Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

Ke Qing nodded slightly, having no objection to Uncle Tian's proposed solution.

"No problem, Miss Yelan's matter is not urgent for now."

She paused, her fingertips unconsciously tapping her arm, then looked up, her eyes bright and focused, her tone returning to its characteristic crispness, as if she had rehearsed everything countless times in her mind.

"I have already made arrangements for the specific content and direction of the inspection."

"In that case, let's head to Yujingtai immediately."

Ke Qing's gaze swept over the traveler who was about to exchange pleasantries with Uncle Tian.

She deftly raised her hand to signal to follow, her skirt swirling slightly as she took the lead and walked swiftly and steadily toward the stone steps leading from the terrace to the courtyard. Her purpose was clear; she was obviously in a hurry to go to Yujing Terrace to examine the candidates.

As Keqing reached the stairs at the edge of the terrace, she paused slightly and turned to look at Famas, who was leaning against the carved railing of the terrace.

“Mr. Famas, this trip to Yujingtai is related to the selection of candidates. If you have no other important business to attend to, why don’t you come along and take a look?”

The girl's gaze was calm yet carried an undeniable weight. When she spoke, her tone was steady, neither warm nor yielding, but purely businesslike.

Famas, who was gazing with great interest at the bustling street scene of Liyue Harbor, slowly turned around upon hearing this, a smile playing on his lips, as if he had heard something interesting.

"Oh? Is Miss Keqing inviting me, or asking me to come along?"

Famas deliberately dragged out his words, his gaze sweeping over Keqing's serious face.

"Hey, FAMAS! Can't you be a little more polite?!"

Paimon puffed out his cheeks and circled the boy, and just before Keqing's brows furrowed and she was about to lose patience, Famas finally nodded as if agreeing to a trivial game:

"Alright, we're just killing time anyway. Let's go see how Miss Keqing tests those future pillars of Liyue. It'll be quite an interesting thing."

In Ke Qing's view, although the response was unpleasant, the outcome was still acceptable.

Rather than leaving the elusive, unpredictable, and cynical Famas at the Rock Tea House and adding to the uncertainty, it would be safer to keep him under our watchful eye, at least so we can deal with any unexpected events that Famas might cause in a timely manner.

Ke Qing said no more, then turned to Uncle Tian, ​​who was sitting at the stone table, and bowed slightly to take her leave.

Although Uncle Tian knew Keqing's decisive and efficient style, he couldn't help but marvel at her efficiency, especially after witnessing her brief and witty conversation with Famas.

"Keqing, are you really not going to have a cup of tea before you leave?"

Uncle Tian sat upright in his seat, a gentle smile on his face, his tone conveying the kind of entreaty of an elder to keep him here.

"Thank you for your kindness, Uncle Tian, ​​but official business is urgent. We'll talk again next time."

Keqing declined decisively, her tone polite yet leaving no room for argument. Without further delay, she turned and led the traveler, Paimon, and the nonchalant-smiling Famas across the terrace, their figures quickly disappearing at the stone steps leading down.

The traveler exchanged a helpless glance with Paimon, then quickly cast an apologetic look at Uncle Tian before chasing after Keqing's departing figure.

The terrace returned to tranquility for a moment, with only the gentle sound of the wind chimes tinkling in the breeze.

Only after everyone had left did Huixin carry the exquisite teapot filled with steaming hot tea and a set of celadon teacups onto the terrace. But the moment she stepped onto the terrace, she abruptly stopped, her gaze sweeping somewhat bewilderedly around the now empty bamboo table before finally settling on her father, who sat alone beside it. She asked, somewhat lost in thought:
"Father, Miss Keqing and the others...have they already left?"

Uncle Tian was gazing in the direction of the stone steps, as if he could still catch a glimpse of that swift purple skirt and the lingering echo of another carefree figure as they departed. Upon hearing this, he coughed softly twice, looking slightly tired.

Seeing this, Huixin quickly placed the tea tray on the stone table in front of her father, stepped forward, and gently patted Uncle Tian's slightly thin back.

"It's nothing, it's an old problem."

Uncle Tian waved his hand, and only after his breathing calmed down did he look away, pick up the cup of tea in front of him that was no longer warm, take a small sip, and sigh softly.

"Keqing and the others have already gone to Yujingtai."

"Go on, you should go back to Yuehai Pavilion. Let your father have some tea and rest here by himself for a while."

Huixin's eyes were still filled with concern for her father, but Yuehaiting's pile of official duties could not be delayed.

Her visit to the Yanshang Tea House was an act of dereliction of duty. She made sure that Uncle Tian's breathing was stable and that he was alright before she felt a little relieved. She bent down and refilled the slightly cool teacup in front of Uncle Tian, ​​and the warm tea steamed up in a wisp of white vapor.

"Then Father, please take care of yourself. If anything happens, just send someone to Yuehai Pavilion to let us know."

Huixin whispered a word of advice, then turned and hurried away without lingering. Her clothes fluttered in the wind as her figure quickly disappeared at the entrance to the terrace.

The tranquility of the terrace had not yet completely dissipated when the bustling streets of Feiyunpo presented a completely different scene.

Keqing and her group were heading towards Yujingtai, where the terrain was gradually rising.

Paimon's small figure hovered in mid-air, his brow furrowed, and he couldn't help but whisper the worries swirling in his heart:

"Hmm... Uncle Tian does look rather listless; he seems quite tired."

Ke Qing continued walking, her eyes darkening slightly upon hearing this. Her tone was calm yet carried an undeniable rationality: "Yes, it may sound cruel, but given Uncle Tian's current mental state, he is indeed no longer suited to take on such a heavy responsibility."

Farmas, standing to the side, crossed his arms and listened silently. His thoughtful gaze swept across Keqing's calm profile before finally settling on the distant, layered Liyue architecture. He remained silent, his composed demeanor seemingly a silent agreement with Keqing's judgment.

As Ke Qing walked, she explained the situation to everyone: "Uncle Tian recommended a total of three candidates: Qian Wei, Ming Bo, and Zhi Yi."

Paimon immediately perked up: "Hmm... Qianwei, Mingbo, Zhiyi... I've memorized all their names! But what do they do?"

Keqing added details in a calm tone: "Qianwei comes from a wealthy merchant family; Mingbo has worked in the Liyue General Affairs Department for many years and is familiar with the affairs; and Zhiyi is currently traveling around studying."

FAMAS finally spoke, his tone as calm and unhurried as if he were simply sorting through information casually.

"Merchants, officials, scholars... their backgrounds are very diverse, which is interesting."

Paimon ignored Famas, only frowning and trying to count on his fingers: "Qianwei, Mingbo, and Zhiyi... Hmm, I can barely remember them! But Keqing, what exactly is this 'investigation' you mentioned?"

Keqing did not immediately answer Paimon's question, but merely glanced at Famas and the traveler beside her:
"We can discuss the specific details of our investigation once we arrive at Yujingtai."

The traveler looked at Famas as soon as he spoke, and Famas responded to the girl's gaze with an enigmatic smile, remaining silent. He simply continued to walk steadily beside Keqing, his gaze calmly fixed on the direction of Yujingtai, clearly assuming the role of an observer. (End of Chapter)