"Summaries are posted on the wall, and more and more are being put up. But before this white wall is completely covered, Lady Ningguang will surely reach a decision!"
"Once she makes up her mind, she will crush all the information, and with a whoosh—scatter the scraps out the window."
"My word, they'll drift and flutter, like a sudden flurry of shattered snow. The handwriting on those scraps will be like ink stains on snow to every merchant in Liyue, blinding!"
"A poem praises:
Drifting and scattering, like snow dust descending from the clouds;
Dense yet sparse, each word is as precious as a rare gem.
In a single thought, the land and rivers are consumed, all know, the Tianquan reigns supreme!"
"Consider this, though they are mere scraps of paper, how precious must be the 'thoughts' Lady Ningguang uses for her decisions? If you could snatch even one or two more, the crumbs of benefit that Lady Ningguang lets slip through her fingers would be a bit more than your peers..."
In the storyteller's words, Lady Ningguang held sway over all, the undisputed ruler of Liyue, whose every word and action would influence the commercial direction of the nation.
While the words were spoken carelessly, they were taken to heart. Aside from a few patrons who were merely there for amusement, Feng Yi and the others felt a sense of dawning realization.
Feng Yi: Ningguang has already begun her maneuvers, expanding the influence of the Seven Stars and ushering in an era of 'rule by man.'
Tartaglia: Tianquan Ningguang seems to be planning something. Recently, the storytellers seem to have reduced the tales of the Adepti...
Zhongli: Hmm, indeed, the time for retirement is approaching. I hope the Seven Stars can bear the responsibility of protecting Liyue.
"Tianquan Ningguang... I've been hearing this name a lot recently. People in Liyue talk about her, the Fatui dislike her, and she's the one hiding the 'Ancestral Remains.' We even met her once at the 'Rite of Descension.' What kind of person is she?"
Paimon, stroking her chin, analyzed with great seriousness. If only they could visit the Jade Chamber...
Ugh... she wasn't doing it for those priceless, top-secret documents stuck on the wall! Absolutely not!
When Paimon mentioned that the Fatui disliked Tianquan Ningguang, Tartaglia smiled faintly, unable to deny it. How many of the Fatui's hidden operatives had Ningguang already rooted out? How could they possibly like her?
"Excuse me for interrupting, everyone. I am Bai Wen, Secretary to Lady Ningguang. By Lady Ningguang's command, I am here to invite this Traveler and her companion to visit the Jade Chamber..."
Just as Paimon finished speaking, Bai Wen approached from not too far away.
'Speak of Ningguang, and her secretary appears!'
Paimon thought to herself. Luckily, she hadn't badmouthed Ningguang just now.
"Is that the palace in the sky?"
Paimon asked with a hint of anticipation. She really wanted to experience the feeling the storyteller described: standing on the deck of the Jade Chamber, looking down at the myriad lights of Liyue, and gazing at the swirling clouds.
"Yes, please accept this invitation. We await your arrival at the Jade Chamber."
Bai Wen replied with a smile, handing the invitation to the Traveler before turning to leave, her task from Lady Ningguang complete.
Mr. Zhongli, the guest from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, the 'Childe' Harbinger, and Mr. Feng Yi, all gathered at one table, chatting and laughing as if they were good friends. She had to hurry back and report this discovery to Lady Ningguang.
"Ying, we actually received an invitation from Tianquan Ningguang! It's unbelievable!"
Paimon chuckled, looking at the invitation in Ying's hand.
Not long ago, they were wanted criminals in Liyue, living in constant fear. Now, they were Ningguang's guests. The change in status was so sudden, she was still a bit unaccustomed to it.
Ying remained silent, instead looking at Feng Yi with a questioning gaze. Receiving an invitation from Tianquan Ningguang so suddenly, she wasn't sure if she should go.
Feng Yi smiled and nodded slightly, indicating that they would discuss it further after the meal.
"Heh heh heh... Very few are fortunate enough to be invited to visit the Jade Chamber. You two go ahead. But don't forget about the 'Rite of Sending Away.' After you return from the Jade Chamber, we will rendezvous in Dihua Marsh..."
Zhongli smiled faintly. As a guest of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, he had indeed visited the Jade Chamber before. The tea there was quite good.
"Don't worry, we won't forget. It's a deal. See you in Dihua Marsh!"
Paimon chirped with a grin.
"Excellent. Proprietor, the bill!"
Zhongli nodded and then took out a coin pouch from his pocket, placing it on the table.
"Hello, esteemed guests. Your total is 170,000 Mora. Thank you for your patronage, and we look forward to your next visit."
The waiter weighed the coin pouch. After working in this line of business for so long, he could tell how much Mora was inside just by its weight.
The coin pouch contained exactly 170,000 Mora!
Zhongli: After careful calculation, maximizing the effect of the limited Mora. In terms of universal reason, this was a successful treat.
As the patrons dispersed, Feng Yi and Ying left together.
Along the way, Paimon occasionally glanced up at the Jade Chamber, extremely curious about the palace in the sky.
"Feng Yi, do you know what kind of person Tianquan Ningguang is? Should I go?"
Ying looked at the invitation in her hand, worried it might be a trap.
"Ningguang... She is indeed cunning and calculating, but when it comes to matters of great importance, she is quite principled. Based on my understanding of her, she wouldn't wrong an innocent person. Since she's inviting you, she must have guessed something. She won't treat you like a suspect..."
Feng Yi understood Ying's concern. After all, they had been pursued and wanted by the Millelith as suspects not long ago.
"Hey? Feng Yi, how do you know so much about Tianquan Ningguang? Are you friends?"
Paimon heard the familiarity in Feng Yi's tone.
"Yes, we are indeed friends. And it's been a while since I've been to the Jade Chamber. Would you like me to lead the way? So you don't get lost..."
"Hey hey, are you questioning my abilities as a guide? I, Paimon, am the 'Teyvat Encyclopedia'! Without your lead, I can still guide Ying to the Jade Chamber!"
Paimon felt her professional domain was being challenged and immediately retorted, hands on her hips. It's just going up to the sky, what's so difficult about that?
"Alright, alright, you're the best. I'll head on ahead then. I'll wait for you at the Jade Chamber..."
Feng Yi chuckled, shaking his head. He couldn't understand Paimon's sudden surge of competitiveness.
But it was fine. A little hardship wouldn't hurt. He would go up first and have some tea.
Watching Feng Yi leave, Paimon grinned triumphantly. You can lose the battle, but not the spirit. She hadn't lost this round!
"Paimon, let's go buy a gift first. Also, you know how to get to the Jade Chamber, right?"
Ying put away the invitation. Since it was a formal visit, according to Liyue customs, they shouldn't go empty-handed.
"I... I think I know..."