Chapter Text
Gimmie Love - Carly Rae Jepsen
“Lady Ningguang!”
Ningguang hums absentmindedly from behind her desk. “One moment, please.”
“Lady Ningguang, are you there??”
Ningguang’s eyes narrow even as they stay ever-focused on the papers before her. “I said, one moment please.”
“Apologies, Lady Ningguang but it’s urgent- the Yuheng says she wants to quit!”
Ningguang’s brows fly up her forehead. Well. That one’s certainly new.
“Where is she?”
“Pardon?!?” Comes Baiwen’s muffled shriek from the other side of the door.
“I said,” Ningguang resists the urge to grit her teeth as she finally gets up, marches over, yanks the door open. “Where is she?”
Baiwen’s concerned eyes met Ningguang’s stoic (and slightly exasperated) ones. “She- she left. She walked out earlier today after handing me what appears to be her resignation letter.”
Ningguang snatches the envelope from Baiwen’s outstretched hands and wastes no time in slicing the immaculately sealed thing open with a claw. Her furious red eyes make quick work of the letter’s contents, and after what feels like an eternity of silence (Baiwen’s practically holding her breath), Ningguang crumples the paper in her fist.
“Tell me, Baiwen- where did Keqing go after she left the pavilion?”
Baiwen points somewhere off the terrace. “She went that way. Said something about getting lunch at Wanmin to celebrate her new-found freedom.”
Ningguang sighs. Wanmin again, huh. The last time Ningguang was there, Xiangling’s little yellow Pokémon-wannabe stood next to her the entire time, hovering in the most uncomfortable way as Ningguang attempted to have what was supposed to be her first peaceful lunch in weeks. “Baiwen, please clear my schedule for the afternoon. I’ll be back as soon I can.”
“Of course, Lady Ningguang. Good luck to you.”
**
Keqing has just tucked into her first helping of golden shrimp balls when an uninvited presence manifests in the vacant seat before her.
Keqing smells her before she sees her. The unmistakable scent of glaze lilies- the finest perfume in Liyue. Only one woman she knows would be brazen (and wealthy) enough to walk around absolutely reeking of the stuff. Keqing reluctantly lifts her head from her meal with a barely-suppressed growl.
Arrogant red eyes stare her down. Ningguang smiles at her saccharinely, plopping down (uninvited) in the most infuriating way across from Keqing. “Little Yuheng. Fancy seeing you here.”
Keqing glowers through a mouthful of shrimp. “What are you doing here?!”
“Why, I’m just here to indulge in some delicious food at one of Liyue Harbor’s finest local restaurants.
Keqing rolls her eyes because she’s not buying it in the slightest. “It’s the middle of the day, Ningguang- aren’t you supposed to be in a meeting right now?”
“I could say the same for you, darling Yuheng.” Ningguang’s eyes curve in a fake smile she knows will start riling the gullible Yuheng up. She’s the only one in Liyue who’s brave enough to take it one step further, plucking a shrimp ball from Keqing’s plate. “I wasn’t aware that your lunch breaks extended so far into the afternoon.”
“Didn’t you get my letter?” Keqing blinks, hostile façade dropped in a rare display of obvious confusion, and Ningguang takes this as the perfect segway.
“Oh, you mean this thing here?” She hums nonchalantly, dangling the paper between two fingers. Keqing opens her mouth but before any words come out, Ningguang shreds the letter in two clean sheets with her claws.
Keqing’s eyes flash and she snorts. “Did you even read it?”
“Of course I read it. A letter from my darling Yuheng, addressed personally to myself- how could I ignore it? I read every last word.”
Keqing doesn’t even bother with politeness anymore, forgoing every shred of social etiquette as she talks ungracefully around a mouthful of fish. “And?”
“And what?”
Keqing eyes her hostilely. “Don’t ‘and what’ me- you read it. I’m done.”
To the younger woman’s surprise, Ningguang breaks out in a broad smile. “No you’re not.”
Flustered, Keqing’s eyes are finally on her. “What do you mean-“
“You’re not done. I don’t accept your resignation letter.”
