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Morning in Liyue Harbor is akin to the sun rising over a forest. The gentle embers of the rising sun awaken the people of the Harbor. The first to rise is always the laborers, for they have a long day ahead of them. Men begin to exit their homes and into whatever their job may be for the day.
When you can hear the hammers hitting the wood, it’s time for the rest of the Harbor to awaken. Shopkeepers begin to set up shop, arranging everything before the rising sun reaches their windows. Children flood the streets, in search of fun as Liyue Harbor truly comes to life.
Such an observance has been one of thousands Ningguang has seen in her time as Tianquan. How often has she watched the golden light spread over the city? How many times has she taken a breath before the bustle of Liyue Harbor fills the air? Only Rex Lapis may know.
Her fingers curled over the railing of the balcony, nail guards clinking. She heaved a sigh, knowing what was in store for today. A moment of repose. The only moment of repose she’ll have for this day. Ningguang should make the most of it.
Her eyes flit across Yujing Terrace. Although it’s buildings are only open for those of the Liyue Qixing, there are usually people conversing outside. However, the day is early and there is not yet a human soul to be seen at the Terrace.
The only company outside are the silk flower bushes and the glaze lilies that reside in the patches of grass. The light mildew of the morning reflected the rising star’s warmth from their delicate petals, said to be as white as the Liyue snow.
Such a shame that the glaze lily has almost been brought to extinction. Its beauty is ever so revered, but it’s discarded as soon as it’s aesthetic uses are met. Still, Ningguang is also at fault for its growing disappearance. As business expands, land decreases. As such is the way of Liyue.
Her thoughts are interrupted as a Millelith soldier begins his patrol around Yujing Terrace.
They make eye contact. She gives him a small nod, narrowing her eyes.
The soldier’s grip around his polearm tightens a bit. He nods back a bit hesitant.
The Tianquan resists the urge to smile. Entertaining as always to observe people’s reactions to her. The first instinct, the first movement tells a thousand words.
They break eye contact but Lady Ningguang’s gaze remains unfettered.
The soldier shifts his balance a bit from side to side, uneasy.
She raises her hand to her mouth to chuckle. It’s far too easy to disrupt the stoic demeanor of the Millelith, but if a soldier is already here for patrol, then it’s about time for Lady Ningguang to begin her day as well.
Her first task is always to oversee the conditions of the glaze lilies in Yuheng Terrace. Not many know how to truly take care of the glaze lily, which is why she takes it upon herself to personally take care of the flowers.
She gently inspects the petals and stems, with the softness of a caring mother. Despite being the ever so powerful Tianquan, matters in her hands are always given the utmost care and precision.
The glaze lilies appear to be doing not the best. Their petals are drooping, the stems leaning too far on one side. Unsurprising. They say when the people of Liyue laugh, the flowers come to life, but when the people of Liyue gossip and deceive, the flowers wilt. Be it a myth, it still seems as true as ever. The recent murder of Rex Lapis has not been a matter taken lightly.
She sighs. There’s not much she can do in this case but make sure their state doesn’t worsen. Hopefully, no idiots attempt to loot the flowers. It has happened far too many times due to its incredibly high value. Not only is it a breach of security, the flowers tend to become damaged during these heists.
By now, the sun has already reached the entirety of the Harbor. Even from the Yujing Terrace, Lady Ningguang could hear the construction at the port and the bustle of the streets. About time for her usual stroll then.
People seem to pass through the streets with a sense of urgency. Everyone’s got a place to go. Palanquins carrying tourists and high class merchants pass occasionally as children chase each other playing games. Stray cats and dogs scamper across the path. Restaurants sound of conversation and of the kitchen. Shop owners bargain with customers.
However, when the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing takes a step into the fray, everyone takes a step back. The whole street opens like parting an ocean.
Each step she takes is full of poise and elegance. A guise, one of many. Many of the citizens stare at her while some others try to ignore her presence. Some shopkeepers offer their services to her to which she politely declines.
