Taoling

Taoling is the femslash ship between Hu Tao and Xiangling from the Genshin Impact fandom.

Canon
Hu Tao and Xiangling are childhood friends as scene in the Moonchase cutscene. They were seen interacting in-game in three events, the Moonlight Merriment event, Lantern Rite 2022 and Lantern Rite 2023.

The two are from Liyue and are both Pyro Polearm users, and have similar charged attacks. Sometimes, the fanbase jokingly calls Hu Tao the 'better Xiangling'. Xiangling was also in Hu Tao's first Banner along with their other childhood friends, Chongyun and Xingqiu.

Voicelines
In Hu Tao's voiceline about Xiangling, Hu Tao says that Xiangling is a riot, and that all she needs to do to scare Xiangling is a say "boo". Hu Tao goes on to say that she loves these kinds of people. Since Hu Tao is known as a prankster, it seems as though she enjoys scaring Xiangling because of her reactions. Though, Hu Tao says that she's got to keep her pranks in check, otherwise Guoba, Xiangling's fire-spitting bear companion, will burn her.

In Xiangling's voiceline about Hu Tao, she sounds a little annoyed that Hu Tao is always picking and scaring her. However, she adds that Hu Tao does bring her ingredients sometimes to make up for it, being that, Hu Tao brings fermented plum blossoms for Xiangling being able to make flower cakes. It seems that Hu Tao giving Xiangling ingredients that she needs can be a sign of forgiveness for pranking her.

In Hu Tao's voiceline about her least favorite food, she says she doesn't like Qingxin Slime Condensate, she then says that surely this is Xiangling's payback. As already stated, Hu Tao enjoys scaring Xiangling so Hu Tao thinks that it's Xiangling's payback for giving her Qingxin Slime Condensate.

Moonlight Merriment
In this event, Xiangling was a contestant in the Masterful Chefs competition. To prepare for the contest, Xiangling had to ask other people about their favorite foods. When asked, Tao and Xiangling conversed about food, leaving Xiangling a bit confused at first. At the end of their talk, Xiangling began to understand Hu Tao's advice better and laughs, asking how she ever doubted Hu Tao.

Lantern Rite 2022
Xiangling and Hu Tao, along with Zhongli and Guoba were eating together at Third-Round Knockout. Hu Tao praises Xiangling's signature dipping sauce. Guoba reacts by making a noise and Hu Tao asks him if he's hungry, saying that she'll treat him by opening a tab under Xiangling's name. Hu Tao and Xiangling then excuse themselves to leave Zhongli and the Traveler alone, saying that they'll go have tea together with the boss.

Lantern Rite 2023
To celebrate Lantern Rite, Hu Tao decided to host a banquet with her companions. After having a seat next to Xiangling, Hu Tao asks her if they spoke about anything interesting while she was escorting Xiao to the venue. Later, when Xiao, Traveler and Xiangling are outside, Xiangling says that before Hu Tao invited everyone, she secretly came looking for Xiangling, told her about the guests she planned to invite, and asked her for some suggestions on what she should order. At the end of the banquet, Hu Tao suggests that the most distinguished guest present should light the incense to mark the end of Lantern Rite. To this, she proposes that Xiangling should be the one to do it. She calls her the disciple of an adeptus, the Stove God's best companion, the winner of the Masterful Chefs competition, the only heir of the famous Wanmin Restaurant, and says that Xiangling is a good old friend of hers, that there's no better choice. Xiangling in embarassment pleads Hu Tao to stop with the praise.

Quotes
"Is Hu Tao picking on you too? Ugh, that prankster always waits till I least expect it, creeps up on me from behind and then... Boo! then laughs herself silly. Hmph. But I can handle it, and she does bring me fermented plum blossoms once in a while so I can make flower cakes... so I don't hold a grudge."

- Xiangling's voiceline about Hu Tao

"Xiangling's a riot! Only a little "boo" and she jumps, she's so easy to scare! Being in the industry that I am, I just love these kinds of people the most. Gotta keep it in check though, in case Guoba ends up toasting me instead."

- Hu Tao's voiceline about Xiangling

"Qingxin Slime Condensate... Bleugh... Surely this is Xiangling getting payback..."

- Hu Tao's voiceline about her least favorite food

Fanon
The two are shipped together because of their similarities and dynamic. Their relationship can be read as a friendly teasing or playful rivalry. Furthermore, They are a part of the same friend group as Xingqiu and Chongyun. Since those two are also a popular ship, Taoling fits nicely with Xingyun; allowing there to be the idea of double dates. Some also headcanon that Yunyan are also a part of this group, since they are also a popular ship, many headcanon them as going on triple dates. An official art with the two hugging and Zhongli drinking tea with them was published, since this trio and guoba have also had food together in the Lantern Rite 2022 quest, it can be headcanoned that such occurences aren't uncommon.

The ship may be regarded as controversial due to clashing age headcanons. Hoyoverse has not specified their ages, however many see Xiangling as 14 and Hu tao as an adult despite them being childhood best friends. Taoling's rival ships are YanTao and Xiangyan. Taoling is much more popular among Chinese fans. Some ship it in poly ships such as Hu Tao Banner (Xiangling, Hu Tao, Chongyun, Xingqiu).

Fandom
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Trivia

 * They are childhood friends and still close.
 * Their ship symbols are 👻🌶️ and 👻🐻.
 * Xiangtao in Chinese (香桃) translates to sweet/fragrant peach.
 * Hu Tao likes people like Xiangling the most since they're very reactive to teasing.
 * Hu Tao brings Xiangling fermented plum blossoms to apologize when she's angry.
 * They hugged in an official art posted by Genshin's official twitter account.

Variations

 * Hu Tao Banner refers to the two, Xingqiu and Chongyun.