[Edited Again]
(Enjoy the double update!)
"AETHERRRRR! PAIMONNNN!"
Y/n sprinted towards the duo, "Guess what! Guess what! The Old Man taught me a ton of big words! Is that not cool?"
"Big words? Paimon thought you didn't like big words?" Paimon questioned.
"They are much more likable when you understand them!" y/n replied then grabbed Aether's hand, "Come on, we were waiting up here!"
Y/n paused, "Hold on! You have food."
Aether smiled, "We took a detour on the way here to grab food and a treat."
Y/n's eyes blazed with excitement, "A treat? Is it for me? What type of treat?"
Aether dug in the bag he carried before pulling out a couple pieces of candy.
Y/n tilted her head.
"What are those?"
"You don't know what candy is?"
Y/n shook her head.
"Y/N! HOW ARE YOU EVEN ALIVE!?" Paimon cried, "TRY IT! RIGHT NOW!"
As y/n tried the candy, the trio walked back towards the statue together.
"Mm! This is really good!" y/n was saying, "Old Man! Aether and Paimon brought candy! It is really good!"
Zhongli, who had been staring up at the statue, turned to look back at them with raised brows.
"We've brought the perfumes, Mr. Zhongli!" Paimon chirped, "Did we take too long? You were just staring up at the statue..."
"Oh, you're back. Don't worry, y/n and I haven't waited long. Compared to the watch that Rex Lapis' statues have kept over Liyue, this was but a brief moment." Zhongli replied with a smile.
"Haha, well, how can a person compete with a statue?" Paimon laughed.
Y/n's steps faltered and she nearly toppled over, 'WAIT, HOLD UP-'
"That is true." Zhongli chuckled as y/n stared at the ground with wide eyes.
Aether gave her a curious look that guessed she was thinking about something.
"Three sets and not one less!"
"Thank you both. Let us offer them up."
Aether walked on forward and offered the first perfume, y/n having snapped out of her daze.
"This is the first kind of perfume. Ms. Ying'er said that it's sweet as a dream, and it's liked by younger ladies." Paimon began then looked at y/n, "Y/n? You're a young lady. Do you like this one?"
Y/n shook her head, "No... too sweet."
Valley Weaver was next.
"This is the second kind. It's got an elegant smell, and the daughters of high society love it!" Paimon exclaimed.
Y/n didn't seem to enjoy the smell, "Smells like something died in a lake..."
"Didn't need to know that." Aether sighed.
Fate's Yearning was last.
"The third kind has a gentle but lingering fragrance, something something like the dusk mist, and it's a favorite of mature ladies." Paimon finished.
"Ooo! I like this one!" Y/n exclaimed, "Aether! You made these, right? Can you teach me how to make some?"
Aether's cheeks became tinted with red, "S-Sure, of course, just let me know when."
The statue glowed as the third perfume was offered, catching everyone's eye.
"Oh... what was that? Looks like Rex Lapis really likes this one. I guess the final answer is number three." Paimon chimed, "That's the one older ladies like, right? Does that mean that Rex Lapis is actually an older lady?"
"Perhaps, perhaps." Zhongli laughed, "Rex Lapis has taken on many forms. Maybe that was one of them."
Y/n barked a laugh, "Rex Lapis as an old lady! I cannot imagine it but I think it would be pretty cool!"
"Y/n, may Paimon remind you that the third one was also your favorite." Paimon pointed out, "So you're an old lady too."
"Am not!" y/n snapped then looked up at the statue, "Oi! Rex Lapis! I think our taste in perfume is very dignified! Tell her!"
No reply, as expected.
"Heyyy!" y/n protested, "Don't go silent now!"
The other laughed, not really at y/n but at her heartbroken expression when the statue didn't back her up.
"What a shame, we only got to see the giant dragon form, and..." Paimon sighed heavily, "Let's hope the Qixing can catch the real killer."
"We can leave that to the authorities. Let us focus on the fond farewell for Rex Lapis." Zhongli said with a shake of his head.
Y/n looked towards Aether, "Aether and I agreed that if Rex Lapis isn't dead, blondie has to buy me food. But now, I kinda wanna give the poor guy a hug."
"A hug? Why?" Paimon questioned.
"Well whatever got Rex Lapis to fake his death would've been sad or stressful." y/n pointed out, "Amber, Diluc and Benny give me hugs when I'm sad or stressed. Maybe a hug would make the Archon feel better!"
"You sure are certain that he's alive." Aether commented and y/n nodded with a haughty 'hmph!'.
Paimon floated a distance away from y/n, "You're acting way too nice. Y/n, are you sure you're okay?"
"Shut up!" y/n snapped.
'What ulterior motives do Childe and the Qixing have...?' Aether wondered as y/n marched over to him and buried her face in his shoulder, pouting over what Paimon had said.
"So, we've finished another step in our preparations. What's next?" Paimon inquired.
"Next, I would like the three of you to help me borrow the Cleansing Bell." Zhongli answered.
"Cleansing Bell?" Aether echoed.
"At present, a friend of mine named Madame Ping is the guardian of the Cleansing Bell. She lives near Yujing Terrace. If you ask her, she will know what to do." Zhongli informed the trio.
"Sure, but... aren't you going to come with us?" Paimon asked the man.
"Ah, I have certain reasons why I cannot be there in person. Please do this for me."
"Got it! Cleansing Bell! Madame Ping! Bring it to you! Understood!" y/n exclaimed, perking up once more and bouncing over to Zhongli, "But first, head pats as compensation before hand."
"Of course, how could I forget?" Zhongli said with a smile, patting the girl's head.
"Man, why's he got to be so secretive this time?" Paimon complained, "Come on y/n!"
"Right!" y/n declared, snatching Paimon out of the air and tucking her under her arm while she grabbed Aether by the hand and ran off, "TIME TO STEAL A BELL FROM AN OLD LADY!"
"Y/N, NO!" Aether and Paimom shouted in unison. Zhongli watched on as the trio disappeared from sight, smothering his laughter with a hand.
(This art ain't mine but DAYUM)
(NO RIGHT BEING THIS FINE, WHOO!)