"That's exactly the point." Ryou grinned at Ganyu.
"Then hurry up and interrogate La Signora," Ganyu urged. "See if you can get anything out of her."
This was serious. Two Fatui Harbingers showing up in Liyue Harbor was the kind of incident that could shake the entire port.
Ryou shook his head. "We can't interrogate her."
He leaned back, casual as ever. "The reason I swaggered in and grabbed them in broad daylight was to drag them straight into the Ministry of Civil Affairs. From here on out, we just keep them locked up. Once we catch the rest of the Fatui involved and destroy the Sigils of Permission, we let them go. That's it."
"Hm. That works." Keqing nodded along, clearly on board.
"But what about after?" Ganyu pressed.
Ryou hadn't just arrested a bunch of people from the Northland Bank—he'd arrested La Signora herself. If they couldn't produce a convincing explanation in the end, the Northland Bank wouldn't simply swallow it.
"That part isn't worth worrying about too much," Ryou said. "I doubt La Signora will sit quietly and accept this. She'll probably force her way out soon, and once she does, we've got our excuse."
He counted it off on his fingers. "I'll say the Fatui intended to destroy Liyue Harbor, and that the Harbinger La Signora fled the city overnight. Then we put out a wanted notice. No further explanation needed."
He shrugged. "And if she actually stays put? Then I'll apologize to her at the end. I mean—if I've already apologized, what more does she want?"
Keqing and Ganyu both burst out laughing.
With that helpless, shameless shrug, Ryou looked exactly like a scoundrel who'd decided the rules didn't apply to him.
"If you do this, La Signora's going to be furious," Keqing said, still laughing.
"I'm betting the Fatui prepared more than a few Sigils of Permission," Ryou said, his tone sobering. "That's dangerous."
He didn't flinch. "Yeah, my reputation might take a hit. People might even decide I'm not a good person. But if I can trade a little 'impact' for Liyue Harbor staying safe, that's a bargain I'll take every time."
As he spoke, his hand rested lightly on Keqing, his voice steady and earnest.
"I'm from Liyue," he said. "My father, my mother… you, too. You're all from Liyue. I'm not going to stand here and watch them run wild in our home."
His gaze softened, but his words didn't. "I'll protect you. I'll protect all of you. Even if people misunderstand me, I don't care. As long as you're safe… that's enough."
Keqing's chest tightened.
Those words landed right where she lived.
Being able to marry a man like him—how could she not feel lucky?
And if he cared this much about her… then she should care more about him, too. She really did need to help him win Ganyu over sooner rather than later. Keeping him bottled up forever wasn't fair.
Keqing's thoughts finally settled into something warm and quiet. She hugged him and murmured, "You're really good to me."
"Silly Keqing," Ryou said, dipping his head to kiss her forehead. "If I'm not good to you, who am I supposed to be good to?"
Across from them, Ganyu fell silent, expression carefully blank.
In her head, she sighed. You two really can't stop for even a second, can you? Five minutes without getting showered in affection—was that too much to ask?
"Enough," Keqing said, flustered. She pushed at Ryou and glanced around. "Ganyu's still here!"
Ganyu cleared her throat. "I… have other matters to handle back at the Ministry. I'll report this to Ningguang."
She stood up and walked out, choosing the oldest solution known to humanity: out of sight, out of mind.
After Ganyu left the office, Ryou leaned close to Keqing's ear and whispered, "I can tell you've recovered."
His voice dipped, dangerous with amusement. "Pinching me like that… You think I'm going to let it slide? Not today."
He straightened. "Come on. We're going home."
"Ryou…" Keqing's face went bright red as she grabbed his arm and pleaded, shamelessly resorting to coquettishness. It embarrassed her to no end—but being "bullied" this early in the day felt worse. If acting cute bought her even a little time, she'd take it.
Ryou huffed a laugh. "Too late."
Then, as if granting mercy, he added, "Relax. Before I 'eat' you, I'll make sure you're properly satisfied."
With that, he scooped Keqing up in his arms. "Let's go home."
"Hey—put me down!" Keqing struggled, cheeks burning. "This is so embarrassing!"
"Resistance denied," Ryou said, completely unapologetic, as he carried her out of the Ministry.
He still had things to do: prepare the hot springs, buy a few more outfits… and when the time came, have Keqing wear them and dance for him.
Stay at the Ministry?
What a waste of time.
What could possibly be more important than being with his wife?
…
Inside the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Zhongli sat with a cup of tea.
He'd already agreed to join the Ministry of Civil Affairs, so earlier today, while he was out, he'd sent a few invoices over to the Ministry. Some antiques and curios he'd found were genuinely worth purchasing, and the Ministry's salary was generous enough that paying for them wouldn't be an issue.
Still… quiet afternoons like this were about to become rare.
Zhongli hadn't expected that even on the verge of "retirement," he'd end up getting dragged into the Ministry to work.
He sighed, took a slow sip—and then saw Hu Tao hop-skipping into the room, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Director," Zhongli said, giving her a long look, "composure."