Violet eyes flash. “What does that mean-“
“It means that I reject your formal resignation.” Ningguang says through a saccharine smile, reaching out (against her better judgement) to lightly bop the Yuheng on the nose. Bless Ningguang’s quick reflexes that have her pulling her hand back just in time to avoid the nasty chomp Keqing attempts to her finger. “So don’t be a slacker and make sure you get back to work soon, alright?”
Keqing nearly growls. “This is why I want to quit. You have no respect for the people around you-“
“And you, precious Yuheng, are an absolute necessity of our seven governing stars. It hasn’t been long since Rex Lapis’s passing- you would abandon our nation- our people- at a time like this?”
Keqing, bless her innocent foolish soul, is easier to read than she thinks she is. Something akin to guilt flashes through vibrant, amethyst eyes, and Ningguang knows she’s got her. “I-“
“Plus, you never even mentioned quitting until today. What’s got you all riled up so suddenly?”
Oddly enough, it has the opposite effect of whatever answers Ningguang had been digging for. Another defiant light flashes in the girl’s eyes and she straightens in her seat like someone’s finally breathed fresh life in her spine to firmly answer, “you.”
Ningguang stares at her, unblinking and unbothered. “Why, I’m flattered.”
This time, it’s the right thing to say. Keqing’s cheeks instantly flush red. “It- I didn’t mean it like that! You know, maybe it’s because you’re always so full of yourself that everyone has such a bad impression of the Qixing-“
Oh, how Ningguang loves getting a rise out of the (occasionally idiotic) Yuheng. But there are larger matters at hand right now- namely the fact that said Yuheng, an integral part of their nation’s governing system- is trying to quit her job.
As Keqing sits before her blabbering away about how disrespectful Ningguang is, Ningguang raises her head to flag down the little waitress/chef whose food Beidou is always raving about. “Excuse me- one portion of Jueyun Guoba please.”
“Coming right up!” Xiangling sings, spinning on her heel and heading back into the depths of the kitchen with haphazard piles of dishes balanced precariously on each arm. After assuring that the dishes and the little chef make it safely back to the kitchen, Ningguang turns her attention back to an affronted Keqing, who has paused her ranting upon Ningguang’s impromptu order.
“What did you just-“
“What?” Ningguang rolls her eyes. “I’m hungry, and sitting here listening to you on an empty stomach isn’t going to do me any more good than you quitting your job would. I’ve been in meetings since I walked in the pavilion this morning, and instead of finishing the stall approval permits for the fishermen on the harbor, I’m here chasing after a rebellious little Yuheng who wants to walk out on me.”
Keqing glares at her with all sorts of murderous intents, but Ningguang wouldn’t have made it as far as she has if she were intimidated by such things (on the contrary, her heart skips a beat- but for entirely different reasons that she can’t quite afford to dwell on that right now.)
“That just goes to prove what I was saying. You always butt into other people’s business…”
Ningguang lets her drone on, adding an encouraging nod here and there. Xiangling brings out her food in prompt time and Ningguang smiles graciously at her in thanks before tuckering in, making sure to add a couple of spoonfuls here and there on Keqing’s rapidly-emptying plate.
“… and you clearly have little regard for anyone else’s feelings but your own…”
Ningguang spots Xiangling’s amused smile as the chef clears off a nearby table and can’t help her small, wry smirk as her own deep red eyes meet Xiangling’s golden ones in a rare moment of mutual understanding.
“… I don’t understand why you think yourself so high that not even the laws apply to you now- ACK!”
Seemingly out of nowhere, Wanmin’s little mascot pops up beside Keqing and begins to burp fire into her food. It does this a couple more times before coughing up a chili pepper, and it’s only now that Xiangling notices what’s going on and rushes over for damage control.
“Guoba! No!”
Keqing’s food is now a pile of ashes. Xiangling hurriedly shoves the little bear away, sweeps the ashes away, apologizes profusely over her shoulder and promises a new plate asap. Keqing stays still, clearly in shock. Ningguang could not be more amused.
