| “ | Of all things, short shrift mustn't be given to poetry and tea. | ” |
Bio[]
A genteel and intelligent woman of strong character, with the highest attainments in music, chess, literature, and painting. Although lacking in fortune and social standing, she's always good to those around her. After fortuitously becoming the proprietor of Ink Pavilion, she poured herself into the work and turned it into a famous tea house. Aside from generally being a place of elegant pursuits such as appreciating tea and music, the pavilion's staff often go about righting wrongs and upholding justice, garnering no shortage of praise and attracting quite a few scholars and gentlemen to its tables.
Food Introduction[]
Dongtang, invented by Dong Xiaowan, one of the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai, is a delectable delicacy produced in Rugao County of Jiangsu Province. Its main ingredients are refined white flour, white sugar, sesame seeds, and malt syrup. It is made by specially picking ingredients, boiling down the sugar, making a candy core, and a candy coating. Its crispy sweetness melts in your mouth, leaving a delicious aftertaste, and it also makes a good pick-me-up snack. Because Xiaowan made it often and entertained guests with it, it grew in popularity. Over the years, businesses began to copy it and marketed it under the name "Dongtang".
Other Info[]
How to Acquire[]
Associated Events
- Harvest Diary (Dongtang)
- Brimming With Tenderness
- Spring Provisions
- Winding River
- Food Soul Star Plan IV
- Thousand Knot Wish
- Shake the World
- Illustrious Quality
- Food Soul Star Plan VI
- Forest Chirping
- Lingering Touch of Cloth
- Abundant Life
- Spring Frost
- Scents Suffused
- Spring Abounds
Initial Stats[]
 Soul Power
|
1849 |
|---|---|
 Attack
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52 |
 Defense
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29 |
 HP
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518 |
 Crit Rate
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601 |
 Crit Dmg
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888 |
 Atk Spd
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1466 |
Skills[]
| Jade Circle | Basic Skill | |
|---|---|---|
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Dongtang waves her brush, dealing 100% (180%) ATK as damage plus 61 (793) extra damage to the nearest enemy, also restoring 25 (325) HP for all allies. | |
| Lotus Dance | Energy Skill | |
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Dongtang waves her arms and dances, dealing 40% (80%) ATK as damage to all enemies, plus 211 (2743) extra damage, also lowering all enemies' ATK by 20% (44%), lasting 5 seconds. | |
blue = lvl 1
red = max lvlVoice Lines[]
| JP | CN | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contract | You must be Master Attendant. Pleasure to meet you. Please excuse my lack of manners. | ||
| Log In | It's become increasingly cold in recent days. Master Attendant, you must dress warmly. | ||
| Ice Arena | This place may be heavy with frost, but I find it quite invigorating. | ||
| Skills | With brush and ink, all things can be rewritten. | ||
| Ascend | With Master Attendant's blessing, I am made more perfect. | ||
| Fatigue | I find myself a bit bereft of vigor... Allow me a moment's respite... | ||
| Recovering | Many thanks for your kindness, Master Attendant. I feel well-rested and in fine form now. | ||
| Team Formation | I would never let down Master Attendant's trust in me. | ||
| Knockout | I did my utmost... but ultimately... | ||
| Notice | Master Attendant, the meal is prepared. Try it now to enjoy the flavor to the utmost. | ||
| Idle 1 | I made a portrait for you, Master Attendant. I hope it is to your liking... | ||
| Idle 2 | This is a begonia dew I concocted just for you, Master Attendant. Next time you enjoy a tipple, you can use this to aid in recovery. | ||
| Idle 3 | The children in the tea house are sometimes a handful, but they certainly know how to get a job done. | ||
| Interaction 1 | Master Attendant, if ever you're at leisure, why not come with me to the pavilion for a spot of fresh tea. | ||
| Interaction 2 | To splash on some ink and wield the brush, losing oneself in every stroke and swipe -- is that not one of life's great pleasures? | ||
| Interaction 3 | Moon-drenched waves of misty jade... Only those awake in the night have the fortune of appreciating the splendor of the moon, and the azure sea and halcyon sky. | ||
| Pledge | You've probably heard this line before: "With what shall we our bond express? Twin bracelets wrapped around our wrists." Now, it's my wish to bestow this jade bracelet upon you, and only you. | ||
| Intimacy 1 | Appreciating the flowers with you, or just sitting quietly across from you, is enough to make me forget my trifling troubles. | ||
| Intimacy 2 | If I can't be with you, then I'd rather be buried in the raging white ocean... Eh-heh -- I was just making a joke. No need to panic, Master Attendant. | ||
| Intimacy 3 | Together till we're old and grey... Since being with you, all those emotions that the poets wrote about are alive to me like never before. | ||
| Victory | With that evil vileness cleared away, things look much cleaner and brighter. | ||
| Defeat | No job is ever fully done... I ought too have been more prudent... | ||
| Feeding | Master Attendant, your gift is just as cute and interesting as you. | ||
Skins
| Spring Screen | |||||||
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| Spring Leisure, Resplendent Year | |||||||
Notes
- The "Drenched in moonlight, the waves like misty jade" from Interaction 3 comes from this poem by Li He.
