Ippei said, "He does have a habit of wandering off and not coming back when he gets absorbed in something."
"But for some reason, I feel especially uneasy today."
Ei remarked, "Kujou Kamaji. That sounds like a descendant of the Kujou clan."
Ippei nodded. "Yes, that's right. I apologize, but with the clan head in poor health and the eldest son away all year round, Young Master Kujou Kamaji is currently serving as the representative of the Kujou clan."
[Ningguang: After the Kujou clan committed such betrayal, can they still hold authority over the Tenryou Commission?]
[Keqing: Colluding with the Fatui, suppressing Inazuman families, indirectly provoking war, and harming countless people. No punishment would be too severe for such crimes.]
[Zhongli: Generally speaking, the head of the Kujou clan committed an unforgivable mistake. Although his current situation was not his true intention, his foolishness led to all of this.]
[Paimon: The Fatui were just too cunning too.]
[Ei: I have seen everyone's opinions. The authority of the Commissions cannot be passed down within a single family. From now on, the three Commissions will adopt a selection system similar to Liyue's Qixing.]
[Yae Miko: A good reform.]
[Paimon: What about Kamisato Ayaka?]
[Ei: The Kamisato clan has not disappointed me.]
Ei continued questioning, "I have heard that the Tenryou Commission has fallen into chaos. Is this related to Kujou Kamaji?"
Ippei clasped his hands together, very afraid. "Forgive me, Your Excellency. This is also the Kujou clan's dereliction of duty."
"With the Kujou clan's reputation damaged and their strength diminished, and with Your Excellency having not yet decided on the follow-up arrangements for the Tenryou Commission, the young master went to negotiate with the Takatsukasa clan to ask if they would take charge."
Paimon asked curiously, "Shouldn't that be discussed at the Commission's office? Why are you searching for him here?"
Ippei looked at Paimon. "The meeting location is quite special. I am also a bit confused, but I dare not question matters concerning important figures."
"It is on the mountain near the Grand Narukami Shrine. It seems the Takatsukasa clan has a special camp there."
Ei rested her chin on her hand. "Takatsukasa. Another familiar name. All these years, they should have been loyally assisting the Kujou."
Ippei nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes. That is precisely why the young master went to negotiate. But no matter how many matters need discussing, this has taken far too long."
"I have searched everywhere in the city. If he still hasn't returned..."
Lumine suggested, "Maybe the talks aren't over yet. Or something else could have happened, an unexpected situation, perhaps."
Ippei spread his hands helplessly. "Yes, I thought of that too. But given my status, I cannot just recklessly barge into the Takatsukasa clan's territory."
Lumine said, "It's fine. We'll go take a look for you."
Ippei waved his hands repeatedly in refusal. "No, no. It's probably just me being overly worried. If I interfered with the negotiations, I wouldn't be able to explain myself."
"I am just the young master's attendant. But I have grown up with him since childhood. I am just very worried about him. I am afraid something might happen. I am not as clever or quick-witted as the young master, and I cannot help him bear much pressure. But I do not want the young master to face danger because of my negligence."
[Navia: Tied down by rules! Only seeing the young master can ease his worry.]
[Paimon: Navia, what would you do?]
[Navia: I would just barge in with my people and ask! Only by seeing with my own eyes that he is okay would I feel at ease. Guessing and worrying do not solve problems.]
[Lumine: I think so too.]
Lumine looked at Ei. "Ei, what do you think?"
Ei looked at Ippei and said, "We will go ourselves."
"With my status, even if I hinder the negotiations, it should not affect you."
"Besides, this happened partly because I failed to make a timely decision. I should be the one to resolve it."