The purple-haired girl’s rambling has effectively been interrupted. “Ugh. And here I thought Guoba was finally starting to recognize me.”
Ningguang reaches out a spoonful of her stir-fry that Keqing, distracted by the abrupt end to her own food, mindlessly takes. “There there. Give it a few more encounters- I’m sure the creature will come around.”
She holds out another spoon that Keqing absently takes again- but then the girl seems to realize what she’s doing and her cheeks promptly flush as she slaps Ningguang’s hand away.
“Stop- stop that!”
Ningguang’s smile is equal parts smug and annoying. “Stop what?”
The blush of Keqing’s pretty little cheeks never fails to fascinate her. “You know what I mean- ugh! Why do you always do this. And you all wonder why I want to quit…”
Xiangling, true to her word, brings a fresh plate of food soon and drops it off quickly as not to re-interrupt the riled-up Yuheng’s passion, that’s evidently manifesting itself in an elongated rant about why Ningguang is a bad person.
Ningguang slips Xiangling some money and a generous tip for the food while Keqing is distracted. They sit a while longer to finish their tea, and when it’s finally time to go, Keqing looks around confusedly.
“Where’s the bill?”
“Don’t worry about it.” Ningguang drawls lazily. She holds back a yawn. Listening to the Yuheng all afternoon has really done a number on her. “Now, are you ready to get back to work?”
It’s almost comical how Keqing rounds on her furiously (again), uncaring that they’re still in the corner of Xiangling’s very public and very popular restaurant. “Did you not hear a single word I’ve said!”
Ningguang stifles a laugh at the purely indignant protest. “No no, I heard you. And not only have I heard you, I’m even willing to compromise. You’re welcome to take the rest of the day off if you’re so stressed out. I certainly enjoyed listening to the lovely lilt of your voice during our lunch date just now- but I still need to know if you’re going to come in tomorrow or if you’d like to take another personal day off. Which, I’m not opposed to at all, you know- you work almost as much as Ganyu-”
“Lunch date- what the fuc- like hell I’m coming in tomorrow!” Keqing hisses with blazing red cheeks. “Listen here, lady! I already told you- I’m resigning, whether you accept it or not! You can’t stop me!”
Ever the feisty little heretic, she spins on her heel and dramatically storms out of the restaurant, leaving Ningguang behind to stare down her furious back.
Xiangling smiles at her sympathetically from the next table over. “She’ll come around.”
Ningguang chuckles lightly. Her eyes bore holes where Keqing’s back has disappeared. “Yes. I’m sure she will eventually.”
**
The nerve of that woman.
Keqing barely gets any sleep after that so-called “lunch date” because she is shaking. With rage, of course. And so, she spends the better part of her night scheming about where she can go to enjoy the fruit of her so-called “newfound freedom”.
Friggin’ Ningguang. How dare she so rudely interrupt Keqing’s afternoon meal. She thinks that just because she’s tall with those long legs and slender arms and pretty with her stark white hair and shiny hairpins and eyes like jewels that shine brighter than the sun, that she can just go out there pushing people around however she likes. Well, she’s wrong. And Keqing is not having any of it.
And that is how she finds herself in Yanfei’s office the next day talking the half-adeptus’s ears right off her head.
“… she just stormed in out of nowhere- in the middle of a workday, no less- sat down without permission, ordered food and everything- isn’t that ridiculous?! I mean, the absolute nerve of that crazy woman!”
Yanfei listens attentively with an amused smile on her face, sifting through her mountain of codices. “All I’m hearing is that she paid for your lunch- during which you ate substantially more than she did- had your food cremated by Xiangling’s pet god and then ate the rest of Lady Ningguang’s food instead- and you’re mad because she sat there the entire time, listened to you trash her, and then paid for your take-out as well.”
“Yes!” Keqing throws her hands up exasperatedly. “I mean- well, you framed it all pretty badly, but that’s the gist of what happened and I don’t know why she thinks she has the right.”
Yanfei hums noncommittally as she annotates with a swift, efficient, hand “And so you’re camping out here because you want to quit being the Yuheng?”
