The biggest joke in Liyue Harbor was undoubtedly Zhongli claiming to be an idle person.
Ningguang sighed and asked, "Then, Mr. Zhongli, may I ask if there was any deep meaning behind the incident at the Rite of Descension?"
"Uh..."
Zhongli pondered slightly before replying, "Just as the Liyue Qixing thought, perhaps the arrival of the 'Age of Human Rule' will allow Liyue Harbor to ascend to a higher level."
"I wanted to see how great a change the 'Age of Human Rule' would bring to Liyue Harbor."
Ningguang and Keqing looked at each other, their faces heavy with solemnity.
They hadn't expected that everything that happened back then was deliberately arranged by Rex Lapis.
This made the Liyue Qixing, who had 'seized the opportunity of the Lord of Geo's passing to immediately take control of Liyue's politics,' feel very awkward.
It was as childish as passing notes right under the teacher's nose.
Moreover, now knowing that Rex Lapis was still alive and had even been observing the actions of the Qixing as an idle person all along...
An invisible pressure weighed down on them until they could barely breathe.
Before this, they only needed to march toward success; if they failed, the worst that could happen was starting over. But now, they were only allowed to succeed, not permitted to fail, and couldn't even make mistakes!
Because the Lord of Geo was watching them!
Ye Xi felt that if Keqing was under too much pressure, she might work even harder on overtime in the future and not even come home.
How could that do? If she didn't go home, how could they have children?
Thus, he sat down beside Zhongli and tore down his platform, saying, "I say, Consultant, you're making this sound too nice. Clearly, you just wanted to slack off and loaf around, yet you insist on calling it a test."
Zhongli was instantly rendered speechless.
"Cough..."
He gave a dry cough and added, "Of course, there was also the factor of wanting to rest."
"Are you sure that wasn't the main factor?"
Faced with Ye Xi's pressing question, Zhongli's face couldn't quite hold up.
Ye Xi showed no mercy; he turned back to stroke Keqing's small hand, comforting her, "You see, he just wanted to find an excuse to retire and rot away."
"Don't be under too much pressure. At worst, just make him come back and continue working."
Zhongli: ? ? ?
Zhongli was numb.
Come back to work? He had worked for thousands of years and had only just managed to retire with great difficulty, and now he had to come back to work!?
He certainly didn't want to do that!
"Pfft—"
Seeing Zhongli eat humble pie, Keqing couldn't help but laugh out loud.
She knew Ye Xi was helping her out of a tight spot to reduce her psychological burden. This kind of meticulous care made her feel very happy.
Ningguang, standing to the side, felt a little envious in her heart.
Moreover, what she found incomprehensible was that Ye Xi actually sat next to Zhongli in such a grand manner! This was equivalent to sitting as an equal!
It seemed Zhongli didn't mind at all. Even when Ye Xi dared to directly dismantle Zhongli's stage to spoil his woman.
This feeling... it was as if he didn't view Zhongli as Rex Lapis at all!
Zhongli sighed, "In terms of universal rationality, I have already handed over all authority and will no longer intervene in the affairs of Liyue Harbor."
"However, should Liyue encounter a life-or-death crisis, I will still take action."
"So, you may proceed with a free hand."
With these words from Zhongli, both Ningguang and Keqing breathed a sigh of relief. This was equivalent to a safety net. They could do whatever they wanted, and at worst, the Lord of Geo would cover for them.
With this, the pressure was much less.
Ningguang hadn't expected that in the face of Ye Xi's sharp edge, Zhongli would actually compromise.
She hurriedly asked closely, "Mr. Zhongli, if I guessed correctly, asking Master Ye Xi to come to Liyue Harbor to help with infrastructure construction was also your intention, right?"
"Correct."
"Then regarding Liyue's future development and these projects, what is your view?"
One had to know that whether it was developing the railway and freight transport, or the idea of building a new city centered around Wangshu Inn, it would cause a massive consumption of manpower, material resources, and financial power. If this move was wrong, it could very likely inflict heavy damage on Liyue Harbor!
Previously, not knowing the Lord of Geo was still around, she and the Liyue Qixing had discussed and decided to take the risk.
Now that this experienced 'senior' was here, getting some advice from him would be ideal!
However, Zhongli spread his hands and looked at Ye Xi beside him, saying, "Just listen to Little Friend Ye Xi's suggestions."
"Uh..."
