Chapter 31: Panic in Liyue
Liyue, Jade Chamber.
A group of people were meeting inside a room. lt's walls were adorned with intricate golden accents, vibrant jade decorations, and colorful tapestries depicting the ancient history of their nation. Lanterns flickered on the corners of the chamber, casting a beautiful, golden glow over the room.
At the head of the round table, an elegant lady dressed in a resplendent attire befitting her status had been chairing the meeting for hours.
It was the most important meeting the Qixing had ever had in their entire tenure.
It had been 2 weeks since their God, Rex Lapis, had appeared in a dream to them, declaring that a new Geo Archon had been chosen. He tasked them to utilize every disposal at their means to find and bring the person back to Liyue. Immediately.
One had to know, that such an act was unheard of for the Rex Lapis. The only time he would ever speak to them was during the annual rite of descension.
For the Qixing, it was the first time he had ever directly addressed them outside of the event.
Especially even more so for a certain purple-haired girl, Keqing. Dressed in her usual purple dress with a deep violet overcoat, she exuded an elegant bearing.
As the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, appearances were important. Keqing had to dress as one befitting of her high-ranking status.
Keqing had always believed that humans should deal with their problems. Besides, Rex Lapis only descended once a year, how would he know everything that was going on in Liyue?
But 2 weeks after Rex Lapis had stepped down, she found a new respect towards him, realizing how difficult it was to govern Liyue. Rex Lapis had temporarily handed his duties over to the Qixing until the new Geo Archon arrived and took over - It was already stressing her out to no end.
Therefore as part of her first step towards self-reflection and a means to destress, she purchased a memorabilia of the awe-inspiring Rex Lapis, a plushie.
And Ganyu caught her doing that …
A/N: Pic - caught simping in 4k
She would cuddle the plushie secretly at night inside her own room whenever she felt stressed out.
A/N: Pic - Keqing hugging a plushie of Rex Lapis
Whoever the new Geo Archon was, Keqing hoped that he would come quickly to Liyue, and would take a more active stance in managing the matters of Liyue; rather than appearing only once a year like Rex Lapis.
To her right, a girl with pale blue hair spoke. It was Ganyu.
"Do you have a plan, Lady Ningguang?"
"We have to re-establish diplomatic relations with Inazuma. The Sakoku Decree has almost brought communication between our nations to a standstill. Once that has been settled, we can proceed with the search for Rex Lapis's Successor on their land." Ninguang said. "Ganyu, are we able to include the tribute by another thirty million Mora?"
The girl opened another notebook, flipping through it frantically before she stopped. "W-We should be able to … but we'll risk running a deficit for this year's budget."
"That is acceptable. That's what the reserves are for. It would be a greater loss if we could not get the Golden House up and running. Without the help of the Geo Archon, the House of Gold cannot mint Mora." Ningguang frowned.
Such an expression was a rare act for the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing who always seemed to be calm, poised and in control of everything.
"The Rite of Descension is also approaching." Ningguang continued to speak, "As Rex Lapis has already mentioned in the dream since he is no longer the Geo Archon - he will not be present for it."
The Rite of Descension. It was an important event where Rex Lapis would grace the land with his prophecy, giving guidance on the economic path Liyue should follow in the coming year.
"The people of Liyue would panic if they realized their Archon had gone missing, with the new Archon nowhere to be found. Stability is essential for trade to prosper."Ningguang glanced at the calendar. "We must bring the Liyue's new God back here, no matter the cost!"
"Yes!" Ganyu quickly scribbled, flipping pages and notes.
"Keqing. Ganyu. The two of you will act as Liyue's Emissary. The Crux Fleet appears to be away for some matters in Inazuma. The Snezhnaya Embassy has agreed to lend us their vessel for transportation to Inazuma.
"We won't fail you, Lady Ningguang." Ganyu and Keqing responded in unison.
"Keqing, you are a competent and diligent individual. I will entrust … the letter written by Rex Lapis to you." Ninguang glanced at her.
"T-To me ?" Keqing blurted out.
