After a delightful dinner, Ye Xi gathered Ningguang, Keqing, and Ganyu, along with Grand Master Jean and Lisa, to discuss the planning of the trade route between Mondstadt and Liyue.
It was just as they had anticipated.
From Mondstadt's city gate, the route would connect through the Dawn Winery, then finally pass through Stone Gate to link up with the Railway line of Liyue's Wangshu Inn.
From there, one could choose to head to Liri Harbor. From there, one could also choose Yunyue Harbor, or travel onward to Sumeru.
As for how Mondstadt would connect to Inazuma, there was in fact a route plan for that as well.
For instance, building an airfield at Windrise and using aircraft to travel back and forth to Inazuma.
One could also make use of sea shipping via the water route. Neither of these routes was as convenient as the railway and the highway, so they were considered lesser options.
As for the other regions of Mondstadt, such as Dragonspine, Springvale, or elsewhere, that would be up to Grand Master Jean's own planning.
After that, Grand Master Jean and Ningguang discussed the specifics of trade strategy, such as toll fees, commercial regulations, import planning, and the like.
Before long, the two sides had wrapped up their talks. Matters like these could never be settled in just one or two sessions; they had to be worked out slowly.
After talking for a little under half an hour, this small meeting basically came to an end, with a few unresolved items left to be addressed next time.
At the very end, Ye Xi brought up the main reason he had invited Grand Master Jean to visit.
"Grand Master, there's a matter I'd like to discuss with you alone."
"Hmm?"
Jean was slightly taken aback, not quite understanding what Ye Xi meant, but she still gave Lisa a knowing look.
With that, Lisa took her leave first.
"Please, go ahead, Master Ye Xi."
Jean was on edge now, fearful that Ye Xi might be displeased and call off the cooperation with Mondstadt.
Ye Xi smiled and said, "You should be aware of Venti's identity, right? He's the Anemo Archon."
"Uh..."
Jean felt a flicker of surprise, but she quickly recalled that Venti had mentioned before going to Sumeru and meeting Ye Xi.
Presumably the two were friends, so it was hardly strange that Ye Xi knew Venti was the Anemo Archon, Barbatos.
Thinking of this, she hurriedly nodded. "Mm, Venti..."
Ye Xi explained, "Actually, that fellow Venti has already decided to hand Mondstadt over to me to manage."
"He spends his days slacking off and drinking, paying no heed to anything. I'm sure you're well aware of that too."
Hearing Ye Xi speak so bluntly, Grand Master Jean was mildly astonished.
She truly hadn't expected that Venti, as the Anemo Archon, would actually hand Mondstadt over to Ye Xi.
But on closer thought, given how lazy Barbatos was, he was a far cry from Ye Xi.
Handing Mondstadt over to Ye Xi to manage on his behalf really wouldn't make much of a difference.
She was, after all, only a lowly Acting Grand Master; as long as she did her own job well, that would be enough.
Thinking of this, she took the initiative to nod. "Master Ye Xi, I understand what you mean. I'll do my utmost to carry out any orders you give from now on."
"Mm, there's one matter I need to entrust to you right now."
With that, he got straight to the point. "Seeing how much you have on your plate every day, I thought of a way that could resolve over ninety percent of your tasks for you."
The moment he said this, Grand Master Jean grew very curious.
In truth, having served as Acting Grand Master in Mondstadt for so long, how could she possibly not be worn out?
Every day, matters big and small piled up like a mountain, and she had to attend to each of them herself. Even when she fell ill, she couldn't afford to rest.
An ordinary person would have broken down long ago.
The truth was, she really was exhausted, yet she didn't dare stop.
The moment the Knights of Favonius went a single day without her, chaos would break out.
And if Grand Master Varka were to learn that she hadn't governed Mondstadt well, how would she ever answer for it when the time came?
Ye Xi told Jean about the Ruin Guards.
He made no mention of Khaenri'ah, only saying that he had a way to control these Ruin Guards.
By making use of these machines, not only could public order be maintained, but plenty of minor matters could be handled as well.
By then, she, the Acting Grand Master, would finally have time to attend to some of her own affairs.
Hearing this, Grand Master Jean marveled again and again.
Had it been before, she would surely have refused.
After all, the Ruin Guards were Ye Xi's personal power, and if Ye Xi harbored any other intentions, Mondstadt would fall into danger.
But now, when even the God of Mondstadt trusted Ye Xi, what right did she have to question it?
Even if something went wrong in the future, there would be a god to fall back on.
So she had no reason left to refuse.
"I understand. I'll inform the members of the Knights about this matter."
"When the time comes, teach them the method of operating the Ruin Guards."
Hearing this, Ye Xi said, "Before that, I have one condition."
"For the sake of the upcoming project going smoothly, I require you to come here often to unwind and relax."
"I really wouldn't want you making mistakes in your busyness and delaying the project's progress."
"Eh!? How could I possibly impose like that..."
Jean was somewhat startled.
To be honest, she quite loved the atmosphere here.
For the dinner just now, she had steeled herself and even specially reviewed noble etiquette beforehand.
She had thought it would be a solemn occasion, yet who would have guessed this place was so relaxed and pleasant.
Being able to chat with everyone here was absolutely a way to unwind, body and soul!
She wished she could come play with everyone often from now on.
This condition of Ye Xi's was exactly what she had been longing for.
Seeing the grateful look on Grand Master Jean's face, Ye Xi nodded. "No need to thank me so much. This place is spacious enough anyway."
"Go on and enjoy the hot springs with Lisa and the others. Relax properly."
"Tomorrow you'll probably be busy again."
With that, he left the study.
Watching Ye Xi's departing figure, a warm current washed through Jean's heart.
She never imagined that, after working herself weary for so long, such gentle words of comfort would come not from the people of Mondstadt, but from Ye Xi.
If things really went according to Ye Xi's arrangement, then her upcoming workload would be shared by the Ruin Guards.
And she too could have some long-lost private time and finally enjoy life.
The mere thought of it filled her heart with anticipation.
Suddenly, it was as if she remembered something.
"Hot springs...? There are even hot springs!"
Jean hurriedly rose and went off to find Lisa.
When Lisa led her to the back courtyard, she was immediately captivated by the beautiful hot spring scenery before her.
Cherry blossoms drifting down endlessly, hot springs wreathed in steam—was this heaven!?
"Well? How is it?"
After getting into the water, Lisa asked the Grand Master beside her.
Feeling the warm water wrap around her entire body, Grand Master Jean let out a sigh of pure enjoyment. "This is wonderful! I never imagined I'd get to soak in a hot spring!"
Lisa smiled. "Enjoy it while you can. After all, opportunities like this don't come often, do they?"
"What are you saying, Lisa?"
"Master Ye Xi just invited me himself—he's allowed me to come play here often."
"Oh?"
Lisa's eyes lit up, and she instantly understood something.
She smiled and suggested, "Then, Jean, why not just move in for good?"
"The surroundings and the amenities here are so nice—living here would be so much better than your ancestral home, wouldn't it?"
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