- The Pledge line is quoting this poem.
- The "For our heads to turn white together" in Intimacy 3 comes from this folk song.
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Main[]
Sprite[]
Sprite Animations[]
Normal[]
Spring Screen[]
Other[]
Illustrations[]
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Videos[]
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Contents of this page has been fan-translated by BasilCosmo and may not be completely accurate. Official translations will be added whenever it's available. |
I. The Wind Rises
The lights burned brightly in the grand restaurant, casting a warm glow over the cascading crimson curtains as they slowly parted. On the wide stage, the delicate notes of a zither flowed from behind a screen, intertwining with the melody of a flute to create a tune both graceful and melancholic. The performers stepped onto the stage, their flowing sleeves swirling as they sang and recited poetry. Like celestial beings descended to the mortal realm, they captivated the audience, drawing gasps of admiration from the crowd below.
I leaned my head against my hand, idly toying with the teacup in my grasp. Suddenly, a tall figure entered my line of sight. Draped in monastic robes and carrying a prayer wheel, he stood in stark contrast to his surroundings. The monk walked in with calm composure, his expression indifferent yet sincere. If not for the setting, an onlooker might have mistaken this for a solemn religious gathering rather than a performance. He stopped not far from me, watching and listening intently, his demeanor so focused that he appeared to be studying Buddhist scriptures rather than enjoying a play.
Lowering my teacup, I gazed at him with growing interest—only to hear him suddenly recite a few lines of Sanskrit, seamlessly matching the rhythm of the song. Surprised, I found myself moving closer without realizing it.
"A monk, tempted by worldly beauty?"
Yet, as we began discussing musical theory and lyrics in earnest, I quickly realized he was not like the usual patrons who came to admire the beauty of the performers. He was different. For the first time, I saw him in a new light—perhaps even with a hint of expectation.
"Butter Tea..."
I murmured the name, an inexplicable sense of delight rising in my heart. After that brief encounter, life returned to its usual routine. I still frequented the restaurant, sipping my tea in idle moments. But Butter Tea never appeared again. A thought struck me, prompting me to visit the temple in town.
Eventually, at Stone Rhododendron Temple, I found traces of his name. He was neither displeased nor surprised by my uninvited visit—if anything, his overly serious reaction amused me. From that day on, our interactions grew more frequent. Though Butter Tea followed monastic discipline, he was neither rigid nor dull. Instead, he possessed unique insights and a clarity of mind that made conversations with him truly engaging. He was no pretentious guru, nor a pleasure-seeking monk.
Like a snow lotus blooming high in the mountains, he was pure and sacred, yet not aloof—offering warmth and wisdom to the world. His presence brought me a sense of peace, and his teachings lingered in my thoughts long after they were spoken. But with our growing closeness, rumors began to spread.
"Having an illicit affair with a monk."
"Shameless seductress."
"Tempting a man of the cloth..."
Slanderous whispers followed me wherever I went. I sighed helplessly, seeking refuge in my usual teahouse for a moment of peace. But trouble found me once again.
“Well, well—if it isn’t the famous Lady Dongtang. What’s this? Skipping a rendezvous with your lover to come here instead?”
A sharp, mocking voice pierced the air. I instinctively covered my ears. I turned to see a familiar woman—one I had warned multiple times about the fake paintings she foolishly flaunted as genuine treasures. Before I could speak, she sneered and continued in her shrill voice.
“Don’t tell me your lover abandoned you? Figures. That monk was no good to begin with! Instead of chanting scriptures, he wastes time with a woman of loose morals like you…”
"If you wish to slander someone, at least present solid evidence first. Otherwise, you’re no better than a mad dog barking at the wind."
I had expected her to target me, but I hadn't thought she would drag Butter Tea into it as well. Enraged by my retort, she became even more aggressive, her words growing sharper as the surrounding crowd swelled. Though I cared little for gossip, I refused to let my friend suffer because of me. In my frustration, I argued back. The commotion drew even more onlookers, and her insults grew increasingly vile.
