After leaving the Dove Coffee Shop, Ningguang returned to the Jade Chamber in a slight daze. Pushing open the door to her room, she found Yelan had long been waiting for her.
"Ningguang, I'm truly sorry," Yelan began, her tone full of apology. "My intelligence work has been abysmal."
As a special intelligence officer reporting directly to Ningguang, her recent performance had been nothing short of a disaster. Not only had she failed to gather intelligence on the West Factory, but she was also completely unaware of the Qixing, like Kaiyang, lending out massive amounts of reserve grain.
But Ningguang showed no hint of blame. She said calmly, "It's not your fault. The West Factory is far more powerful than we imagined. Besides, you also have to keep an eye on that gang from the Fatui."
Yelan shook her head gently. "That cannot be an excuse for me to shirk my responsibility."
Ningguang reassured her, "I know you've done your best, and that is enough." She paused for a moment, then deftly changed the subject. "So, are there any new developments on the Fatui's side? That fellow Tartaglia has been quite active."
Yelan nodded, a hint of frustration in her voice. "You've heard too? The guy is more than just active, he's downright ostentatious. He might as well have 'I'm planning something big' carved on his face."
Ningguang pondered for a moment. "He's likely a pawn the Fatui deliberately placed front and center to attract our attention. We don't need to pay him too much mind."
Yelan agreed. "I think so too. The one truly executing the Fatui's sinister plot is probably someone else."
Ningguang continued, "I always have a feeling that the Lord's fall is intricately linked to the Fatui. And the West Factory seems to have long seen through this secret and laid out their plans accordingly."
After hearing this, Yelan remarked with emotion, "If that's truly the case, then this Yide person is simply terrifying. Our loss was not unjust."
"Indeed, it was not an unjust loss," Ningguang's voice held a trace of bitterness. "It was just a miserable one."
Yelan could understand Ningguang's feelings, because she had also lost miserably. The moment Kaiyang and the others decided to burn the granary, the West Factory had already delivered this information to Ningguang. Meanwhile, her own side hadn't sensed a thing.
Yelan sighed softly, then asked, "Have you already negotiated with Yide?"
Ningguang nodded affirmatively. "He told me that between power and wealth, I must choose only one."
Hearing this, Yelan asked urgently, "Then what is your decision?"
Ningguang gazed deeply at Yelan, her dearest friend who had followed her loyally for so many years. She understood perfectly in her heart that if she chose wealth and gave up power, Yelan would inevitably be ostracized by Liyue's future power structure. In addition, many others who relied on and trusted her would also be implicated.
Thinking of this, she no longer hesitated and made her decision. "Power."
As the word fell, Yelan looked as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. In Yelan's view, Ningguang was the most suitable person to lead Liyue forward. She said to Ningguang with great solemnity, "You have made a very wise decision."
Ningguang, however, felt a sense of loss. Wealth also held extraordinary significance for her. But she quickly composed herself and said to Yelan in a serious tone, "Liyue is about to undergo a profound transformation. You should close your Yanshang Teahouse sooner rather than later!"
Yelan was stunned. "The Yanshang Teahouse is an important base for us to gather intelligence. Why close it?"
"Because it involves gambling," Ningguang explained. "If you understood the laws of Fontaine, you would know that gambling is a serious crime. The West Factory would come knocking directly to 'invite you for tea.' Of course, if you don't mind going to the West Factory for 'tea,' you can continue to operate it."
Yelan tried to argue, "It's just a little gambling for fun at the Yanshang Teahouse."
Ningguang said irritably, "Then you can go explain that to the West Factory! See if they believe in your 'little gambling for fun'."
Yelan was naturally not foolish enough to actually try and explain "a little gambling for fun" to the West Factory. She waved her hand helplessly. "Fine, I'll close it."
Ningguang continued, "Also, tell Rouran, the owner of the Pearl Galley, to get lost if she doesn't want to end up pressing seams on a sewing machine in prison. The people backing her can't protect her." Her voice was laced with clear disgust.
Yelan smiled faintly and said, "Perhaps losing to Yide isn't entirely a bad thing."
...
After several days of rushing around, the Traveler, Aether, finally returned to Liyue Harbor with Paimon once again. They discovered that the full martial law in Liyue Harbor had been lifted. Even when they walked up to the Millelith, they were not questioned at all.
Though surprised, Aether decided to head to the Northland Bank first. He found Tartaglia and briefly recounted his experiences seeking the adepti over the past few days.
When he heard the names "Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and Cloud Retainer," a flash of excitement crossed Tartaglia's eyes. He could almost see the scene of the adepti gathering and descending upon Liyue Harbor together.
But he quickly reined in his emotions and said seriously, "After the Lord's fall, Ningguang's reaction was very intriguing. Not only did she lock down the news, but she also hid away the Exuvia left behind by the Lord."
"Ah!" Paimon cried out in alarm. "We originally came to find the Geo Archon. Doesn't this mean we won't get to see him now?"
Tartaglia smiled faintly and took the initiative to suggest, "Don't worry, I know a friend in the business. He has a way to let you see the Exuvia."