“Wh- can’t I come visit a friend?” Keqing sniffs haughtily.
Yanfei just laughs, a light, free sound that travels unimpeded through the naturally-lit space. “Oh sure, sure. You know, I’m glad that you’re finally out of your office and I certainly do wish that you’d come by to visit me more often- but don’t you think that you should at least find a successor before you just leave your entire Qixing position vacant like that?”
Keqing looks over, miffed. Yanfei raises her hands with a shrug. “I’m just saying. You could’ve at least given them an advanced heads-up before up and taking off like that- I’d imagine it’d be a logistical nightmare to replace someone as important as you on such short notice.”
“Oh, don’t you worry about that- we won’t be replacing anyone anytime soon.”
Keqing lets out a sharp shriek of surprise, jolting in her seat at Ningguang’s sudden appearance. Luckily she doesn’t notice Yanfei’s twinkling green eyes and pressed lips, clearly suppressing a laugh.
(Luckily, Keqing is also too shocked at the abrupt cameo to realize that Yanfei has long since seen Ningguang leaning against her doorframe that Keqing’s back is very conveniently facing.)
“Lady Tianquan! A pleasure to have you in my office today. Anything I can do for you? Any new laws you’d like me to draft?” Yanfei hums cheerily, exchanging a knowing glance with the Tianquan.
“Hi Yanfei.” Ningguang smiles warmly at the trusted lawyer. “No, no new laws from me today- I’m just here to drag our Yuheng here back to the office-“
“Wh- you! What do you mean ‘drag our Yuheng back to the office’ didn’t I already tell you, I quit!”
“Yes yes, I believe we went over all this yesterday.” Ningguang says patiently- more patient than Yanfei has ever seen her in the face of such a tantrum. “And I already told you- I don’t accept your resignation.”
Keqing practically growls at her, hackles rising, and not for the first time, Ningguang fears for her own physical safety (she’s certainly heard riveting rumors about Keqing’s feral side, and she’d rather not be on the receiving end of it in the middle of poor Yanfei’s office- how embarrassing would it be to be caught by one of the lawyer’s potential clients, the Tianquan getting mauled by a vicious little Yuheng in Liyue’s best legal advisor’s office! Ningguang wouldn’t do that to Yanfei.)
“Anyway, I’ll see you at the meeting on Thursday, Keqing. Don’t be late.”
Yanfei looks on amusedly at Ningguang leaves no room for protest or heated comeback, strolling out of the office just as casually as she’d strolled in.
The legal advisor’s eyes land on an infuriated tiny Yuheng. Keqing looks like she should have steam coming out from her ears, but Yanfei doesn’t miss the glimmer of- is that longing??- in the Yuheng’s eyes as she stares after the Tianquan’s golden back.
She smiles secretively and decisively keeps her mouth shut this time. Maybe it’s best for Keqing to figure this one out on her own.
**
Keqing doesn’t show up to work the next day, or the next.
Instead, she finds herself wandering around the docks admiring the evening scenery of Liyue Harbor’s busiest commercial ports. Despite its clamor and hustle, there’s something so refreshing about seeing the bustling merchants, the endless bargaining, and the soft golden lights that glow above it all. It makes Keqing proud- proud of the culture that they’ve set up, proud of the rich history that’s led them to this point, and proud of the resilience Liyue has held apparently and unyielding in the face of Rex Lapis’s passing. It makes Keqing proud.
Well, it would make Keqing proud. That is, if she were still the Yuheng of course.
“Do my eyes deceive me?? Is that the Lady Yuheng I see over there, coming out to enjoy the evening scenery instead of working till the asscrack of dawn??”
Keqing’s head snaps to the source of the holler, where she sees a smug Beidou with an obnoxiously dazzling smile on her face and an intrigued Ganyu by her side. They appear to be sharing a plate of- of something. Keqing can’t tell what it is, but it certainly can’t be good judging by the content look on Ganyu’s face and the slightly disgusted wince on Beidou’s.
“It’s not like I never come out of my office at this time.” Keqing grumbles as she makes her way over to them. “And plus, Ganyu’s here- which means that it’s not that weird.”
