"Your Highness."
Ji Fang bowed respectfully.
Previously, unaware of Severin's true identity, she had merely treated him as a distinguished guest. Now that she knew he was the Prince of Snezhnaya, the highest courtesy was only proper.
Among merchants, the Prince's reputation was thunderous.
That Snezhnaya had risen to become the strongest economic power in Teyvat within just three years was inseparable from this man before her.
"The Snezhnayan delegation arrived in Liyue this morning, and by noon Your Highness had already visited our auction house. We are truly honored. As a token of welcome, our establishment has prepared two small gifts. I hope Your Highness will accept them."
Several attendants stepped forward, presenting two gift boxes.
"The first is a Perch Wood from Tsurumi Island. The Thunderbird once lingered at the ancient ruins there. Plants it touched transformed into perch wood, imbued with traces of the Thunderbird's power."
Compared to the eight auction items, its value was modest—yet still worth several hundred thousand Mora. As a gift, the gesture was sincere.
"The second item is an ancient coin excavated from an old tomb. Its age is extremely remote—so much so that even archaeologists cannot determine its exact era."
Severin picked up the coin and examined it closely.
Carved upon its surface were Celtic patterns.
Zhongli murmured,
"I've seen this kind of coin before. It predates the Archon War—by a great deal."
Severin smiled faintly.
"The perch wood isn't necessary. I'll keep the coin."
Before the civilization of the Seven, Teyvat had once known a unified ancient civilization.
The Celtic motif was the hallmark of that era.
The triangular symbol on Paimon's chest was also known as the Celtic triquetra.
Many ruins of ancient civilizations bore the same markings.
"Boss Ji, settle the bill."
Baishi entered the room. Upon seeing Zhongli, she greeted him at once.
"Mr. Zhongli, you're here as well."
Ningguang had given explicit instructions—whenever Zhongli was encountered, he was to be treated with the utmost respect. Baishi dared not be negligent.
Zhongli asked directly,
"The relics of the Salt God—the Salt Ruler and Salt Chalice—were they forged by Ningguang? Do not lie. If you do, I will ask her personally."
Baishi hesitated, then sighed.
"…As expected of you, Mr. Zhongli. Your discernment remains as sharp as ever."
"Recently, rumors spread from the Silver Plains Hall, claiming that Rex Lapis was the one who killed the Salt God Havria. This was harmful to the Archon's reputation. Lady Ningguang devised this plan to lure those spreading the rumors into the open."
"Judging from today's auction, Wanyan was only one of them. The Silver Plains Hall as a whole may be driving these rumors."
Zhongli continued,
"And what is Ningguang's stance on this matter?"
"She does not believe the rumors at all," Baishi replied quickly.
"Her intention is to eliminate those who maliciously slander Rex Lapis. The Millelith are already preparing to arrest Wanyan and the others."
"Though forgery is dishonorable, Lady Ningguang was willing to violate commercial contracts for the sake of the Archon's name. She is prepared to accept the penalties."
Zhongli let out a soft sigh.
"Go back and tell Ningguang—do not arrest Wanyan or any of Havria's descendants. Their slander stems from ignorance of Havria's true death."
Baishi hesitated.
"According to our intelligence, Wanyan and the others uncovered clues in ancestral journals. Those records clearly indicate that Havria was stabbed to death by her own people. Lady Ningguang and Lady Keqing believe they are deliberately shifting the blame onto Rex Lapis."
Zhongli's expression darkened.
Earlier, Severin had already deduced Wanyan's true intentions. Zhongli had not fully agreed at the time. Now, the facts confirmed it—the Prince of Snezhnaya's judgment had been correct.
Even more formidable than the rumors claim…
"Go back and relay my words," Zhongli said firmly.
"Do not arrest any of Havria's people. I believe most were misled. When the seal of Sal Terrae is broken, the truth will naturally come to light."
"And remind Ningguang—Rex Lapis governs through reason. She must never forget that lesson."
"Understood, Mr. Zhongli."
Baishi completed payment, collected the Dust of Realms Lock, and departed at once to report back.
Ji Fang then led Severin and Zhongli to a private tea room and quietly withdrew, closing the door behind her.
The moment they were alone, Zhongli asked,
"Your Highness, in your view—why would Wanyan and the others dare frame me, even knowing the truth? Do they not fear my wrath?"
"They've seen through you," Severin replied calmly.
"…They know I wouldn't strike them down?"
"Those who know you best, aside from the adepti, are the Liyue Qixing and the Eight Bureaus. For years, you have withdrawn from worldly affairs, appearing only at the Rite of Descension to announce broad policy."
"Over time, familiarity breeds complacency. In their eyes, you remain supreme—but you never concern yourself with mundane matters. They respect you, yet they do not fear you."
Zhongli paced back and forth, deeply enlightened.
"Sigh… perhaps so. Havria herself was killed by those closest to her. The nearer the bond, the easier it is for betrayal to take root."
"If even now, while I still reign, they dare act so boldly—once I step down, would Liyue not fall into chaos? Your Highness, is there a permanent solution?"
"The root lies in the rule of law," Severin answered.
"Let the people supervise the Qixing and the Eight Bureaus…"
After hearing Severin explain advanced systems of governance, Zhongli was profoundly shaken.
"Prince of Snezhnaya," he said solemnly,
"I wish to invite you—as a friend—to serve as Regent of Liyue. Your authority and status would be equal to mine. You would govern Liyue directly and command the Qixing and Eight Bureaus."
His tone was earnest, utterly devoid of jest.
He truly intended to entrust Liyue to Severin.
"That would be inappropriate," Severin replied.
"I am not of Liyue. Moreover, my purpose here is the Geo Gnosis. Once Her Majesty's task is complete, I will leave Liyue for the next nation."
"Liyue has always valued merit over origin," Zhongli said.
"Positions within the Qixing and Eight Bureaus depend on ability, not nationality. Even if you are the Prince of Snezhnaya, so long as I issue a decree, the people will honor the contract."
At this point, Zhongli's expression turned grave.
"Long ago, I formed a contract with the Tsaritsa. The Geo Gnosis must be given to her. Yet I have always harbored one concern—can she truly govern Teyvat after overthrowing Celestia?"
"Toppling the heavens may be easy. Rebuilding a new world order will be unimaginably difficult. I do not know whether the 'Pure White Nation' she envisions will be more beautiful than the current Teyvat."
"Until today."
"Seeing you—knowing you would stand at her side—has strengthened my confidence. But you must still prove that you are capable of rebuilding post-war Teyvat."
"So I will entrust Liyue to you—
as an experiment."
"Prince of Snezhnaya," Zhongli concluded,
"with your wisdom and perspective, you should understand my meaning."
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