Genshin Impact's Sweet and Hard Free People

After passing the screen, I saw Lady Ningguang.

Ningguang's long, platinum blonde hair was styled with a black and gold hairpin, parted at the back, and cascading down to her calves. Crimson tassels adorned her forehead, echoing the color of her eyes. She wore black arm warmers and gold finger cots, the wide, long sleeves hanging naturally. A white scarf encircled her neck, and she wore a cheongsam with alternating gold, white, and black patterns; the hem resembled a bird's tail, and the collar featured a golden phoenix design.

No matter how many times I've seen her, I can't help but be awestruck by Ningguang's appearance. It's not because of her beauty, but because when I'm in her presence, I can't help but feel a sense of awe.

In contrast, Keqing evoked a strange feeling in Xinhui—an itchy, inexplicable itch that he couldn't quite articulate. The key was that this feeling seemed uncontrollable; he felt that if someone as serious as Keqing could just smile at him, he'd gladly give up ten years of his life!

When he regained his senses, he overheard Keqing and Ningguang's conversation.

"According to Qianyan Army's report, the area around Mingyun Town is being increasingly affected by the snow-capped mountains, and the crops there have already turned into ice!" Ke Qing's earnest and resolute voice rang out.

"I was just about to mention this. It seems there's some kind of special power in the snow mountains that's encroaching on the sky above Snow Capital. This power makes it difficult for ordinary people to enter. I was planning to ask Gan Yu to go there, but since you've already returned from the Abyss, why not do the same for you?"

Ningguang's slightly languid voice was full of gentleness. It seemed that Keqing's appearance had restored her confidence. She was satisfied that she would entrust the tricky matters to someone she trusted.

Xin Hui listened without saying a word; this was clearly not something he should get involved in. He sat there until the two finished talking, and although he was quite far away, he had heard almost the entire conversation.

Seeing that there was a gap, Xinhui stood up again and walked over quietly.

"Lady Ningguang, please review the list of clothing items to be purchased from Yiyu Pavilion for the Lantern Festival. Also, I'm submitting your dress design to you as well..."

Chapter Four: Snow-capped Mountains and Deep Abysses

Inside the elegant residence, Ningguang's slender, pale fingers took the list. The yellowed and white pages listed the quantities of various types of clothing.

Men's formal wear: 32 pieces (black)

Special requirements: Concise and professional, with a white inner shirt and an outer formal dress that makes the wearer appear tall and slender.

Sixteen of them came with blue bow ties, while the red ones were acceptable.

Size specifications are as follows: ...

Women's dresses: 16 pieces (blue)

Special requirements: The main color scheme should be blue. In addition, the costumes for Qixing and Ganyu should be designed separately to be different from those for the others.

Size specifications: ...

Condensed Light Size: ...

Gan Yu Size: Unknown.

Keqing Size: Unknown.

……

To proceed with procurement:

Attachment: Qunyu Pavilion Procurement Contract

……

There were three documents, the second of which was the attachment. Ningguang's pretty face was expressionless as she seemed to be carefully examining the contents of the contract.

After a while, she smiled and quickly signed her name. Because she had seen her clothing design sketches in the third document.

It was a navy blue long dress, paired with high heels with butterfly straps. Blue velvet embellishments on the arms and shoulders connected to blue and white shoulder straps, and a few bright pearls adorned the dress, making it look bright and radiant.

Although it was a dark color, it couldn't hide the dress's outstanding elegance. Furthermore, Xinhui wrote its name on the paper—"Orchid in Gauze."

Ningguang was very satisfied with the proposal. If she wore this dress during the Lantern Festival, she would definitely be dazzling. Therefore, coupled with her personality of not wanting to drag things out, she immediately decided to agree to the contract.

However, Ningguang was worried that with so many dresses being procured by a young man who also demanded such high quality, the dresses might not be delivered on time.

After much deliberation, a decision was made.

"I'm sure Yiyu Pavilion has never received such a large number of dress orders before. The fabric and paint are both major problems... Here's what I'll do: I'll contact Gan Yu and ask her to help you out."

"Lord Ningguang's thinking is indeed thorough." Xinhui was flattered. It seemed that the preparations for the Lantern Festival could not be taken lightly, otherwise the other party would not have sent the half-immortal beast Lord Ganyu to help him, right?

After thinking about it, the Lantern Festival is only a little over ten days away.

The making of the dress... looks like I need to step up my efforts.

"By the way, have you noticed anything strange lately?" Ningguang suddenly asked.

"Hmm...no, life is as usual, free and interesting."

Xin Hui thought the question wasn't directed at him and stood there stunned for a long time.

"..."

Ningguang's sudden silence made the atmosphere eerie.

Did my negligence offend Lady Ningguang?

Xinhui didn't know. Even when it came to strange things, he remembered very little of them.

"You should go back first. If there's nothing else, it's best not to leave Liyue."

"..."

Was this a warning? Helpless, Xinhui could only agree and leave Xiangse's elegant residence.

After Xinhui left, Keqing crossed her arms and looked at Ningguang with a strange gaze.

