Liyue's cultural exchange visit to Fontaine was a major event.
Even the Palais Mermonia sent someone of high enough rank to meet the delegation.
That person was none other than Neuvillette.
After all, they couldn't have Furina handle every diplomatic reception, especially when the Liyue delegation included both the Tianquan and an adeptus.
Having the Chief Justice himself preside over the meeting was the most appropriate choice.
Of course, "meeting" was mostly ceremonial, polite greetings, formal smiles, and a banquet discussion about arrangements that had already been agreed upon weeks ago.
Then came the journalists and the usual platitudes about "deepening cultural friendship" and "strengthening bilateral ties."
Nothing went wrong, everything went smoothly… but it was incredibly boring.
Fortunately, both Ningguang and Neuvillette were already veterans of this kind of dull social performance.
Politics, after all, was mostly just polite boredom.
They'd have to repeat this entire routine once again when the Liyue delegation left, but aside from that, the rest of the trip would be "free activity time."
Since it was a cultural exchange, they couldn't just come to Fontaine for show.
The Liyue delegation included top experts in various fields, music, cuisine, literature, traditional opera, and there would even be friendly competitions.
Officially, the motto was "Friendship First, Competition Second."
But really… who wanted to lose in front of the other country?
With national pride on the line, it was easy to imagine just how explosive the atmosphere at those contests would be.
But all that had little to do with Furina.
If she went to any competition, it would be as a judge, not a contestant; anything else would just be bullying.
What did concern Furina right now was the Jade Chamber, the possibility of using Liyue's adepti technology to prevent Fontaine's prophecy crisis, and the person Richard had mentioned from Liyue who specialized in mechanism design.
"Richard, when do you think would be a good time to visit them?" Furina asked.
She didn't think, just because she was the Hydro Archon, that others should always come to her.
After all, she was the one asking for help, and she understood the importance of showing respect.
"Whenever you decide, Lady Furina," Richard replied, reading the newspaper. "Though… why did you say 'we'?"
The Liyue delegation had just arrived that morning, and the newspaper had already released a special noon edition covering it.
Richard was reading it in the afternoon, and he had to admit, the Steambird worked much faster than the Palais Mermonia's official gazette, which was still drafting its article and wouldn't publish until the next day.
"Of course we! You're not thinking of letting me go alone, are you? Didn't you say you'd introduce me to your Liyue friend?" Furina leaned closer, pressing the newspaper down so she could stare him in the face.
She'd noticed that ever since they'd gotten closer, Richard had been getting more and more casual with her, even his "Lady Furina" sounded half-hearted now. And he even dared to read the newspaper while replying to her!
But she couldn't really scold him.
Right now, she was the one asking for help, and when you ask for help, you have to act like it.
So Furina kept her attitude perfectly polite and her expression earnest.
Her mismatched eyes sparkled like gemstones as she gazed into his, lips slightly pursed, almost begging.
...If it weren't for his self-control, Richard might have actually kissed her.
He sighed, folded the paper, and gave in.
"Yes, Lady Furina."
"Great! Then let's go right now!" she cheered, hugging his arm and dragging him toward the door, completely unconcerned about "proper distance" between men and women.
Richard had already explained to her that he wasn't without desires, he'd simply locked them away through pure discipline and control.
But from the way Furina behaved, she clearly hadn't taken that explanation seriously.
In fact, she'd been testing his limits more and more lately.
Well… this time, she definitely broke the "safe distance."
And as the saying goes, play long enough, and you'll have to pay up eventually.
Thankfully, her "tests" were mild, little gestures like holding his arm or playfully thumping his chest. Nothing beyond that.
In short: more than friends, less than lovers.
Even then, Furina only did this when she was in a good mood.
As for Richard, he didn't feel much about it either way.
Her figure wasn't exactly… impressive. If anything, the only thing he noticed was that girls' arms were soft.
If it were Clorinde holding his arm, the effect would be… explosive.
But Furina? Eh, acceptable.
"Is there really any need to rush?"
Once they left the office, Furina released his arm.
She could be more relaxed in private, but out in public, she had to uphold her image as the Hydro Archon.
She couldn't just stroll through the streets clinging to her secretary, especially not after the ring incident had already caused rumors to fly.
Doing that again would practically be an official announcement.
"The Liyue delegation's only here for less than two weeks! Of course, we need to act fast!" Furina said righteously.
Richard checked his watch; less than an hour until the end of the workday.
"Do you even know where the delegation is staying, Lady Furina?"
"Of course! The VIP reception suite, just upstairs."
Furina had already gathered all the information.
She noticed him glancing at his watch.
"Neuvillette's probably done with his talks by now. If we go now, we can even have dinner together. Liyue people like discussing business over meals, right? I'm just following their customs!"
