"You must be the Knight-King of Mondstadt."
"Lady Ningguang invites you aboard!"
Zhongli had scarcely vanished when a colossal silhouette—the Jade Chamber—glided into place above the Stone Gate.
To push the Jade Chamber here in barely an hour or two, Ningguang had burned through nearly ten years' worth of the platform's stored fuel. At its ordinary cruising pace, it truly would have taken a full day to arrive. Teyvat's black technology, indeed—its speed was no boast.
Baiwen descended on a device fashioned from the Mingxia Levitation Stone, bowed with impeccable courtesy, and extended the invitation. Rowan nodded without fuss, stepped onto the mechanism with her, and rose toward the Jade Chamber.
By now, news of the "outlander" entrusted by the Anemo Archon and acclaimed as Mondstadt's Knight-King had spread across the nations. Only Inazuma, sealed by choice, and Natlan, sealed by circumstance, remained largely untouched by rumor. Everyone else knew of him—some even called him, in a certain sense, the "current wind god's knight."
Liyue, Mondstadt's neighbor, had gathered the most reports of all—especially regarding Rowan's sweeping reforms around the principle of "freedom." Those, Ningguang had to applaud.
She had spoken with Jean about Mondstadt's old systems more than once. The two were close friends who exchanged letters—as close as best friends, really. Yet Jean's methods… to Ningguang's eye, they were childish. Even more so than the vigorous and decisive Yuheng, Keqing. At least Keqing took ownership and advocated rule by people—self-reliance without leaning on adepti or archons.
Jean, however? The opposite: she often left things undone, hoping others would help at no cost, content to reap what others sowed. Worse, she not only failed to curb such behavior—she led by example, helping those who had clearly not thought things through. If Keqing ever visited Mondstadt, Ningguang could imagine exactly how furious she'd become.
This, to Ningguang, was unacceptable. "Giant babies"—that was what outsiders called Mondstadters, and Jean bore some responsibility for that reputation. Ningguang admired Jean's character and ability deeply, but as for her way of doing things… if she had to judge, there were only two words: overindulgence.
Ningguang had once considered offering counsel, then let it go. It was another nation's domestic affair; Liyue had neither right nor need to point fingers. Even if she did speak, the advice might not be welcome—and harming a friendship over foreign governance would be foolish.
She'd also heard that Jean, at present, had become neither acting Grand Master nor even vice-master of the Knights. A pity, truly. Private friendship was one thing; statecraft, another. If Jean ever left Mondstadt, Ningguang would gladly recruit her into Liyue. But that was unlikely. The Gunnhildrs swore to guard Mondstadt across generations; given Jean's feelings for her homeland, betrayal was unthinkable. Not everyone is born a wanderer.
A short time later, Rowan set foot upon the place Liyue revered as its highest platform—the Jade Chamber. It was both the seat of Liyue's highest political decisions and Ningguang's private residence. In the beginning, it had been only a single small house—the very chamber at its heart. As Ningguang's wealth and influence grew, it expanded into the floating palace it was today.
One could only admire her capability and methods.
"Welcome to the Jade Chamber, Knight-King of Mondstadt. I, Ningguang of the Liyue Qixing—Tianquan—greet you."
As Rowan reached the great central doors, they swung open. Ningguang stepped out in a regal, gilt cheongsam, smiled, and bowed in welcome. Given Rowan's present standing in Mondstadt, to call him a contemporary Wind-God was not an exaggeration. All matters in Mondstadt now required his assent to proceed; even Liyue's supreme leader inclined her head to him.
"No need for ceremony. Please, rise," Rowan said, giving her a quick once-over and a faint smile. "Treat me as an ordinary guest. No need for all the formalities."
Truly the richest woman in Teyvat—those legs really were longer than a man's life.
"You honor us, Lord Knight-King. This way, please." Seeing his easy manner, Ningguang did not insist. She rose and gestured inward.
They entered an office clearly used for daily work. A large blackboard stood to one side, covered with pinned notes—future directions for Liyue's development, the very trajectories merchants would scramble to follow. The origins of many a "snow-shard" rumor were sketched here.
"Please, sit." Ningguang took her chair, resting her chin lightly on her hand as she studied Rowan. "This is where I usually work. It's a bit plain—pardon the lack of grandeur."
"If this counts as 'plain,' then my royal palace must be a pigsty," Rowan said dryly.
"You jest. May I ask—how should I address you?"
Her smile didn't waver, and she took no offense at his banter. Instead, she asked after his true name. Out in the world, Rowan's true name was a secret; aside from a few archons, no one knew it, and he had never volunteered it. Most simply called him "King." It suited a god's habits—among the Seven, the world knew their divine titles, not their private names.
"My true name—are you that curious?"
"Of course. It seems no one outside knows what Lord Knight-King is called. If you are unwilling, think nothing of it."
For all that she was Tianquan, perhaps the wealthiest woman in Teyvat, Ningguang held true respect for beings on the level of archons. Judging by how Rowan had stood toe-to-toe with the Tsaritsa, his strength was likely not inferior to a god's. If he refused, she would not press.
"It isn't a secret," Rowan said with a chuckle. "But, Ningguang—what will you trade me for it?"
(End of Chapter)
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