t wait to rant about your hoity-toity snobbiness to someone via letter. Probably someone as equally bird-brained and silly as him. You have no idea what kind of fool wants to be pen pals with a spoiled clan boy like him. Even if he did rather pique your mild interest today.
He ignores the ink on his left palm and writes, albeit much more softly this time so he doesn’t disturb your focus. And he blushes like a lovesick fool as he begins to write.
Dear Reader…