A new day began as the sun rose, and a new month had arrived. Today was August 1st.
In Liyue, if Liyue Harbor was the commercial center of the entire Teyvat continent, then the Yuehai Pavilion in Yujing Terrace was its core. This was where Liyue's true authorities, the Qixing, handled affairs.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
A series of hurried footsteps echoed down the morning corridor. The Millelith, who were patrolling, naturally stood at attention and saluted in the direction of the approaching figure.
"Yuheng Star, ma'am!"
"Mm."
With a soft response, Keqing quickly made her way to the pavilion across the corridor, her strides causing her purple hair to sway in the breeze.
Standing up straight, the younger Millelith member, Fang Lin, watched Keqing's figure disappear behind the door. He whispered to the muscular man beside him, "Captain, doesn't Lady Yuheng Star seem more anxious today than usual? Even when she was busy before, she'd still say 'good work' to us."
Smack!
Fang Mu smacked Fang Lin on the head, glaring at him and speaking in a low voice, "Is Lady Yuheng Star's business something we can discuss? Don't let me hear you talk like that again. If you do, I'll send you back to guard Liyue's main gate. Don't embarrass us here at Yuehai Pavilion!"
Startled by Fang Mu's reprimand, Fang Lin quickly bowed his head in apology, promising it wouldn't happen again.
As the Millelith resumed their patrol, Fang Lin lagged at the back, cautiously glancing at the tightly closed pavilion door and sighing softly.
"Lady Yuheng Star didn't say 'good work' to me today..."
Smack!
Another slap landed on his head, and Fang Lin turned around to see Fang Mu glaring at him fiercely. Noticing the distance between himself and the patrol team, Fang Lin hurried to catch up and rejoined the group.
"Haha, Fang Lin, you got smacked by your brother again."
"But it's really too bad that we didn't hear Lady Yuheng Star's 'good work' today."
"Yeah, that's my source of energy for the day. What happened to Lady Yuheng Star today?"
Hearing the chatter, Fang Lin coughed twice to quiet them down.
When his fellow patrol members quickly straightened up, Fang Lin also sneaked a glance at the pavilion. Unlike these others who were stationed outside, Fang Lin had been asked by Baixiao, one of Tianquan Star's secretaries, to carry documents into the pavilion earlier. This morning, he had noticed that not only was Lady Tianquan Star in the pavilion, but even Lady Ganyu, who was usually working overtime in the secretary's room next door, was there as well. And now, Lady Yuheng Star had joined them. The highest authorities deciding Liyue's fate had gathered three of them.
"May Rex Lapis bless us. Please, let nothing bad happen."
Creak!
Keqing pushed open the closed door, quickly scanning the room. She signaled to Ningguang's three secretaries, who were organizing documents.
After the three had left the room, Keqing looked at Ningguang, who was sipping tea, and asked, "Has Rex Lapis not arrived yet?"
Holding her tea, Ningguang glanced at the anxious Keqing, swallowed the tea, and elegantly placed the cup down before asking, "What's wrong, Keqing? Isn't it just the appointed time?"
Keqing paced back and forth, frowning at the time displayed on the blue panel in front of her. She stamped her foot in frustration.
"What's taking the Archon so long? Why isn't he here yet?"
"What's the matter, Keqing? Why are you so anxious? Tell me about it," a deep, magnetic male voice called out from behind her.
Ganyu, who had been glaring disapprovingly at Keqing, immediately stood respectfully at attention upon hearing the voice.
"Lord Rex Lapis."
"Mm."
Zhongli nodded gently in response to Ningguang and Ganyu's greeting. He then turned to Keqing, who was already striding towards him, her impatience clear, and smiled. "It seems you really have something urgent, Keqing."
"Lord Rex Lapis!"
Keqing frowned at the Archon before her. In the morning light, his tall figure, adorned in elegant and regal clothing, stood with a pair of dragon horns crowning his head. His golden eyes, as steadfast as rock, held a gentle affection as he looked at her.
"Lord Rex Lapis, have you forgotten what I told you about the chat group that connects different worlds and that chaotic world of the gods?"
Zhongli shook his head with a smile. "How could I forget? It wasn't long ago that you told me about it."
"What happened, Keqing? Why are you suddenly bringing it up again, and why did you ask Ningguang and Ganyu to contact me urgently?"
Taking a deep breath, Keqing looked at Zhongli and took out something Hiroshi had just sent her. A golden invitation card glowed with mysterious energy under the morning sun streaming through the window.
"Lord Rex Lapis, this is an invitation to join the chat group. I hope you can accept it."
Zhongli took the invitation, his golden eyes flashing slightly as he examined it. After a moment, he looked at Keqing, who was watching him anxiously, and nodded with a smile.
"Lord Rex Lapis," Ganyu said as she approached Zhongli, glancing at the invitation in his hand. "Let me investigate this further before you decide."
Rex Lapis gently touched the curved horn on Ganyu's head, and under her longing gaze, he withdrew his hand. He looked at Keqing, who was still engaged with Ningguang, and said calmly, "It's fine, I'm not so fragile. Besides, this is something from little Keqing. This might be the first time she's looked at me with such a pleading expression. It seems she's facing something she can't handle alone."
"Lord Rex Lapis really cares for Lady Keqing."
Touching the horn on her head where the warmth lingered, Ganyu looked at Rex Lapis, whose eyes were filled with kindness, and sighed.
With a gentle smile, Zhongli said nostalgically, "After all, she's a little girl I watched grow up. A strong, determined child. One day, Liyue will flourish in her hands."
Looking at Rex Lapis, who watched Keqing so warmly, Ganyu smiled. "Yes, Lady Keqing has always been diligent since she was young. She will definitely leave a deep mark on Liyue."
Meanwhile, Ningguang was busy trying to buy an invitation from Keqing at an even higher price.
After rejecting Ningguang's generous offer again, Keqing looked at Ningguang, who seemed ready to increase her bid once more. Keqing said firmly, "No! No amount of Mora will do! And there's no more for this month."
"Oh, so there will be more next month? Then reserve one for me next month, Keqing. Just name your price."
Ningguang's eyes flashed, and she seized on Keqing's words. She waved her hand nonchalantly, as if money was no object.
Keqing wanted to refuse again, but she glanced at the clock, seeing it was already 8:02. She sighed, knowing that if she refused, Ningguang would just keep at it. "Alright, I'll ask. But I can't guarantee I'll get one."
"No problem, just tell them—I have the Mora."
Seeing Ningguang's confident, wealthy expression, Keqing couldn't help but ask, "Why are you so eager to join the chat group? This is the first time you've heard about it, right? I only told Lord Rex Lapis before."
Ningguang smiled slightly. "A connection to other worlds—it just sounds like a business opportunity. As a competent merchant, how could I pass up such a chance?"
At the same time, a notification sounded in the chat group.
Ding! Rex Lapis has joined the chat group.