"Ningguang, you'll agree… won't you?"
With hope in her heart, Keqing looked at Ningguang with intense anticipation.
In her eyes, although Ningguang could be irritating at times, she was someone who genuinely loved the people of Liyue.
However, Keqing was disappointed.
Under everyone's gaze, Ningguang spoke:
"The Tianquan Star abstains."
In a situation like this, abstention was no different from opposition—just a more tactful version of it.
As long as the deadlock remained, Keqing's proposal could never be implemented.
"Hahaha, I knew it! Ningguang would make the rational choice!"
Hearing Ningguang's decision, the Tianji Star burst out laughing.
Across from him, Keqing slammed the table in fury.
"Ningguang, how can you do this?!"
Hearing Keqing's words, Ningguang glanced at her, then lowered her head without offering any explanation.
Immediately, the Tianji Star jumped to his feet.
"Hey, hey, Yuheng, what do you mean by that?"
"The ancestral rules of the Qixing state clearly: the Seven Stars are independent. No star may coerce, threaten, or pressure another to change their stance."
"Are you trying to use personal ties to influence the Tianquan?"
"Give it up. The Tianquan simply made the most rational decision!" the Tianji Star said.
At the side, the Kaiyang Star also spoke up to advise her:
"That's right, Keqing. You're moving too fast. Slow down and wait for the people to catch up…"
"Exactly," the Yaoguang Star nodded.
"It's not that we don't want to implement it. This kind of social security system is good—but pushing it through too quickly isn't."
Among the three opposing stars, the Tianji Star oversaw finance, the Kaiyang Star commanded the military, and the Yaoguang Star managed maritime affairs.
All three represented sectors with enormous expenditures.
In their view, while such guarantees were beneficial, implementing them all at once would be far too troublesome.
But upon hearing their words, Keqing was already beside herself with rage.
"Things that could be solved today are endlessly postponed to tomorrow—
tomorrow after tomorrow, with how many tomorrows left?"
"Why can't we put these policies into effect now?"
"Have you never heard of the saying: when the person dies, the policy dies with them?" Keqing snapped.
"But Liyue has the Geo Archon. Even after a thousand years, there will be no 'person dying and policy ending,'" the Tianji Star retorted.
"Yes," the Kaiyang Star echoed.
"With the Geo Archon watching over us, we can take our time and gradually carry out reforms. We have plenty of time!"
"Enough—Geo Archon, Geo Archon, Geo Archon!"
At this point, Keqing was completely furious.
"Can't you people do anything without relying on the Geo Archon?!"
She was deeply disappointed in these Qixing, who indulged in the convenience granted by the Geo Archon and clung stubbornly to old ways.
Seeing that Keqing was about to explode, Ganyu—standing off to the side—shook her head helplessly.
She closed the meeting summary.
After a moment's thought, she opened it again and added another passage.
On a certain year, month, and day, during a certain meeting, regarding the matter of reform, the Yuheng Star and the Tianji Star, Kaiyang Star, Yaoguang Star, and others conducted a full exchange of views.
Regarding the opinions of the Tianji, Kaiyang, and Yaoguang Stars, the Yuheng Star expressed regret.
It can only be said that this meeting was a beneficial one…
After writing a paragraph of bureaucratic language that no one truly understood, Ganyu cutely set down her brush. Once the ink dried, she closed the meeting record.
That was all for today. Next, they would argue for an entire day.
She had seen scenes like this countless times.
But such an intense confrontation among the Qixing—this was the first time in Ganyu's memory.
Even so, it had little to do with her.
Learning from Bai Ge, the adorable little cocogoat emptied her mind and stared into space, eyes unfocused.
However, just as Ganyu assumed the argument would continue—
Just as Keqing and the others were on the verge of coming to blows—
The god of Liyue, its one and only sovereign—
The Geo Archon descended.
"We pay our respects to the Geo Archon!"
Seeing the majestic dragon head appear above the meeting hall, the Liyue Qixing immediately ceased arguing and bowed.
Above them, vast dragon eyes swept across the room as the Geo Archon slowly spoke.
"This matter—I am already aware of it."
"Proceed according to the Yuheng Star's original proposal."
The Geo Archon, having just appeared, directly issued a ruling on the issue that had divided the Qixing.
Moments ago, they had been locked in fierce debate, yet none of the Seven Stars dared voice any objection to the Geo Archon's decisive judgment.
"The Qixing obey!"
They bowed once more.
Then, the Geo Archon vanished.
Only then did the others slowly straighten up.
"Did you see that? That is the Geo Archon!"
"Some people's ideas only get implemented because of the Geo Archon, yet they still oppose him. As for how ungrateful that is, I won't even get into it!"
The Tianji Star sneered.
Hearing his words, Keqing's face alternated between pale and livid.
Her proposal had been approved—yet she felt no joy at all.
Everything that had happened today was a bitter mockery of her convictions.
So this… was the Geo Archon's answer to her?
Damn it!
Keqing stormed out in anger.
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