Don't be fooled by how ditzy Furina seemed in front of Richard; she could be very sharp when she wanted to be.
She'd prepared multiple contingency plans for this day.
And she insisted on bringing Richard for two reasons, first, because he had connections in Liyue, and second, because… she just felt safer with him nearby.
Whenever Richard was with her, she spoke more confidently, stood taller, and even her voice grew louder.
"Oh, right!" Furina said suddenly. "What kind of gift should I bring? I remember in Liyue, you're supposed to bring gifts when visiting someone's home, right?"
Richard thought she was overthinking it.
This was Fontaine, her domain.
If anything, they were the guests here.
Besides, if she brought him along, that was already the best possible gift.
Ningguang's interest in Richard was no secret.
When they'd last met, she'd kept her composure, but her eyes had said plenty.
In truth, Richard was the one avoiding her, because if he gave the slightest signal, Ningguang would absolutely "handle business" and make sure he never called himself a virgin again.
"For a gift," Richard said, "why not take them to see a performance at the Opera Epicles? It fits the cultural exchange theme perfectly."
"Great idea! You're coming too, right?" Furina looked up at him.
Richard immediately regretted saying anything.
He should've just suggested pastries.
He coughed. "We'll… see. Depends on work."
"Then Saturday!" Furina declared. "The day after tomorrow. It's a rest day, no excuses!"
"Wouldn't that count as working overtime?" he muttered.
Furina smirked. "Nope. It's team-building. Extra benefits."
A flawless argument, Richard couldn't refute it.
She'd definitely learned a few tricks lately.
At this point, he realized Furina was dead set on dragging him everywhere.
Still, unknowingly, she'd actually found the perfect strategy to deal with Ningguang,
as long as she brought Richard along, Ningguang would have to talk to her.
If Furina could somehow "offer" Richard to Ningguang, Ningguang might even gift her the entire Jade Chamber, not just the technology.
Not that Furina would ever agree to that, of course.
"Oh, right," Furina said as they waited for the elevator. "You said you knew Ningguang and that adeptus from Liyue. What kind of relationship do you have with them, exactly?"
She hadn't asked before, and only now realized she was curious.
"Teacher and student," Richard said after a pause. "And… biological father and adoptive mother."
Furina blinked.
"…What kind of nonsense is that?"
Teacher and student, she could understand, but father and adoptive mother?
How could a virgin be someone's father?!
Richard just shrugged.
"Saving someone's life is like being their second parent," he explained.
Back then, he'd rescued a dying Shenhe, then introduced her to Cloud Retainer to become her master.
So, metaphorically speaking, he was her "biological father," and Cloud Retainer her "adoptive mother."
As for "teacher and student," that referred to his relationship with Ningguang, simple enough.
Perfectly reasonable!
Furina, completely lost, could only stare at him blankly.
Richard didn't bother explaining further. She'd understand when they met.
When they entered the VIP lounge, no one stopped them.
Of course not, who in the Palais Mermonia would dare block the Hydro Archon herself?
As for Ningguang's guards, they recognized Richard instantly.
After his last visit to the Jade Chamber, everyone there knew that this man was the most likely candidate to become its male owner.
And it wasn't that he pursued Ningguang; it was the other way around.
She'd even chased him all the way to Fontaine!
Her close aides all quietly agreed that it was only a matter of time before "Mr. Richard" truly became "Mr. Ningguang."
Ningguang was surprised to see him.
She'd planned to find him after handling her business, but him showing up on his own was an even better outcome.
In the lounge were only Ningguang and her three secretaries.
As for Cloud Retainer, she'd made a brief appearance earlier before returning to the embassy to keep an eye on Shenhe, literally.
The "adoptive mother" was deeply worried her precious disciple might run off to see her "father" alone and never come back.
Not that she needed to worry, Shenhe had promised Ningguang she'd wait until everything was finished before going to see him.
But fate had other plansBefore Ningguang could finish her tasks, Furina had already arrived, dragging Richard along.
Still, Ningguang wasn't bothered.
She immediately sent someone to fetch Shenhe and Cloud Retainer.
A promise was a promise, after all.
Besides… the way Furina was looking at Richard made Ningguang's instincts tingle.
A woman could always tell, the Hydro Archon definitely had feelings for this man.
Not deep yet, but definitely there.
Ningguang sighed inwardly.
'My dear Richard, your charm really is dangerous…'
"Greetings, Lady Furina. Mr. Richard, it's good to see you again," Ningguang said with her usual elegant smile.
Neuvillette, standing nearby, subtly noted how her aura changed, as if she'd switched from diplomatic mode to combat mode.
Then he looked at Richard… and understood everything.
'Oh. This was going to be interesting.'
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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