Bu Yun was the guide in charge of the Jade Chamber's entrances and exits. He had served under Ningguang for many years and was considered one of her most trusted confidants.
In all his years working for the Tianquan, Bu Yun had never seen Lady Ningguang personally invite a member of the opposite sex to the Jade Chamber.
Ji Ming was the first.
"Please follow me, Mr. Ji Ming."
Since he was an invited guest of the Tianquan herself, there was no need for passwords or verification. Bu Yun led Ji Ming into a small courtyard. After ensuring no one else was nearby, he activated the transport mechanism—a process that would take several minutes.
With time to spare, Bu Yun subtly resumed observing the black-haired youth beside him and casually probed,
"Mr. Ji Ming, may I ask your age?"
"Not yet nineteen."
"Then eighteen."
Bu Yun pondered silently.
Could he be a distant relative of Lady Ningguang?
Bu Yun had followed her since before she became the Tianquan, yet had never heard of any relatives. During her rise from nothing, this young man had never appeared.
No… perhaps not a relative.
Perhaps—
A kept man.
That would make sense. Lady Ningguang was already thirty-five. Such preferences weren't unusual. As a confidant, Bu Yun should, of course, keep such matters discreet.
The last trace of condescension vanished from his expression. His tone turned respectful.
"The mechanism is ready. You may ascend now, Mr. Ji Ming. Lady Ningguang has a strong personality. It is rare for her to find someone attuned to her—please be patient and accommodating."
Ji Ming thought for a moment, then nodded seriously.
"Understood. I will."
Though he had no idea what kind of narrative Bu Yun had constructed in his head, Ji Ming had long since learned one truth:
When you're out in the world, your identity is something you define yourself.
If accepting a misunderstanding brought greater benefit, then why not roll with it?
The floating stone rumbled softly. Moments later, Ji Ming arrived on the Jade Chamber's upper platform.
A young woman with a ponytail and glasses stood nearby. Seeing him appear, she walked over immediately.
"You're Ji Ming?"
No honorifics. No courtesy. Pure hostility.
Ji Ming frowned inwardly. Bu Yun had been polite enough—was this meant to be a show of dominance? Unlikely. The Tianquan wouldn't bother intimidating a nobody like him.
More likely, this woman just had a bad attitude.
"I am," Ji Ming replied calmly. "Lady Tianquan summoned me—may I ask for what purpose?"
"Lady Ningguang's thoughts are not for people like us to speculate on," the woman snapped. "Stop asking questions. Follow me. And don't look around. If you do, I'll gouge your eyes out."
…Lady, are you from a gang or something?
Ji Ming was speechless, but followed anyway. He paid her threat no mind and looked around freely. What was she going to do—actually blind him?
The woman was furious but helpless. After all, it was just a threat.
Like Bu Yun, she was convinced this young man was one of Lady Ningguang's chosen playthings.
How could this be allowed?
Lady Ningguang was radiant, elegant—like a celestial descended from the heavens. How dare some mortal nobody try to climb into her favor?
Utterly unforgivable. He deserved divine punishment.
Inside the hall, Ningguang had yet to arrive. Ji Ming waited quietly, then smiled and asked,
"May I ask your name, miss?"
"Bai Shi," she replied coldly. "A name bestowed by Lady Ningguang herself. I manage her daily affairs."
Why are you proud of that?
Ji Ming stared, baffled, then cupped his hands politely.
"Miss Bai Shi, we have no prior grievances. Why such hostility toward me?"
Bai Shi huffed and turned her head away.
"I know your type. You want to cling to Lady Ningguang, don't you?"
Ji Ming nearly laughed.
What is with Ningguang's subordinates and their wild imaginations?
She was the one who summoned him, wasn't she?
Before he could respond, silk rustled from above. Ningguang descended the stairs in flowing robes. A faint warmth lingered in her hair—she had clearly just finished bathing.
"Bai Shi," Ningguang said coolly, "have you forgotten the etiquette I taught you?"
Bai Shi panicked and bowed deeply.
"Lady Ningguang, I only wanted him to stop harboring improper thoughts—"
Ningguang frowned slightly.
"Apologize to Mr. Ji Ming."
"…Yes."
Bai Shi walked over reluctantly, cheeks puffed in frustration.
"My apologies, Mr. Ji Ming."
Seeing this, Ningguang softened her tone. Bai Shi wasn't malicious—just jealous due to a misunderstanding. A light reprimand was enough.
Ji Ming waved it off.
"It's fine. Kids don't know better. Uncle's got some candy here—go play somewhere else."
And with that, he actually pulled several oil-paper-wrapped sugar cubes from his sleeve and handed them over.
Ji Ming didn't hold grudges.
If he had one, he paid it back on the spot.
Bai Shi ground her teeth.
I'm older than you!
You're the kid here!
