Fu Xuan followed Qingque to a deserted alley in Flowing Cloud Lane.
After checking that there were no bystanders nearby, Qingque breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ah Xuan, you don't know, but that Prometheus 17 is truly amazing. She's a key talent who can take over as Grand Diviner in the future!"
Qingque coughed lightly, then continued her bluff with a serious face:
"For the sake of Wangshu's future, I'm currently putting her through some trials, just like how you once held high expectations for me, Ah Xuan!"
Qingque looked exactly like a husband who had been fooling around and was now desperately explaining himself to his wife after being caught.
"Is... that so?"
Hearing this, Fu Xuan's dissatisfaction lessened slightly, but there was still a hint of distrust in her eyes.
She always felt like Qingque was fooling her, but she had no evidence... and... Que'er, aren't you sticking a bit too close...?
"If there's even half a lie in what I said, then I'll never be able to win a hand of cards again!"
Qingque, of course, didn't believe in such jinxes.
The important thing now was to stabilize Ah Xuan!
What Qingque didn't know, however, was that because of this poisonous vow, she really wouldn't be able to win a hand for the next few days.
"What kind of vow is that..."
Fu Xuan dazed for a moment before shaking her head with a helpless smile, then she took Qingque's hand again and walked out of the alley.
"Let's go. We still have to see Kiana; it's best not to delay for too long."
Although she somewhat believed the words of the Omniscient Lord of Knowledge—that is, the current Nous-Duck—that the General had actually sent her to Wangshu for the matter of the Dharma Eye after all... but since there was an official business trip, she might as well take the opportunity to mention it to Kiana and have her check on how Qingque usually works at the Wangshu Divination Commission.
After all, she was the one who recommended Qingque; she didn't want the other girl to remain as fond of slacking off as she was in the past.
If that were truly the case, then she felt she could stay in Wangshu for a few more days... For some reason, Qingque, who was being pulled along by Fu Xuan, felt a chill down her spine.
Que'er's intuition had never been wrong.
Someone must be plotting against me!
Qingque's gaze gradually became sharp as she quietly stayed alert to her surroundings, guarding against any sneak attacks.
This girl, why did she suddenly become so paranoid?
Fu Xuan glanced at Qingque with amusement.
Right now, Qingque's eyes were wide and rolling around incessantly.
It was as if... a master schemer couldn't figure it out, or a wise person's thousand thoughts still left something out... Soon, the two arrived at the Taiyin Mansion.
Upon entering, they saw Kiana and Bianca sitting behind the main seats, along with a projection of Jing Yuan chatting with Kiana.
"Oh? It seems Minister Fu has arrived. Then I should go and attend to my own business. I'll leave Minister Fu's matters to you, Kiana."
Catching a glimpse of Fu Xuan, Jing Yuan nodded slightly to Kiana with a smile in his eyes.
"Alright, Jing Yuan, you go and sl—cough, go and do your work. I'll take care of Ah Xuan."
"Then I can rest easy."
With a hint of gratitude in his eyes, Jing Yuan then cut off the communication.
Kiana turned her gaze toward Fu Xuan and Qingque, who had already walked up to the desk.
When she saw Fu Xuan holding Qingque's small hand, she couldn't help but let out a shipping smile.
"Hehe... They're so cute together..."
"..."
Beside her, Bianca rolled her eyes at Kiana and then gave her a gentle nudge, signaling her to stop embarrassing herself.
"Ahem... Ah Xuan, come over here, I'll help you..."
Kiana beckoned to Fu Xuan, her eyes fixed on the Dharma Eye on Fu Xuan's forehead, then she said with some confusion:
"Eh? Ah Xuan, your Dharma Eye..."
"It's the Omniscient Lord of Knowledge,"
Fu Xuan said with a faint smile.
The Omniscient Lord of Knowledge was truly too kind. Although the Dharma Eye bestowed back then had great side effects, it was considered more beneficial than harmful for the Xianzhou.
And now, she had helped remove the side effects, allowing her to use the Dharma Eye without restraint.
However, she still needed to be careful about mental exhaustion; otherwise, excessive consumption would still cause headaches.
"Nous-Duck, huh? To think she would actively help. What on earth has Cyrene done to her these past two days..."
She was curious if Great Xilian had secretly added some strange calculation logic to Nous-Duck.
But since it was a positive change, Kiana didn't plan to meddle.
"Since it's resolved, Ah Xuan, just do whatever you want to do in Wangshu these next few days."
As she spoke, Kiana also gave Qingque an ambiguous look, especially at their joined hands.
Seeing Qingque's slightly flushed face, she knew that this little bird's feelings for the Grand Diviner were more than just simple.
"In that case, would it be possible for me to stay at the Wangshu Divination Commission for a few days?"
Fu Xuan quietly glanced at Qingque out of the corner of her eye.
She had to personally see what this girl was like during her usual work hours; she would be watching closely for the next few days.
Hearing Fu Xuan's words, Qingque's body immediately stiffened. She looked at Kiana, her slender eyebrows twitching incessantly in a hint.
Kiana, you can't screw me over! If Ah Xuan finds out I'm still slacking off every day, I'm doomed!
Qingque screamed in terror internally.
But Kiana couldn't hear her and chose to ignore Qingque's hints.
"Sure, Ah Xuan can stay at the Divination Commission for as many days as she likes. I don't think Minister Que would mind either."
Kiana imitated Jing Yuan's demeanor, looking at the now purple-faced Qingque with a smile.
It's over, I'm finished!
Looks like I'll have to give No. 17 a few days off and put on a show right under Ah Xuan's nose... Wuwuwu, why is my life so bitter... Qingque wept internally.
"Then, thank you."
Fu Xuan nodded slightly to Kiana, then with a slight curl of her lips, she turned to Qingque and said:
"Que'er, lead the way for me?"
"..."
After a moment of silence, Qingque let out a soft sigh:
"Let's go... Ah Xuan..."
Qingque's voice was weak and listless, as if she were about to die.
Kiana covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking. She hoped Qingque could prevent Ah Xuan from discovering the fact that she often slacked off.
Under Kiana's expectant gaze, the two left the Taiyin Mansion.
Bianca turned her head slightly to Kiana and said:
"Kiana, why do I feel like you did that on purpose...?"
Ever since the two came in, the smile on Kiana's lips couldn't be suppressed. This sister of hers was probably brewing some mischief again... "Look at Qingque and Ah Xuan, don't you think they're a good match?"
"Are they?"
Bianca thought for a moment and then shook her head, completely missing the meaning in Kiana's words.
Just two petite girls together, is that a good match? I'll ask Rita when I get back...
Soon, Qingque and Fu Xuan arrived at the Wangshu Divination Commission.
Although Qingque had secretly sent a message to No. 17 on the way, she was still feeling uneasy because No. 17 hadn't replied.
Qingque was extremely nervous as she stood before the door of the Grand Diviner's office in the Divination Commission.
No. 17, my happiness depends on you!
Summoning her courage, Qingque pushed open the door and saw No. 17 standing there, tilting her head and looking at her... "Lord Taibu, is it because No. 17's work efficiency is too low? Giving No. 17 a sudden holiday... are you planning to fire No. 17?"
"Hmm...?"
...Qingque's body stiffened as she felt the deadly gaze from Ah Xuan beside her.
I'm tired, just let the world end... (That's all for Fu Xuan and Qingque for now; I'll write more later if you're interested.)
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