With a flick of Lady Ninguang's finger, there was a flash of light. An envelope appeared in the middle of the table.
The edges of the letter were adorned with intricate motifs resembling the earth's striations, its surface boasting a mesmerizing pattern. In its middle was a seal, fashioned in gold in the shape of the Geo Element.
Anyone at a glance could see the letter was anything but ordinary.
"I will now read out the instructions on the note written by Rex Lapis that came with the envelope." Ningguang took the note and held it up in front of her.
[Esteemed Qixing,
With a heavy yet steadfast heart, I charge you with a task that transcends the borders of Liyue, reaching the distant shores of Inazuma. As the eons turn and the sands of time continue their eternal dance, millennias have passed and the moment arrives for the a new Geo Archon to take over — a transition that heralds a new era for Liyue.
The retrieval of this successor is extremely important, for his guidance will usher Liyue into an era of unprecedented prosperity. Spare no effort in convincing and persuading him back to our shores, ensuring his safe passage and a welcome befitting his divine calling. The Golden House shall cease to mint Mora unless at the command of the New Geo Archon.
I expect you to heed his commands as you have done so with mine. The Adeptus of Liyue have already promised me they would submit themselves to every command of the new Geo Archon and aid him in protecting Liyue.
I have also enclosed another letter within the envelope placed in Tianquan's Room. Seek an audience with the Electro Archon and hand over the envelope to her.
Make sure to look for the best Tricolour Dango Seller upon your arrival in Inazuma City. Procure these delicacies as a humble offering, a symbol of goodwill, to be presented when you meet with the revered Raiden Shogun. This is extremely important.
May the blessings of the land accompany your quest, illuminating the path that leads to the stewardship of Liyue's future.
This is my final decree as the Lord of Geo, a mantle I now pass on. Let your devotion to Liyue endure, guided by the unyielding loyalty that has sustained our land through eons.
Rex Lapis]
Silence descended upon them at the end of the letter, as everyone seemingly pondered the implications behind every word.
"The contents of the letter are to be kept a secret." Ninguang broke the silence. "If anyone is found guilty of leaking it, they shall be branded traitors feel the full weight of the law."
"How did you get the letter and the note, Lady Ninguang?" Keqing looked at the items and curiously asked.
"... I found it on the bed in my room. I have no idea how it ended up there. Rex Lapis probably snuck it in." Ningguang explained. "One of the Adeptis informed me that earlier that Rex Lapis had left something in my room."
Keqing's mind exploded upon hearing the words.
Bed? Room? Rex Lapis?
'That Rex Lapis only descends one of year, now he suddenly retires, and then sneaks into a lady's bedroom!' Keqing thought to herself. 'W-what an irresponsible archon!'
"Hey .. are you alright? Your face is red." Ganyu looked at her with concern.
"I … I'm fine!" Keqing nodded, trying to keep her embarrassment under wraps.
The discussion continued and soon, it reached the most important portion.
"Keqing. Take the letter and guard it well. See that it safely reaches the Ruler of the Violet Throne." Ningguang looked at her. "No peeking."
"O-Of course. I won't!" she received the items entrusted to her safekeeping.
As Keqing held the letter, her finger unconsciously traced its outline. She pictured an incredibly magnificent and handsome figure, sitting down on a desk hard work for the future and prosperity of Liyue as he penned the letter.
Every single one of the archon's strokes on the letter was deliberate, forming words that danced and resonated with depth. When the letter was done, Rex Lapis would place the letter in the envelope …
His hands touched the envelope!
T-This was like indirectly holding hands with Rex Lapis! She was touching the envelope that Rex Lapis touched!
Even though she wouldn't get to see its contents, she could at least sniff it later secretly when no one was watching.
'I-I won't forgive you for sneaking into Lady Ningguang's Room, R-Rex Lapis! I'm just following your orders because Lady Ningguang said so.' Keqing nodded to herself. 'Hmph!'
Lady Ningguang stood up, her voice full of authority.
"Liyue's prosperity over the thousands of years hangs on this. We cannot afford to fail. Keqing, Ganyu. Make preparations to depart for Inazuma at once."
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