Hearing Keqing's introduction, Ningguang raised her elegant eyebrows slightly.
She hadn't expected that Keqing, having been gone for only a day, would already be addressing him as 'Master'.
Moreover...
She looked Ganyu and Keqing up and down. What was with this Sumeru attire? They certainly weren't wearing this when they left Liyue Harbor! In Sumeru, they must have changed into new clothes after arriving. The most critical point was that it looked like they hadn't even brought their old clothes back.
She then carefully scrutinized Ye Xi standing before her.
Tall and handsome, with a profound gaze and a relaxed, indifferent expression. Arriving at the capital of a nation and meeting its leader without the slightest hint of unnaturalness. This calmness, along with his age and appearance, was indeed exceptionally outstanding. Combining all these factors, it was hard not to let one's imagination run wild...
After only a brief moment of distraction, Ningguang nodded and extended an invitation. "Mr. Ye Xi, welcome to Liyue as our guest. Please, join me at the Yuehai Pavilion for a discussion."
She wasn't a fool. Seeing the gigantic flying machine before her eyes, she knew Ye Xi's capabilities were absolutely extraordinary. This was already far beyond some 'Supreme Cuisine Machine'. That automatic cooking machine was indeed practical, but if he could create such a large-scale flying machine, what did a cooking mechanism count for? The value brought by flying equipment would absolutely far exceed a rice-cooking machine.
"Alright."
Ye Xi nodded and followed Ningguang's guidance, entering the Yuehai Pavilion.
The Millelith outside saw this scene and instantly went into an uproar.
"What's the situation? Is that person a distinguished guest of Lady Ningguang?"
"To be received by Lady Tianquan and Lady Yuheng simultaneously, and accompanied by Miss Ganyu... just what is this person's identity!"
"With an entrance method that startled the entire Liyue Harbor, he's definitely not an ordinary person!"
"It looks like he came from Sumeru."
"Eh? What makes you say that?"
"Didn't you see Lady Keqing and Miss Ganyu wearing Sumeru clothes?... Wait! Clothes!"
"!!!"
"Where are Lady Keqing and Miss Ganyu's clothes?!"
"Something's wrong! The situation isn't right, brothers!"
There was chaos among the Millelith.
At this moment, Secretary Baiwen suddenly came out of the Yuehai Pavilion and spoke up. "Instructor Feng, please guard Mr. Ye Xi's... vehicle properly. Do not let outsiders approach!"
"Yes!"
Instructor Feng Yan immediately dispersed the crowd, leaving a few people to stand guard by the helicopter. The Yujing Terrace quickly returned to its daily tranquility.
Meanwhile, Zhongli became increasingly curious about the machine before him. Madame Ping, standing aside, was also very interested, so she leaned in closer to observe it in detail. The Dust Demon God Guizhong and Cloud Retainer were both people who liked to fiddle with mechanisms. Having been influenced by them over time, she understood some of the tricks of the trade.
However, at this moment, she found it hard to understand the structure of the machine before her and couldn't help but want to step forward to take a look.
"Old lady, don't come over. This, ah, isn't something for you to look at!"
The Millelith on guard hurriedly stepped forward to block her.
However, Instructor Feng Yan directly gave his subordinate a kick and switched to a smiling face. "Grandma, he's new and doesn't know better. You look as much as you like; it's fine to get closer!"
Madame Ping smiled kindly. "Good, good."
Seeing Madame Ping go over, the guard was dumbfounded.
"Instructor, didn't you say not to let people go over and look?"
"What do you know, kid? This Grandma is not an ordinary person!"
Seeing the confusion on his subordinate's face, Feng Yan spoke. "Let me put it this way. My great-grandfather was also in the Millelith back in the day. At that time, Grandma had already been wandering around Yujing Terrace every day for decades!"
"By now, let alone my great-grandfather, even my grandfather and my old man have all passed away! Grandma still looks the same, wandering around here every day!"
"Do you think she's an ordinary person?"
"Maybe Grandma could even see me off!"
The guard listened in a daze, his face full of shock. "In... Instructor, could it be that this Grandma is an Adeptus?!"
"Shh!"
The Instructor said in a low voice, "Don't go blabbering about it everywhere. It's enough that you know some things! Be respectful to Grandma usually! Don't be disrespectful to the Adeptus master!"
