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- Hu Tao – “Oh, also, Aether gave me a special fortune coin — apparently, it's one of those Rex coins. You're more knowledgeable about this kind of thing than me though. So I'd appreciate your second opinion.”
- Zhongli – “It is indeed a Rex coin. It symbolizes good fortune, and may offer some use as a protective charm.”
- Hu Tao – “Got it. In that case... after tonight, could you please return it to Aether for me?”
- Zhongli – “You wish to return the gift? For what reason?”
- Hu Tao – “Aether reached Natlan, and took a trip to the land of the dead while there. It must have been incredibly dangerous.
He's made it this far unscathed, so clearly he's blessed with good fortune. But his journey will only get more dangerous with each step, and that worries me.
So, if there's a chance this Rex coin really can keep a person safe, I want to make sure that person is Aether.” - Zhongli – “You make good points, Director. But have you considered that Aether perhaps had similar wishes for you?”
- Hu Tao – “That's another reason I can't afford to keep it...
I don't know what's going to happen tonight. If worse comes to worst and I don't make it back, I don't want Aether to find out this coin didn't work by discovering it in a pile of debris...
What if it upsets him? What if he feels like it's all his fault? I couldn't bear to see him like that... You know what I mean, right, Zhongli?” - — Hu Tao and Zhongli's coversation in Springtime Charms: "Qimen Arts and the Rite of Homa, the Spirits are Calmed and Life Restored"
AeTao is the het ship between Aether and Hu Tao from the Genshin Impact fandom.
Canon[]
Aether hears Hu Tao's name for the first time in the Liyue Archon Quest, but he doesn't meet her personally. Zhongli mentions her when the Fatui are everywhere in search of the Geo Gnosis, assuming that Hu Tao wouldn't let the Fatui enter the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Papilio Charontis: Hu Tao's Story Quest[]
It all starts when Aether takes a walk through Wuwang Hill, a territory north of Jueyun, far from Liyue City, near Chingste Village. This place is said to be very spooky because of the "spirits" that usually roam around there. Paimon tries to say that she's not scared or anything, when she's very sensible to prove otherwise.
A gravedigger from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor happens upon them, but Paimon's floating nature, as well as her very high-pitched voice, made him automatically freak out, considering her a ghost. Aether and Paimon try to explain themselves, but the guy can't take the scare anymore and runs away.
Hu Tao meeting Aether for the first time
Aether and Paimon decide to follow his tracks, until they find him with a teenage girl who also wears a funeral parlor uniform. He is seen asking her to help himg scare away Aether and Paimon, whom he considers ghosts. Fortunately, the girl clears up the misunderstanding that she sees them as new customers, rather than possible ghosts. The girl introduces the gravedigger as Meng, a new member of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. As for herself, she introduces herself as Hu Tao, the current director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, which handles everything related to mortality. According to her and Meng, something paranormal is going on at Wuwang Hill, and so, Hu Tao asks Aether and Paimon for their help, though Paimon doesn't like the idea of her considering them as her "assistants" since they never asked to join the Funeral Parlor.
Hu Tao comes up with an idea to "expand the business." Therefore, she tried to negotiate with a member of the Adventurer's Guild, Lan. For that, Hu Tao tried to use Aether to try to convince her, but it was not a success. Later, she tries to convince Little Wu, Mumu, and Congzi, but none of them accepted. Congzi even threatened to accuse her to the Milelith troops.
Failing to get any potential customers, Hu Tao returns with Aether and Meng to the entrance of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Fortunately, Luocheng, a potential customer, comes to Hu Tao in order to ask her to help him solve a problem. Recently, he was very scared because a spirit, called Big G, might be disturbed and he was already having too many nightmares that even doctors can't cure (And maybe not even Baizhu from Bubu Pharmacy, although they hadn't thought of that). Hu Tao comes up with a solution and brings Aether and Meng to reveal her plan...
Hu Tao takes everyone to an "exorcism" place, with a device that apparently materializes curses as monsters, so that a very capable fighter can kill them and thus cause the curse to be removed. Once Aether defeats all the "materialized" monsters with this device, Luocheng feels very relieved and free of all curses. But... Hu Tao reveals that in reality this was all just an absolute joke... Still, she explains that this device is just a monolith of Ley lines, capable of summoning monsters in the surroundings and that the real problem is in Luocheng's mind, which always thought only about fear.
When Luocheng leaves, minutes later, Big G, the spirit that Hu Tao has been looking for, appears. Everyone decides to take him back to Liyue, to the entrance of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
There, Hu Tao asks Aether to talk about Big G's matter to her 3 friends that she failed to convince before: Little Wu, Mumu, and Congzi.
