Chapter 161. Ganyu's Worries
"Today?!"
Ningguang's teacup clattered against its saucer. She shot to her feet, eyes wide.
"That fast?! Won't he be back in Liyue Harbor tonight then?!"
Keqing nodded, one eyebrow arched in mild confusion.
"Why so anxious? You knew he was returning."
Of course, Keqing knew.
The Chat Group had been buzzing about it. She'd already planned a welcome dinner at Wanmin Restaurant—casual, no fuss.
Xinyue Kiosk and Liuli Pavilion were perpetually booked, and she wasn't about to put her position for a private room when simple home-cooked meals would do just fine.
Futsu Mitama had agreed.
Three months of Sumeru gourmet had him craving something ordinary.
But Ningguang?
Ningguang looked like she'd just been handed an audit report with red ink everywhere.
—
Ningguang sank back into her chair, rubbing her temples.
"When he left, I told him I'd handle everything for the next Rite of Descension."
She gestured vaguely at the stacks of documents covering her desk.
"But now? The Rite isn't ready. The Fatui are making strange moves. The Knave just arrived. The Chasm needs oversight. Envoys from Mondstadt and Inazuma are requesting attendance. Jean and Yae Miko have already submitted applications."
She paused, exhaling sharply.
"I'm the Tianquan. I represent power, law, wealth, and wisdom. There's simply… too much."
Keqing's lips quirked.
"You don't want Futsu Mitama to see you looking disheveled, do you?"
Last year, Keqing had been busy too—but her portfolio was land and construction, and there hadn't been much of either demanding her attention. She'd even had time to moonlight as a beef stew vendor, which was how she'd accidentally met Futsu Mitama's group in the first place.
This year?
Ningguang was drowning.
"Indeed."
Ningguang didn't deny it. She poured herself fresh tea, hands steady despite the tension in her shoulders.
"Futsu Mitama is the possible next Geo Archon. In a sense, he represents both Rex Lapis and the Adeptus, but he's still human. Before he truly takes that mantle, his stance aligns with the Adeptus."
She met Keqing's gaze.
"If possible, I want everything resolved before he returns. No loose ends. No unfinished business."
Keqing nodded. She understood. To most of the Qixing, Futsu Mitama was the next Geo Archon—the bridge between the era of Adeptus and the era of humans. Rex Lapis had made that clear last year.
Nobody wanted to leave a bad impression on their future superior.
And Ningguang?
Ningguang was proud. She'd promised Futsu Mitama a Rite of Descension that would satisfy him. Now he was returning early, and nothing was ready.
"I know he's not the type to hold it against me."
Ningguang said, finishing her tea. She stood, straightening her robes.
"But I'm stubborn. I need this to be perfect."
She headed for her office, pausing at the door.
"I'll be working elsewhere for the next few days. Entertain Futsu Mitama for me. And don't tell him why I'm avoiding him."
Keqing nodded.
Then, the moment Ningguang's back was turned, she put a stop on the recording and silently forwarded the entire conversation to the Chat Group.
Sorry, Ningguang. Too late to take it back now.
—
[Futsu Mitama: I didn't expect Ningguang to be this busy. Since we're already in Liyue, should we keep an eye on The Knave as well?]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: Understandable. As Tianquan, her responsibilities are unimaginable to ordinary people.]
[Azhdaha: The Liyue Qixing are always so diligent. I am very pleased.]
[Guizhong: Still, what she's facing is excessive. The Knave's arrival has doubled her pressure.]
[Paimon: Yeah, she's the Fourth Fatui Harbinger! She's super strong! Ningguang's probably worried she'll cause trouble.]
[Lumine: Anyway, we've arrived at Wanmin Restaurant. Met a friend on the way—an Astrologist. She was picking Sunsettias from a tree.]
[Paimon: She claims she's the greatest Astrologist, but how can the greatest Astrologist be so broke she's eating fruit off trees?!]
[Paimon: She was hungry for a day and a night! BUT. She saw at a glance that Lumine isn't from Teyvat.]
[Albedo: An Astrologist? Interesting. If genuine, detecting Lumine's origin is well within their capabilities. My master and Aunt Alice mentioned Astrologists rely heavily on talent. They cannot abuse this power for personal gain, or the starry sky abandons them.]