Beidou shrugs, sipping casually at the flask on her hip. Keqing eyes it with disgust. “Well, Ganyu here always comes to join me on Thursdays for a shared plate of-“
“-vegetables. A shared plate of vegetables.” Ganyu cuts in quickly. She stares straight at Beidou’s soul like she’s daring the pirate to disagree. To her credit, Beidou stays quiet.
Keqing stares disbelievingly at the wilted qingxin flowers on the plate. “Beidou, are you eating flowers?”
Beidou shrugs helplessly as Ganyu defensively shoves another one in her mouth. “She said they were good! I thought it wouldn’t hurt to try!”
“How do they taste?”
Beidou’s face says it all. “Um-“
“Would you like one, Keqing?” Ganyu asks placidly, extending the plate.
Keqing ponders the notion for a moment, appraising the questionable, dim shade on the petals, but an offer from Ganyu is always tempting and Keqing still may or may not be drunk on her “newfound freedom”- so she reaches out and gingerly extracts a messed-up qingxin from the pile to place on her tongue.
Beidou is right- she immediately regrets it.
“Ahem.” The youngest of the trio tries to mask her distaste. Ganyu stares at her, expectant. “They’re- they’ve got quite the interesting flavor.”
It’s enough to earn a satisfied nod from the blue-haired secretary. “I knew you would think so!”
Beidou stares at her warily through her uncovered eye. Keqing looks away.
“Keqing, I thought there was a meeting with the rest of the Qixing today.” Ganyu suddenly pipes up through a mouthful of white petals. “What are you doing out here?”
Keqing stares at her. “I quit my job- didn’t you hear?”
Ganyu blinks twilight-colored eyes slowly. “You- you quit being the Yuheng? Really?”
Keqing nods, somewhat satisfied that at least someone out there is taking her seriously. Ganyu. Good ol’ Ganyu. Always accountable, always reliable. “Yes- I resigned earlier this week. Put the letter on Ningguang’s desk and everything.”
Ganyu looks very unsure. “And she approved your resignation?”
Keqing groans through her hand. “Not you too. I really don’t understand why everything has to pass through that insufferable woman- like really, who gave her the right to be so bossy- anyway. No, she didn’t approve it, but who cares?”
Ganyu looks confused, like she’s received conflicting information and she’s trying to sift through it for truths. “I- I did hear something about your resignation letter a couple days ago, but everyone seemed to think it was a joke.”
Keqing stares her down. “A joke? A joke?!? Do I look like I’m joking to you??”
“Well, it does seem like something you might do! You used to always complain about how one day you were going to fire yourself.” Ganyu holds her hands up defensively. “And to be technical, if Ningguang and the rest of the Qixing don’t approve of your resignation, you’re still the Yuheng until they do.”
Keqing squints at her. “Well, I certainly didn’t have any trouble getting most of them to approve of my letter. You know this, Ganyu- I mean, I don’t believe we’ve been on speaking terms until only recently.”
Ganyu rolls her eyes. “That was because you were such an insufferable little brat back then. I know you better now though- and I also know that Ningguang knows you better now than she did before.”
Beidou, who had been suspiciously quiet throughout this entire back-and-forth, finally speaks up with a strange gleam in her eye. “Aahhh, so is that what this is all about?”
Both Ganyu and Keqing turn to her confusedly. “What are you talking about?” Ganyu poses curiously.
“Ningguang.”
Ganyu frowns. “Do you really think Keqing would quit her whole job just because of Ningguang-“
Beidou nudges the secretary, juts her head at Keqing who’s slowly starting to look like a ripened tomato on fire, and Ganyu cuts herself off.
“-oh. Oh.”
Beidou nods gleefully as Keqing’s head snaps back to the two of them, indignant and glower-y and as pissed and flustered as any of them have ever seen her.
Beidou doesn’t hesitate to point a gleeful finger in her face. “You’re blushing!!!”
“I am not!” Keqing barks at the pirate captain- an unprecedented occurrence (unless you count Haishan because he’d certainly growled at the boisterous woman before getting his heads lopped off.)
