A quiet night passed without incident.
Even though Richard's room was only separated from Ningguang's by a single wall, none of those "pleasant coincidences" from stories happened, no chance meetings after a bath, no midnight intrusions, no mistaken room visits.
Richard's greatest impression of being around Ningguang was how clearly he could feel that she had an excellent sense of boundaries.
It was worth noting that "boundaries" did not mean deliberate coldness or distance. Rather, it referred to her ability to recognize and respect the limits of relationships.
When you find yourself feeling comfortable around someone, it often means that person knows how to respect those boundaries, never making moves beyond the current stage of the relationship.
Ningguang was exactly this type of person. Without saying it directly, she still made it clear that she did intend to grow closer. But only with his consent would she ever take the next step.
This made Richard feel both greatly respected and, paired with Ningguang's beauty and status, filled with a rare sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. It was a difficult charm to resist.
She had mastered it perfectly.
"Mr. Richard, Lady Ningguang is already waiting in the dining hall."
Just as Richard stepped out of his room, a young girl greeted him.
If he recalled correctly, she was one of Ningguang's three secretaries. Her name was… Bai something?
"I am Baixiao, Mr. Richard," she introduced herself, then turned to lead the way.
The Jade Chamber was vast, with its countless long corridors and turns, and newcomers could easily get lost.
"Baiwen, Baixiao… and the last one was…?"
"Baishi," Bai Xiao answered. She hesitated, then added, "But as for her… there's no need for you to worry, Mr. Richard. I'll make sure you have little contact with her. I wouldn't want her to offend you."
"She has an issue with me?"
"Not exactly. It's not about you personally… It's more about Lady Ningguang…" Bai Xiao trailed off, struggling to explain.
Richard gestured that she needn't elaborate further; he already understood.
Because right at the main entrance, the so-called Baishi was leaning on the doorframe, drooling as she gazed inside at Ningguang sitting elegantly at the table. He could even hear her muttering under her breath:
"Lady Ningguang at breakfast… her flawless jade hands, her soft lips painted with rouge… heh heh… heh heh…"
"My apologies." Baixiao appeared behind Baishi in a blink, grabbing her by the collar in a neat hold. Turning back, she smiled politely at Richard: "Forgive me, Mr. Richard. As you see, I need to take care of this matter. Please, go on ahead, Lady Ningguang has been waiting for you."
With that, she hauled Baishi off with one hand into an empty room.
A moment later, a scream came from within… and then silence.
Richard could only think: 'Let's hope she's still alive.'
Stepping into the dining hall, Richard was met with Ningguang's gentle smile.
"Those two children are always so energetic in the mornings. They didn't startle you, I hope?"
Richard shook his head. "They're certainly spirited."
"How do they compare to those at the Court of Fontaine?" Ningguang asked.
"Each has their own charm," Richard replied.
"I see…" Ningguang lowered her gaze, stirring the steaming rice porridge in her bowl. "Let's have breakfast first."
After the two enjoyed a rich meal, Ningguang dabbed her lips with a handkerchief before saying:
"Two guests will be arriving shortly."
"Do I need to excuse myself?" Richard asked, half-hoping this was his chance to slip away.
"That won't be necessary. In fact, you know them." Ningguang denied him the chance.
Richard had already guessed who it was.
Elsewhere, in an alley near the Yuehai Pavilion, Lumine and Paimon followed the directions given by Yuheng Qixing Keqing to find the Jade Chamber's guide.
After exchanging the secret signal, the guide led them onto the levitating stone staircase.
"To confirm, you two are Lady Ningguang's appointed guests today?" the guide asked.
"That's right!" Paimon nodded eagerly.
The guide gave them a once-over. They matched the description, but… why hadn't they used the guest-specific password? Still, since the code worked, he didn't press the issue further.
The stone steps slowly carried them skyward. In daylight, unlike the dark night, more details could be seen.
"Whoa, so high up… If you fell from here, you'd be nothing but a pancake on the ground…" Paimon leaned over the edge, then quickly recoiled in fright.
"But… you can fly, can't you?" Lumine asked.
"Oh… right, I can fly. Haha…" Paimon scratched her head sheepishly. "I was just too excited about meeting Lady Ningguang and forgot."
She then asked, "Say, lots of people must want an audience with Lady Ningguang, right? Besides us, will she meet anyone else today?"
"No," the guide shook his head. "Lady Ningguang has many affairs, and not all visitors are worth her personal attention. Though… ah, never mind. Please disregard that." He cut himself off quickly and stayed silent the rest of the way. Professional discretion was expected of a Jade Chamber guide.
Paimon wasn't bothered. She was too focused on the beautifully wrapped gift in her hands, already imagining what generous gift Lady Ningguang would give in return.
