After fully witnessing the Rite of Parting, the crowd at Yujing Terrace gradually dispersed.
Everyone's emotions seemed relatively calm. After all, the events of the previous day had instilled great confidence in the people of Liyue.
And upon closer thought, Zhongli's abdication didn't really change much for Liyue.
The only real difference was that the annual Rite of Descension would no longer be held.
But no matter what, Zhongli would still be watching over Liyue from somewhere afar.
Liyue now had the strength to slay archdemon-level threats. Add in Zhongli and the other Adepti, plus Venti and the alliance with Mondstadt—
The turmoil caused by Zhongli stepping down… honestly wasn't all that disruptive.
At the very least, the people of Liyue weren't panicking.
If anything, it was just a fresh topic of conversation for the future.
There were still quite a few people who remained at Yujing Terrace.
Beidou, Tartaglia, and the others were among them.
However, the two groups didn't gather together.
Beidou gazed at the Qianyan soldiers cleaning up the offering tables, her heart filled with emotion.
"I was only gone for a little while… How did Liyue change this much? It feels like centuries have passed."
Ayaka pressed her lips together and sighed.
"Liyue's strength far surpasses what we imagined. And now that they've allied with Mondstadt, both nations will surely develop even faster."
"But as for us in Inazuma…"
Sensing Ayaka's melancholy, Beidou gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder and was about to offer some words of reassurance when—
Baixiao suddenly approached in a brisk walk.
"Captain Beidou, Lady Ningguang requests your presence at the Jade Chamber."
Beidou raised an eyebrow and scoffed slightly.
"She finally remembered me? That woman—quietly pulling all these major moves and not telling me anything?"
Baixiao gave a slightly embarrassed smile.
"Actually—"
"No need to explain for her. I'll go have a chat with her myself."
Beidou curled her lips and said calmly:
"Let's go."
"Please wait a moment, Captain Beidou. Lady Ningguang has invited two others as well."
Baixiao nodded politely, then turned and walked to a corner of the terrace.
There stood Tartaglia and Rosalyne, both silent and visibly unsettled.
"Fatui Harbingers—Lady Rosalyne and Lord Tartaglia, Lady Ningguang requests your presence."
Baixiao had been courteous to Beidou, since she was from Liyue and a friend of Ningguang.
But toward the two Fatui Harbingers, Baixiao's attitude was far more indifferent.
After all, Liyue had always held strong resentment toward the Fatui—and just yesterday, Fatui vanguard forces had even participated in the attack.
Truthfully, Baixiao was confused as to why Ningguang hadn't simply arrested them.
While the Fatui did technically hold high diplomatic positions and enjoyed some immunity—
To the current Liyue, that meant nothing.
If Liyue wanted to arrest you, you were getting arrested. If you disagreed, then send your god to come bail you out.
No matter what your status, if you broke Liyue's laws, you'd be dealt with under Liyue's law.
Tartaglia and Rosalyne exchanged a glance but didn't care much for Baixiao's somewhat hostile tone. They quietly followed behind.
They had no idea why Ningguang wanted to see them, but meeting her could only be a good thing.
The Cryo Archon was on her way, and in the upcoming negotiations, as her direct subordinates, Tartaglia and Rosalyne were expected to make their stance clear.
"The Fatui, huh?"
Beidou glanced at Tartaglia and Rosalyne, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.
"Interesting… Ningguang actually invited you two up instead of having you arrested? What could that woman possibly be thinking~?"
Tartaglia and Rosalyne, unaware of the full situation, said nothing in response.
This left Beidou a little disappointed.
She waved her hand dismissively and said:
"Let's go. If we keep her waiting too long, you'll be the ones paying for it!"
She walked quickly back toward the floating stone platform. Zhongli and Lumine were already there, along with several of the adepti who had gathered.
As Ningguang's confidant and one of the key participants in yesterday's battle, Baixiao naturally knew Zhongli's true identity.
Seeing Zhongli waiting, she assumed there was something important he wanted to say. She quickly asked:
"Lord Morax, are you here to see Lady Ningguang?"
Zhongli glanced briefly at the people behind Baixiao, his gaze pausing momentarily on Tartaglia and Rosalyne. He then gave a slight nod.
"Just a minor matter."
"Lady Ningguang is currently hosting a banquet at the Jade Chamber. Please, come with me."
The group ascended to the Jade Chamber.
Baiwen had been quick in her preparations and already had the banquet nearly ready. But upon seeing Zhongli arrive, she froze for a second.
Ningguang hadn't mentioned that Zhongli would be attending as well.
She immediately resumed directing people to arrange more tables and chairs.
Inside, Ningguang had been discussing human governance policies in detail with Keqing, but she quickly walked out upon hearing the commotion.
"Lord Morax? Is something the matter?"
Zhongli shook his head gently and replied in a calm voice:
"It's a small matter. Now that Liyue has stepped into an era of human governance, we must also be on guard against the potential corruption that may follow."
"I've come to inform you that a new contract will be issued. From now on, all civil servants in Liyue must sign it before assuming office."
"The adepti will take up long-term residence on Mt. Tianheng. Partly to watch over, partly to supervise."
Ningguang had already anticipated this. Naturally, Zhongli wasn't the type to hand Liyue over to human rule without any foresight.
The noble chaos in Mondstadt's past served as a lesson.
Zhongli trusted Ningguang and Keqing, but that didn't guarantee that future members of the Qixing or the Ministry of Civil Affairs would be just as reliable.
Besides, Ningguang herself had once tried to tweak the law to increase profit margins.
Human nature was complex—capable of breeding countless possibilities.
Zhongli couldn't prevent everything, but at the very least, he could hang a Damocles sword over their heads.
It was best to nip any threat to Liyue in the bud.
Ningguang and Keqing had no objections and nodded decisively.
"The contract will be announced during the upcoming Qixing meeting. All Liyue civil officials will be required to sign it."
"Good."
Zhongli nodded slightly, then turned to leave.
Seeing that he was about to go, Tartaglia and Rosalyne both grew a little tense.
~~----------------------
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