At Ningguang's subtle cue, Keqing voiced the thought openly.
"You're not wrong," Severin admitted. "But this business opportunity doesn't involve only the two of you. It also concerns people from the other nations."
He continued calmly,
"For a long time, Snezhnaya's clothing market was dominated by low-priced imports from Liyue—what we'd call dumping. Local manufacturers couldn't turn a profit and had no incentive to develop the textile industry. After conducting on-site market research, I convened a symposium with those in the clothing trade."
The head of the Feiyun Commerce Guild couldn't help but admire this—few figures of such stature would personally investigate grassroots markets.
"Dumping" was a new term recently spreading from Snezhnaya; its origin, people said, was the Prince himself. By any measure, Liyue's exports did fit the description.
"At the symposium," Severin said, "I suggested learning from the fashion styles of the other six nations—designing Snezhnayan apparel rooted in local tastes—paired with Fatui fiscal support. That was the path to reviving Snezhnaya's textile industry and competing fairly with Liyue."
"Some merchants, however, sought quick gains and took the crude route of imitation. The first designs copied were the outfits worn by women beloved across the seven nations."
He listed them without pause:
Ningguang, Keqing;
Mondstadt's Amber and Eula;
Inazuma's Yae Miko and Kamisato Ayaka;
Sumeru's Nilou and Faruzan;
and Fontaine's twin, Lynette.
Ningguang and Keqing were no strangers to admirers, at home or abroad. Still, hearing themselves grouped as "beauties" drew faint, satisfied smiles—much like when the Geo Archon once praised them as "jade-like."
"As expected," Severin went on, "the first batch sold out in under three days. Young girls especially loved Miss Keqing's black stockings, violet gauze, and off-shoulder gown. Some even copied your twin-tail, cat-ear hairstyle."
Keqing pursed her lips—but the thought that Snezhnayan girls found joy in it eased her mind. Confident, beautiful humans were, to her, a hallmark of an age led by people.
"Where profit flows, people follow," Severin said. "With imitation as the spark, merchants tasted success and poured capital into factories. Snezhnaya's textile industry transformed almost overnight."
The Feiyun guildmaster finally understood. "So that's why imports stopped. Still, we won't abandon the Snezhnayan market—our designers are the best. We'll compete."
"Good," Severin replied. "Healthy competition benefits both sides."
Ningguang smiled. "Then Liyue's workshops should copy your Eleven Harbingers' attire as well."
"By all means," Severin said. "If people like it, I don't mind my own clothes being imitated."
Ningguang shook her head at once. "We wouldn't dare."
"However," Severin added, his gaze returning to Ningguang and Keqing, "there was an unpleasant incident during the imitation phase. I hope you'll take it as a warning."
"Please go on," Ningguang said seriously.
"Snezhnayan merchants sold those imitated outfits to the House of Tolerance."
Ningguang blinked, puzzled. The Feiyun guildmaster leaned in and whispered, "A pleasure house—like Liyue's brothels."
The image of courtesans wearing her attire flashed across Ningguang's mind. A blush rose as she protested with mock grievance, "Your Highness, that's bullying."
Laughter rippled through the Jade Chamber—such a scene was rare indeed.
Severin smiled helplessly. "When it began to spread, I issued a decree banning those establishments from wearing imitations of your clothing. Violators face heavy penalties."
"Snezhnaya's industry is still in a crude imitation stage. As craftsmanship improves, I may prohibit imitation altogether."
Only then did Ningguang truly relax.
Keqing, however, blurted out, "Your Highness—have you been to the House of Tolerance?"
She hadn't meant to be rude; it was simply her nature. The room fell silent.
"Of course not," Ningguang tried to smooth things over.
"I have—many times," Severin said plainly. "But not for the reasons you're thinking."
He continued, unruffled.
"As Snezhnaya prospered, refugees arrived daily from the six nations—many of them young women. Lacking experience, they were tricked into miserable lives there. I went to find them."
"Your Highness… you're very kind," Keqing said.
"I wouldn't flatter myself," Severin replied. "I went to face the world's cruelty—and to remind myself of my responsibility."
"I would place a large sum of Mora before them and offer two choices:
First, take the money and leave the House of Tolerance—and Snezhnaya.
Second, refuse it and stay."
"They must have been glad to leave," Keqing said instinctively.
"The opposite," Severin sighed.
"Many recognized me and begged me not to send them away. From poor families, uneducated, they feared returning home only to be forced into marriages they didn't choose."
"Staying in a prosperous Snezhnaya—even there—offered a slim chance to change their fate."
He looked up at the star-filled sky.
"That's when I realized: to make the world better, Snezhnaya alone is not enough. The other six nations must develop too."
"But the throne above the heavens never allows human civilization to rise too high. Khaenri'ah, Tsurumi Island, the snow kingdom of Sal Vindagnyr, and Enkanomiya—all were annihilated."
"My journey through the six nations," Severin said quietly, "is preparation to break that fate."
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