“You are!” Beidou jumps behind Ganyu, right out of the (ex?) Yuheng’s short-armed reach. Keqing makes a noise of discontent, moving to pursue the pirate captain, but stops short when faced with a wide-eyed Ganyu who just stares at her fascinatedly with shiny wide eyes before saying-
“You know, I always knew you two had something going on.”
Keqing’s face could not get any redder. “You- I can’t believe you’re implying that I have romantic interactions with that-“
“With what?”
Keqing almost dies on the spot. Beidou looks thrilled.
“Why, if isn’t my favorite stuffy government official! What brings you down to our lowly harbor today, Ning?”
Ningguang hums blandly at Beidou’s annoying greeting. “Hm. I think we all know why I’m here.”
“Ningguang.” Ganyu blinks at the appearance of the taller, brushing some stray petals from her fingers. “Aren’t you supposed to be in a meeting right now? I just passed off the relevant reports to Baishi before coming out for dinner.”
Ningguang’s scarlet eyes land on Keqing’s shaking form (from rage, of course). “I am. However, it seems that not all of us are present at said meeting.”
Keqing’s lips pull back at what she deems to be an offensive implication. “You again.”
Ningguang waves airily, golden claws catching the afternoon sun. “Hi there, love.”
“Slacking off again, I see?” Keqing raises her chin defiantly, crossing defensive arms over her chest. “First at Yanfei’s office, now out here. Why is it that I keep running into you everywhere I go?”
Ningguang chuckles in that smooth, low timbre of hers. Beidou chooses peace this time and doesn’t comment on the visible little shiver that runs down Keqing’s tinyspine at the sound.
“A coincidence, maybe? Perhaps you just like to frequent the spots that I happen to pass through.”
“What the-“ Keqing’s features twist into one part disgusted and two parts enraged (nothing new here). “How about the other way around, hm? Don’t get so full of yourself just because you think you’re all that and you can skip out on meetings-“
“I have full permission to skip out on this meeting, for your information.” Ningguang smugly informs her. “Anyway, they can do without me for just one meeting. It was an accidental find, but I’ve discovered that I actually have more pressing matters to attend to at the moment.”
Whatever snarky rude remark Keqing has on the tip of her tongue fizzles out as they all stare at the white-haired woman, confused. “Oh?” Beidou inquires, leaning forward on her perch.
“These so-called ‘romantic interactions’ you were speaking of.” Ningguang is straight to the point, forward and candid in that frightening manner of hers when she knows what she wants and everyone knows she’s going to get it. “What exactly were you referring to- or more specifically, who were you referring to when you cited these ‘interactions’?”
Keqing chokes on air. Beidou chokes on her alcohol and Ganyu chokes on the qingxin flowers. “Wh- what-“
“It’s very important, Keqing. I must know.” Ningguang fixes her with deadly crimson eyes, target locked with full intent and any lesser man would cower under such intense focus from the Tianquan, but fortunately Keqing is an idiot Keqing is too busy reeling from the sudden inquiry to remember fear.
“That- that was nothing!“
“Won’t you tell me, dear Yuheng?”
“Stop calling me that! I quit! I quit, and I’ll do it again a thousand times over! Why are you here anyway- is stalking me around town so important to you that it’s even worth blowing off the monthly budget meeting??”
“Can you blame me for missing your beautiful face?” Ningguang sighs forlornly.
Keqing looks like she’s about to say something else but she pauses mid-breath. “What?”
“Don’t make me repeat myself.” Ningguang says, but the smile she’s holding back says it all. “But seriously- I don’t accept your resignation, and by Liyue law, you can’t resign until I do.”
“She’s right, you know.” Ganyu pipes up. “According to statute 42 Liyue Code § 1310a-7b, any positions deemed essential to the functioning and security of Liyue- Tianquan, Yuheng, and all other Qixing positions included mind you- cannot be vacated without a majority five-one agreement from the other Qixing members.”
