Up in the Jade Chamber.
"Finally… done!"
"Does that mean I can squeeze in an extra afternoon off today?"
"Or should I go check the construction progress again?"
After finishing the last document, Keqing couldn't help lifting a hand and stretching. Her slightly exhausted body loosened up, and even her mind seemed to feel a little clearer.
To avoid wasting time, Keqing had practically moved her bedroom into the Jade Chamber. That way, she could save the time spent commuting and even eating.
The thirty-eighth day since Rex Lapis stepped down—thinking about it…
It had already been over a month.
Every single day came with a terrifying workload.
She genuinely couldn't imagine how Rex Lapis had handled it in the past.
Even if she stayed awake around the clock and did nothing but process paperwork… at best, she could only bring the schedule forward by about five days.
Five days—what could that even accomplish?
If another workload of the same scale dropped on her again, five days wouldn't even be enough to finish all of it. At most, she'd get three-quarters done.
And work of the same level wasn't just one more batch—there were six whole batches.
That wasn't even counting what had been assigned to the former Lord of Dust, Guizhong, and to Yuehai Pavilion.
The more exhausted they were these days, the more they understood just how difficult Rex Lapis's job had been.
"…Maybe I should just go on a shopping spree in Liyue Harbor."
For more than a month, she'd been running herself ragged—she didn't even have time to browse the streets.
She'd already endured it for over a month.
It was about time to relax a little.
Otherwise, if she worked herself sick, that would just delay things even more.
Mm. After shopping, she could also take a short nap at midday to recover her energy.
"Going alone… maybe I should ask Ningguang."
"Hey, Ningguang, are you finished?"
Keqing stood up from her seat, lifted the curtain, and walked briskly to Ningguang's work area.
"Not yet."
Ningguang, bent over her writing, looked up and sighed softly.
"Looks like you win again this time."
"Mm. So I've got the entire afternoon free, right?"
"You're pretty accurate with your timing."
Keqing raised an eyebrow. "I'm planning to go wander around Liyue Harbor and unwind a bit."
"…You'll make it in time?"
"Perfect timing."
The corner of Ningguang's lips lifted. "This is the last document."
"As for the rest, I'm planning to go see it in person."
"If you're going shopping… if you don't mind, how about I come with you?"
Market research could count as shopping, too.
Either way, she had to go.
This time, there was no need to be overly formal.
Just the two of them—an incognito visit.
"There's nothing to 'mind.'"
Keqing pulled out a chair and sat down.
"I'll wait here for you, then."
"Oh?"
Ningguang chuckled, eyes flicking to the document as she spoke softly.
"Not going to freshen up?"
"About that…"
Keqing hesitated—then shook her head.
"I didn't exercise today, and I didn't go out. I haven't even sweated."
"I'll just take a proper bath when I get back."
Mm. She'd set aside half an hour tonight.
As for the afternoon—there wasn't enough time.
If they went shopping, bought things, and took a proper look around Liyue Harbor, the entire afternoon would vanish in an instant.
"That works."
Ningguang replied, "These days, plans never keep up with changes."
"Half the schedules we set get altered again and again."
"Let's talk about it tonight."
"…Together?"
"Forget it."
Keqing curled her lip.
"That's not a 'setup' I can appreciate."
"Heh."
Ningguang immediately shook her head. "That was presumptuous of me."
She wasn't married yet, but she was still quite a bit older than Keqing.
A mature woman.
Keqing, on the other hand… could still be described as a young lady.
Different age brackets—different preferences. It wasn't something you could force.
Ningguang set down her brush and waited for the ink to dry.
"Since the afternoon is relatively free…"
"Keqing, are you planning to go pay Taro-sensei a visit?"
"…!"
Keqing blinked.
Then froze on the spot.
Right—she'd been so busy she'd completely forgotten.
Ever since the last Qixing meeting… it had already been over half a month.
"How about this…"
Keqing rubbed her chin.
"We'll go visit Sensei first—and while we're at it, invite him to stroll around Liyue Harbor with us?"
"Maybe we can even hear some of his suggestions or something."
"…"
Ningguang was speechless.
Invite him to go shopping?
You clearly wanted to drag him along to do unpaid work.
Had this girl's brain still not switched out of work mode?
This dense?
Even if it's for work, you can't be that obvious.
The second young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild had already taken Sensei all over Liyue Harbor—more than once.
"This can't be done that way."
Ningguang said softly, "The official banquet is on Lantern Rite."
"But nobody said we can't invite Taro-sensei privately before Lantern Rite."
"And Sensei has already been in Liyue Harbor for two months."
"His home is right in Chihu Rock."
"Today, no work. How about it?"
"…Fine, Ningguang."
Keqing narrowed her eyes.
"So that's why you deliberately brought up Sensei."
"You're using me as a shield, aren't you?"
"You're overthinking it."
Ningguang's smile didn't change even after being called out.
"I have no such intention."
"It's just… among the Qixing, you're the one with the most amicable relationship with Sensei."
…
In Liyue, among the Qixing, only Keqing could joke around with Sensei and still get laughter back.
As for Ningguang…
Because she had too many doubts, her strategy had been off—she'd been late by a step, and then every step after that was slower.
Three meetings in total.
The first hadn't left a bad impression, but it hadn't left a good one either.
The next two were purely official business. They barely exchanged more than a few sentences.
Over at Yuehai Pavilion, Fanan and Yingda were there to receive him—now even Ganyu was there, too. How could their relationship be anything but good?
On Ningguang's side, aside from Keqing… there was basically no one.
"Is that really all?"
Keqing's eye twitched. "You just told me not to be too utilitarian, and now you're the one being utilitarian."
"Come on. What are you plotting?"
"And let me be clear—if it's a private matter, I'm not getting involved."
Bothering Sensei over someone else's personal affairs?
That would be absurd.
She wasn't doing that.
"You're thinking too much."
Ningguang rolled up the document and tied it neatly, then rose slowly.
"Keqing—Sensei is the lord of an entire realm. When it comes to governing livelihoods, his experience is obviously far beyond ours."
"I plan to seek his guidance and learn."
"Hold on."
Keqing raised her brow. "The lord of an entire realm?"
"Ningguang, where did you get that conclusion?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Ningguang shook her head inwardly.
"I inferred it from the information the adepti shared."
"Sensei isn't trying to hide it, and the adepti all know as well."
"A small world under the heavens, plus a divinity-path of incense and faith…"
"What do you think?"
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read more!]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]