"Oh, oh, oh! Yes! Instructor! From now on, I will definitely be as respectful to Grandma as I am to my great-grandmother!"
Beside the helicopter, Madame Ping chuckled and reached out to stroke the fuselage. The cold and solid sensation upon touching it made her feel quite astonished. This texture was definitely not something that could be easily created through forging.
She turned back to look at Zhongli and nodded slightly.
'Rex Lapis, this machine is indeed extraordinary.'
Hearing this, Zhongli transmitted his voice in reply: 'It seems he will indeed bring significant changes to Teyvat. We just need to witness it.'
'Bring changes to Teyvat, and not just Liyue...'
Madame Ping hadn't expected Ye Xi to receive such high expectations from Rex Lapis.
.....
On the other side. In the reception hall of the Yuehai Pavilion.
Ganyu served tea to Ye Xi and sat by his side. Keqing, meanwhile, went to a side room with Ningguang to exchange intelligence.
Looking at the demure girl before him, Ye Xi took a sip of the fine tea Ningguang had treasured and asked, "Ganyu, have you seen Xiao recently?"
"Eh?!"
Hearing Ye Xi's question, Ganyu was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected Ye Xi to know about Xiao.
"If it's the Conqueror of Demons, he should be at Wangshu Inn."
Ye Xi nodded. "If you have time, take me to see him."
"Uh... okay."
Although she didn't know what Ye Xi wanted with Xiao, there must be an important reason. Actually, Ye Xi didn't have any other business; he just wanted to absorb a bit of the 'Karma' from Xiao. His 'Drain' could absorb this kind of negative energy and store it in the Abyss Core. These powers were very important for making an 'Energy Core'. When building planes and trains later, Energy Cores would be needed, so it was better to be prepared.
Next door.
After listening to Keqing recount the sequence of events, Ningguang couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
"I didn't expect his mechanism technique to be so formidable. But, isn't he Cloud Retainer's disciple? Could it be that the apprentice is even more formidable than the Adeptus master?"
Keqing shrugged. "According to Ganyu, it might be that the Adeptus is proud and arrogant, worried about losing face, so she used that explanation."
"Mn, that makes some sense."
If it were other Adepti, Ningguang would certainly be suspicious. But if it was that woman, doing such a thing would actually be normal.
"By the way, Ningguang."
"Master Ye Xi's status in Sumeru is very high; he can be said to be a highly respected existence. In the eyes of many, his reputation even surpasses the Akademiya. Countless young maidens want to become his concubines. In fact, his many concubines are extremely excellent; they are possessors of an Eye of God, existences one in ten thousand."
As soon as these words came out, Ningguang's beautiful eyes filled with extreme shock.
"His reputation is higher than the Akademiya?!"
She couldn't help but confirm it again. One had to know that the Akademiya was the highest authority in Sumeru beneath the Dendro Archon! For a person to have higher authority than the Akademiya, that was clearly an existence beneath one god and above ten thousand people!
High status and weight in Sumeru, and his concubines were all people with an Eye of God! What kind of concept was this!? This was a major household, a top-tier family!
In Liyue, there were also many wealthy merchants who took many concubines. But not a single case could be found in the entire Liyue of someone with an Eye of God being willing to be a concubine! Because with an Eye of God, one could stand above ten thousand people. They wouldn't lack Mora, nor connections, and could manipulate Elemental Power to become astonishingly combat-capable.
Owners of an Eye of God would be attracted to other owners of an Eye of God. How could such talent demean themselves for a lecher? Yet the concubines around Ye Xi were all owners of an Eye of God. There was only one possibility.
That was that Ye Xi's personal charisma had already reached a level that made these women with an Eye of God abandon all self-esteem. He could make people with an Eye of God put down their arrogance, put down their self-esteem, and willingly become a member of the harem. This wasn't something that could be achieved just by having money or good looks.
Looking at it this way, Ningguang was already very curious about exactly how fascinating Ye Xi's charm was.
"Mn."
"Since he can represent Sumeru, then this time we can not only listen to his strategies for planning Liyue, but also launch diplomatic cooperation with Sumeru! It seems we must attach importance to this Master Ye Xi!"
Initially, she intended to view Ye Xi as 'someone who can be utilized'. But now, she had to view Ye Xi as 'the Leader of Sumeru'!
