I'm tainted!

"Lady Ningguang, do you have any other questions?"

At Yucheng's words, Ningguang and Yelan exchanged glances. The sheer amount of information they had learned tonight was so staggering that neither knew how to continue questioning him for the moment. Meanwhile, the other three secretaries were frantically recording the conversation, preparing to archive this evening's discussion.

"Mr. Yucheng, thank you for answering my questions today and clearing up doubts I've had for years. I once thought I had already done enough for Liyue that it should amount to a tenth of what our venerable Rex Lapis has done.

"This conversation has made me realize that there are still countless unsung heroes quietly giving their all for Liyue. Without them, Liyue could not have enjoyed favorable weather for so many years. What I have done does not amount to even a ten-thousandth of what our venerable Rex Lapis has done.

"I also apologize for having doubted you. Although there are still some questions regarding your identity, they now amount to little more than trivial matters. I will certainly make amends in the future.

"It's late, so I won't keep you from your rest any longer, Mr. Yucheng. Baixiao, please see Mr. Yucheng out."

"All right. If you ever need my help, Lady Ningguang, just say the word. I'll take my leave, then."

With that, Baixiao stepped forward and led Yucheng out of the Jade Chamber.

After Yucheng left, Baishi and Baiwen handed Ningguang the transcript of their conversation. Ningguang studied it solemnly, recalling the scene with every sentence she read and considering Yucheng's tone and expression at the time to judge whether what he had said was true.

Soon, Baixiao returned from seeing their guest out. Quite surprised, Ningguang asked, "Why are you back so soon?"

"Lady Ningguang, after Mr. Yucheng stepped outside the Jade Chamber, he remarked that getting down from here was quite convenient. Then he leaped off the Jade Chamber, opened his Wind Glider, and flew toward Mt. Tianheng."

"...All right, I understand. Thank you for your hard work tonight, all three of you. You may go home and rest."

At that, the three secretaries quietly left the Jade Chamber. They were no workplace novices, and it was obvious that Lady Ningguang had something to discuss with Lady Yelan next.

Although the three of them were Ningguang's secretaries and seemed to be her trusted confidantes, they still fell slightly short compared to Lady Yelan. After all, they did not have beds of their own in the Jade Chamber.

Reclining chairs they could rest on did not count. Lady Yelan, however, not only had her own room in the Jade Chamber, but was also said to sometimes sleep together with Lady Ningguang.

After Baiwen, Baixiao, and Baishi left, only Ningguang and Yelan remained in the vast Jade Chamber. Ningguang sat at the long table, carefully reading the transcript of their conversation, while Yelan sat on a reclining chair, idly picking at her fingers.

After roughly ten minutes of this, Ningguang finally could not stand it any longer. She put down the transcript and said irritably, "Enough. Why are you sitting there holding it in? If you have something to say, say it."

Hearing this, Yelan finally could no longer hold back. She sprang up, rushed over to Ningguang, and hugged her, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. "Ningguang, I'm tainted!"

Had anyone else seen Yelan at that moment, who knew whether their eyes would have popped out? Yelan, who usually presented the image of a strong, capable woman, actually had moments when she cried and clung to someone like a little girl.

Ningguang was immediately stunned by Yelan's words. Although she had guessed that Yelan might have suffered a minor setback against Yucheng, she had never imagined it could have been this severe. It seemed that Yelan had even lost her chastity.

Anger flared within her, and she asked sternly, "What exactly happened? Tell me everything in detail."

Through her sobs, Yelan carefully told Ningguang the entire sequence of events, including some of the strange abilities Yucheng had displayed during their fight, how he had photographed and threatened her while she was subdued, and what he had said about the Fatui.

"Strange ninjutsu? Scarlet Eyes? Are you certain he only took pictures with a Kamera? Is there anything unusual about your body?"

"Ningguang, listen to yourself. Wouldn't I know my own body? That part is completely intact, and there's nothing unusual about my body."

"That's good. It hasn't reached the worst possible outcome yet. Don't worry about those photographs. I'll find a solution for you later. Also, don't go looking for trouble with him for a while."

"Ningguang, are we just going to let this go?"

"Of course not. But there's something uncanny about that boy. He knows far too much, while we know very little about him. Not to mention those abilities of his with their strange aura. Even you suffered a setback against him. As the saying goes, know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles. Until we get to the bottom of his background, we'll wait and see.

"Fortunately, at least for now, he really hasn't done anything harmful. If what he said earlier is true, it would actually be helpful to Liyue.

"I did receive a request from Snezhnaya to send a diplomatic mission to Liyue. Investigate what he told us afterward, especially whether the Harbinger coming to Liyue is that [Childe] he mentioned. If it's all true, I suggest you put this matter aside for now. Once everything else has been dealt with, you can settle your score with him."

"But what if he threatens me with my photographs? As an intelligence operative, the last thing I can afford is to let someone have leverage over me."

"That would actually be a good thing. If someone as mysterious as Uchiha Yucheng truly wanted nothing, I'd have all sorts of worries. But if there's something he wants, we can gradually get to the bottom of things through his actions.

"Besides, that boy looks much younger than you, and he's reasonably good-looking. If you really think about it, you'd be the one getting the better end of the deal. If you could take this opportunity to make him yours, wouldn't that restore your good name?"

"Hmph! This is the worst setback I've suffered since I started out. If I don't avenge this, I swear I'm not human."

"All right, all right. Even ten years isn't too late for a gentleman to take revenge. Now go take a bath, get some sleep, and put this completely out of your mind for now. I'll find a solution for you."

After Yelan left, the smile Ningguang had worn while comforting her gave way to a grave expression once more. She lit the pipe in her hand and began puffing out clouds of smoke, murmuring, "He's already met all of Liyue's Adepti. Does Rex Lapis also know of this person's existence?"

"Liyue really has been rife with undercurrents lately. Without Rex Lapis watching over us, could we avert disaster through our own abilities alone?"