"Hahahaha..."
A hearty burst of laughter echoed from Ningguang's mansion, the sound so loud it even gave the Millelith guards outside a start.
"Beidou, your laughter is way too much!"
Keqing's face was flushed crimson as she toyed with her hair, looking both ashamed and indignant.
Ye Xi had just explained the whole sequence of events to Beidou and Ningguang, and the result was even more embarrassing than the incident itself.
Hearing Keqing's protest, Beidou crossed her arms and teased, "What's wrong with a little laugh? I'm going to take this story back to the ship tonight and share it with the boys! The great Yuheng, launching a sneak attack from behind only to be disarmed and forced to apologizewhat a scandal!"
"Don't, don't, don't! I was wrong, Captain Beidou! Please, I beg you, don't tell them!" Keqing quickly admitted defeat, her face burning.
She knew all too well that if Beidou said she was going to tell her crew, she really would. If she didn't play along with this "Big Sis," the entirety of Liyue would be whispering about the Yuheng by tomorrow morning.
Beidou felt quite satisfied hearing Keqing call her "Captain." She nodded and said, "Alright, since you're begging me, I'll agree to keep it under wraps for now."
Beside them, Ningguang saw how completely Beidou had Keqing cornered. She lightly covered her mouth with her hand, clearly finding the situation amusing as well.
"Ningguang, you're laughing at me too? Wasn't it your letter that failed to explain the situation clearly?"
Keqing huffed, her anger turning into a defensive pout. "If you had just mentioned that Ye Xi could use Elemental Power without a Vision, I wouldn't have made such a rookie mistake!"
"Keqing, refusing to face your errors with grace... that doesn't sound like you at all."
Ningguang's single sentence left Keqing speechless, her face turning even redder.
Keqing felt incredibly wronged, but she knew she had to take responsibility for her actions. Fighting back her shame, she looked toward Ye Xi, who was calmly sipping tea, and whispered, "I was wrong... I'm sorry..."
Ye Xi found it hilarious and decided to push her a little. "That doesn't sound very sincere. Does the great Yuheng always give such perfunctory apologies?"
"You!"
"In any case, you were the one acting like some mysterious master! If you had explained yourself earlier, none of this would have happened!"
Seeing Ye Xi start to press his advantage, Keqing felt like she was about to explode with frustration.
Ye Xi looked innocent. "I did explain. Didn't I say back then that I hadn't set up any defenses against you?"
"I..." Keqing stammered, her words becoming incoherent.
In his heart, Ye Xi had clearly admitted he was lying to her! But she couldn't exactly say she could hear his inner voice, could she?
"You're a bad person! Fine, I won't apologize anymore."
"I'll do anything else you want, but I am done apologizing!"
Seeing her determined expression, Ye Xi naturally wasn't going to let her off that easily. He immediately countered, "Fine. Then you have to be my maid for an entire day, and then I'll forgive you."
"Eh!?"
Keqing's face turned scarlet instantly, looking like she wanted to take it back!
Ye Xi didn't give her the chance, using a bit of reverse psychology. "No way, surely not? The dignified Lady Yuheng, the most responsible person among the Liyue Qixing, not only sneaks up on and slanders an innocent person but also goes back on her word?"
He was actually just joking, trying to tease her a bit. To his surprise, Keqing took it seriously.
"I, the Yuheng, am a woman of my word! Fine, a maid it is! I'll bring you tea and pour your water, is that enough for you?"
Ye Xi was instantly delighted.
[There's actually such a good deal?]
[This young lady is actually quite cute when she's throwing a tantrum.]
Keqing let out a huff, her face a lovely shade of pink.
Ye Xi put away his playful mood and turned serious. "So, Captain, did you come here for a specific reason?"
Beidou smiled and said, "Oh, Ningguang told me she heard some strange noises last night and felt a bit out of sorts, so she asked me to come over and help"
"Beidou?"
Ningguang's brows furrowed as she glared at Beidou with predatory intensity, clearly annoyed. She had no patience for such low-brow jokes!
"Ahem"
Ye Xi felt a bit guilty, knowing that the "noises" from last night had actually come from that "seductive fox," Yae Miko. However, he was also a bit shocked.
[No way... are Beidou and Ningguang really in that kind of relationship?]
[I'm actually kind of looking forward to this]
Hearing Ye Xi's thought, Beidou clutched her stomach, laughing hysterically.
Ningguang's face flushed slightly as she shot another glare at Beidou, clearly feeling anxious. She was a woman who strictly preferred men!
Only Keqing looked on with a face full of confusion. Noises last night? Did Ningguang and Ye Xi really do... that? But why call Beidou over? Are they trying to try something new?