She has a place in mind after all, Wanmin Restaurant. The scent of freshly chopped Jueyun chilis pricks at her nose along with the savoury smell of grilled Tiger fish among other ingredients as she arrives at the window.
Chef Mao waves at her while in the middle of chopping vegetables.
“Good morning Lady Ningguang! To what do I owe the pleasure of you coming to visit Wanmin restaurant?” He places his cleaver onto the cutting board.
They make eye contact. Ningguang smiles.
“Why it’s simply a pleasant day for a stroll. Has business been doing well?”
Well of course it has. The Tianquan knows everything, and knows where her Mora should be invested in. Wanmin restaurant has been the talk of Liyue, in no small part from her own help.
“Wanmin restaurant has never been better! Xiangling just got started on making a new recipe to promote the boar meat all the way in Springvale!” He heartily laughs. “Speaking of her, Xiangling! Come out and say hello!”
Ningguang could hear the sudden clatter of pots and utensils before the young navy haired girl jumped into view.
She could see the exact moment her fiery energy shifted to apprehension.
Her eyes refused to meet Ningguang’s, but it’s understandable. The girl’s reluctance is written all over her face.
“Hi, no, hello Ms- wait no, Lady N-Ningguang.” She fiddles with the ribbon on her shirt.
“Ah, hello Xiangling.” Ningguang smiles warmly to her, but the girl only stares down at her feet.
“She’s just a little nervous.” Chef Mao pats her back, urging her to go back inside.
“I understand. Well, I have matters to attend to. It was pleasant speaking with you.”
“Of course! Anytime!” He waves Ningguang farewell before returning to his duties.
Such a truthful man of pride. Easy to deceive but impossible to return to if deception is found. Being honest is worth those loyal few.
“Well there must be something you can do as the Tianquan!”
Inside Liuli Pavillion, Lady Ningguang sipped her tea before sighing.
“It’s like I said Gentry Maocai, this is outside the jurisdiction of the Liyue Qixing. Such a matter is to be brought up with the Ministry of Civil Affairs.” She sets her cup down.
They make eye contact. The Tianquan doesn’t blink.
“This kind of act from the Feiyun Commerce Guild cannot be tolerated! I demand that this is taken as a more serious matter!”
“They were completely within the law of Liyue, never did they refuse to offer their services to you. They simply asked for three times the market price of the Cor Lapis.” The Tianquan’s brows furrow a bit. Too many high profile merchants have constantly asked for ways around the system which she has to put down with an iron fist.
“It was coercion!” The older man demands, his face turning red.
“And were you not coercing Chang the Ninth for a 70% discount on the Cor Lapis with the Fatui?”
“Well I- wait w-where did you hear that?” The intensity fades from his face. A bit of horror even creeps on.
Lady Ningguang rises from her seat. “Well don’t you already know? The walls have ears.”
Gentry Maocai’s face is still of shock.
“I believe we are done with this matter, unless you’d like me to personally oversee your unjust trade practices?”
“N-No of course not, this matter is dropped.”
“Excellent.” The Tianquan keeps her head high.
Leaving Liuli Pavillion, Lady Ningguang heads off to the Feiyun Commerce Guild. Although the Guild is just as influential as any other high status merchant, it’s still more tolerable than most of the old prideful sexist men in Liyue.
As she crosses the intersection, a boy reading a book clearly doesn’t see where he’s going. His foot lodges into an uneven crack in the path and trips. Ningguang does not hesitate and steps forward to catch the boy and his book.
“Are you alright?”
They make eye contact. His eyes are those of surprise but she can tell there’s a quiet fury underneath.
“I’m fine, thank you.” His voice sounds forced. He snatches his book back and makes haste.
As he passes on, Ningguang reflects on this rather well known boy. Xingqiu, second son of the Feiyun Commerce Guild of course. A boy of chivalric attitudes. He was also the one who forced Gentry Moacai to buy the Cor Lapis at such a high price. Such far lengths for virtues. And people like him despise Ningguang. Unsurprising. People of different views shouldn’t have to work together.