"Your expression is off." Ke Qing looked at Ning Guang's slightly furrowed brows, which hadn't relaxed for a long time, and felt strange.

“I heard that an honorary knight has appeared in Mondstadt, someone from outside Teyvat…” Ningguang explained.

"So, what do you suspect?" Ke Qing's purple eyes were filled with doubt.

Ningguang's perfect figure leaned back in the oiled wood chair, and she bent slightly to take a document from the cabinet.

"Xin Hui, male, was brought back from Tianqiu Valley by Bai Shu of Bubu Lu half a year ago. He was seriously injured and claimed to be a traveler from another world, but he has amnesia..."

As she read, she suddenly burst out laughing.

"He usually enjoys playing chess with others, and his chess skills are superb. Today, he won against Keyun's wife, Lady Yuheng."

"Keqing, are you talking about?"

Ningguang smiled at Keqing, seemingly unintentionally… her expression was so disdainful.

Upon hearing this, Keqing's face immediately flushed red, and a feeling of embarrassment and annoyance overwhelmed her originally calm heart.

"You...you even managed to investigate this?" Ke Qing said with a hint of accusation, choosing not to refute it.

"What, you don't believe in Tianquan Star's methods? It must be an interesting story that Lord Yuheng Star has become someone else's wife." Ningguang fiddled with the rock-colored gem with her right hand, while teasing Keqing.

"No way! What Grandfather said doesn't count." Keqing quickly denied, her face turning red.

"Heh~ Who knows what you're really thinking?" Ningguang retorted, then straightened up and said, "Let's get down to business."

"The situation at Dragonspine Mountain cannot be taken lightly. Remember, if you can't handle it, you must return safely. Liyue... also cannot be without the Seven Stars."

"Hmph! Don't you place the Emperor in the most important place in your heart? Liyue has gods and immortals, that's enough, isn't that what you really think?"

Ke Qing raised her proud nose slightly. In her small head, she always believed that being born a "human" meant having the pride of a "human." This "disrespectful" personality gave Ning Guang quite a headache.

"By the way, has there been any progress in the investigation in the Laminariat?" Ningguang rubbed her forehead, then suddenly remembered something.

"The Rock Abyss... experienced a major tremor, filled with a massive amount of rock elemental energy, making it impossible for the miners to work. Because my perception of rock element is poor, I'm not quite sure what happened."

"However, the source of the tremors seems to be deep within the abyss. I can sense a mysterious power there. Hmm... it's somewhat similar to the situation you described in the Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain."

As Ke Qing spoke, a look of tension appeared on her pretty face, indicating that Yan Yuan's situation was not optimistic either.

……

At the foot of the Jade Pavilion, Xin Hui stood there. She had been considering whether to wait for Ke Qing, after all, Qi Xing was busy with work and very popular; she might find herself as annoying as a fly in her eyes!

But then she thought about it again and decided to wait. If she left Old Master Yun's granddaughter there, she might get a scolding from him.

A moment later, a beautiful figure in purple descended from the Jade Pavilion with wings of wind.

It was Ke Qing.

However, after she landed, she didn't seem to see Xinhui. Instead, she carried a long sword with a sandalwood handle and mica decoration on her back—the Dragon's Roar in the Box—and rushed off into the distance.

Sure enough, I had been forgotten.

Xin Hui felt a pang of sadness and a sense of loss welled up in his heart.

After hesitating for so long, I might as well go back and make clothes!

Just then, a woman dressed in black walked by.

She is Ningguang's assistant.

"Is this the owner of Yiyu Pavilion? Lady Ningguang instructed that we can help you with the difficulties you are facing, or you can go to the vicinity of Yuehai Pavilion to find Lady Ganyu."

The secretary clasped her hands in front of her body, speaking to Xinhui with utmost respect and politeness.

Lady Ningguang is quite generous. You know, all of her assistants are exceptionally capable, and there are countless people who want their help!

"Please convey my message to Lady Ningguang: the entire Yiyu Pavilion will do its utmost to ensure the completion of the formal wear."

Although he was the only one in Yiyu Pavilion, his words were undoubtedly a response to the convenience that Ningguang had provided for him.

Let's express our gratitude.

That's what Xinhui thought.

Chapter Five: The Sweet Rain of the Moon Sea

"I forgot to ask Lady Keqing's clothing size..."

Xin Hui suddenly felt a bit worried. Girls' clothing sizes are nothing more than height, weight, and measurements. The first two are fine, but if you ask a girl for her measurements, won't you get killed?

It was only because Lady Ningguang wanted to see the finished garment as soon as possible that she provided these data directly. Otherwise, if Lady Ningguang hadn't seen the design sketches for "Orchid in Gauze," Yiyu Pavilion probably wouldn't have been able to secure this order.

Looking at the unknown words on the page, he thought, "I'll wait until Keqing returns. With Lord Yuheng's abilities, she'll definitely be back soon."

You can make clothes for other people first. For men's formal wear, as long as it's black and fitted, it should be fine, right? Then you can try it on yourself.

As for women's dresses... regular dresses are relatively easy to make, but I wonder what the Seven Stars and the immortals think.

By the way, I can go find Gan Yu! She's the best person to help me.