“I asked them all-“
“If both Ningguang and Uncle Tian don’t approve, you won’t have the five-one. The statute was implemented by Rex Lapis himself- to ensure the stability of Liyue’s mortal governing body.”
Keqing’s furious eyes land on Ningguang’s smirking face.
“You need at least bring a hand-picked ’suitable replacement’ if you want to resign on such short notice without the majority of the Qixing’s approval.” Ganyu finishes, staring at Keqing with wide, clear eyes.
Keqing stares. “And who might approve this ‘suitable replacement’ that I bring over?”
“… according to the current law, that would be the Tianquan.” Ganyu says in tiny font, knowing full well that this would serve to only further incite the tiny Yuheng.
Keqing falls hilariously silent. Beidou wishes she had popcorn about now. Ningguang looks pleased, judging by the serene look on her face and the approving nod she sends Ganyu’s way. Ganyu smiles in the most constipated way she does whenever she’s trying not to laugh.
Keqing grits her teeth. “F-fine. I get it then. You just wait.”
Ningguang smirks in that usual arrogant way she does, the one she fully knows has quite possibly infuriated Keqing to the point of resignation. “Don’t disappoint me.”
**
You are what you do, and not what you say you’ll do. Actions always prove why words mean nothing. If your actions don’t live up to your words, then you have nothing to say; Keqing wholeheartedly believes this, and has developed her entire career and moral character around these principles.
However, this time she finds that putting her words into action is much more difficult than she’d initially anticipated.
Zhongli stares down at her with amused golden eyes. “And so she told you to find a suitable replacement before she would accept your resignation?”
Keqing nods firmly. “Yes, that’s what she told me and I believe that is the current law in place. I’ve been looking all around Liyue, and when I ran into Director Hu in the marketplace this morning, she suggested that I come for your advice.”
Hu Tao grins proudly from the side. “Zhongli here may look young, but he has the personality of an old dying butterfly! Reminds me of my grandpa, hehe- but worse!”
Keqing winces lightly at the cheerfully blunt remark while Zhongli’s features remain impressively still. “And what you mean by that is…?”
“He’d make a great Yuheng!” Hu Tao exclaims, eyes alight. “After all, he’s everything you aren’t, no? We all know that the rest of the Qixing are old and stuffy, which means they’ll like old and stuffy people like themselves, and good ol’ Zhongli here fits the bill just fine!”
Keqing risks a glance at Zhongli who has slightly paled from the beginning of their meeting to this point. “Director Hu, I don’t understand- are you implying that I should join the Qixing instead of acting as a consultant here-“
“Absolutely!” Hu Tao gushes, racing over to clap her small hands on Zhongli’s broad shoulders. “You may look young, but you have the dustiest personality I’ve ever seen-“
Zhongli clears his throat, disgruntled, and gently pries her hands off his shoulders. “I don’t think that’s a very good idea. Perhaps Miss Keqing should find someone more like herself to bring as a replacement. After all, Liyue certainly does need more people like her, wouldn’t you agree?”
Keqing squints at him. “What do you mean?”
Zhongli smiles down at her and his face is young, but there’s something in his eyes that makes him seem so, so much older. It almost reminds her of Ganyu in a way- some unspoken sort of weird, omnipotent understanding of the world that no one in this day and age could ever comprehend. “Outspoken, direct, decisive, controversial, and unafraid. It is only because of people like you, Miss Keqing, that Liyue is able to move forward, especially with everything that’s happened recently. I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks so.”
Keqing blinks, floundering in the face of sudden high praise from this refined gentleman. “I- thank you. I used to have a lot of words to say about the late Rex Lapis, but I’ve changed my stance recently. Nevertheless, I thank you for your kindness, and I-“
She doesn’t even get to finish her sentence. Hu Tao cuts her off with a sudden, blunt question. “Say Keqing- this is nice and all, with your closeted admiration for that old dead dragon- but, why do you want to quit your job anyway?
Both Zhongli and Keqing blink. Keqing stares at the flower-eyed girl. “Why do I want to quit?”
Hu Tao shrugs, carefree as the golden butterflies that swarm about her when she’s sprinting through the streets wrecking havoc. “Just a question. It all seems quite sudden, you know?”