Ningguang was somewhat astonished. So Rex Lapis trusted Ye Xi this much! Even Liyue's future development could be handed over to Ye Xi!
"Then regarding the route for laying the Railway?"
Zhongli lifted his teacup, took a sip, and said calmly, "Just listen to Little Friend Ye Xi's suggestions."
"Regarding the mining of The Chasm?"
"Just listen to Little Friend Ye Xi's suggestions."
"Using monsters like Slimes as energy resources?"
"Just listen to Little Friend Ye Xi's suggestions."
"Rebuilding Guili Plains and turning Dihua Marsh into a water city?"
"Just listen to Little Friend Ye Xi's suggestions."
Ningguang: ...
Keqing: ...
Ganyu: ...
Ye Xi couldn't help but retort, "Do you have nothing else to say?"
"Just listen to Little Friend Ye Xi... uh."
Zhongli froze for a moment, then spoke, "You have the final say."
Ye Xi: ...
Ruined. This social invalid was truly ruined.
Seeing Ye Xi's gaze that seemed to say 'Are you okay?', Zhongli gave a dry cough and said seriously, "Qixing, do not forget your original intention."
"To break away from the gods and open the 'Age of Human Rule'."
"Since that is the case, do not rely excessively on the power of gods."
"I understand that too much is as bad as too little; suddenly losing your god makes it inevitable that you cannot adapt."
"Therefore, I can be your safety net."
"But if you rely too much because of this, then the 'Age of Human Rule' will cease to exist."
Hearing Zhongli's admonition, Ningguang and Keqing nodded seriously. For the Lord of Geo to say this meant he held expectations for them.
If they relied on the god again, that would be a grave mistake.
Zhongli added, "The reason I asked Little Friend Ye Xi to come is, firstly, because his abilities are powerful, and he looks even further ahead than I do."
"Secondly, he is a human. He will not violate your original intention of 'Age of Human Rule'."
"You can rely on my little friend as much as possible to get Liyue Harbor back on the right track."
As soon as these words came out, several of the girls were dumbstruck.
'Abilities are powerful', 'Looks even further ahead than the Lord of Geo', 'Can rely on him as much as possible'.
These three descriptions directly lifted Ye Xi to an unprecedented height!
Ganyu was startled. It was her first time hearing Rex Lapis evaluate a person like this!
Hearing this, Ningguang also made up her mind in her heart. She wanted to strive for a chance from Ye Xi—a chance to become family!
Keeping Ye Xi was especially important for Liyue!
If she wanted to keep Ye Xi, she could only increase Ye Xi's bonds with Liyue. And there was only one method.
That was to become Ye Xi's family, and let even more people become Ye Xi's family.
She could see that Ye Xi spoiled his women very much. If he had many family members in Liyue Harbor, Ye Xi would naturally be more attentive!
Moreover, before meeting the Lord of Geo, she really hadn't expected that the Lord of Geo would view Ye Xi as so important!
Liyue was an existence Rex Lapis had governed for thousands of years! It was like the most important and cherished treasure in a god's heart!
Yet, the god would so easily and reassuringly hand the treasure over to Ye Xi to handle! This showed that the power of Ye Xi was so strong that it had reached a level where even Rex Lapis felt at ease!
"I understand, Mr. Zhongli."
Ningguang nodded and took the opportunity to speak, "Master Ye Xi, could you honor us with your presence at the Jade Chamber tonight?"
"I would like to host a private banquet for you to discuss the development of Liyue."
"Okay."
Last time Ye Xi came to Liyue, he had rejected her invitation. It would be impolite to reject again this time. So he agreed readily.
Zhongli spoke up at this moment, "Since there is nothing else, I will head back. There is still a storytelling session I haven't finished listening to."
Ningguang: ...
Keqing: ...
"M-Mr. Zhongli's life is truly rich..."
Keqing was quite speechless. So listening to storytelling was more important than the meeting at hand?
Just as they were speaking, the sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.
Subsequently, a face full of excitement belonged to Lumine, who dragged Dehya as she charged in.
"Ye Xi, we're going to make perfumed balm! Let's go..."
As she spoke, Lumine suddenly lost her voice.
She scanned the situation in the room and found Ningguang, Keqing, and Ganyu standing to the side, while Zhongli and Ye Xi sat in the main seats.
The two guests were sitting, while the hosts were standing—this was obviously not right!
Dehya sighed, "Traveler, I told you, you have to knock!"
