Once Ningguang said this, the atmosphere at the Liyue table instantly froze, especially for Yelan and Beidou who were sitting beside him. These two were the friends who understood Ningguang's character best, so they naturally knew just how grand his ideals were.
He would never love finite things, nor would he be willing to be trapped by limited possessions. Precisely because of this, he loved infinite Mora and the ever-expanding Jade Chamber.
What did men even amount to in his eyes?
However, looking at Ningguang's nonchalant expression right now, Yelan and Beidou were unsure, because the condition he had just mentioned seemed tailor-made for someone. Thinking of this, both Yelan and Beidou cast strange glances toward Miyashiro.
Miyashiro, the culprit behind all this, also sensed that the atmosphere at the scene was a bit off. Knowing it wasn't a good place to linger, he took Shenhe and headed toward the Sumeru table.
The guests at the Sumeru table were mainly Alhaitham, Cyno, Collei, and Nilou, with Ayaka, who had once served as an envoy to Sumeru, responsible for hosting them on Miyashiro's behalf.
When Miyashiro and Shenhe arrived, an excited Collei bowed deeply to Miyashiro to express her gratitude. It was such a spectacle that anyone who didn't know better would have thought that Regent Miyashiro had done something outrageous to this naive young girl.
Even Shenhe gave his husband a strange look, though he quickly returned to normal. Given Miyashiro's personality, if he had really done something with this young girl, he wouldn't have hidden it from him.
A flash of surprise crossed Miyashiro's eyes, but he quickly realized the reason for Collei's actions. He couldn't help but glance at his drinking companion, Venti, who returned a cute "Ehe" expression to Miyashiro.
Miyashiro smiled and said, "Collei, how is it? The god remains in your body have been completely cleared, right?"
Collei nodded and said, "Yes. The moment I woke up, I felt completely light. I ran to thank Lesser Lord Kusanali, but she said the people I should really be thanking are you and Lord Barbatos, the Anemo Archon. I can't meet Lord Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, so I can only express my gratitude to you."
This poor young girl, Collei, had contracted both Eleazar and the god remains at a young age, suffering through endless setbacks and hardships. Yet, even so, this girl who hadn't even learned all her characters was not twisted inside; the truth, goodness, and beauty deep in her heart still held the high ground.
Perhaps the heavens were also pitying this young girl, allowing her to gain not only many good teachers and helpful friends after enduring such tribulations, but also to regain a healthy body. What an inspiring poem this was.
A bit of mischievousness suddenly flashed through Miyashiro's mind. If Collei knew that the brilliant and magnificent Lord Barbatos, the Anemo Archon she longed for, was actually this drunken poet currently tipsy before her, would she suffer another mental blow?
Venti, who was nearby, seemed to sense something and flashed a dangerous smile toward Miyashiro, forcing Miyashiro to abandon that thought. He said to Collei, "Collei, actually I didn't do much; it was all the work of the great Lord Barbatos, the Anemo Archon. By the way, let me introduce you. This is the best bard in Mondstadt, Mr. Venti."
"He is the most loyal believer of Barbatos. It is said that the poems he sings have been favored by Barbatos before. If you have anything you want to say to Barbatos, you can tell Mr. Venti, and he can pass the message to the Anemo Archon for you."
Collei was overjoyed and said, "Really? Mr. Venti?"
Seeing this, Venti readily agreed, "That's right. I will sing your thanks to Lord Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, in Mondstadt. He will definitely be able to hear it."
Hearing this, Collei became a bit embarrassed. Venti noticed Collei's worries, so he took her to a corner and listened carefully to her story.
Miyashiro then asked Nilou, "Nilou, how is it? Are you getting used to life in Inazuma?"
Nilou said shyly, "Regent, I... I am used to it. Thanks to your help, I have also made many good friends in Inazuma."
Miyashiro smiled, "That's good. If you have any difficulties, you are welcome to come to me. Speaking of which, Alhaitham, hasn't the art ban in Sumeru been resolved yet? Can't you, the Acting Grand Sage, do it with the support of Nahida?"
Alhaitham looked troubled upon hearing this. He crossed his arms and said indifferently, "The current academic trend in Sumeru is to de-artisticize, advocating for pure academics and practical skills. In this regard, it does not conflict with Lesser Lord Kusanali's current governing philosophy."
"Under these circumstances, not only are dance artists like Nilou affected, but many disciplines linked to art are also unknowingly beginning to de-artisticize, and art workers are being marginalized. If this trend is not reversed, then just like the Palace of Alcazarzaray built by Kaveh, it will become an unsurpassable peak in modern Sumeru architectural history."
"Based on this situation, even if Lesser Lord Kusanali can support me, the matter of lifting the art ban has evolved from a simple policy issue into an issue of the orientation of Sumeru's academic trend. Therefore, it may take more time to reverse this trend."
Hearing this, Nilou unconsciously showed a look of regret on his face, but he still very optimistically expressed, "It's okay, Mr. Alhaitham. This is not your problem. I am very happy to be able to spread our Sumeru dance culture in Inazuma."
Looking at Nilou's expression and words, even the iron-hearted Alhaitham felt a tinge of guilt in his heart at this moment.
Just then, a voice suddenly came over, "Oh my, I seem to have heard someone discussing my Palace of Alcazarzaray just now. I didn't expect my palace's reputation to have spread all the way to Inazuma. It seems I can consider lowering the monthly repayment interest for Kaveh."
Everyone looked at the figure approaching and unconsciously lowered their gaze. They saw a purple-clad, pink-haired loli in Sumeru style appearing before them. Despite her loli stature and build, she exuded an aura of money and a profiteer, full of incongruity.
This person was none other than the richest person in Sumeru, the owner of the Palace of Alcazarzaray, Lord Dori Sangemah Bay.
Upon seeing Miyashiro, Dori immediately showed great interest and said, "Oh my, you must be the Regent of Inazuma. I have long admired your name."
Miyashiro had to bend down to shake her hand, asking puzzledly, "You are that wealthy merchant from Sumeru, Dori, right? I don't seem to have seen you during the welcoming ceremony? When did you arrive?"
Dori smiled awkwardly, "Sorry, I was delayed a bit because I was queuing up to get a second bowl of Dragon Bone Soup. But don't worry, I paid the entrance fee to get in."
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