“I bet you really did seduce that disgrace of a monk! Hiding behind a facade, but in truth, you're nothing but a—”
Her words cut off abruptly. A large hand covered her mouth. She hadn't expected it either—hadn't realized that the "disgrace of a monk" she had been slandering would appear before her in the very next moment.
"The Buddha teaches: False words, seductive speech, gossip, and malicious slander—these are as grave as bloodless murder."
His voice was gentle, almost too kind for the circumstances. Watching him lecture the crowd with such sincerity, I couldn't help but find the sight... rather adorable. Suppressing my laughter, I waited to see how he would resolve the situation. I never expected Butter Tea to show up here. And yet, with a few words filled with Buddhist wisdom, he rendered the crowd speechless, dispersing them one by one.
"I love Lady Dongtang, just as I love you too, miss. The Buddha loves all living beings."
Mimicking his serious tone, I repeated his words back to him.
"Pfft—hahaha!"
I knew he had meant to defend me, but his earnest declaration of "universal love" was too absurd to ignore. As we stepped out of the teahouse, I finally let my laughter spill out freely. Truly, he was unlike anyone else—so different, yet so fascinating.
II. Waves
The storm of rumors had finally passed, thanks to Butter Tea's intervention. On the other hand, my Master Attendant had been worn down by exhaustion, and illness had taken hold. That day, when I returned to the bookshop carrying freshly prepared medicinal herbs, I was met with a shocking sight—my Master Attendant had collapsed on the floor. I had not expected his condition to deteriorate so quickly. Confined to his sickbed, he decided to entrust the management and future of the bookshop to me, but I refused.
"This bookshop is your life's work, my lord. I will watch over it carefully for you. We can discuss this again once you have recovered."
I knew that long before I was summoned, my Master Attendant had been managing this bookshop with unwavering dedication. He had an insatiable love for books, and his affection for the shop was evident for all to see. The bookshop was his pride and joy, his second home. Its significance to him was beyond words.
"Miss Dong, that Lord Jia… has come again."
The voice of the bookshop's steward accompanied a knock at the door, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"…Please turn him away. Tell him I am not here today."
"…Miss, I think it would be best if you handled this personally. You know… my words alone may not be enough."
Hearing the steward's hesitant tone, I sighed in frustration. Frowning slightly, I set down the fan I had been using to stoke the medicinal fire and rose to my feet, making my way toward the main hall. From a distance, I spotted a man draped in gold and silver, his small stature almost comical as he busily roamed the hall, peering at the bookshelves and examining the antique ornaments. Noticing my approach, he immediately turned around, a wide grin stretching across his face.
"Heh heh… Miss Dong, how have you been lately? So, about what we discussed last time—have you given it any more thought?"
"Lord Jia, I have already made my position clear. I have no such intentions. But I do appreciate your kind offer."
Maintaining a polite smile, I watched as he leaned in, reducing the distance between us. Without a change in expression, I discreetly took a few steps back.
"Ahem, Miss Dong, there’s no need to be so distant! We’re old acquaintances, aren’t we?"
"My apologies, Lord Jia. The Master Attendant's medicine is still brewing—I must excuse myself."
Unwilling to waste any more time entertaining him, I swiftly ended the conversation and made my exit. Perhaps due to the burden of his accumulated workload, my Master Attendant had fallen ill as suddenly as a mountain collapsing. But what truly troubled me was the severity of his condition—far beyond what I had anticipated. I had sought out every doctor in the city, yet none could determine the cause of his strange illness. With my attention entirely consumed by his care, I had little time to oversee the bookshop’s affairs, leaving much of it in the steward’s hands. As for that merchant, Lord Jia, he continued to visit frequently. But from that day forward, I ignored him entirely. Today, however, for reasons unknown, he had intercepted me just as I was heading out.
"Miss Dong, after all these days, I finally get to see you again. I understand you’ve been busy, but you must take care of yourself as well."
"I appreciate your concern, sir. Unfortunately, I have matters to attend to today. Once this busy period has passed, I will personally visit to make amends for my neglect."
I was about to step aside and walk around him when he, as if anticipating my move, swiftly blocked my path.
"Sir, what is the meaning of this—"
"You may choose to wait for this busy period to pass, but—"
"Your Master Attendant… I fear he does not have that much time left."
At his words, I immediately snapped to attention, my gaze locking onto his. The usual false smile on Lord Jia’s face had shifted—his expression now bore a sinister satisfaction.
