Several days later, as Ren was meticulously trying to build a house of cards using Ningguang's ridiculously expensive, jade-inlaid personal stationery, a Qixing secretary entered the office with a formal announcement.
"Lady Ningguang, the Traveler, Lumine, has returned from Jueyun Karst."
Ningguang's lips curved into a satisfied, strategic smile. The pieces were all moving into place. "Excellent," she said, her voice crisp. "Ganyu."
Ganyu, who was reviewing a document nearby, looked up immediately.
"Go to the teahouse," Ningguang commanded. "Personally extend my invitation to the Traveler. Tell her the Tianquan wishes to discuss the insights she has gained from her meeting with the adepti. Bring her here. Immediately."
"Yes, Lady Ningguang," Ganyu replied, and with a soft, concerned glance at Ren, she departed, a graceful, efficient emissary.
A little while later, the grand doors to the office opened once more, admitting Ganyu, a slightly bewildered Lumine, and a very excited Paimon.
Lumine's eyes, which had been full of the ancient, misty vistas of Jueyun Karst, now widened in a new kind of astonishment. The last time she had seen Ningguang, it had been on a grief-stricken, chaotic terrace. Now, she was seeing the Tianquan in her true element: the serene, all-powerful empress in her floating palace.
But what truly baffled her was the sight in the corner of the room. There was Ren, the boy she had last seen as a brave, defiant protector, now sitting quietly on the floor, completely absorbed in playing with a priceless-looking, intricately carved antique jade ship, sailing it across the plush, silk carpet. He was humming a little tune, utterly at home, a domestic, peaceful island in the very center of Liyue's political and economic power. The sheer, surreal dissonance of it was almost too much for her to process.
"Honorary Knight Lumine," Ningguang greeted, her voice a smooth, welcoming melody. "I trust your journey was enlightening."
"It was, Lady Ningguang," Lumine replied, pulling her gaze away from the strange, domestic scene. "I spoke with the adepti. They… are also seeking the truth."
"As are we all," Ningguang said, her expression turning serious. "Which brings me to the reason I summoned you. The Qixing has been conducting its own investigations. We have… concerns. And we believe you, as a neutral and highly capable third party, may be able to assist us where we cannot act openly."
She then unveiled her grand, theatrical masterstroke. She gestured to the massive, chaotic, and brilliant intelligence board on the wall, the web of strings and papers that represented the sum of all of Liyue's secrets.
"This," she declared, "is the sum of our knowledge. Every rumor, every secret, every whisper that flows through Liyue Harbor eventually finds its way here."
Paimon gasped, her small, starry eyes wide as dinner plates. "Whoa! So many secrets!"
"Indeed," Ningguang smiled. "And I will allow you to choose one. One piece of this puzzle that you believe is most important to your own quest. In return for your assistance, I will grant you the full backing of the Qixing in pursuing the lead you choose."
It was a brilliant, irresistible offer, a way to formally recruit Lumine into her own schemes while making it seem as if it were the Traveler's own choice.
Ren watched from his corner, a silent observer of the masterful political theater. He saw Paimon's eyes, predictably, drawn to the largest, most centrally located, and most dramatically marked document on the entire board. It was a detailed map, marked with a stark, crimson, Fatui insignia.
"That one! That one looks super important!" Paimon squeaked, pointing with a tiny, trembling finger.
Lumine, trusting her companion's simple, direct instincts, nodded. "We'll choose that one."
Ningguang's smile was one of pure, triumphant satisfaction. "An excellent choice," she said, as if she were surprised. "That is a map detailing the suspected location of a secret Fatui research facility, where we believe they are conducting… illicit activities. A most dangerous and vital lead."
Ren simply looked on, a quiet, knowing look in his eyes. He had seen this play before. The Traveler, guided by the Qixing, was now officially on a collision course with the Fatui and their schemes to replicate the Sigils of Permission. The main quest was back on track.
Lumine accepted the map and the mission, her face full of a new, grim determination. As she and a still-excited Paimon were escorted out by Ganyu to be briefed on the details, she gave Ren one last, grateful, and slightly bewildered look.
He simply gave her a small, encouraging wave, before turning his attention back to sailing his priceless jade ship across the carpet. The naive, heroic Traveler was now an unwitting agent in Ningguang's shadow war. She was about to get deeply entangled with the Harbingers, and Ren knew, with a quiet, somber certainty, that his own period of peaceful observation was rapidly coming to an end.