"I know, I know," Hu Tao said, waving him off. "Zhongli, I just came back from the Ministry. Do you know what I heard?"
"What is it?" Zhongli asked, unhurried, lifting his tea again and blowing on it before taking another careful sip.
Hu Tao leaned in, eyes shining. "Everyone's talking about how that Ryou guy stormed the Northland Bank and started arresting people. Not only did he take the bank staff—he even grabbed a Fatui Harbinger!"
She gestured wildly as she explained. "And it wasn't Childe. It was La Signora!"
Pfft—
Zhongli sprayed tea onto the stone railing beside him.
He stared at Hu Tao like she'd just announced the sea had caught fire. "You're saying La Signora was arrested and thrown into the Ministry's cells?"
A Fatui Harbinger… dragged into the Ministry like a petty criminal?
For a brief, deeply undignified moment, one thought echoed in his head:
Do you have no shame?
"Huh?" Hu Tao blinked at his reaction. "Zhongli, why are you freaking out like that? Don't tell me you know her?"
She'd heard rumors La Signora was stunning—and… exceptionally well-endowed. She was suddenly very curious what Zhongli's "type" looked like.
"I don't," Zhongli said at once, shaking his head. "I'm simply surprised. A Fatui Harbinger is powerful. For her to be captured and taken into the Ministry…"
He set his cup down, expression complicated. "This Ryou is not ordinary."
Then he stood. "Director, I have to step out for something."
"Hey—Zhongli! Zhongli!" Hu Tao called after him as he briskly left. "Why are you running so fast?! Ugh—again! You never take me with you!"
She puffed out her cheeks. "Fine! Next time you fall asleep, I'm burying you myself!"
…
Zhongli arrived at the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
A staff member approached him. "Zhongli-san, what brings you here? Ryou-sama said you'd start work tomorrow."
"I need to see someone," Zhongli said. "I'll be out shortly."
"All right." The staff member hesitated only briefly before stepping aside and letting him pass.
Not long after, Zhongli stood before a cell and saw La Signora inside.
Arms crossed, she looked like a wildfire packed into human skin. The glare she threw at him could've killed.
"Morax," she hissed. "You have the nerve to come see me?"
Her voice sharpened. "Didn't we have an agreement? If I hadn't agreed to that favor for you, do you think I'd be stuck like this?"
Her lips curled, pure venom. "And that Ryou… when I get out, I'm going to kill him."
The more she thought about what he'd done, the more murderous her expression became.
He actually dared.
He actually dared.
Zhongli felt cold sweat prick his back.
He coughed once, choosing his words carefully. "La Signora, I only just received this news."
His tone stayed controlled. "Don't worry. Our arrangement still stands. I'll have Ningguang make the necessary preparations to release you."
He paused, then added flatly, "But until then, you should remain here. I'd rather not see this escalate further."
"Morax," La Signora said, eyes blazing, "you'd better get me out quickly. And about today—I want Ningguang to give me an explanation."
Zhongli looked at her for a long moment, then sighed. "Understood."
After a brief exchange, Zhongli left the Ministry.
Liyue Harbor was as lively as ever, warm with noise and lantern light—but as he walked, a strange unease settled over him.
A little farther ahead, he noticed clusters of people gathered around a noticeboard, whispering and arguing.
"What's going on? Why was the Rite of Descension postponed?"
"The Ministry didn't explain anything. What happened?"
"I bet it's the Fatui. I saw Ministry people heading to the Northland Bank today and arresting everyone inside."
"I heard they even got a Fatui Harbinger. And let me tell you—she was so pale, and so… well-endowed."
"Pale and well-endowed? Are you sure you're not just describing the Fatui Harbinger?"
…
Zhongli's expression darkened by the second.
Why had the Rite of Descension been postponed?
As the Geo Archon, how could he not know?
And yet no one had informed him.
He exhaled once, slow and controlled.
It seemed he would have to meet Ningguang today. He needed answers—otherwise, his plans would be thrown off course.
Meanwhile, the culprit at the center of this chaos had already returned home.
By the time Ryou got back, it was afternoon. He told Keqing to rest, then took the opportunity to slip into his pocket realm.
Using his stamina, he continued building out the hot spring area. The materials he'd bought earlier were finally getting used one by one.
When the water began to surge and circulate, Ryou stepped into the hot spring zone and felt the heat wrap around him.
He let out a sound that was almost a groan. "This is amazing…"
His hand skimmed the surface of the water, ripples spreading out beneath his fingers.
"If only Keqing were here with me," he muttered, then immediately coughed. "No. Nope. Not going there."
He rubbed his chin, thinking. "Still… I should bring her here sooner. If I suddenly have a whole hidden space and I don't explain it properly, she'll definitely start overthinking."
In the end, he decided on the simplest excuse: he'd call it a blessing from Rex Lapis. Keqing would accept that far more easily.
Ryou wiped his face and glanced at the time. "Almost evening."
A grin tugged at his mouth. "I'll make sure Keqing's satisfied first… and when night comes, that's when I enjoy the real feast."
[End of chapter]
[200 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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