"Alright, alright, no need for so much courtesy. You look exhausted, go get some rest early. This immortal will take her leave first."
Having just received so many gifts and the newest set of comics, Cloud Retainer naturally didn't want to stay here wasting time. With a flap of her wings, she swept all the treasures away and then took off into the sky.
With only Su Han and Shenhe left in the room, he turned to ask, "How have the past few days been? You look much better."
Shenhe gave a slight nod. "Ever since I began cultivating the Iceheart Art you gave me, my mind has become much calmer. I no longer need to wear the red rope at night. When Master came earlier, she said I've changed a lot. Maybe it won't be long before I can fully adapt to human society."
At that, Shenhe suggested, "If you head out far from Liyue again, you can consider bringing me along. I may not be an adeptus, but I can still shield you from disasters so you won't end up injured or drained."
Hearing this moved Su Han greatly. When they first met, Shenhe was so distant and cold, yet now she wanted to protect him. It really wasn't easy. So he struck while the iron was hot: "Alright. Next time I go to Mondstadt, I'll take you with me."
"Mm. It's a promise."
After that, Su Han went to rest. He had many things to handle the next day.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard next door, everything that had been on the table earlier was now placed before Madame Ping. Cloud Retainer wore a proud expression. "Look at this, Su Han is such a polite child. He went to Mondstadt and brought back so many gifts for this immortal. That must've been tiring for him."
"Mhm, that child knows how to show proper respect."
Madame Ping naturally understood Cloud Retainer came just to show off, but she wasn't jealous at all. Su Han never forgets her. If he didn't deliver anything today, it's only because the hour was too late. He would definitely bring something tomorrow.
Cloud Retainer chuckled. "Naturally. But this immortal did not take advantage of him for nothing. I just developed a new paper-making treasure yesterday, and I already gave it to him. This will make printing comics so much easier from now on."
"You're thoughtful. Speaking of which, I've received quite a few gifts from him myself. I've been thinking of returning something lately. Cloud Retainer, what do you think I should give him?"
"How about a spatial artifact? You have so many treasures. And he frequently travels for business. Having a space-type magical item would make things much more convenient."
Cloud Retainer's words sparked inspiration in Madame Ping. Someone as busy as Su Han would naturally be lacking such practical tools.
Madame Ping nodded repeatedly. "You're right. Tomorrow I'll sort through my collection and pick something suitable."
...
The next morning, Su Han headed straight to the Jade Chamber.
Ningguang was delighted to see him return. She immediately instructed her secretary to prepare breakfast and tea, even putting aside her official documents for the time being.
"How are things in Mondstadt? Has the branch store opened?"
"Mm. The branch is doing well. After the new comic chapters released, sales were extremely strong. As for Mondstadt overall, the situation has improved."
Su Han then explained everything that had happened in detail, including the honorary knight medal and the developments in the snow-covered abyss.
When she heard he'd been intercepted by a dragon, Ningguang's fingers tightened abruptly, but she relaxed only after hearing that the Anemo Archon had appeared on site.
The secretary beside them asked, "Lord Su Han, is the Anemo Archon very… imposing?"
"Uh… not at all. He's very weak."
"…"
Everyone in the room had a line of black frustration across their faces. Very weak? What kind of evaluation was that? They were talking about the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt.
Seeing their disbelief, Su Han explained, "I'm not lying. If he were truly responsible, his own followers wouldn't have ended up in such a miserable state. He's too weak, that's all."
"We shouldn't casually judge the matters of gods. But the Knights of Favonius… hmph. They certainly have some schemes. Trying to use an honorary knight title to bind you. Too bad it's only a meaningless position."
Whenever Ningguang talked about the Knights, her eyes gleamed with disdain. If she were the Acting Grand Master and saw someone like Su Han, someone who could defeat a dragon and help Mondstadt develop, she would invest heavily. What's the point of a mere honorary title?
But despite her words, Ningguang became more alert internally. Perhaps this was just the knights' first test. If they truly intended to claim Su Han for themselves, she needed to stay vigilant.
Su Han had no idea she was thinking so far ahead. He smiled. "Mondstadt's not in a good spot right now. Giving me an honorary title is already something. Anyway, where's Beidou? I was planning to deliver the goods today."
The comics weren't getting updates for a while, it was time to hand off the shipment. If Beidou could set sail earlier, he could open up the new trade route sooner.
Ningguang glanced at her secretary, who checked her notebook. "Captain Beidou has no scheduled tasks today. If you're free, I can take you to her. Or you can name a pickup location, and I'll send someone to notify her."
"Have her come to my warehouse. It's fully stocked. Here's the pickup slip, just give it to her."
"No problem."
The secretary was extremely efficient, leaving immediately with the slip.
Su Han noticed Keqing and Ganyu weren't home. "Where did the two of them go?"
"Keqing is handling matters at Guili Plains, and Ganyu went to assist. I heard you possess a flying magical artifact. Want to go check the site together?"
"Huh? Already!?"
Su Han hadn't expected that the Liyue tycoon would immediately mobilize manpower the moment he mentioned the idea before leaving. Her level of efficiency was unbelievable.
Seeing Su Han's stunned reaction, Ningguang was very satisfied. This was exactly the effect she wanted.
"Speed is vital. If Liyue wants rapid development, we can't fear spending mora. I compiled all the plans you mentioned. Not only is the city expanding, but roads are being built, and newlywed households are being registered and managed. I estimate that within a few months, Liyue will transform completely."
Hearing that made Su Han admire the current Liyue Qixing even more. Liyue's prosperity was built upon their effort.
"If you're free today, why not go inspect the construction site? You helped outsiders; you should also help your own people."
Su Han's expression stiffened. Was this rich woman jealous? Her tone really sounded like jealousy. But she wasn't wrong, he had helped Mondstadt, so not helping Liyue would indeed seem unreasonable.
So he said, "What are you saying? How can I not help my own? But let's be clear, I don't know anything about architecture. I can only give general suggestions. Whether they're viable or not depends on the professionals."
"Don't worry. The finest craftsmen of Liyue are there. Whatever you say, they'll evaluate it quickly."
Since Ningguang put it that way, Su Han had nothing else to say, so off they went.
But when they prepared for aerial travel, something awkward happened. When Su Han carried Hu Tao or Shenhe before, he just held them casually and nothing happened.
Mainly because the Hall Master was… completely flat, so holding her didn't feel like anything. And Shenhe was too detached from mortal matters; holding her also didn't evoke any particular sensation.
But Ningguang was a mature, elegant woman. Hugging her close was inevitably intimate. Just being near her, he could already smell her cool, graceful fragrance. Unlike Hu Tao's youthful scent or Shenhe's quiet, faint coldness, Ningguang's fragrance was the refined, soft aroma of a noblewoman, light, lingering, like dim twilight drifting through mist.
"What are you dazing off for? Is carrying one more person that exhausting?"
Seeing him frozen, Ningguang assumed activating the artifact was difficult. Only when Su Han summoned the green bamboo flute did she understand why he hesitated.
The flute was tiny. If it had to carry two people, they would definitely have to hold each other tightly.
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