The three walked together, not talking much.
Still, it wasn't awkward.
Most of the conversation was between Taro and Zhongli, with Madame Ping occasionally chiming in.
Before long, Wanmin Restaurant was in sight.
"We've arrived."
Seeing that the restaurant already had plenty of diners, Zhongli lifted his hand slightly:
"Master Mao, the usual. Three servings."
"Well, if it isn't Guest Official Zhongli!"
Master Mao's eyes lit up as he worked his abacus.
"Please, upstairs, please! You three wait a moment, I'll head to the kitchen myself."
"No rush."
Zhongli smiled. "Fine food should never be prepared in haste."
"Don't worry, you'll be satisfied!"
Master Mao personally led them to a window seat upstairs, set tea before them, then hurried off to the kitchen.
Normally, waiters would handle guests.
But Guest Official Zhongli wasn't just a regular—he was a distinguished guest.
Every time he came, his comments always gave Chef Zhang's daughter, Xiangling, something to learn.
How could he, as her father, not offer the best service?
"Xiangling, I wonder if her martial practice has fallen behind."
As Mao disappeared into the kitchen, Madame Ping's face softened with a faint smile.
Nowadays, she only had two apprentices by her side.
One was Xiangling, Wanmin's little master chef.
The other was Yaoyao, beloved by the adepti, though still just a child.
"She was in Jueyun Karst not long ago, so her martial training hasn't been neglected."
Zhongli raised his teacup, smiling. "And her cooking has steadily improved.
Every time Xiangling is on duty, each meal brings new insights."
"You're quite at leisure, aren't you, 'Emperor'?"
Madame Ping teased. "Shopping, bird-watching, listening to music… you've got a very carefree life."
The name of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's guest official was known far and wide.
He had hidden himself well before—so well that even she hadn't noticed.
Now that she thought about it… hmph.
"Heh."
Unbothered, Zhongli replied, "The scenery of Liyue Harbor changes every day. To miss it would be a pity.
Be it Xiangling's dishes or Mr. Yun's opera, neither should be overlooked."
As for strolling and bird-watching…
Well, that was just grassroots inspection.
Like right now—someone was disguised in a waiter's headscarf: the Yuheng Star herself.
He had recognized her, but chose not to expose her.
Leading by example, he thought approvingly.
Though in some eyes her ideas might be heretical, her dedication to serving the people was beyond reproach.
"Hm?"
Following Zhongli's gaze, Taro saw a violet-clad girl.
Understanding immediately, he grinned. "You think highly of her?"
"Indeed."
Zhongli nodded without hesitation.
Liyue had always been rich in talent, and this generation of the Qixing was especially outstanding.
"If you think so, give her more trials."
Taro narrowed his eyes. "She's not steady enough yet. Construction work can wait.
I think she should be sent out as an envoy—let her travel with diplomatic missions, see the outside world. That would be excellent."
This purple kitten had ambition, ideas, and determination.
But she lacked depth.
Born high, promoted quickly—even if she was willing to get close to the common folk, she still lacked true understanding of the world.
Without leaving Liyue's bubble, there were things she would never grasp.
Reports on paper, no matter how dire, were still only words.
Only by seeing and experiencing them firsthand would she know how serious things really were.
People can't teach what life itself must teach.
Liyue was too stable.
So stable that many took it for granted.
They didn't know how fortunate they were.
Send her to Sumeru or Inazuma—she'd quickly learn what "the people can't live" truly means.
"Hmm."
Zhongli stroked his chin in thought. "Brother Taro, you speak reason. This is not a bad suggestion.
But with the Rite of Descension so near, it would be better postponed."
The road must be taken step by step, the meal eaten bite by bite.
This could not be rushed.
Push too hard, and if her drive was crushed, that would be most unwise.
Watching these two so casually decide Keqing's fate, Madame Ping's gaze on the Yuheng Star grew worried.
The outside world was not like Liyue.
Hopefully, the child wouldn't be broken by what she saw.
"..."
Feeling the weight of their gazes and whispered words behind her, Keqing finally couldn't bear it.
She quickly finished wiping down the table, strode out of the kitchen, and planted herself before them.
"If you have guidance, please speak it to my face.
Talking behind someone's back is not the way of a gentleman."
Standing tall, her eyes swept across Zhongli and finally fixed on Taro.
She hadn't caught everything, but the phrases "not steady" and "lacks experience" she had heard loud and clear.
This stranger seemed to have strong opinions about her.
And she realized the three of them had all seen through her "disguise."
Since they knew, there was no point in pretending.
"Then let's speak plainly."
Keqing pulled off her headscarf, hand on her hip, the full authority of the Yuheng Star blazing forth.
"If you have criticisms of me, speak them now—I'll listen.
Don't worry, I'm not the sort who hides behind titles to silence others.
And I'm not someone who can't handle blunt truth.
As long as what you say is reason, not nonsense."
"..."
Facing her fierce aura, the three glanced at one another… and smiled.
This child was bold.
"What are you laughing at?"
Keqing frowned. "Make it quick, I've work to do.
If you can't convince me… hmph!"
"Brother Taro, this is the mess you've stirred up."
Zhongli's face carried a gentle smile as he turned away, playing the part of innocent bystander.
Beside him, Madame Ping twitched at the corner of her eyes, then also turned her head aside.
They were too old to scold such a young girl.
Better to let Taro be the bad guy here.
"Fine."
Taro raised a brow, set down his teacup. "Then today, little girl, I'll open your eyes a bit."
"Zhongli, give me a model of Liyue Harbor and the surrounding land.
Table-sized is enough.
That's doable, isn't it?"
"Of course."
Though puzzled, Zhongli complied.
Who else knew Liyue's land as he did?
Golden light flowed at his wave.
In moments, a perfectly scaled, lifelike model of Liyue spread across the table.
"This…"
Keqing's eyes widened.
She had measured Liyue's land with her own steps.
She could instantly see the model's accuracy—down to every detail.
It was as though Liyue Harbor had been copied whole, without a single error.
She had thought Zhongli was merely learned.
She hadn't expected this.
Excellent.
She would steal this man from Ningguang if she could.
If she could bring this guest official into her fold…
(End of Chapter)
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