Before the boy left completely out of sight however, Ningguang could see him clenching his book ever so tightly.
The sun was setting by now, and it was for her final meeting of the day. This time however, inside Xinyue Kiosk. Lady Ningguang tapped her nails against the table, her nail guard clinking. It was supposed to be a meeting with Zhongli of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, regarding the death of Rex Lapis but he appears to be running a little bit late.
Zhongli, what a mysterious character. Ningguang is not a fan of uncertainties. This gentleman is someone that she needs to find some intel on eventually. Maybe this meeting will reveal something about him. What makes him tick.
“Apologies Lady Ningguang for my lateness.” He huffed a bit at the door.
“Not to worry Mr. Zhongli. Take a seat.” She gestures to the chair across from her.
When he takes his seat, they make eye contact. Both, unrelenting. Amber eyes and blood orange eyes stare down. Lady Ningguang is the first to speak.
“So, Mr. Zhongli, you would like to arrange a Rite of Parting for Rex Lapis?”
“Yes. I believe that Rex Lapis must have a Rite of Parting. A shame it is that such an important tradition has gone neglected.”
“Ah of course. Rex Lapis has been a protector for the people of Liyue for centuries. He must have a proper Rite of Parting. I give you permission.” Lady Ningguang smiles a little.
“That easily? I will be signing a contract for this, yes?”
“Why yes, but do know that the Liyue Qixing will not be funding the Rite of Parting. I have only heard of the incessant spending you undertake. I’m afraid you will have to find a sponsor elsewhere.”
“Understood. It shouldn’t be an issue finding Mora.”
“You sound rather confident for someone who’s infamous for excessive spending.” She leans her head onto her fist, carefully watching for any subtle movements.
“I will find ways around my limitations. Mora is only one type of currency after all.”
Lady Ningguang can’t help but raise an eyebrow at him as she passes him the contract.
“I’ve already had the rest of the Liyue Qixing sign off on this. It now only needs mine and yours.”
“You’ve already composed the contract? A little unconventional.” His grip on the pen is relaxed.
“How so?” Ningguang needs to find his pressure points. She never quite finds a chance like this often.
“A contract should be composed within agreement of both parties. Otherwise, one side has far too much control. It’s about fair trade.”
She tilts her head in agreement. Zhongli, a man of virtues as well, similar to the Feiyun son.
“Despite this being a contract about entrusting such a sacred body that is Rex Lapis’s Exuvia, there are not many terms to go over. Other than the fact that we will not be funding the Rite of Passing and that whatever happens to the Exuvia is on your own liability. We do also have the right to take the Exuvia back and arrest if the Rite of Passing goes wrong.”
“Ah, see this is why creating the contract together is of vital importance. I wouldn’t have known you had the right to arrest me and take the Exuvia as you please if you hadn’t gone over the contract. It would’ve been much clearer if we constructed it together.” He points out such a thing with a sense of pride.
Lady Ningguang sighs just little. “Well under contracts in assigning the possession of an item from the Liyue Qixing to someone else, it is a required clause. I would have thought you would’ve already known that.”
“Oh, yes. I did. I did.” His voice sounds less sure than before. Perhaps this is the moment of instability that she was looking for.
The contract is signed and Zhongli heads off on his way. The sun has fully sunk into the horizon by now, the moon already up in the sky. Passing through the streets, shops start to close up, restaurants calling out their final meal of the day. Children, exhausted, find their ways home and the stray animals find shelter for the night.
Reaching Yujing Terrace, only one Millelith soldier is found still patrolling. He straightens up and bows when she passes by.
The Harbor has returned to a slumber. Lights far out can barely be seen and the sound of human life is dead. The only company outside are the silk flower bushes and the glaze lilies that reside in the patches of grass.
Oh how beautiful the lily looks in the soft moonlight when they can truly come to life. For when the great Liyue Harbor falls asleep, when there is not a single whisper, the lily can flourish.