Late Night, Jade Chamber
Under the dim glow of the lanterns, Ningguang leaned on one hand, her other delicately holding Liyue's recent development plans. Her gaze was focused, yet tinged with a trace of fatigue.
In just a short while, the annual Rite of Descension would take place, and she had to ensure all preparations were in order well in advance.
It was the most important day of the year — the day when the Geo Archon revealed himself to guide Liyue for the year to come. Every citizen of Liyue would be watching the ceremony, so there could be no room for error.
This year, it was Ningguang's turn to host the ceremony and receive the oracle. Everything had gone smoothly last year when Yuheng Keqing had presided over the Rite, and Ningguang had no intention of letting any mishaps occur under her watch.
Yet, the Fatui from Snezhnaya were making their moves at such a critical time. She couldn't help but feel uneasy — were they aiming to disrupt the Rite?
The enemy lay hidden in the shadows while she stood in the light. Any mistakes during the ceremony wouldn't just provoke discontent among Liyue's people — even the Adepti of Jueyun Karst might ridicule her for it.
"Back so soon?"
Ningguang closed the planning documents and glanced behind her. Emerging from behind the screen painted with mountain and river landscapes, Yelan approached slowly.
"It seems he's not as simple as we thought."
One look at Yelan's expression, and Ningguang could tell — she must have been thwarted by that man. There were traces of tears at the corner of Yelan's eyes, a faint blush on her cheeks, and a look of indignant frustration.
Could it be... she was teased?
Yelan spoke in a low voice. "He has a strange ability... he can control someone's body."
"Control their body?" Ningguang's eyes scanned Yelan up and down, a hint of doubt in her gaze.
So Yelan's embarrassed expression... was because he controlled her body, and then...?
"He captured me, but then deliberately let me go. I'm not sure what his intentions were."
"He didn't do anything else? No interrogation, for example?" Ningguang asked suddenly.
"..."
"Anyway, all the traits Snezhnaya mentioned match him. It's likely he's the newly appointed Fatui trainee Harbinger," Yelan said, her face tinged with a hint of red as she avoided answering Ningguang's question directly.
"A Harbinger coming to Liyue in secret instead of through official diplomatic channels... and hiding his true identity?" Ningguang mused.
"It seems I'll have to meet him myself soon," she said, her gaze serious as she looked back at the Rite of Descension plan on her desk. No matter what, she couldn't let anyone jeopardize the Rite.
"Since you've been discovered, stop following him for now. Look into this instead."
Ningguang pulled a report from a stack of documents and handed it to Yelan. The cover read "Snezhnaya's Cultural Research Division in Liyue."
"This is...?" Yelan asked, accepting the report and carefully reading its contents. It contained various pieces of intelligence about the research division.
"There are rumors they've been investigating the Sigil of Permission. You know how dangerous that could be. If possible, see that it's destroyed."
"Understood," Yelan replied, slipping the file into her coat before vanishing behind the screen.
After Yelan left, Ningguang glanced back at the Rite of Descension plans and called out toward the doorway.
"Baishi."
"Yes, Lady Ningguang? What are your orders?" came the immediate response.
"Make the necessary arrangements. I want to meet with the new manager of the Northland Bank tomorrow at the Jade Chamber. Tell him it's to discuss future business opportunities."
"Understood."
The Next Morning
Luo Qing had stayed up late the night before, expecting Yelan to come seeking revenge. Worried she might ambush him, he'd remained vigilant until the early hours, only falling asleep when he was sure she wouldn't return.
He'd just woken up when there was a knock on his door.
"Master Luo Qing, there's someone here to see you downstairs," Natalia called respectfully from the other side.
"To see me?" Luo Qing asked, rubbing his eyes.
"They said they're from the big house in the sky," Natalia replied.
"The Jade Chamber?" Luo Qing blinked, puzzled. Yesterday he'd caught one of Ningguang's spies, and now, they wanted to see him already? What was Ningguang up to?