Once Aether finishes the matter with the three friends, he heads to Wuwang Hill, where Hu Tao wants to take them to a "normal place." For some reason, Hu Tao finds it easy to go to this place, without any need to resort to the Adepti.
This is how Aether, guided by Hu Tao, first learns about this place that is actually the Border between Life and Death.
Moonlight Merriment[]
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Lantern Rite[]
Fleeting Colors in Flight[]
Hu Tao is seen eating near Wanmin Restaurant with Zhongli, in the presence of Xiangling. It turns out that they have enjoyed one of the best dishes that Chef Xiangling prepared. Aether and Paimon appear. In this Rite, Hu Tao and Xiangling don't seem to have time to talk to Aether and leave Zhongli to talk about the nature of Keqing, who because of her skepticism towards the gods, worked harder than anyone else and has never considered resting.
In the end, Aether arranged to meet Keqing to watch the fireworks together in this Lantern Rite, in the Jade Chamber that is located very high up levitating, while Hu Tao spends this Rite with Zhongli, down on the surface, in Liyue City.
The Exquisite Night Chimes[]
In this rite, Aether doesn't spend much time with Hu Tao this time, as he first accompanied Yaoyao, and later, Ganyu. When he finally catches sight of her, Aether learns that Hu Tao will soon be singing a short rock song, with Xinyan by her side as the electric guitarist.
Later, Hu Tao learns that Aether is having a gathering with his friends, Xiangling, Chongyun, and Xingqiu (whom fans call the National Team friends), and she comes up with the idea of looking for Xiao, the Conqueror of Demons, to liven up the gathering even more.
Vibrant Harriers Aloft in Spring Breeze[]
This is the only Lantern Rite where Aether never meets Hu Tao, as the entire story focuses on the life of Gaming, who has just come to Liyue from Chenyu Vale. Not to mention Xianyun, who is actually the Cloud Retainer who has taken her human form and has moved herself to Liyue.
Springtime Charms[]
Liyue Celebrates and Eight Adepts Face a Hidden Calamity[]
A few days before the Lantern Rite begins, Aether decides to stop by Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Seeing Hu Tao, he decides to say hello, but is stopped by Xiangling. Xiangling explains that if someone "bothers" her at that moment, they would not be able to see the "new director." Xiangling also explains that something is worrying Hu Tao a lot and that if someone asks her about it, she prefers to make excuses to avoid talking about it.
Someone "ambushes" Aether from behind and covers his eyes, asking him to guess who it is. Depending on the answers, one of these two conversations can be seen.
Hu Tao wishing Aether a Happy Lantern Rite
- ??? – “Guess whooo?”
- Aether – “Happy Lantern Rite, Director Hu.”
- Hu Tao – “Ah, wonderful, you still remember my voice. That means, you must have missed me a lot... Hee-hee. Happy Lantern Rite!”
- ??? – “Guess whooo?”
- Aether – “I recognize those dulcet tones anywhere, Zhongli”
- Hu Tao – “Oh, I see... So our consultant is the one you miss the most. You're breaking my heart, Aether.”
- Aether – “I was just kidding. Happy Lantern Rite!”
Aether, Hu Tao, and Xiangling have a conversation about Hu Tao's concerns, but since she still doesn't want to tell them, Aether decides to ask Keqing for help for the time being, leaving with Xiangling since Hu Tao has some business to attend to.
Later, Aether has agreed to go with Xiangling and Lan Yan to have lunch with Hu Tao, but it turns out that she left Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Lan Yan is the one who wants to meet Hu Tao at all costs, so after Aether and Xiangling leave the perfumery, Lan Yan waits there, since Ying'er put her in charge of taking care of that shop. Hu Tao shows up to have a little conversation with her, but without any idea who she is. When Ying'er returns with Timaeus, Lan Yan questions them and upon learning that she is the real Hu Tao but without her funeral parlor attire, decides to follow her even if she goes far away. When Aether returns, he asks about Lan Yan and they receive this information about Hu Tao and Lan Yan. Aether decides to wait two days to meet Hu Tao again.
The Funeral Parlor Has No Master, Yujing Terrace Calls the Troops[]
Two days have passed and Hu Tao is unable to return. Strangely, he learns that Qiqi is experiencing something similar. So upon meeting Baizhu, he entrusts him with a mission to retrieve Qiqi. In the process, they head to Wuwang Hill, where they meet Yelan. She leads them to Yujing Terrace, where she and Ninguang inform them that Qiqi is indeed in the same place as Hu Tao and Lan Yan, but on the border between life and death so Aether heads off to ask Xiao for help in rescuing Hu Tao, Qiqi and Lan Yan.