"Mr. Ji Ming is certainly… interesting," Ningguang said with an amused smile, unbothered by her aide's humiliation. "Please, have a seat. What tea do you prefer?"
Ji Ming sat opposite her without ceremony.
"The more expensive, the better. I can't tell the difference anyway—but I know prices."
"Then Adeptal Amber Tea," Ningguang said smoothly. "Known in Liyue as 'Golden Dew,' and exported overseas."
Bai Shi poured the tea. Ji Ming didn't take it.
He smiled—but his eyes were sharp, guarded.
"Let it sit. Lady Tianquan didn't invite me here just for tea, did she?"
Ningguang's interest deepened.
"Mr. Ji Ming, why do you think I summoned you?"
Simple. She'd already investigated him—and knew quite a lot.
"Because I have value to you."
"And how much do you think you're worth?"
Another test.
Bai Shi watched the exchange in confusion. Wasn't this supposed to be a relationship drenched in Mora and mutual benefit? Why did she understand none of what they were saying?
Ji Ming, however, understood perfectly.
This was a trial of worth.
No value—no tea, just the door.
Enough value—and Ningguang wouldn't mind deepening the relationship.
Reading people.
Social leverage.
Ji Ming relaxed, downed the "Golden Dew" in one go, ignoring Bai Shi's look of sacrilege, and leaned back casually.
"When you name the price," he said lightly, "that's what I'm worth."
A mercenary's answer.
Ningguang smiled. She trusted Mora far more than vague sentiment.
"Let me ask you a question, then. Will you answer honestly?"
"I need Mora," Ji Ming replied frankly. "Set the price."
He still owed the Fatui nearly half a Jade Chamber's worth of Mora. Debt like that turned people into puppets.
Ningguang lifted her pipe and rested her temple against her hand.
"You suit my tastes. I'll give you this pipe—how many questions will you answer?"
She wasn't unwilling to pay. This was simply a test:
Did he truly love Mora—or something else?
Bai Shi was horrified.
That pipe had just been used before Lady Ningguang bathed! How could she give it to a man?!
"How much is the pipe worth?" Ji Ming asked calmly.
Pipes in Liyue ranged wildly in price, but this was clearly custom-made—expensive.
Bai Shi scoffed softly.
"A vulgar man. You wouldn't recognize refinement if it hit you."
Shoo. Go play somewhere.
Ji Ming ignored her and looked only at Ningguang.
Amusement flickered in Ningguang's eyes.
"A meeting gift. Mora will be paid separately. One hundred thousand Mora per question. Acceptable?"
"Fair. Ask away."
Instead of asking, Ningguang extended her palm teasingly.
"No gift for me? That red cord on your wrist looks lovely—care to part with it?"
"Anything but that," Ji Ming replied immediately. "It was a gift from my senior sister."
"Ganyu?"
As expected—everything had been investigated.
Ji Ming relaxed further.
"No. Another senior sister. Does that count as a question?"
Another one? Ningguang lost interest instantly. The affairs of the adepti didn't concern her much.
She nodded.
"Very well. Are you a collaborator of the Fatui?"
"Yes. A secret collaborator—specifically with one Harbinger."
Ningguang frowned.
"Which Harbinger?"
"I can't say. You may ask something else."
Good. His refusal made him more trustworthy.
"Has the Fatui assigned you a task?"
"Not yet."
"Any unusual Fatui movements lately?"
Ji Ming thought of La Signora.
"Yes. A Harbinger codenamed 'The Lady' has been dispatched to Mondstadt."
That was enough.
Ningguang stood and extended her hand across the table.
"From this moment on, we are partners, Mr. Ji Ming."
Ji Ming blinked.
"From now? I thought we already were—were you testing me earlier?"
"That was simply purchasing intelligence," Ningguang said calmly. "This is formal cooperation. Any objections?"
Impeccable.
Ji Ming switched the pipe to his left hand and shook hers firmly.
"No objections. But about the Mora for all those questions—"
Ningguang glanced at the pipe and smiled.
"Bai Shi will deliver it to your residence later."
Fair enough.
Ji Ming had accepted the fact that he'd been thoroughly exposed. Bai Shi, meanwhile, was still reeling from the sheer volume of classified information she'd just heard.
As she escorted Ji Ming out, Ningguang's smile faded instantly.
So Snezhnaya had no sincerity after all.
The Fatui had already extended their claws into Liyue Harbor.
What Ningguang could do was simple:
Fund Ji Ming—make him the Fatui's most trusted collaborator—and learn their intentions through him.
Once the Fatui's schemes were uncovered and crushed, this man would no longer be needed.
Discard him.
The pipe had merely been bait—just like Ji Ming himself. A tool, to be used and thrown away.
To Ningguang, only two things truly mattered in this world:
Mora.
And Liyue Harbor.
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