Descending to the lobby of the Northland Bank, he found Baishi waiting for him. She had arrived early, expecting to quickly meet with the manager.
Instead, a man named Igor had told her that his master typically slept until noon and that she was early.
When she asked why they couldn't just wake Luo Qing up, Igor had explained that his master had decreed that even the Geo Archon himself couldn't disturb his sleep. Anyone who dared to wake him would face his wrath.
If they interrupted Master Luo Qing's slumber, they'd be dancing on Yujing Terrace with poles by evening.
After hearing that, Baishi's mood soured. This was an invitation from Lady Ningguang! Liyue merchants would pay fortunes just for a chance to set foot in the Jade Chamber, yet this man dared to keep her waiting because he was sleeping?
Anyone else wouldn't have dared to make her wait a second.
She had other work to do! She couldn't afford to waste time here!
"My name is Luo Qing, manager of the Northland Bank in Liyue." Luo Qing yawned, looking relaxed. "Your master wants to meet with me?"
"Luo Qing... A Liyue name?" Baishi's brow furrowed, confused. This man was supposed to be from Snezhnaya, so why did he have a Liyuean name and appearance?
"Oh, I was a Liyue orphan. I grew up in Snezhnaya," Luo Qing explained casually.
"My apologies, Mr. Luo Qing," Baishi said, her tone softening. Knowing he was originally from Liyue made her feel less antagonistic, and she found herself sympathetic to his story.
After all, there were orphans everywhere in this world, even in the prosperous Liyue.
Ningguang's dream was to reduce their number until every family in Liyue was happy and whole.
"My name is Baishi, and I'm Lady Ningguang's secretary. She would like to invite you to the Jade Chamber to discuss potential future cooperation between Liyue and the Northland Bank. Would Mr. Luo Qing have time to join her?"
"Oh, I'd be delighted," Luo Qing said with a smile. "But since it's Lady Ningguang inviting me, I can't go empty-handed. Miss Baishi, would you mind waiting a moment while I prepare a gift?"
"Of course. I can wait here, but please note that Lady Ningguang has already prepared lunch for you. It would be best not to keep her waiting," Baishi replied.
"Don't worry, I won't take long."
Luo Qing gave Igor a meaningful look, and the latter nodded, following him back upstairs.
Once inside his room, Luo Qing began rummaging through his belongings, giving instructions to his three followers.
"Igor, you and Sergei need to head to the harbor and find a ship heading to Guyun Stone Forest. Make sure it departs tonight. You'll accompany me there later."
"Yes, Master Luo Qing," they replied in unison.
"What about me, Master Luo Qing?" Natalia asked eagerly, raising her hand.
"You're coming with me to the Jade Chamber. I'll need you to back me up," Luo Qing said offhandedly.
"..."
[Frustration Value from Natalia +1]
"Ugh, fine," Natalia sighed, her expression falling.
Field missions could earn merits, while a diplomatic meeting was just a formality. She didn't understand why the two men got to go with Master Luo Qing while she was stuck playing support.
Seeing the smirks on Igor and Sergei's faces only made her more annoyed.
"Got it! Finally!" Luo Qing exclaimed, holding up a black disc he had found in his belongings with a satisfied grin.
"Master Luo Qing... you're going to use that as a gift?!" the trio gasped in unison.
They knew exactly what it was.
It was the very BGM they used to dance to back in the training camp — the one featuring Master Luo Qing's heartfelt singing!
"A good gift must come from the heart!" Luo Qing flicked the disc with his finger, producing a crisp sound. He seemed utterly confident.
"Master Luo Qing... if I may speak frankly, aren't you worried this might cause a diplomatic incident?" Igor asked hesitantly.
"Hmm? What's that supposed to mean, Igor? Are you saying you don't like my singing?"
"N-no! Go ahead, it's a great gift!" Igor stammered quickly.