"You're being very impolite like this!"
Ningguang and the others were startled. If the current situation was seen, it would inevitably attract suspicion! They had given strict orders not to allow anyone to break in and disturb them!
Presumably, because Lumine and Dehya were Ye Xi's people, the Millelith and secretaries didn't know how to stop them.
Ningguang and Keqing looked at each other, thinking about how to explain the current situation.
But Dehya, seeing Zhongli, began to lecture Lumine, "Look, the Liyue Qixing are discussing serious business with Lord God!"
"Eh!?"
Keqing froze instantly. "Dehya, do you know Mr. Zhongli's identity?"
"I know. Wh-what about it?"
"How do you know!?"
Dehya glanced at Lumine and said, "The Traveler and Paimon said it. Everyone knows."
"What!? Everyone knows!?"
Ningguang frowned and looked at Lumine. "Traveler, you knew about this matter long ago!?"
"Well done, you. You said so many nice things to me before, but in the end, knowing so many secrets, you actually didn't say anything in advance!"
Keqing also put her hands on her hips, her small face full of indignation. "You told this secret to so many people, yet deliberately kept it from me!"
"Is it only me who didn't know!"
"Eh!?"
Lumine's face stiffened, thinking to herself, 'It's over! Now Keqing and Ningguang are going to be angry!'
She hurriedly shook her head and said, "Th-this isn't my fault! It was all Paimon's doing!"
"Traveler, do you think I believe you?"
"I... Ah-Qing, I was wrong—! Boohoo..."
Seeing this comical scene, Zhongli smiled faintly. "Little Friend Ye Xi, it seems you won't have any peace tonight."
Just as his voice fell, sounds came from outside the door again.
This time, it was accompanied by Secretary Baixiao's blocking voice.
"Hall Master Hu, you cannot go in. Lady Ningguang is discussing very important matters!"
"But... it's about our Consultant. I, the Hall Master, surely have the qualification to be present!"
Hu Tao was somewhat anxious.
Just now, she had heard from Xingqiu the news that Zhongli had been taken away by the Millelith, so she had hurried over.
Even if Zhongli usually slacked off, he was still a person of her Wangsheng Funeral Parlor! If the Millelith detained someone, they should at least notify her, the Hall Master!
Although she said this, she naturally wouldn't force her way in.
At this moment, Ningguang heard the commotion outside and stepped forward to open the door. "Hall Master Hu, please come in."
"Eh!?"
Seeing Ningguang open the door, Hu Tao hurriedly said, "Lady Ningguang, before you arrest Zhongli, can you give me a chance to argue!"
"Yes!"
"Zhongli always defaults on debts outside, never brings money when he goes out, and his expenses are huge!"
"But Wangsheng Funeral Parlor always settles the bills for him on time!"
"Can you please show mercy and not throw Zhongli in jail!"
This string of words left everyone in the room bewildered.
"Mr. Zhongli... defaults on debts?"
For a moment, all the girls looked at Zhongli.
Keqing and Ningguang's eyes were filled with disbelief.
The dignified Rex Lapis actually had no money and was a deadbeat!?
How was this possible!
Zhongli: ...
Just a moment ago he was laughing at Ye Xi; now, the tables had turned.
Ye Xi's gaze was full of playfulness.
"Cough..."
Zhongli adopted an attitude of 'If I'm not awkward, the awkward ones are others' and spoke calmly, "I hadn't expected the Hall Master to care so much about me..."
"Care?"
Hu Tao crossed her arms and huffed, "Zhongli, if you get arrested by Lady Ningguang, do you know how big of a blow Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's reputation will suffer!?"
"Work was already scarce this month. If our Consultant gets arrested, won't my Wangsheng Funeral Parlor operate at a loss!"
Zhongli: ...
Uh...
The room fell into silence, the air seeming to solidify.
Now, even Zhongli felt awkward!
Ye Xi laughed and said, "Hall Master, how about I give you one hundred million Mora for free?"
"Yee—!"
"One hundred million Mora!!"
Hu Tao's eyes were filled with little stars as she hurriedly said, "Then whatever happens to Zhongli has nothing to do with this Hall Master!"
"This Hall Master is leaving right now~"
"Pfft—"
What a plastic friendship!
Ye Xi laughed out loud unkindly, and the girls also couldn't hold it back.
Only Zhongli alone was left petrified on the spot...
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