"You're just like Shenhe. If he were an ordinary man, I would help you."
"But… he is married. If you pursue this carelessly, people will speak badly of you."
Madame Ping looked at Xiangling. "I can tell Ryou loves Keqing deeply. Getting them to separate is almost impossible."
"He only just married Keqing properly. Setting him aside, his father alone would never agree to something like that."
"His family has always had only one wife. His father was like that, so naturally, his son is the same."
"And have you forgotten the tension between Ningguang and Keqing? Don't stick your nose into this recklessly."
"What tension?" Xiangling shook her head.
"Yanfei mentioned it to me before. Liyue's new laws are still being refined, and some of those laws require discussion among the Liyue Qixing," Madame Ping said.
"Ningguang and Keqing clashed over one particular law. They are both part of the Liyue Qixing, but because of that matter, their relationship has never been especially close."
"Keqing supports monogamy, and Ryou's father, along with another member of the Liyue Qixing, agreed with her."
Madame Ping poured Xiangling another cup of tea.
"If Ryou truly likes you, then speak with him and have him convince Keqing. Once Keqing gives her consent, the law can make room for it, and you will get what you want."
Madame Ping sipped her tea and advised her gently, "Xiangling, you're still young. There's no need to rush into marriage."
"Even if you really like Ryou… he is already married. You can also look toward people like Yun Jin or Xingqiu. Liyue has many outstanding young people."
"Master, I… I've already thought it through. I liked him from the start. It was love at first sight."
"But after spending these past few days with Ryou, I feel more and more that we have so much in common."
"His abilities are stronger than mine, and in the future, we could improve together. So… Master, you don't need to persuade me anymore," Xiangling said seriously.
"Master, I'm not a child anymore. I know what I'm doing, and I won't regret it."
"You…" Madame Ping looked at Xiangling and sighed. She poured her another cup of tea. "If you like him, then go after him."
"Ryou… is outstanding. He is worthy of you."
"But you are not the only one pursuing him. Of course, Master will help you a little."
"Thank you, Master." Xiangling held the teacup and took small sips. "Master, did you know? I don't like drinking tea."
Madame Ping looked at Xiangling without saying anything.
"But this tea is actually really pleasant. I think I might like it a little. This is the tea Ryou brought earlier, right?" Xiangling asked.
"Yes. It truly is excellent tea," Madame Ping said.
"I still wouldn't drink it every day, though." Xiangling shook her head. "Tea just isn't really my thing."
"Take some back for your father. You like it, and… this tea from Ryou truly is excellent."
"It's even better than the tea he brought last time. It's filled with Adeptal energy. Compared to some immortal herbs, it may even be a step above them," Madame Ping said with a smile as she savored the tea.
…
When Ryou arrived at the office, Keqing looked up and saw him come in with Lumine. Her guard rose at once.
Lumine watching him this closely was definitely not a good sign. After all, she had been eyeing Keqing's husband for a long time.
Lumine said, "What are you staring at?"
"What if I am staring at you?" Keqing said.
"All right, enough." Ryou coughed. "I finished my business and invited Lumine along on the way."
"I'm free today," Lumine said.
"You're not going to the Adventurers' Guild?" Keqing asked.
Lumine dropped into a seat. "I'm rich now. Why would I go to the Adventurers' Guild?"
"You…" Keqing did not know what to say.
Then again, Lumine had earned over one hundred million Mora with Yanfei's help. The company's profits were not enough to affect her much anymore.
Ryou sat beside Lumine. "Speaking of that, there is something I can suggest you do."
"What is it?"
"Buy Third-Round Knockout," Ryou said.
Keqing looked at him. "She can't afford it."
"Who are you looking down on? I have one hundred million Mora!" Lumine glared at Keqing, looking rather smug.
"So what if you have one hundred million Mora?" Keqing said. "It depends on the location. Do you think Liyue Harbor is some cheap backwater?"
"Liyue is prosperous. Third-Round Knockout is in a busy district, just like Feiyun Slope. The foot traffic there is enormous."
"Degui may have a lot of rumors surrounding him, but he isn't stupid. He won't sell it. And besides, one hundred million Mora wouldn't be enough."
"Degui?" Lumine turned to Ryou.
"Mm." Ryou nodded.
Lumine turned up her nose. "Even his name sounds shady."
Ryou gave a dry cough. "Careful. That's a bit harsh. That location is important. One hundred million may not be enough to buy it."
"I'll go arrest him in a bit, then discuss it with him afterward."
"A-Arrest him?" Keqing was stunned.
"Degui's wine has problems. More than one person has mentioned it. Some customers nearby drank there and ended up sick."