Someone as important as Ningguang surely gave extraordinary rewards… just thinking about it made Paimon impatient to arrive.
"Eh? Lumine, doesn't that person look familiar?" Paimon tugged at her sleeve, pointing toward the Jade Chamber.
"That's…" Lumine's eyes widened just as the stone steps docked with the platform.
"Paimon, Lumine, long time no see," Richard greeted first.
"Long time no see," Lumine replied.
"Long time no, wait, why are you here?!" Paimon blurted out.
"Been expecting you," Ningguang's voice interjected smoothly, drawing their attention back.
"Ah! Lady Ningguang!" Paimon exclaimed, fumbling to present the gift. "This is for you, we hope you'll like it!"
"For me? How thoughtful. I invited you here, yet you went through the trouble. Thank you."
"Not at all, not at all, hehe~" Paimon chuckled awkwardly, already daydreaming about the return gift.
"Since you are my Mister's friends, you are naturally mine as well. Please, come inside," Ningguang said.
"Your… Mister?" Lumine glanced at Richard, and Paimon followed.
"It means teacher," Richard explained.
Ningguang only smiled without correcting the term.
As they walked inside, Paimon kept bombarding Richard with questions: why he was here, how Furina was doing, and whether Charlotte had published that missing persons notice in the Steambird.
Richard asked in return why he'd seen wanted posters of the two in Fontaine's papers.
"That… is a long story," Paimon admitted, embarrassed.
Through the exchange, Richard learned of their recent troubles, including how they'd trusted a mysterious man named "Childe" who told them to seek out adepti in Jueyun Karst to clear their names.
They had indeed met Adepti, Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, Cloud Retainer, and even Xiao.
It was a long, arduous adventure. They even helped Zhongli prepare for the Rite of Parting.
Richard arched an eyebrow. So they were helping to send off the same god who was sending himself off? That was almost comedic.
Eventually, the tale led to today, where they accepted Ningguang's invitation and met both her and Richard.
"I suppose this 'Childe' hinted that the Qixing were behind the assassination of the Geo Archon?" Ningguang asked.
"That's right. He never said it outright, but it was heavily implied," Paimon confirmed.
"Trying to sow discord," Lumine judged.
"Oh? And what makes you think otherwise now?" Ningguang asked, curious.
"Keqing said the Qixing would never betray the Archon," Lumine explained. "And that day on the platform, you looked completely unprepared."
"The key thing is, the Anemo Archon mentioned that Richard was an old friend of the Geo Archon. If the Qixing had truly betrayed him, Richard wouldn't be standing here."
"Maybe I'm the culprit too," Richard teased, though no one bought it.
"The Geo Archon's old friend…" Ningguang gave him a searching look. "It seems there's much of your past I still don't know, Mister."
The conversation continued, with Paimon peppering Richard with questions, including whether he knew Diluc. Richard admitted he didn't, but did know Diluc's father.
Eventually, Ningguang acknowledged his reliability, mentioning his aid against the dragon crisis and the Fatui Harbinger. Then she asked bluntly:
"Richard, could it be that you came to Liyue for the Geo Archon's Gnosis?"
"No. I came to seek help from an old friend. My business is finished. If not for you, I'd already be on my way to Fontaine," Richard said.
"But Liyue is in turmoil. For me personally… your help would mean much," Ningguang confessed honestly. Even his presence soothed her.
"My help comes at a steep price," Richard said.
"I've heard Ningguang is the richest under heaven. Surely you can afford it, just don't demand too much," Paimon chimed in.
"To claim the title of richest, one must count both myself and my Mister together. After all, this Jade Chamber beneath our feet is half his," Ningguang revealed.
"Wha-?!" Paimon's eyes went wide, as if discovering her ordinary friend was secretly a billionaire.
Lumine, however, gave Richard a knowing look. "You really are a sinful man."
"Then, as payment, I'll give you the other half of the Jade Chamber," Ningguang said firmly.
Paimon whispered to Lumine, "Wait… I heard she built this place bit by bit as her dream. And now she's giving it away so easily?"
Lumine replied softly, "Not easily. If it weren't Richard, she'd sooner destroy it than hand it over."
"You mean… Richard is special to Ningguang, too?"
"That 'too' is doing a lot of work, Paimon."
"You two know I can hear you, right?" Richard deadpanned.
"I will help, but not now. This is a trial, and you understand what that means, don't you, Ningguang?" Richard said seriously.
Ningguang pondered. The Geo Archon's assassination seemed sudden, but hints had long been there. Morax had been withdrawing, delegating power to the Qixing, appearing less often, only once a year at the Rite.
Now Richard's words confirmed it. This was no accident. It was a test.
A test the Geo Archon had set for the Qixing, and for all of Liyue.
Smiling, Ningguang asked softly, "So then… does this count as you giving me the exam answers, My Mister?"
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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