After successfully completing the rescue, Aether returns to Liyue with the three of them. Hu Tao reveals that the situation on the border between life and death is much more serious than it seems and that because of this, death is trying to cross the border of life. And because of this, the elderly are the ones who are experiencing premature aging, losing years of life. Ninguang offers to locate the Eight Gates once guarded by the Eight Adepts in order to carry out a dangerous plan to purify Liyue from the breath of death and thus repair the border of life and death, but what worries Aether and Paimon is that since the Fire Butterfly sacrificed itself by dying in the past, Hu Tao will also die in the attempt.
Qimen Arts and the Rite of Homa, the Spirits are Calmed and Life Restored[]
After two days, Ninguang is already ready and prepared for this plan to happen during the upcoming Lantern Rite, but it turns out that Hu Tao has been assigned to Death's Gate on Wuwang Hill. So in case she can't return, Hu Tao offers her special coins to her friends, wishing them the best. But one of them, Xiangling, the chef of Liyue, swears that Hu Tao will definitely return alive, otherwise, "Aether will drag her by the head in order to eat together."
As night falls, Zhongli tells her a clue that Aether is not related to the Ley Lines... As the Lantern Rite begins, the dangerous ritual to purify Liyue of the breath of death begins. Aether, having a premonition that Hu Tao is going to disappear and die, quickly heads to Wuwang Hill, where the Gate of Death is located, to rescue her once again. By the time Paimon and Zhongli begin to search for Aether, he has already disappeared.
Aether saving Hu Tao from the Death Realm
Once the ritual is complete, Hu Tao is about to head to the death zone, prepared to die. But she hears echoes telling her to go back. She even meets her own father and grandfather, who tell her that her time has not come yet and that someone is looking for her. A cherry blossom falls into her hand and she blinks, but she feels a hand about to drag her away from death. It turns out to be Aether, who convinces her that they are looking for her and manages to drag her out of death, but due to inertia, Hu Tao accidentally hugs him. By the time they leave, the border between life and death has already been completely repaired, but unfortunately, this meant missing this Lantern Rite. Aether falls unconscious and Hu Tao carries him on her back, taking him to Bubu Pharmacy, where Baizhu nurses him back to health.
After 2 days, Aether wakes up, with Paimon finally happy that he is still alive. She reveals that many of Liyue's friends have been visiting him, but with Hu Tao being the only one left waiting for him outside. As he leaves Bubu Pharmacy through a balcony, someone covers his eyes from behind again.
Thus, Hu Tao and Aether have a moment together, as if they had enough time to exchange some pleasantries. In the end, Hu Tao wishes Aether a happy Lantern Rite.
The Sanctification of Tao Dou[]
Xiangling invites Aether to a gathering of friends at Yilong Port, by Chingsté Village, where Hu Tao, Gaming, Lan Yan, Chongyun and Xingqiu are to participate. Two days later, Aether appears in the middle of a conversation about who of the Eight Adepts is the strongest.
Yun Jin, a special guest, appears to sing the Tao Dou Opera while the friends sit down to eat. This time, Hu Tao chose to sit with Aether at the same table.
Quote[]
- “Hahaha, don't be silly. It's just the two of us here, you really want to talk in glib pleasantries? 'Cause I can out-glib you any day of the week if you wanna do this.”
- — Hu Tao, at the end of Springtime Charms
Fanon[]
As of version 1.3, Hu Tao was the most popular character in the entire Genshin Impact cast, and yet, very few fans shipped her with Aether, making AeTao a rare pair. At the time, this ship was much less popular than Aeqing, ZhongTao and even Xiaother and YanTao.
As versions passed, more regions were added and AeTao showed no signs of becoming popular. On the other hand, Ayaka had already established herself as the founder of Aether's Swordgirl Harem, making her, Keqing, Nilou and Furina (and their respective ships with Aether: Ayather, Aeqing, Aelou and Aerina) rival Hu Tao.
Finally, the popularity of this ship would only begin to be noticed from version 5.3 of Genshin Impact with the Lantern Rite of the year 2025, similarly to Aeqing, with the moments of Hu Tao getting closer and closer to Aether and in the end, Aether saving Hu Tao from her death even if it meant missing this Lantern Rite. Fans were pleased to eventually see a happy ending where both sit at the same table to eat, listening to Yun Jin performing her opera and with their other friends Gaming, Lan Yan, Xingqiu and Chongyun, at other tables. With the rapidly rising favor of this ship in the fandom, many fan works have been created reflecting their new-found close friendship and wholehearted interactions.
Now with a good amount of popularity on its side, AeTao is the direct competitor of Aerina.
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- Hu Tao/Aether tag on AO3
- Hu Tao & Aether tag on AO3
Trivia[]
This section is in need of major improvement. Please help improve this article by editing it.
Gallery[]
- Main article: AeTao/Gallery
