Liyue.
Within the resplendent Jade Chamber, one of the Liyue Qixing—the Tianquan, Ningguang—sat upright at her desk, reviewing documents.
She wore a gold-and-white Liyue-style qipao, embroidered with a golden phoenix across the chest. The design accentuated her graceful, full figure while lending her an air of dignified elegance. Her pale platinum hair flowed down to her calves, refined and captivating, while the crimson tassels resting against her forehead shimmered in harmony with her amber-gold eyes.
At her side stood her three most trusted secretaries—Baizhi, Baixiao, and Baishi—responsible for compiling and sorting intelligence from across Liyue before presenting it to Ningguang for final judgment.
As Tianquan, Ningguang was the true authority behind Liyue's governance. Given her position, she could easily delegate these matters, but she believed that only by handling affairs personally could one make the most accurate decisions.
It was wisdom earned from building everything she owned with her own hands.
"Excellent. Last month's tax revenue has doubled compared to previous years. Liyue's commercial trade has reached yet another milestone."
"An incident in Dihua Marsh—a traveler was attacked by elemental creatures and obtained a Vision in a moment of desperation. Interesting. Send some funds as congratulations. Any Vision bearer born of Liyue deserves celebration."
"Wanmin Restaurant has developed a new dish. The trial tasters are full of praise…" Ningguang paused, then sighed. "I'm trying to lose weight—put this sort of information at the bottom next time. I can't help wanting to try Xiangling's cooking."
"The Crux Fleet encountered a storm on a long voyage and only returned safely after three days and nights. I've always said it—Beidou is blessed with incredible fortune. Even the heavens are reluctant to take her life."
When her gaze reached the next two reports, Ningguang's expression darkened.
"Another apparition spotted at Wangshu Inn… Sigh. Why does Xiao keep exposing himself so carelessly? I've told him countless times—this frightens the guests. I'll have to remind him again."
"Merchants attacked by monsters in Jueyun Karst, while the reclusive Adepti stood by and did nothing?" Ningguang scoffed. "If they refuse to acknowledge that the age of Adepti has passed, then why do they still act like detached immortals, indifferent to the lives of the people?"
"Send troops to protect merchants and travelers. Liyue will not tolerate monsters harming civilians."
"The Adepti…" she murmured. "They've become an obstacle to Liyue's development."
Streams of intelligence passed rapidly before her eyes—until her hand suddenly stopped.
"Interesting. Inazuma has relaxed the Sakoku Decree and reopened foreign trade. Liyue's merchants must seize this opportunity."
Hearing this, Baixiao, closest to the window, immediately stepped forward and pushed it open.
Ningguang crushed the report in her hand and scattered it into the air—
Paper drifted down like snow from the clouds; sparse yet dense, each fragment worth a fortune.
All of Liyue knew this truth:
The Tianquan reigns supreme.
This act was known among merchants as "Snowfall Shards."
To traders below, every scrap of paper carried priceless information. Whoever seized it first gained a decisive advantage in wealth and opportunity.
Each "Snowfall" sent shockwaves through Liyue Harbor's commercial world.
Moments later, clamor erupted from the streets as merchants scrambled for the falling fragments, the noise carrying faintly even to the Jade Chamber.
Ningguang returned to the reports in her hands—then narrowed her eyes.
"So… during his visit to Inazuma, the Prince of Snezhnaya granted the exclusive agency for black powder to Yoimiya of the Naganohara Fireworks Shop."
"I've heard of her. In terms of fireworks craftsmanship, she's no inferior to Liyue's masters."
Baixiao snorted. "All it took was a single toast at a banquet to earn the Prince's favor. Could she be skilled in some sort of seduction?"
Baizhi looked up thoughtfully. "I bet this Yoimiya is extremely beautiful—otherwise why would the Prince be tempted?"
Baishi adjusted her glasses. "No matter how beautiful she is, she can't compare to Lady Ningguang."
Ningguang lifted her pale chin and shot the three of them a glance.
The secretaries immediately fell silent and returned to their work.
"Yoimiya gaining exclusive agency only means one thing—they already knew each other," Ningguang said calmly. "Without an existing relationship, the Prince of Snezhnaya would never make such a hasty decision."
"But regardless," she continued, "since she now holds the monopoly, Liyue—Teyvat's commercial capital—cannot afford to lag behind."
She crushed another slip of paper and tossed it from the window.
How merchants exploited the information was their own affair. Ningguang preferred to see more tycoons rise—when they prospered, so did she.
It had been over two months since the last "Snowfall."
Today alone, there had already been two.
Liyue Harbor was in an uproar.
"Ningguang."
A voice requested an audience from outside.
When Ningguang worked in the Jade Chamber, only her three secretaries were allowed inside. She frowned, about to rebuke the interruption—then broke into a smile upon seeing who it was.
The visitor wore a form-fitting, backless bodysuit layered beneath a short qipao, black stockings hugging her legs. Her long hair flowed like pale-blue seawater, with a single cowlick atop her head. A small bell hung at her collar, and two gently curved horns marked her non-human lineage.
"Forgive the intrusion, Lady Ningguang."
"Come in, Ganyu," Ningguang said warmly. "You're a rare guest. You're always worried that your presence puts pressure on my three secretaries—but that's all in your head."
"You and they are equally important to me. I can't afford to lose any of you."
Ganyu served as secretary at Yuehai Pavilion. With both human and Adeptus blood, she possessed astonishing stamina and memory, accomplishing the workload of dozens without complaint.
Precisely because of this, she rarely came to the Jade Chamber—preferring to work at the Yuehai Pavilion headquarters so as not to intimidate Ningguang's secretaries.
But today's matter was urgent.
"Lady Ningguang," Ganyu said, concern evident in her tone, "we've just received a message from Snezhnaya. The Prince of Snezhnaya is about to arrive in Liyue with his delegation."
Ningguang smiled faintly.
"Both Snowfalls today were about him. Perfect timing."
"Make preparations. That Prince of Snezhnaya is… very profitable."
"His purpose in visiting Liyue is still unclear," Ganyu cautioned. "We should proceed carefully."
"Ganyu, you're too tense. Relax."
As long as there was Mora to be made, Ningguang didn't care whether the other party was Fatui or the Prince himself—nor what his intentions were.
With the Millelith and Morax watching over Liyue, who would dare cause trouble?
She crushed the final report and scattered it from the window—
The third Snowfall of the day.
"The arrival of the Prince of Snezhnaya heralds endless opportunity," Ningguang said softly.
"How many will rise to sudden fortune, and how many will fade into obscurity…"
"This is the eternal story of the Nation of Contracts."
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