"Enough. Stop causing trouble. If you want to make a scene, take it up with Ganyu," Ryou snapped, shooting the two girls a hard look. "And what was that you just said?"
"Uh…" Both of them flushed and wouldn't meet Ganyu's eyes.
"That's enough. Go back," Ganyu said, shaking her head as she followed after them. "Bring your applications to my office."
But the moment she thought about it, her head started to ache. Lately it wasn't just Yujing Terrace—several other departments were also sending in transfer requests. Sorting through all of it was a nightmare.
"Yes, Ganyu-sama!"
…
By the time Ryou finished lunch with Ganyu and Keqing, it was already afternoon.
Keqing didn't come back afterward—she'd dragged Ganyu off somewhere, probably to go shopping.
Ryou looked at the pile of paperwork on his desk and suddenly remembered something. Since he'd been handing out rewards today, it seemed like no one had gone to release Yanfei.
Normally, if someone wanted to release a detainee—or handle anything related—they'd file it through him first.
Today, no one had brought it up at all.
Ryou stepped outside and waved one of the staff over.
"Ryou-sama!" the person said immediately.
"Did you release Yanfei?" Ryou asked.
The staff member scratched his head, then his eyes widened. "Ryou-sama, I… I don't think we did! I'll go right now!"
Cold sweat broke out on his back.
Yanfei was a famous legal advisor. They'd held her for over a day. That was the kind of mistake that could explode in their faces.
"It's fine. I'll go," Ryou said, patting him on the shoulder.
He headed straight for the holding cells.
The moment he walked in, he saw Yanfei staring at him with a face like ice.
That look could kill.
Ryou had the distinct feeling that if there weren't bars between them, she'd already be swinging her law book at his head.
He cleared his throat. "Yanfei-san. I'm letting you out now."
The door opened.
Yanfei stepped out and kept staring him down.
"Ryou, I'm not letting this go," she said through gritted teeth.
He'd thrown her into custody in front of everyone, then left her there for an entire day.
Just seeing him made her blood boil. She wanted nothing more than to smash him with that book.
"Yanfei-san, about that… I offended you. And what you mentioned before—that was a misunderstanding—"
"Hmph." Yanfei cut him off with a sharp glare, lips pressed into a thin line.
…
Just thinking about last night in the Ministry of Civil Affairs' cell made Yanfei's temper flare again.
Ryou had ordered people to drag her in, right in front of a crowd. It was humiliating.
Did she not have any pride?
It was the first time she'd ever been arrested and locked up.
At first, she'd planned to go straight to the Jade Chamber. But then she remembered: Ningguang had already intervened—and clearly, it hadn't worked.
So in the end, she could only rely on herself.
On her way out, she overheard someone mentioning that rewards would be handed out tomorrow.
That made her feel a little better.
Fine. Tomorrow she'd bring people and catch him red-handed. With solid proof in hand, she'd love to see what he had left to say.
With that thought, she finally calmed down. She got up, took her things, and washed up.
When she finished, there was a knock at the door.
She opened it to find Xiangling standing outside—with Keqing beside her.
"Xiangling, you're here," Yanfei said, then looked at Keqing. "And Keqing-san… what do you want?"
Her feelings were complicated.
She'd always thought she and Keqing were close. But after what happened yesterday, Keqing hadn't spoken up for her at all.
So this was what "choosing a man over a friend" looked like.
"Yanfei, I came to explain what happened yesterday," Keqing said. "Can I come in first?"
Yanfei's gaze was cold—dangerous, even. Keqing felt it like a chill on her skin.
"Come in," Yanfei said, stepping aside.
Inside, Yanfei poured them each a cup of tea.
"Yanfei… are you feeling any better?" Xiangling asked carefully.
"Not even a little," Yanfei snapped. The moment she thought about it, anger surged again.
She turned to Keqing. "Keqing, we're friends, aren't we? You know what kind of person I am."
Her voice sharpened. "And you just stood there and watched your husband lock me up in the Ministry of Civil Affairs?"
Xiangling looked at Keqing but didn't interrupt.
Keqing hesitated, then spoke honestly. "Yanfei, you can't blame my husband for that."
She took a breath. "In that situation, he didn't have a choice. What you said sounded like you were challenging the Ministry of Civil Affairs in public. By any standard, I don't think what Ryou did was wrong."
Her eyes softened. "And I did try to talk him into letting you go, but… he wouldn't listen."
Yanfei looked at her, expression unreadable, and said nothing.
"Yanfei…" Xiangling murmured.
Yanfei exhaled and waved it off. "You don't need to explain any more. I'm not blaming you."
