Rumors

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***

As Ganyu listed off the reasons how the government in Liyue works, the conversation picked up.

"That seems a bit problematic..." Barbara spoke up, sounding somewhat dubious. "The more leaders there are, the higher chance of corruption... At least that's what my...big sister once told me. Hence why Mondstadt only has one Acting Grand Master while the Grand Master is away at the moment."

Ganyu shook her head.

"Not necessarily. Lady Ningguang is aware of everything occurring behind the scenes and is familiar with all of Liyue's secrets. You won't be able to keep secrets from her for very long... If someone was corrupt, they would be immediately removed from their position and then imprisoned."

"I see..." After this, Barbara was silent and deep in thought.

"...So what if this Ningguang person is corrupt?"

Everyone turned to Iris, who had been silent thus far and had been quietly listening since the beginning.

"Not possible." Ganyu stated flatly, shook her head, and then looked at the person who made the rude remark.

'Who may this be...? She was so quiet that I didn't notice her until now. Are those...horns?' Ganyu was stunned, to say the least, until she recalled what Yomite had said earlier in the day.

[Don't worry, be proud! Those horns look cute and amazing. Nothing to be ashamed of, I always love to see those kinds of things. "Even one of my comrades has horns." They're like twin blessings for my eyes.]

'Thus, this is the individual about whom he spoke...How imposing and tall she is...I wonder if she's somewhat related to the Adepti.' Ganyu mused internally as she studied the woman.

Iris was nearly as tall as Yomite and the tallest of all the girls present, whereas Ganyu was on the shorter side and appeared quite small in comparison.

"Ehm. Lady Ningguang has a heart of gold. She struggled to amass wealth from the time she was a young child onward. With sufficient effort, she has reached her current position, and all other Qixing members respect her the most. She is therefore the most trustworthy person." Ganyu explained, her voice calm but firm, showing no hint of doubt or hesitation from her words.

Iris nodded at this information, taking it all in, before saying, "My apologies."

"She sounds like a very reliable person, but also pretty calculative." Yomite commented after a pause, still pondering over the information Ganyu had given them.

'I'm bad with calculative types...It's hard to guess what their goal is...I would rather not meet with her...' he thought.

"...Lady Ningguang is..." Ganyu grimaced inwardly as she struggled to find the right words: "...You may call her politically astute, but she's not as scheming as you might assume."

"Seems fair enough." Yomite agreed, nodding his head. "So yeah, Ganyu, you seem like the one who would know a lot about this ceremony, mind telling us something about it?"

"Well...each year on a very specific day, Rex Lapis graces this land with his prophecy, giving guidance on the economic path Liyue should follow in the coming year. Rex Lapis is the eldest of The Seven, and his people have a great deal of faith in his keen sense of strategy. As a result, the entire nation assembles to celebrate his prophecies. The Liyue Qixing are responsible for ensuring that everything is prepared for Rex Lapis's descent. Each year, a different Qixing welcomes Rex Lapis; this year, it is Lady Ningguang."

Everyone seemed to take this information in, before nodding and asking Ganyu a few other questions about the descent itself.

Apparently, Rex Lapis took a form of a divine dragon each time he descended.

Soon enough, all of them arrived at the plaza and found a good spot to watch the proceedings. As soon as they had arrived, all of them set their eyes upon the stage which had been put up in the middle of the square.

"Hey, have you heard? Apparently, all seventeen predictions from Rex Lapis given last year made huge ripples throughout the industry!"

"Oh man, I can't wait! There has been a rumour going around that Tianquan herself, Ningguang, has been acting secretly in the shadows. She wants the rocks created by geo vision holders to be exempt from taxation! I wonder what she's planning. Maybe I can marry her one day once I make a fortune..."

"Dream on, I've heard multiple courters invited her to a fancy dinner, and while she attended each and every single one, none of the rich men caught her attention! What could we common folk possibly do, when even the wealthy failed!"

"Actually, I heard she has a lover...Has to be someone powerful from the Sun or Yang family...maybe even someone from the hidden sects!"

The crowd began to buzz about, discussing various rumors and speculation of their own as Ningguang walked out onto the stage, flanked by two of her slightly better than average looking assistants. The group instantly hushed into silence as they stared in awe at the sight before them.

Ningguang was the Goddess of Liyue. That much was known. Despite being a mortal, she exuded an aura of power and beauty. Enchanting everyone, be it men or women alike; no one could resist her charms.

She easily took anyone's breath away whenever she came close, making them feel as though the wind had been knocked out of them. Her beauty made the world seem more vibrant.

The way her hair glinted in the sunlight, the way her lips curved into a smile as she greeted her audience, the way she moved gracefully towards the stage.

It was hard to describe just how enchanting she actually was, especially when compared to the rest of the citizens of Liyue.