"Expel me?"
Tartaglia had his pride too, okay?
His tone hardened for once, though his smile stayed.
"Sure. I represent the Snezhnayan diplomatic mission. How exactly do you plan to expel me?"
"According to the law."
The coconut goat didn't even give him face, speaking the truth as it was.
"Heh~"
Tartaglia laughed in anger. "Then give it a try?"
"This is both advice and a warning, Mr. Tartaglia. If you disregard Liyue's laws, I will take compulsory measures against you."
Ganyu's expression didn't shift. Outwardly fragile, but the words out of her mouth were the sharpest threat imaginable.
"So she's a real expert?"
Sensing the sudden change in Ganyu's aura, Tartaglia's eyes lit up.
Maybe he should—
"Mr. Taro."
Ignoring the eager-to-fight Harbinger, Ganyu's gaze calmly shifted to Taro.
"Do you have time tonight?"
Hey—this little girl actually ignored me?
Seeing Ganyu completely disregard him, Tartaglia's anger flared.
He could endure anything—except being ignored.
"Enough."
Taro pressed his palm lightly on Tartaglia's shoulder, smiling as he replied:
"Since Lady Tianquan Ningguang invites me, naturally, I have time. Tartaglia, how about we settle this match after the Rite of Descension?"
"Fine. This time I'll give you face, Taro brother."
Feeling the weight pressing on his shoulder, Tartaglia calmed down.
"After the Rite, no excuses. Don't stand me up."
"Of course."
Taro nodded.
If someone wanted to beg for a beating, he didn't mind.
Besides, his own hands were getting itchy.
Tartaglia gave Ganyu one last meaningful look, then turned and left.
The intel really hadn't kept up.
Just a secretary of Yuehai Pavilion, yet her pressure was this strong?
Could she actually be one of those so-called adepti too?
The intelligence division really is useless trash.
Watching Tartaglia depart, Taro tilted his head slightly.
"Secretary Ganyu, you should come down. We'll head out now."
"Mm!"
Ganyu nodded softly, leaping down from the rooftop.
"Mr. Taro, please follow me."
"No need to bother."
Taro shook his head and held out his hand.
"Hand."
"Eh?"
Ganyu blinked, hesitating before placing her delicate hand into his.
"Let's go."
Group Teleport, activate.
The scene before their eyes shifted in an instant.
The two of them now stood on the jade platform of the Jade Chamber.
The guards on watch rushed over at first.
But seeing Ganyu, they silently lowered their spears and saluted.
"Secretary Ganyu."
"Ah? Oh~"
Somewhat surprised, Ganyu glanced at Taro before explaining to the guards:
"This is Mr. Taro, a guest of Lady Ningguang."
"Understood."
The Millelith dispersed as swiftly as they came.
"Mr. Taro, please come with me."
Ganyu nodded, turning to lead the way.
"Alright."
Taro followed, stepping into the Jade Chamber—
that magnificent building countless people in Liyue Harbor dreamed of setting foot in.
For the people of Liyue, the Jade Chamber was without equal.
But for Taro, who had seen plenty of ostentatious sights before, it was just "acceptable."
Nothing that made him gape like some country bumpkin in a grand manor.
Following Ganyu down a spiral staircase, the two stopped before a reception hall.
Knock knock knock—
"Lady Tianquan, your guest has arrived."
Ganyu rapped lightly on the door, waiting quietly.
"Please, let the guest in."
Ningguang's voice came from within.
"Mr. Taro, please."
Ganyu pushed the door open, gesturing with her hand.
"Thanks~"
Taro smiled and walked in.
The door closed gently behind him—Ganyu did not enter, likely waiting outside.
Taro didn't mind. He simply lifted his eyes, scanning the hall.
And then, froze.
"Well, what a coincidence, Mr. Taro."
Leaning against the windowsill, Keqing smiled, raising her hand in greeting.
"It really is a coincidence."
Taro's gaze slid past the cat-like girl and landed on Ningguang, who stood before the desk.
"So, what's with this play tonight?"
Snow-white hair, crimson eyes, a white scarf draped around her neck.
A red tassel hung from her forehead, black silk sleeves encased her arms, wide cuffs flowing down.
She wore a high-slit qipao of gold, white, and black, its skirt trailing like a bird's tail.
At her collar, a golden phoenix motif gleamed.
Her long, pale legs were bare save for a red tattoo that decorated them.
Her figure was voluptuous yet refined, and with that attire—
a wave of mature allure hit like a tide.
"I've long awaited your arrival, Mr. Taro."
Ningguang's smile was warm as she stepped forward gracefully.
"I doubt you've been waiting long."
Taro smiled back. "So, Lady Tianquan, what pressing matter brings me here? It's already late. If there's nothing urgent, I'd like to check on my little shop and manager, then get some sleep."
"Mm. Staying up late is not a good habit."
Of course, whether he slept or not didn't matter much.
But still—without sleep, something felt off.
"..."
Ningguang was caught off guard.
She hadn't expected Taro to be this blunt.
The intel was wrong.
Or perhaps… he already held some prejudice against her.
Hence the directness.
"Pff—"
From her spot by the window, Keqing nearly burst out laughing.
Her shoulders trembled uncontrollably.
Seeing Ningguang stunned speechless—it was too funny.
Definitely not schadenfreude.
Absolutely not.
"Don't misunderstand~"
Taro sat down casually in a chair.
"Ask Keqing if you want—this is just how I talk. No malice intended."
That was the truth.
Ningguang was no doubt a skilled merchant and politician.
But Taro had no patience for riddles or verbal sparring.
If there was something to say, say it plainly.
If not—then everyone should just go home.
As for games of implication, insinuation, veiled testing…
Taro had no intention of humoring them.
Speak plainly, or leave.
Why waste time?
He'd had enough of that nonsense in his previous life.
In this one, he wouldn't tolerate it.
Luckily, since coming here, he hadn't run into many "riddle-speakers."
Not Zhongli, not the adepti, not Heulia, not even Keqing.
Conversations had all been straightforward, unhindered.
And that, he liked.
"Mr. Taro is as straightforward as they say. No wonder you and the Yuheng Star get along so well."
Ningguang instantly adjusted her approach, smiling.
"My invitation tonight has no hidden agenda. With the Rite of Descension imminent, caution was only natural. But in hindsight, it seems I worried too much."
"I hope you won't take offense, Mr. Taro."
Indeed, before he arrived, she had planned for pleasantries and subtle probing.
But since he clearly disliked it, she quickly adapted.
With at least one adeptus vouching for him…
and the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's consultant Zhongli, plus Keqing at his side—
this Mr. Taro was clearly not an enemy.
(End of Chapter)
[Check out my Patreon to read more!]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]