III. Dark and Turbulent Times
The atmosphere grew tense as I watched Lord Jia deliberately fiddle with the small jar in his hand. Not knowing what scheme he was plotting, my doubts only deepened.
"May I ask how you can guarantee that this is truly the antidote?"
"If you, Miss Dong, don’t trust me, then so be it, but you should’t gamble with the bookstore master’s life."
"…Since you put it that way, then I’ll thank you on behalf of the master—"
"Wait a moment. While saving a life is important, business is business—I cannot do this for free, can I?"
"What do you mean…?"
"As I mentioned before, if you marry into the Jia family, then this deal is sealed—how about it?"
As his words fell, silence was my only response. At first, I thought I would need to come up with some excuse to reject him again, but instead, I found the situation almost laughable. A wave of contempt surged within me—so this was his plan all along. Seeing my reaction, Lord Jia seemed to grow flustered.
"W-What’s the matter? Don’t you want the antidote?"
"You’ve made quite the business deal, Lord Jia. In that case, why don’t we strike a trade of our own? Have you forgotten that we, too, hold some leverage?"
"W-What are you talking about?!"
"Have you forgotten where all your wealth came from?"
"If your memory fails you, I wouldn’t mind refreshing it."
I slowly recited the corrupt dealings that, if exposed, would ruin him completely. With every word, Lord Jia’s face darkened further.
"It was that steward… He did it! He’s the one who made me poison the master! It—it has nothing to do with me!"
"I’ll give you the antidote! I won’t ask for anything in return! Just… just don’t expose me!"
"It was him—he tricked me! He said I could use this to threaten you… I-I never meant to harm you both…"
Seeing him cower the moment his scheme was uncovered, my suspicions were confirmed. Lord Jia was nothing but a pretentious coward—he would never have dared to do something like this alone. And since he had spoken so boldly, it was clear that someone had been fueling his confidence from the shadows. Yet, it only took a little probing to make him confess everything. This was far easier than I expected. However, the person behind all of this…
Though I had considered the possibility, I hadn’t expected it to be true. The steward, who had loyally served by the master’s side for years, had now turned away so completely, without a shred of remorse.
I stood frozen as I took in the sight of the storeroom—emptied, down to the last scrap. In the end, the master could not survive this illness. It was only much later that I learned the so-called antidote the steward left behind… was never the real cure at all. As the saying goes, "Misfortunes never come alone."
One disaster after another had drained me to my limits. After his humiliating retreat, Lord Jia did not keep his silence. Seeking revenge, he spread false rumors everywhere, slandering me—claiming that I had conspired with the steward to murder the master. Given the previous scandals, these accusations only fanned the flames, and soon, waves of gossip and condemnation crashed over me.
It felt as though each word was a silver needle piercing into my skin. I no longer wished—nor had the strength—to explain myself. People only wanted to hear what they could twist into a tale of their own making.
The thought of leaving began to take root in my mind. With the master’s passing, there was nothing left to tie me here. And yet… there was one last matter weighing on my heart. After much hesitation, I returned once more to the familiar temple.
Colorful prayer flags swayed in the gentle breeze. The rhythmic chants and the steady knocking of wooden fish echoed through the air—a sanctuary of Buddhist serenity, untouched by worldly chaos. Seated within, the man I knew sat with his eyes closed, reciting scriptures with unwavering devotion.
I paused, listening. His low voice flowed like a clear stream, washing over my weary heart, granting me a fleeting moment of peace. I had heard that Stone Rhododendron Temple was hosting a grand Buddhist assembly. Surely, he must be overwhelmed with responsibilities. I hoped he had not caught wind of the rumors.
But perhaps… it was better this way. I regretted not saying farewell. But this was the outcome, nonetheless.
So be it. He was pursuing what he loved. If I stayed, I would only bring him further trouble.
In the end, I could not bear to disturb him.
Quietly, I turned and left the temple. After making all the necessary arrangements for the bookstore… At last, I set out to leave this city behind.
IV. Mooring
Although this was my first time embarking on a journey without a clear destination, I felt much lighter and more at ease. But before I could enjoy this newfound freedom, I once again found myself entangled in "danger."
Despite already knowing the terror of the Fallen Angels, I had still underestimated their brutality. By the time I dragged my wounded body into the depths of the mountain forest, I could barely hold on and eventually collapsed into unconsciousness. When I woke again, the first thing I saw was a quaint little house, and my wounds had been carefully bandaged. A gentle melody from a zither flowed through the air, soothing the exhaustion in my body.