Her tone cooled. "I'm tired. I want to rest."
"Alright," Keqing said, seeing her face. She understood immediately—this wasn't something that would end neatly. "We won't bother you, then."
After they left Yanfei's place, Xiangling tried to smooth things over. "Keqing-san, Yanfei just hasn't cooled down yet. Don't take it to heart."
Keqing shook her head and looked toward Feiyun Slope.
"Xiangling, you're her friend. You know her better than I do," Keqing said quietly. "I can tell she's furious. This won't pass easily."
She paused, then added, "Don't worry. I'll talk to my husband. But if you get the chance… please try to talk Yanfei down."
Her voice was careful, almost pleading. "We're all friends. If this turns ugly, it won't be good for anyone. We're going to keep seeing each other around Liyue."
When Keqing returned to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, she found Ryou sitting inside, drinking tea, completely calm.
She walked straight up, took his teacup out of his hand, and set it down on the table.
"You still have the nerve to sit here drinking tea?" she said. "Did you forget to release Yanfei today?"
Ryou coughed. "Yeah. I did."
"And you're admitting it like that?" Keqing's frustration spiked. "I just came from her house. She's furious. She's not going to let you off this time."
Her eyes narrowed. "If she keeps targeting you, you're going to be in constant trouble. I've been worried sick, and you're acting like nothing happened!"
Ryou reached out, pulled her into his arms, and leaned back in his chair like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Keqing stiffened, but he spoke softly into her ear. "Keqing, what are you afraid of? We'll handle it when it comes. Even if something happens, I'm here."
"But…" Keqing thought of Yanfei's personality, then looked at how relaxed Ryou was. In the end, she didn't finish the sentence.
"I'm here," Ryou repeated, stroking her gently.
"…Fine," Keqing said at last.
Ryou smiled, holding her close, and lifted his teacup for another sip.
"This tea smells really good," Keqing said, tilting her head up at him.
"Does it?" Ryou's eyes crinkled. "Then taste it."
He drained the cup in one go, then, under her stunned gaze, leaned in and kissed her.
Keqing's whole face flushed.
The tea wasn't bitter at all—sweetness spread through it, richer than usual. It was obvious Ryou had done something to it.
She shot him a look, then looped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
Ryou chuckled, tasting her once before pulling away. "Later. We're still at work."
…
When it was nearly time to leave, Ryou stayed in the office, drinking tea, while Keqing went to call on Ganyu.
He glanced toward the Jade Chamber, thinking that Ningguang was probably losing her mind again today.
After a while, Huixin came in.
"Um… I heard some rumors outside," Huixin said quietly. "A few Millelith were talking about Yanfei. Apparently she went to them and said she has something important to handle tomorrow."
Huixin frowned. "I'm worried tomorrow's Mora rewards might cause trouble. I've noticed a few clauses in the law that conflict with the kind of extra income we've been getting."
…
"Yanfei went to the Millelith?" Ryou repeated, amused. "So she's planning to catch me with 'solid evidence.'"
He knew Yanfei wouldn't drop it easily, but he hadn't expected her to move this fast.
Still, remembering her face when she left earlier… it made sense.
"Don't worry," Ryou said. "I'll handle it. And besides—we haven't done anything illegal."
"Mm." Huixin nodded. "Just be careful. Keqing is back—I'll go."
She lowered her head and left.
Ryou watched her go and shook his head slightly.
Keqing walked up beside him. "What did Huixin say to you? Are you doing something behind my back?"
"What could I possibly be doing?" Ryou said, laughing under his breath. "She was warning me. Yanfei's bringing the Millelith tomorrow to catch us in the act."
"So soon?" Keqing blurted, stunned.
"I'll deal with it," Ryou said, slipping an arm around her. "Don't worry. Come on—we're going home."
…
When they got home, Keqing saw Tabibito sitting there, calmly drinking tea.
Her temper flared instantly.
She marched up and demanded, "Tabibito, weren't you going to see your brother? Why are you still in my house?"
Keqing's suspicion was written all over her face.
Wasn't Tabibito supposed to be looking for her brother?
Now he'd been found.
And yet Tabibito was still clinging to their home like she belonged here.
What was she trying to do?
Tabibito's mood had finally been recovering. She'd been telling herself to hold onto the opportunity and take things step by step.
But the second Keqing came back, she started interrogating her like this. Tabibito's expression sank.
Keqing, did I do something to you?
Yes, she had intentions.
But she hadn't even made a move yet.
And Keqing was already coming at her like this?
Fine, then.
Don't blame her.
Your husband… Tabibito was taking him.
[End of chapter]
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