'No, no, no! What am I thinking!'
Keqing's face turned bright red at her own scandalous thoughts. How could she think of such things!
Seeing that Ningguang was truly getting angry, Beidou quickly waved her hand. "Actually, it's like this. Recently, the member of the Liyue Qixing who manages military affairs is preparing to step down. Ningguang wants to find a successor, someone with great strength. Naturally, I recommended you!"
Ningguang nodded in agreement. "Ye Xi, you can use two elements and possess great power. I hope you can join the Liyue Qixing and assist us."
In truth, this was Ningguang's plan to keep Ye Xi in Liyue. If he became one of the Qixing, then if anything went wrong during the upcoming Rite of Descension, he wouldn't be able to just walk away. As a member of the Qixing, he would have a responsibility to act!
Ningguang caught Keqing's eye, and Keqing understood immediately. From Ningguang's letter, it was clear that Ye Xi knew about a crisis fast approaching Liyue. As long as they could get information out of himor hear it from his heartthe Liyue Qixing could seize the initiative. After all, Ye Xi had mentioned that the Era of Humanity was coming; they, as the leaders of Liyue, needed to prepare themselves.
Ye Xi was surprised by the offer. He had no desire to join the Liyue Qixing; it sounded like a massive headache. He had finally made it to the continent of Teyvat; only an idiot would choose to go back to being a corporate slave!
"Actually, I'm not as amazing as you think. It's no exaggeration to say that when Keqing attacked me just now, I really was caught off guard. By the time I noticed, her sword was already at my shoulder."
"If Keqing had truly intended to assassinate me, I'd probably be lying in the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor right now."
On this point, Ye Xi wasn't lying. Traveling abroad was always dangerous. If he had a warning, he could find a way to deal with itlike how he had enough time to react and freeze Keqing's sword earlier. But without a warning, if Keqing had just lunged at him, he would have been finished.
Seeing how serious Ye Xi was, and noting that his inner voice didn't contradict him, Ningguang and Beidou looked at each other.
"You don't need to worry about that. Keqing can give you guidance on the basics," Ningguang said. "Besides, since you can already use multiple elements, your strength will grow exponentially once you master those fundamentals. But if you're truly unwilling, we won't force you."
Keqing looked at Ningguang in surprise. "Why me?"
Ningguang crossed her arms and smiled. "Giving Ye Xi some guidance on adventuring and survival shouldn't be hard for you, right? Besides, don't you need to make amends to him? It's only right."
Without giving Keqing a chance to argue, Ningguang turned back to Ye Xi and began probing for information. "Ye Xi, do you think Liyue is peaceful right now? I sit in a high position and am sometimes disconnected from the hardships of the common people. I was hoping for some insight from you."
The question was direct, but it was the most effective approach. Countless commoners in Liyue loved to gossip about such topics; if they treated it as casual chatter, it wouldn't seem suspicious.
Sure enough, Ye Xi's inner voice soon drifted over.
[It'll probably only stay peaceful for a few more days.]
[I wonder when Morax plans to 'die.']
[Should I warn Ningguang and the others to get ready?]
While thinking these things, his outward expression remained composed. "Liyue is, of course, peaceful."
At that moment, Ningguang, Beidou, and Keqing were all struck with horror. A tidal wave of shock crashed through their hearts as they grew incredibly tense!
This was monumental intelligence! They had to discuss this immediately!
Ningguang nudged Beidou. "You need to use the washroom."
"Huh? What are you talking abou" Beidou started to refuse instinctively, but seeing Ningguang's expression, she quickly corrected herself. "Right! Ye Xi, Ningguang and I are going to the washroom!"
Beidou stood up and led Ningguang out of the small house.
[Hissdo they even have to go to the bathroom together?]
[Are these two sisters sharing a single bladder?]
Hearing Ye Xi's thought, Ningguang and Beidou nearly tripped over their own feet. Keqing almost burst out laughing, but seeing Ningguang frantically signaling her, she looked at Ye Xi.
"Um, I also want to go to the washroom..."
Ye Xi waved her off. "Go ahead, go ahead."
Internally, he sighed. [Wait, I thought 'little fairies' didn't need to go to the bathroom?]
Keqing was speechless. The only thing that doesn't need to go to the bathroom is a Pixiu! Even little fairies have biological needs!!!
The three of them left the house and huddled together outside to deliberate.
"Did you hear that? What did Ye Xi mean?" Keqing asked, looking bewildered.
Beidou was equally confused. "What does he mean by 'when Morax plans to die?' Does that mean Rex Lapis is deciding his own death?"
