"Hmm..." Zhongli nodded, reached into his robe—and froze for just a moment before recovering his composure. "I seem to have forgotten to bring any Mora. Please put it on the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's tab."
"Alright..." Master Fan nodded. This was nothing new; Zhongli's usual routine. Mr. Zhongli was a cultured man, knowledgeable and refined, but he had one fatal flaw: he never carried Mora.
"There's no need. I'll cover Mr. Zhongli's bill," came a calm, cool voice from the back of the room.
The crowd instinctively parted to clear a path—and all eyes turned in surprise. It was Ningguang.
"Is that Lady Ningguang? What's she doing at a teahouse today?"
"She's personally paying for Mr. Zhongli's tea? That's... unexpected."
…
The room buzzed with chatter, but Ningguang walked straight over and took the seat beside Zhongli.
"Everyone, Lady Ningguang is only here today to enjoy Miss Yun's performance. Please carry on as you were," Baiwen announced politely from behind her.
The moment Ningguang sat down, Zhongli's pupils contracted slightly. He could sense it—there was divine power radiating from her.
Ningguang was a mortal. How could she possess divine strength?
Though not on par with himself, the power she now held was undoubtedly at the level of a god.
"Mr. Zhongli certainly lives a life of refined taste," Ningguang said, eyeing him coolly.
"You flatter me, Lady Ningguang." Zhongli gave a light smile. "With skies so clear and the weather so pleasant today, would it not be a shame to waste such ideal conditions for tea and opera?"
"Heh…" Ningguang chuckled softly. "I came today not just for the performance. There's something I've been wondering about—and I'd like you to clarify it for me."
"Please, go ahead," Zhongli replied with a nod.
"What are your thoughts, Mr. Zhongli, on the current human-led governance of Liyue?" Ningguang asked as she accepted a cup of fragrant tea from the server and took a sip.
"The Geo Archon has passed on to the heavens—or so it is said. As for the truth of that, I still do not know. I was hoping you might enlighten me."
Zhongli's hand, holding his teacup, froze for a split second. His eyes flickered.
That question—it meant she already knew who he truly was.
"I am but a humble mortal now, wandering the world. Matters of the Archon are hardly mine to comment on," Zhongli said with feigned calm.
"But surely a few insights wouldn't hurt. The Archon was kind and generous—I'm sure his 'spirit in the heavens' wouldn't mind a little commentary," Ningguang said with a sly smile, her words tinged with mischief.
"I will need some time to consider how best to answer that," Zhongli sighed. "Miss Yun has taken the stage. Perhaps Lady Ningguang might enjoy the opera for now."
"Very well," Ningguang nodded, turning her gaze to Yun Jin. This young woman's skill was indeed the pinnacle of Liyue's opera tradition—no wonder so many adored her.
While Yun Jin sang on stage, Zhongli's heart was anything but calm.
After a long while, Yun Jin's performance concluded, and she exited the stage with a bow.
Ningguang paid for both their teas, then turned to Zhongli.
"Sigh... Lady Ningguang, if you would accompany me," Zhongli said at last, resigned. He realized there was no dodging this conversation.
And he could more or less guess where her newfound divine strength—and knowledge of his true identity—had come from.
Ningguang nodded, and with Baiwen following close behind, the three of them left Heyu Tea House.
They made their way to a mountainside above the Ministry of Civil Affairs, where the view overlooked all of Liyue Harbor. The three stood silently at the mountaintop.
Ningguang and Baiwen stood together, while Zhongli looked down at the city below, lights twinkling from ten thousand homes.
After a while, Ningguang finally spoke. "Isn't the sight of all these lights in Liyue beautiful?"
"It is," Zhongli replied.
"Then tell me—why did you step down from the throne of godhood? Why deceive all of Liyue?" Ningguang asked, her eyes fixed on him. "Your Excellency."
"Wha—His Excellency... the Archon?!" Baiwen's eyes widened in shock. She stared at Zhongli in disbelief.
Zhongli... was Rex Lapis?
Baiwen fell silent. This was far beyond her station. She dared not speak. The revelation was staggering.
And to think—the Archon had faked his own death? He had deceived all the people of Liyue?
"So, you do know," Zhongli said, turning to face Ningguang. "Was it Akio who told you?"
"Yes," Ningguang nodded. "I am his wife now."
"I see. Then he must have granted you divine power," Zhongli said with a faint smile.
"Perhaps he took pity on us—mortals who cannot always remain by his side—and gave us godly strength," Ningguang said seriously. "Keqing and Ganyu received it too."
"..." Zhongli nodded. "Indeed... with his power, such things are possible."
"Then, Your Excellency—may I ask why you relinquished your position?" Ningguang asked.
"Liyue is beautiful. But I governed it for over three thousand years. I was tired. Even rock, when worn down by time, will crumble."
"There was a day, during a rainstorm, when I overheard a merchant telling his assistant, 'Your duties are complete. You may rest now.'"
"That made me wonder—after so many years of rule, had I completed my duty as well?" Zhongli's voice was low and deep. "Liyue has always been a nation that walks with the gods. I feared that my absence would bring instability."
"And so I staged my death. I let Tartaglia release Osial to test Liyue."
"If Liyue could overcome that crisis, then it would mean people were ready."
"If you had failed, I would've intervened and dealt with Osial myself," Zhongli explained. "But I was pleased. You succeeded. You faced that storm and weathered it."
"You, Ningguang—without any divine power, you were willing to sacrifice your most prized possession, the Jade Chamber. That was no small feat."
"For Liyue—I would do anything. This is my nation. I won't allow anyone to harm it," Ningguang said, stretching her hand out as if to embrace the entire city below.
"It seems even the power of the gods hasn't changed your resolve," Zhongli said with a nod.
"Go on, then. Liyue is ready to enter an era ruled by mortals. I believe in you all. I'll remain here in Liyue, watching over you," he said. "If ever a threat arises that you cannot face, I will act again."
"With your promise, I feel at ease," Ningguang said with a nod.
"Liyue is my legacy, my child. I won't allow it to come to harm," Zhongli said, smiling. "I have great faith in Liyue's future. In you. In Keqing. In all the people of this land, united."
"Liyue will not disappoint Your Excellency," Ningguang said firmly. "Even if you've stepped down as a god, you'll always be remembered by the people of Liyue as Rex Lapis—our Archon."