Why this Lantern Rite was an absolute masterpiece from the POV of Liyue enthusiast
The unquestionable, well-crafted Hu Tao fanservice aside, here are things that made my day (and possibly my Natlan year):
Zhongli is confirmed to have joined Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to keep an eye on Hu Tao as a successor of an ancient art crucial for Liyue's survival. It puts a lot of things into perspective. And admittedly... makes him less retired than he claims to be. He still couldn't fully let go :)
After 2,5 years we got a continuation of the Chasm interlude (one of my fav AQs) by seeing Yelan and Xiao interact and given Xiao's usual conduct with strangers, it's quite safe to claim they retained some sort of comradeship ♥
We got actual traveler lore bit included, with the mention of their absence in leylines and its further implications. Zhongli saying he had waited for them to ask about it was extremely rewarding as well because it confirms he knows they are a descender (so far only hinted).
We got Natlan AQ relevance. Writers didn't refrain from mentioning Natlan and making parallels with Liyue and the rest of the continent on several occassions. (This is big because it has been a long time since they really did this).
My personal fav as a Zhongli fan: Zhongli is confirmed to use teleportation. We can argue it would be weird if he didn't (given Xiao can) but we never got a single confirmation. I always saw his Xiao rescue more like a big force pull. However, we now know he can just send individuals wherever he likes so my long-term question, whether he really walks all his Liyue trips on feet or he does cut the distance by teleporting is closer to an answer. Also it's just funny imagining him teleporting the traveler, glowing with his gold aura while still watching the performance, expression unchanged ♥
Correct me if I'm wrong but we got the whole surviving Liyue pantheon gathered in one place for the first time (not counting the "kids", Ganyu and Yanfei).
Hu Tao, Baizhu and Qiqi interactions were extremely wholesome, given their dynamics. Hu Tao came to say good bye to them both with her coins, Baizhu giving her some of his life force... It's nice to see that their bond stretches beyond the rivalry.
And we now know more about the Wuwang hill's situation and why exactly Hu Tao was left in charge of the Parlor so early in her life (= where was dad, why grandpa died early).
A bit more info on the White being in the Moonlit Bamboo Forest