[Klee: Huh?! Mom said that??? Klee didn't know!]
[Kuki Shinobu: Klee-chan is too busy playing to keep track of everything.]
[Paimon: Mhm! That Astrologist also said the same thing. Oh, and she exposed a group of Treasure Hoarders pretending to be distressed civilians! They tried to rob Lumine, thinking she had good treasures from The Chasm.]
[Keqing: Robbery? Did you hand them to the Millelith?]
[Lumine: Yes. These Treasure Hoarders are getting audacious.]
[Keqing: Liyue is short-staffed. The Millelith have expanded, but new recruits aren't battle-ready yet.]
[Bosacius: A problem that needs solving. Lumine can handle herself, but what about ordinary citizens?]
[Zhongli: Yes. This must be resolved.]
[Guizhong: The Millelith are severely understaffed. Too many places need coverage. I'm considering taking secret action to maintain order.]
[Yae Miko: That won't do. If we intervene too much, those below lose face. Inazuma can manage that—we're not in an era of humans and Adeptus.]
[Keqing: Agreed. This is our responsibility. We can't always rely on the Adeptus for minor matters.]
[Aila: Keqing. We've arrived in Liyue Harbor.]
[Keqing: That fast? You said tonight.]
[Kuki Shinobu: Heard The Knave came to Liyue. Black Aila wants revenge.]
[Nahida: Revenge?]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: What revenge?]
[Raiden Makoto: Curious.]
[Raiden Ei: Me too.]
[Venti: Elaborate!]
[Paimon: Why does everyone get excited when this topic comes up?!]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: Because the previous topic was internal Liyue business. Hard to interject.]
[Eula: This is different. Black Aila's personal grudge with The Knave.]
[Kamisato Ayaka: Hmm. I'm also curious about their history.]
[Futsu Mitama: Let me explain. When Black Aila was in Snezhnaya, after recovering her memories, she caused a huge commotion. She tried to kill Dottore's segment.]
[Aila: It failed. She went berserk, killed a large number of Fatui, and was severely injured by The Knave. After that, when she was preparing to end her own life, I contacted her through Master's secret art. Then, it developed into what it is today.]
[Raiden Ei: Interesting. The Knave could severely injure Black Aila back then. The situation is different now.]
[Raiden Makoto: Yes. Their strengths have reversed.]
[Venti: Oh, this will be a good show. Should I come play along?]
[Yae Miko: I hope you don't start fighting the moment you meet. Wait a month. After I finish my business, I'll come to Liyue to see Sister Ganyu.]
[Futsu Mitama: Given Black Aila's temper, as long as The Knave stays in Liyue Harbor, they won't fight.]
[Keqing: That's problematic. The Knave will inevitably leave for Qingce Village during this period. Whatever she's planning, she'll do what she publicly stated first.]
[Futsu Mitama: Forget it. Let's not discuss this further. Everyone, gather for dinner. Zhongli , Guizhong, are you joining?]
[Guizhong: I won't. Plans with Cloud Retainer and old friends.]
[Zhongli: I have no obligations. I'll join you.]
[Keqing: Then, Wanmin Restaurant. See you there.]
[Shenhe: Perfect. I've been over-exercising. Time for gourmet food.]
—
Keqing stood, preparing to leave the Jade Chamber. She hadn't expected Black Aila and The Knave to have such a convoluted past.
Revenge, berserk rampages, secret arts…
Liyue was about to get complicated.
At the edge of the Jade Chamber, she found Ganyu standing alone, gazing out over Liyue Harbor.
"Ganyu? Something on your mind?"
Ganyu startled, turning quickly.
" Keqing. No, nothing's wrong. It's just… work has become much more relaxed recently. It feels strange."
She paused, her voice soft. "With nothing urgent to do, I found myself standing here, watching the scenery, wondering what I should do next."
The Age of Humans and Adeptus had changed everything. The Millelith had expanded. The Ministry of Civil Affairs had grown. The Qixing's direct subordinates had multiplied.
Ganyu's workload? Distributed.
But now, with time on her hands, she felt… lost.
Keqing studied her for a moment, then smiled gently.
"You've earned this rest, Ganyu. Figure out what you want to do next. Not what Liyue needs. What you need."
Ganyu's eyes widened slightly. Then, slowly, she nodded.