"If we investigate, Degui won't survive the inspection," Ryou said, chewing a piece of bubblegum.
"Give me half!" Lumine said.
"I want some too," Keqing said.
Ryou glanced at Lumine and Keqing, then ate the whole piece. "What are you dreaming about?"
"Come on. Let's go arrest someone."
"I'm going with you!" Lumine said.
"I'm going too!" Keqing stood as well.
Ryou said, "Keqing, I'm only going to arrest one person. I'll be back soon. Didn't you say you were going to see Ganyu?"
"Uh… right." Keqing nodded.
She still wanted to help Ryou win Ganyu over, and seeing Lumine so eager only made Keqing more anxious.
Because of that, she did not follow him. Besides, she trusted Ryou's character.
It was just that Lumine always kept provoking her like that, and Keqing could not help arguing back.
Ryou gave Keqing a look, then left with Lumine.
"You, you, and you. Come with me," Ryou said, pointing out several staff members from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, including Huixin.
"We're going to arrest someone."
"Who are we arresting?" Huixin asked.
"Why ask so much? Just follow me." Ryou walked ahead and called over several Millelith.
Many people stepped aside when they saw Ryou, and he could even hear them whispering among themselves.
Some curious onlookers glanced over, and the crowd around them quickly grew larger.
"R-Ryou-sama!" a waiter called.
Ryou could hear the waiter's voice trembling. He glanced inside and asked, "Where is your boss?"
"He's in the back. Please wait a moment. He'll be out right away."
"Call him out," Ryou said.
"No need. I am the owner, Degui. May I ask if Ryou-sama has come here for a meal?" Degui asked with a smiling face.
"Arrest him," Ryou said, raising his hand.
Ryou saw the Millelith fail to react at first, while several Ministry of Civil Affairs staff members had already stepped forward and seized Degui.
He glanced at the Millelith. "What are you doing? The Ministry staff have already started making arrests, and you're still waiting?"
"R-Ryou-sama, apologies!"
"We were wrong!"
The Millelith quickly apologized.
Ryou waved a hand. "Arrest everyone here. Lock them in jail for interrogation."
"Yes, Ryou-sama!"
"Yes, Ryou-sama!"
The Millelith immediately moved in to arrest the staff.
The commotion was not small. Ryou heard the crowd discussing it, and one man had practically squeezed his way to the front.
That man said, "Degui got arrested?"
"Damn, this person really has guts."
"I heard Degui has someone backing him. This man is going to be in trouble."
"Trouble my ass. That's Ryou-sama from the Ministry of Civil Affairs. He has plenty of power."
"His wife is Keqing-sama. I heard his father is one of the Liyue Qixing too!"
…
"We run an honest business. What right do you have to arrest us?!" Degui's expression turned ugly as he glared at Ryou through gritted teeth.
"That's right! We opened our doors to do business, and we're getting arrested just because of one word from you?" someone behind him shouted.
By contrast, the female waitress stayed silent.
Ryou looked coldly at Degui, then walked to the entrance. "There should be people from Liyue among you, right?"
A man on the street shouted, "There are! I'm from Liyue!"
"M-Me too!"
Ryou pointed at that man. "People from Liyue should know this well. If you go to Wanmin Restaurant and drink one or two bottles, you'll be down."
"That's because they sell real wine."
"But at Degui's place, you can drink more than ten thousand Mora's worth and still not feel drunk. This stuff… is all damn water."
Ryou smashed a bottle of wine onto the ground outside, then lit it on fire. The flame only rose for a brief moment before quickly dying out.
A young man nearby sucked in a breath. "Damn, this… this isn't wine mixed with water. This is water with a few drops of wine in it!"
"If this can get anyone drunk, I'll eat my shoe. Ryou-sama did the right thing. Scum like this deserves to be arrested."
…
Ryou grabbed Degui and threw him onto the ground. "Look at this water. Do you still dare claim your conscience is clear?"
"I…" Degui stammered. "Business… It's just business. How else am I supposed to make money?"
"What? You call this making money? This is robbery! You drip a little wine into water and sell it to us? And you still have the nerve to talk?"
"Degui really is a piece of trash. I want to beat him to death!"
Ryou grabbed Degui again and hauled him up. "Degui, you really have no shame. I can't believe you actually said that out loud."
"Take them all back!"
"Interrogate them thoroughly later. Also… if any of you think there is a problem with any shop, you may report it anonymously."
"The Ministry of Civil Affairs will send people to investigate. If there really is a problem, I will personally come to arrest them."
[End of chapter]
[200 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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