#Lantern Rite Stays Dropping Xiaoqing Hints

[finalyaksha]

A bit late to talk about this but Happy Xiaoqing Festival, IE Lantern Rite! Despite the fact that we were, once again, robbed of a new interaction, Lantern Rite did not disappoint in dropping more crumbs for me to obsess over.

Starting with Keqing's scene, this one was particularly interesting, as many Xiaoqing shippers point to Keqing's voice line about Xiao stating that she believes he should be free from his duty. So it's extremely interesting that out of all the kite motifs she could have brought up, she chose the example of a butterfly symbolizing a desire to "break free" or freedom.

It's also interesting that the kite making tradition is specifically mentioned as a Liyue folk tradition that she wants the younger generation to learn more about. She herself is also well versed on information about kites that she learned from her grandfather. Which is also interesting as we know her grandfather, a historian, also knows a lot about the Adepti, which she previously mentioned in the Stove God quest.

Another small detail from this year was the fact that Keqing delivers gifts to the Adepti every year, meaning she continues to see Xiao at least once every year during Lantern Rite.

I have a strong suspicion that, if we take all of this into account, Keqing probably believes, with Xiao being an Adeptus, the kite making traditions of Liyue would probably be an appealing theme to him for Lantern Rite. She's certainly aware that he does not attend them in person and continuously chooses themes that he will be able to see from a distance. Xiao even verbalizes to the traveler that he always picks a spot where he can see everything from.

So we can now brainrot yearly Xiaoqing meetings where she pokes his brain, trying to gain knowledge about his interests and they possibly even play a part in the theme she helps craft year after year.

Now Xiao's part is equally as interesting. First of all, sly Zhongli, trying to nudge Xiao in the direction of finding someone to fly kites with. He's almost certainly aware that Keqing was behind the theme for the festival, so I can easily inhale enough copium and see her being who he's referring to.

Add on top of that to the fact that Xiao himself seems pretty open to the idea, as anything he doesn't outright dislike is enough to say that he's willing to do it. Especially since his first reaction is to ask who would want to fly kites with him rather than an outright "no".

His view on kites is also pretty interesting, saying that they give him "peace of mind". Pretty much echoing Keqing talking about the butterfly kit symbolizing "happiness" and a desire for freedom. Plenty of details across Xiao's Story and Namecard make it apparent that he does want to eventually be free from his Yaksha duties, even if he doesn't outright say it.

Soooo it just all really comes full circle that Keqing and Xiao meet up, she finds something out about him that she thinks would intrigue him, and themes Lantern Rite Celebrations around that. Based on her own idea that Xiao should be free, she hopes to help push him in the direction of seeking his own freedom, by hosting a Kite Flying Lantern Rite theme that Xiao would be sure to see. And Zhongli, probably also aware of this, hint hint nudge nudges Xiao in her direction for the Xiaoqing Kite Flying Date of The Century.

And because I forgot to take a picture of Keqing releasing a Xiao Lantern with Xiao, have this picture from last year's dinner that Keqing totally deserved to be at. Not that it matters since we now have confirmed yearly meetings, maybe yearly dinners, they're in love, obviously.