The gentle woman before me was none other than Sweet Lotus Seed Soup—my savior and, like me, a Food Soul. She introduced herself as nothing more than a musician with a passing interest in medicine. By chance, she had been gathering herbs nearby when she found me and brought me back.
There were no words to truly express my gratitude for saving my life. I decided to stay for a while and help Sweet Lotus Seed Soup with whatever tasks I could manage. Yet, despite appearing to be around my age, she took care of me like an elder sister.
She listened to my story, and in turn, I learned about her past with the Holy Church—how her Master Attendant had been persecuted to death and how she had barely escaped with the help of others. Through her words, I finally came to understand the vile deeds of the organization known as the Holy Church.
"That is why I plan to establish a teahouse called the Ink Pavilion. If I cannot avenge those who have perished, then at the very least, I can prevent more tragedies from happening."
"I don’t want to see anyone else have their life stolen away by that cult. I have to do something—at the very least, to atone for the sins I committed while under their influence..."
"But my current identity... makes it difficult for me to act in the open. Earlier, you said you wanted to repay me for saving you. I have only one request—the position of Ink Pavilion’s master. Perhaps you are the best candidate for that role, Dongtang."
"You want... me to take the role of Pavilion Master in name?"
"Yes... I know this request is sudden... but I have no other way. I will support you from the shadows, but when it comes to standing in the light, I can only rely on you."
"If you refuse, I will not force you. Saving you was simply something I had to do—I expect no repayment."
"I..."
Countless thoughts swirled in my mind, a voice questioning me about where I should go from here.
"I accept."
In the end, I spoke my decision aloud. Since I had chosen this path, this time, I would leave no room for regrets. For myself, and for others.
"Do no evil, cultivate all good, purify one’s mind."
The words of Butter Tea echoed in my ears. Doing good deeds... perhaps that would be enough to live without guilt, to face both heaven and earth with a clear conscience.
Of course, there was also a bit of selfishness in my decision. Perhaps starting anew would allow me to gradually forget the past.
"All things are impermanent, they arise and pass away. Once arising and passing away cease, true peace is found."
V. Dongtang
In a relatively remote town in the Light Kingdom, there was a renowned bookstore.
No one knew exactly when it started, but a talented and elegant Food Soul, both refined in manner and beautiful in appearance, had begun frequenting the bookstore. Everyone called her "Miss Dong."
Because of this, she inevitably attracted jealousy and scorn. However, that didn’t stop numerous admirers from pursuing her, chief among them being a wealthy merchant surnamed Jia.
Dongtang usually helped out at the bookstore, but she often sought solitude in the city’s largest restaurant or teahouse—partly to escape her persistent suitors.
It was said that the most popular song performed at the restaurant had lyrics and melody composed by Dongtang herself. But the guests who came and went were only captivated by the performer’s beauty and grace, paying little mind to the song’s true essence—until a monk named Butter Tea earnestly discussed music with her.
Dongtang couldn’t deny it—she wanted to befriend him. That was why she couldn’t resist visiting the temple to seek him out. Little by little, her time with Butter Tea brought an unfamiliar brightness into her life.
Over time, Dongtang, who never cared about others’ opinions, spoke out for the first time—just to protect Butter Tea’s reputation from being tarnished.
But as the storm of rumors finally settled, disaster struck the bookstore.
A greedy storekeeper incited the wealthy merchant Jia to commit a heinous crime for profit, then fled, leaving devastation in his wake. Years of hard work, along with Dongtang’s own reputation, were destroyed in an instant.
With no one to turn to, Dongtang once again became the subject of public gossip. Burdened by her circumstances, she didn’t want to trouble Butter Tea anymore.
At that time, the Stone Rhododendron Temple was holding a grand Buddhist assembly. From afar, Dongtang watched Butter Tea, who was talented and full of promise. In the end, she chose not to disturb him and left quietly.
Wandering to a new place, she took up the mantle of Ink Pavilion’s master and began a new chapter of her life.
Thus, within the grounds of a grand estate, an organization disguised as a teahouse—but secretly dedicated to combating the cult—was born. They gathered intelligence, tracked the cult’s movements, and took in Food Souls who had been harmed by the cult or had nowhere else to go. To outsiders, the Ink Pavilion was merely an exquisite and mysterious teahouse. Only high-ranking officials, wealthy merchants, or those personally invited by the Ink Pavilion’s master could step inside.
Though it appeared to be a righteous organization, only those who had suffered at the hands of the cult truly knew what they were pursuing. Still, many scholars and aspiring heroes were eager to visit, hoping to uncover the truth.