Ningguang thought for a moment before replying, "Based on his words, does it mean the catastrophe during the Rite of Descension is actually a move the Emperor is making against himself?"
"How is that possible?"
"I don't believe it. Why would the Lord of Geo want to kill himself?"
Keqing and Beidou both shook their heads. Ningguang's brow remained furrowed. "I don't believe it either. The Emperor has led Liyue for thousands of years; he would never abandon his people!"
"Let's go back in and probe for more details."
Keqing and Beidou agreed, and the three of them returned to the room. Once they were settled, another of Ye Xi's thoughts drifted over, nearly catching Ningguang off guard.
[Ningguang is still wearing those golden finger protectors. How does she wash her hands?]
[Surely she doesn't just... not wash?]
Ningguang really felt like hitting someone! She was the dignified Tianquan; how could she possibly not wash her hands after using the toilet!?
"Ahem"
Ningguang cleared her throat and asked, "Ye Xi, have you heard of the Geo God, Morax?"
"Of course. As a person of Liyue, how could I not know of Rex Lapis?"
As Ye Xi spoke, Keqing proactively stepped forward to refill his tea. This caught Ye Xi a bit off guard.
[Is she really getting into the maid role?]
[Keqing is actually pouring water for me?]
[Such a tsundere girl... if she brings me tea and water every day, it'll be fun to see her embarrassed and indignant face every time.]
Keqing's hand trembled, nearly causing her to drop the teapot. She spat internally, Who wants to serve you every day! In your dreams!
She felt quite indignant. She was the Yuheng of Liyue with countless important matters to handle; how could she spend her days pouring tea for someone? If word got out, how could she ever show her face?
Ningguang pulled Ye Xi's attention back. "Ye Xi, our Geo God, Morax, has protected Liyue for thousands of years. He is the most responsible god in this world, and we are all very proud of that."
"Take our neighbor, Mondstadt, for example. Their god, Barbatos, pursues freedom and doesn't lift a finger for his people's development."
Ye Xi almost couldn't hold back a laugh. This comparison... if Barbatos were here, he'd definitely ask: Ningguang, have you no manners?
Venti was just chilling in Mondstadt and suddenly got hit by a stray bullet all the way from Liyue. Then again, who knew what that tone-deaf bard was doing right now.
Ye Xi played along with a smile. "That is true."
However, hearing Ningguang talk about Morax made him feel a bit sentimental.
[It's precisely because he has protected Liyue for so long that he's thinking about retirement.]
[I hope his fake death goes well and brings an end to all contracts.]
[He's worked hard his whole life; let's give him a grand funeral.]
Ye Xi genuinely respected Morax's character. Even after his fake death, he would remain in Liyue, silently watching over it. Everyone would think he was dead, but if an unstoppable force ever invaded, he would undoubtedly step forward again to catch them off guard.
He really wanted to know what the people of Liyue would look like when they eventually realized the Rex Lapis who had protected them for millennia was actually still alive. They would probably be out of their minds with joy!
Hearing these answers from Ye Xi's heart left Ningguang, Beidou, and Keqing stunned.
"I need to use the washroom again!"
"Me too!"
"Me too!"
The three of them scrambled out of the room once more. Just then, an inner thought echoed from within.
[Are these three... on their period at the same time today?]
[The synchronization is a bit too high...]
The three outside were collectively embarrassed.
"I think I understand now. The Emperor wants to retire, so he's going to fake his death!" Keqing summarized, following the clues provided by Ye Xi's inner voice.
Ningguang and Beidou nodded. "I heard it too. It's hard to imagine the Emperor would ever want to retire."
Beidou sighed. "I guess even the Lord of Geo gets tired. I'd love to see what he does with his days after he retires."
The three of them felt a spark of curiosity. However, Ningguang turned serious. "In that case, we need to make preparations quickly!"
"We must make adjustments immediately and prepare to take over the Emperor's authority!"
Keqing nodded and raised a question. "I believe we still need the exact timing and more detailed information!"
Beidou said casually, "Then let's go back in and ask!"
She was about to step back in when Ningguang grabbed her. "Wait, all three of us is too many. Just one of us should go, otherwise..."
"Otherwise what reason will we use when we have to come out again?"
Beidou answered without thinking, "To use the washroom!"
Ningguang: "..."
Keqing: "..."
"If we keep saying that, Ye Xi is going to suspect we all have some kind of illness!" Ningguang looked at Keqing. "Keqing, you go and ask. We're leaving."
"Eh? Why me!" Keqing was bewildered.
Ningguang shrugged. "You're Ye Xi's little maid, aren't you? If not you, then who?"
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