When Baishi said that, Ningguang's heart skipped a beat.

"Ryen asked me to come to him? Did something happen? Is he alright?"

Baishi was briefly stunned, then quickly replied:

"No, no—Lord Ryen and the others are completely safe. In fact, they seem... quite happy."

Upon hearing that, Ningguang breathed a sigh of relief.

But immediately afterward, a wave of subtle resentment rose in her heart.

"That damn man… He's been gone for five days and didn't come to see me even once. Now that he's finally back, he still didn't come straight to see me!"

Ningguang thought she was only complaining in her heart—but the words accidentally slipped out loud.

Baishi tried her best to stifle a laugh and pretended not to hear anything.

Suppressing her inner grumbling, Ningguang couldn't help but feel joy at Ryen's return.

She finally understood what people meant when they said: "A day apart feels like three autumns."

Only by throwing herself into work could she temporarily set aside her feelings of longing.

But now, upon hearing he was back, those emotions came rushing back like a tidal wave.

Ningguang stood up, glanced over herself—her outfit was tidy, nothing seemed inappropriate.

She quickly walked outside.

"Did Ryen say what it was about?"

Baishi shook her head.

"Lord Ryen only told me to urgently notify you and Lady Keqing to come over. From the looks of it, it's something good."

"Something good?"

Ningguang was briefly puzzled, then recalled what Ryen said five days ago when he left—they were going to slay dragons.

So...

"A new mod's been activated?"

Realization dawned on her, and she quickened her pace.

"Go inform Keqing. I'll head over myself."

But just as Ningguang was about to leave, Beidou stood up with a grin.

"Your beloved's finally back? What, not planning to introduce me?"

Ningguang frowned slightly and said seriously:

"Now's not the time…"

"Why not?"

Beidou stared at her with amusement.

"Are you waiting until you get pregnant and married before letting me meet the man who's captured the heart of the Tianquan Star?"

"Beidou!"

Ningguang glared at her, both flustered and annoyed—but deep down, she felt a bit of secret joy.

Just imagining a little one trailing behind her, calling her "Mom,"

with Ryen beside her, playing with the child while she handled official matters…

That kind of life—perhaps it really was the one she dreamed of most.

"Hey! Earth to Ningguang!"

Beidou stepped in front of her, waving her hand in annoyance.

"I really don't know what kind of magic that guy has to make you so obsessed."

"Come to think of it, he's the one behind all the recent changes in Liyue, right?"

"All the more reason—I have to meet him."

Ningguang snapped out of her thoughts, frowned slightly, and after a moment of hesitation, said:

"It involves classified matters of Liyue, Beidou…"

"Oh, cut the crap."

Beidou rolled her eyes and complained:

"Am I not a citizen of Liyue too? Don't think I don't know—didn't that Traveler who's been active in Liyue Harbor these past few days also go there?"

"The Knights of Favonius from Mondstadt sent quite a few people too."

"So what, just because I don't have some fancy title, I'm not qualified to know these secrets?"

Ningguang firmly rebutted:

"That's because Mondstadt signed a formal alliance treaty with Liyue!"

"And what about those two Fatui Harbingers? Did they sign it too?"

Beidou stared silently at Ningguang. After a brief pause, Ningguang replied:

"They are no longer Harbingers. If you want to know, I'll tell you—yes, the Cryo Archon personally came and signed an alliance pact with the Geo Archon."

"Snezhnaya will live and die alongside Liyue, just like Mondstadt."

Beidou raised an eyebrow and gave Ningguang a deep, meaningful look.

"Looks like there's still a lot you're hiding from me... Enough chatter—just give me a straight answer. Are you bringing me or not?"

Ningguang sighed, walked back to her desk, and took out a contract.

"Sign this contract, and you will be bound by the laws of the Geo Archon. If you sign it, I'll take you."

Beidou took the scroll, didn't even glance at it, and casually joked:

"Looks like I'm finally about to get access to the real secrets."

She signed her name on the spot and handed it back to Ningguang.

Beidou wasn't afraid that Ningguang would trick her.

After all, they'd been close friends for over a decade—no one knew Ningguang better than Beidou.

"Lady Tianquan... may I go as well?"

Ayaka bit her lip and finally asked.

Ningguang narrowed her eyes, staring intently at Ayaka.

The latter quickly added:

"I won't speak recklessly. I'll strictly keep Liyue's secrets—never reveal a word. I just want to see... if there's a way to save Inazuma there."

"I can sign an even stricter contract. Any terms are fine!"

The atmosphere turned heavy for a moment. After a pause, Ningguang seemed to think of something.

She replied calmly:

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

Seeing Ayaka's unwavering determination, Ningguang pulled out a different contract.

"Sign this, and you'll be tied to Liyue's ship. If Liyue lives, you live. If Liyue dies, you die."

"If you dare leak any of this information, the Geo Archon, the Adepti, the Anemo Archon, the Cryo Archon, Snezhnaya, Liyue, Mondstadt…"

"You'll become the enemy of three nations—hunted endlessly until death."

"Are you still willing to sign it?"

Ayaka gritted her teeth and took the contract.

There weren't any complicated clauses on it—just one line:

"Should you leak any information, you will be killed, no matter where you run."

Without hesitation, Ayaka signed the contract and handed it back to Ningguang.

"Such a resolute young lady…"

Ningguang smiled faintly, put away the contract, and said softly:

"Let's go. I'll take you to see Liyue's greatest secret."

"Also, once you're there, don't speak freely—especially about Inazuma or the Raiden Shogun. The Geo Archon, Adepti, and even the Anemo Archon and Cryo Archon are all present."

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