“I too am curious about this.” Zhongli muses thoughtfully, turning his golden eyes to her.
Keqing scratches the back of her neck because wow, she doesn’t really know how to say this. “Ahem. Well, let’s just say there were some interpersonal problems-“
“Is it because of Ningguang?”
Keqing almost gets whiplash from how fast she snaps her head up. “I never said anything about Ningguang-“
“You didn’t have to!” Hu Tao exclaims gleefully. “It’s written all over your aura!”
Keqing blinks. “My- my aura??”
Hu Tao waves a manicured hand. “It’s just lingo that my ghost friends like to use whenever they’re scoping people out. Don’t worry about it.”
That doesn’t help anything. Keqing grows warier and warier, but Hu Tao seems to have no problem plowing on. “Oh come on, I think you’re lucky! I’m sure everyone in Liyue would agree with me- like, seriously, the Tianquan? Well-off, a radiant gaze, exquisite face, and the richest woman in all of Teyvat! You’re all set, Keqing!”
Keqing stares at her, absolutely mortified, while plain amusement starts to settle down on Zhongli’s features as he begins to comprehend the situation. “I- I-“
The door suddenly flies open. “Keqing!”
Hu Tao starts- a rare sight- but for some reason, she looks as thrilled as she did at her initial revelation. “Why, if it isn’t the Lady Tianquan herself! What perfect timing, but before anything else, I must ask- are you here to purchase our services today?“
“Not today, I’m afraid. Maybe next time, if you bring me a lucrative deal.” Ningguang chuckles at the eccentric director before turning her attention back to Keqing.
Zhongli stares at the misplaced Tianquan amusedly. “Your Eminence, Lady Tianquan. What brings you to our humble office?”
Ningguang ducks her head politely at the consultant. “Ah, well. Keqing, I suppose.” She shares a chuckle with the older man, like two adults talking about their children, and that same infuriated feeling starts to bubble up in Keqing again.
She glares at the Tianquan. “How did you even find me this time?!”
“I have eyes and ears all cross Liyue, my dear. You should know this by now.” Ningguang reaches out to tap Keqing’s nose teasingly, watching with something akin to- is that affection??- as Keqing’s eyes cross at the action. Zhongli looks pleased. Hu Tao coos.
Keqing stares longingly out the window to where Yanfei’s office sits higher up on the hills. “Don’t tell me that the Wangshen Funeral Parlor is another place you usually frequent. You know I won’t buy that bullshit-“
“On the contrary, she is!” Hu Tao interjects, gleeful as the sun. “Or, well, at least she has been recently.”
“Mr. Zhongli and I have been having some interesting conversations over some of my recent investments.”
Keqing’s eyes flash. “Mr. Zhongli??”
Ningguang shrugs, somewhat careless. “Well you know, since I dropped the Jade Chamber out of the sky, I lost quite a few of my assets. I’ve been looking into the best ways to re-build my portfolio, and Zhongli here has been wonderful in informing me of all the various places I could put my hard-earned mora.”
Zhongli, despite his usual stone-faced countenance, shifts uncomfortably at the hostile glare Keqing suddenly directs his way. Hu Tao shoots a subtle elbow into his side and he coughs. “Right. Assets.”
They look good together. Zhongli is tall, quiet, stoic and handsome and Ningguang (although Keqing hates to admit it) is pretty much the striking image of a modern-day queen. Standing side by side, with Zhongi’s classic good looks and Ningguang’s powerful aura and grace, they look like a power couple straight out of an anime and Keqing-
Keqing’s seen enough.
“I won’t bother you any further then. Good day to you both,” she nods curtly to a wincing Hu Tao and a constipated-looking Zhongli “and Ningguang- for the last time, quit following me around. I’m done, okay?”
Zhongli and Hu Tao send worried glances to Ningguang, whose scarlet eyes only remain trained to the shorter woman’s back.
Keqing exits the dimly-lit Wangshen Funeral Parlor into the glaring sun of Liyue and doesn’t look back.