After obtaining all the intelligence, Ningguang walked out with Keqing, head held high. Seeing this wealthy woman revealing her long, fair legs, Ye Xi praised repeatedly in his heart. Truly good legs! Saying they were a masterpiece carved by the gods wouldn't be an exaggeration!
Because of her substantial wealth background, Ningguang looked full of confidence, and her dress was incomparably luxurious. Furthermore, her full figure and the alluring slit cheongsam were truly radiating charm. It could be said she was a great beauty full of mature, imperious style. Compared to the gentleness of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, what Ningguang displayed was the boldness a person of high status and power should have. It made one unable to resist the desire to conquer.
"...It seems Miss Ningguang and Keqing have already discussed how to deal with me."
Hearing Ye Xi's words, Ningguang couldn't help but smile. "Mr. Ye Xi must be joking. I needed to learn about you from Keqing to facilitate our upcoming conversation."
"Then has Miss Ningguang reached a conclusion?"
Ningguang nodded solemnly and sat down to the side. "Mr. Ye Xi, next, I will represent Liyue in discussing future plans with you. For some major matters, after I get the proposal, I will consult with the Qixing and the Eight Trades before giving you a reply. What shall we talk about first?"
Ye Xi was very satisfied with Ningguang's attitude. He thought Ningguang would put on a condescending attitude, but he didn't expect her to be so easy to talk to. Since that was the case, he simply went straight to the point. He spoke his thoughts directly.
As the number one wealthy woman in Liyue, upon hearing the infrastructure plan proposed by Ye Xi, her eyes immediately lit up.
"That's right, yes, that's right! If the transport vehicle you provide possesses such speed and capacity, the trade between Liyue, Mondstadt, and Sumeru will reach unprecedented new heights!"
The more Ningguang listened, the more excited she felt inside, to the point where she could no longer suppress this mood. This was absolutely an unprecedented business opportunity, a major revolution! It could bring earth-shaking changes to Liyue Harbor!
She was calculating internally how much manpower, material resources, and financial resources would need to be invested. No matter how much was invested, as long as Ye Xi provided the train as a means of transport, trade between the three nations would bring huge profits! Compared to the benefits, those negligible costs could be ignored!
With Ye Xi providing such a good opportunity right now, how could she miss it!
"Mr. Ye Xi, please wait a moment!"
Hearing Ye Xi speak halfway, Ningguang could no longer remain calm.
"Keqing, come with me for a second! Mr. Ye Xi, we will be right back!"
Saying that, she pulled Keqing out of the reception hall and went to the side room. Closing the door, Keqing was extremely puzzled.
"Ningguang, what's wrong with you?"
She had never seen Ningguang as abnormal as today. Usually, Ningguang was dignified in bearing, neither arrogant nor impetuous, always maintaining inner calm. But for some reason, she felt today's Ningguang was a bit different.
Actually, Ningguang was just over-excited and hadn't shown it too much. She was different from Keqing. Keqing had a big family and business, but it was all wealth accumulated by the family; her personal commercial vision was still somewhat lacking. But Ningguang was different; she started doing business from a young age, and she looked very far ahead at the benefits behind things!
"Keqing, we must keep him in Liyue Harbor!"
"Eh!? You mean Master Ye Xi?!"
Ningguang nodded. "His knowledge and intellect do not lose to any of us! As long as he can settle down in Liyue Harbor, Liyue Harbor will surpass the past era of 'God Reign' in our era of 'Human Reign', reaching unprecedented prosperity!"
Keqing sucked in a breath of cold air. She hadn't expected that in just these few short minutes, Ningguang's evaluation of Ye Xi would reach such a height! Simply incredible!
"But... he has so many wives in Sumeru, it's impossible for him to come to Liyue, right?"
"Wives! Hmm..."
Ningguang's eyes suddenly lit up, and her gaze shifted to Keqing, scrutinizing her carefully.
"Wh-What is it?"
Being stared at by Ningguang like this, Keqing felt somewhat creeped out. It was as if she had been targeted by a wolf!
Ningguang said seriously, "Keqing, how about you marry him and keep him in Liyue Harbor!"
Keqing: !!!
____
____________________________
This could be our last week of translations! We're sitting at 10/40 members right now. To help us reach the finish line (or get as close as possible), I'm running a 50% off promo all week.
Use code: LEANZIN50
P@treon: Leanzin