At Yujing Terrace, within Yuehai Pavilion, a meeting of the Liyue Qixing was underway.
Ningguang sat with commanding poise at the head of the table. The other Qixing were seated in order along both sides.
A single sheet of paper was passed around the table.
Before long, everyone had read it—and their reactions varied. Keqing wore a faint smile, clearly in high spirits.
Uncle Tian remained calm, as if unaffected.
But Kaiyang, Yaoguang, and the others looked grim, brows drawn with shadowed displeasure. Ningguang took it all in, then spoke with unquestionable authority.
"Rectifying usury is an order from my Lord. No one may disobey." Keqing spoke immediately.
"I propose we abolish usury entirely. We cannot allow it to continue harming the people." Kaiyang retorted at once.
"Usury's interest is high because the risk is high. Risk and profit are proportional." "To abolish it rashly would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater."
Keqing gave a cold laugh.
"Kaiyang. Your guild's biggest business is loan sharking."
"Nine out, thirteen back in a month—your rates are even higher than Northland Bank, that infamous pit of blood and tears."
"Shameless."
Kaiyang sputtered, shaking so hard he could barely form words. "You… you…!" Yaoguang hurriedly cut in.
"Borrowing is voluntary. No one forces them. It's freedom between both parties."
Keqing's expression hardened.
"Fine—borrowing might be 'free.' What about repayment?" "Half of them can't repay at all. And what do you do then?" Yaoguang's face stiffened. She fell silent.
But Keqing didn't let her off.
Her words turned sharper, more cutting.
"The men get sent to the Chasm—mining in darkness."
"The women, if they're even slightly pretty, get sent to the Pearl Galley." "And those who aren't… become slaves and servants."
"As Qixing, you're supposed to protect the people." "And you dare speak to me about 'freedom'?"
Yaoguang flushed red with fury and stood, pointing at Keqing. "Yuheng—don't act like your own guild is clean!"
Keqing remained calm.
"Yesterday, I waived all interest on my guild's usury loans."
"Not only that—every bit of interest collected over the past ten years will be returned to the borrowers."
The moment she said it, everyone's faces—except Ningguang's—turned ugly as if choking on something.
Keqing was ruthless.
Ningguang then stated calmly, "Today, I will do the same."
"The Feiyun Commerce Guild will waive all usury interest and return what was collected."
"From this day forward, the Jade Chamber's commerce will abandon the usury business entirely."
With the tide turned, Kaiyang and the others looked like mourners at a funeral, but they had no choice—one after another, they announced waivers and refunds as well.
Once they capitulated, the rest of the meeting proceeded more smoothly. The only true point of contention came with the final demand:
Forcing Northland Bank to hand over the culprit.
Led by Uncle Tian, several Qixing argued that Snezhnaya's influence was too great. They shouldn't antagonize it over a single common citizen, lest Liyue invite unnecessary trouble.
But Keqing fought back—reasoned, relentless, and fierce.
Under her storm of condemnation, five Qixing lowered their heads in shame, unable to meet anyone's eyes.
No one had expected Keqing, born of a noble house, to display such ferocity today.
In the end, thanks to her forceful stance—and Ningguang's clear support—after half a day of debate, concrete measures were decided.
When the meeting ended and everyone dispersed, Ningguang kept Keqing behind. Ningguang genuinely admired Keqing's lightning-sharp style and wanted to speak privately— But she quickly regretted it.
Keqing opened without restraint.
"Tianquan. You are the head of the Liyue Qixing. Your focus should be your duties—not chasing profit all day."
"The Judicial Office under your supervision is outrageously inefficient, and its case closure rate is abysmal."
An awkward look surfaced on Ningguang's face. She answered quickly, "Understood. I'll improve it."
Keqing frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the perfunctory response, but didn't press further. Compared to the others, Ningguang was still… a standard worth following.
Ningguang cleared her throat, then asked, "Yuheng. Why are you so different today?" Keqing sighed softly.
"I was involved in the investigation of Zhang Xiaoli's death from beginning to end." "I saw her life—pitiful, and in some ways… absurd."
"Common people, limited by knowledge, often become the first targets of exploitation."
"I acted so extremely today because I don't want tragedies like this to repeat on this beautiful land of Liyue."
Ningguang fell silent for a long time.
She herself had come from the bottom. From a barefoot girl selling wares to the Tianquan who held Liyue in her grasp—the hardship of that path was hers alone to know.
But somewhere along the way, perhaps she'd forgotten. She had drowned in power and wealth.
Ningguang inhaled, then bowed deeply to Keqing. "Yuheng, your criticism is right."
"After we finish rectifying usury, I will shift my focus back to my duties immediately." Keqing nodded. "I believe you can lead Liyue toward a better future."
Ningguang stepped forward and took Keqing's hand.
"Next… will you stand with me as we apply pressure to Northland Bank?" Keqing didn't hesitate.
"Mm."
Together, they went to Northland Bank. The coercion went smoothly.
Snezhnaya was powerful, yes—but Liyue was only a step behind, not something to be cowed.
When Ningguang declared she would drive Northland Bank out of Liyue, the branch director dropped to his knees on the spot.
In a panic, he ordered his subordinates to deliver the debt-collector who had accidentally strangled Zhang Xiaoli to the Judicial Office.
After that, the Judicial Office arrested Huachu and Jianqiu as well—right off the streets. Under the crushing weight of authority, even without airtight evidence…
Zhang Xiaoli's justice was finally restored.