Genshin Impact: The Sharpshooter of Teyvat

Chapter 1202 Zhongli's Worst-Case Scenario

A few days later in Liyue Harbor, to celebrate the “complete success” of the temple fair led by Keqing, she booked the huge square in front of the Moonlit Pavilion and made it the venue for the celebration banquet.

The square was covered with red ribbons and lanterns, which swayed gently in the evening breeze.

The long tables on both sides were filled with Liyue specialties, and the aroma of the dishes mixed with the crispness of the wine filled the entire square.

There were also musicians playing music in the corner, prompting many guests to nod gently to the rhythm. At first glance, it was a lively and peaceful scene.

Despite this, Ningguang now firmly controls nearly 70% of Liyue's business thanks to Shao Yun's reputation and her own tough methods.

But Keqing's temple fair showed many merchants "another possibility".

As the saying goes, people die for money and birds die for food.

Seeing that Keqing was showing signs of rising to prominence, those merchants who had been tricked twice by Maocai Gong, who had given up all their family businesses to Ningguang and could only become "professional managers" in the end, gradually became more active and began to have their own ulterior motives.

They were unwilling to live in Ningguang's shadow forever.

Before, he was at least his own boss, but now he has to watch Ningguang's mood every day and do the work of making money for her.

In their private conversations, they said, "Even if we can't go back to our former glory, we can't keep eating her leftovers, can we? We all earn our living through our own abilities. Everyone has some pride. How can we keep being obedient dogs?"

Thus, this victory celebration banquet became their "test".

Many businessmen took the opportunity of attending the banquet to approach Ke Qing, flattering her in various ways in an attempt to get close to her and become familiar with her for future cooperation.

"Lord Yuheng Star, you are truly a young hero!" A merchant, holding a wine cup, approached Keqing with a warm smile on his face.

"This temple fair was a resounding success! It not only made Liyue even more famous, but it also brought in a lot of money for us small merchants! We must toast you and wish you prosperity!"

His words, seemingly a simple congratulation, actually concealed a hidden agenda.

The deliberate emphasis on "small businesses also made money" is meant to imply that "you can bring us benefits," which is more appealing than Ningguang's "monopolistic exploitation."

Ke Qing was well aware of these merchants' schemes, but she didn't expose them.

She responded gently yet tactfully, "Thank you for the compliment, boss. The temple fair could not have been held smoothly without the support of all the merchants."

"I will do more things that are beneficial to Liyue and to everyone, and I hope that everyone will continue to help Liyue's development."

Not far away, Barbara watched this scene silently, holding a glass of juice.

As the merchants surrounded her and flattered her, Ke Qing tried her best to maintain a polite smile and responded to each one with "Thank you for your recognition" and "Please continue to support me in the future."

While forcing a smile to greet them, she secretly glanced around the celebration banquet, wondering if Ningguang would actually come. Would this carefully prepared "interview" proceed smoothly?

Just as she was pondering to herself, several elders from Keqing's family gathered around. They were Keqing's relatives.

Seeing their descendants now able to stand on their own, run the temple fair successfully, and gather so many merchants to support them, the elders are filled with pride.

"Qingqing, you've really grown up and become quite successful!"

"It's truly a blessing from our ancestors that our Ke family could produce someone like you, the Jade Balance Star, who can do so many great things for Liyue!"

Immediately afterwards, several of Ke Qing's aunts and uncles came over, holding her hands and asking about her well-being.

"Qingqing, are you tired lately? You've lost weight. If you're tired, come home. Don't always be so busy with work!"

"If you ever need any help in the future, just tell your family. We do have some connections in Liyue!"

Keqing was surrounded by her relatives, trying to appease their concern while also worrying about Ningguang. She could only smile and say, "Thank you, elders, I'm fine," secretly hoping to get away soon.

Just then, the reception staff at the entrance of the celebration banquet suddenly raised their voices and announced, "The Heavenly Star and Lord Ningguang have arrived!"

This announcement instantly shattered the lively atmosphere of the victory celebration.

Many of the businessmen attending the banquet stopped drinking and chatting, and all looked toward the entrance with complex emotions in their eyes, including curiosity, nervousness, and a little fear.

Everyone looked at Ningguang, their hearts pounding: Was Ningguang here to support them or to sabotage them? Was this a good thing or a bad thing?

Especially those businessmen whose businesses were firmly controlled by Ningguang, their faces turned pale instantly, and they subconsciously took a step back to minimize their presence.

They had come secretly to attend Keqing's victory celebration, fearing retaliation from Ningguang if she found out. Now that the main character had arrived, how could they dare to show their faces?

Ningguang glanced around at the silent merchants, a faint smile playing on her lips, and spoke frankly:

"Gentlemen, please don't be so formal. Ningguang isn't here to spoil the fun; she's here specifically to add to the celebratory atmosphere. Why be so tense?"

She deliberately softened her tone, trying to lighten the atmosphere, but the temperament she had cultivated over the years in a high position was not something that could be hidden so easily.

The invisible pressure still enveloped the entire venue, and many businessmen dared not speak easily, so the atmosphere remained somewhat cold.

Fortunately, just as this awkward atmosphere was about to continue, Keqing finally escaped from the encirclement of her aunts and uncles.

She took a deep breath, straightened her back, and walked step by step toward Ningguang, greeting her with a hint of confrontation.

"Lady Ningguang, welcome to my victory celebration banquet. I knew you might come today, so I specially prepared a small feast, just in time for your arrival so we can have a good chat."

Ningguang looked at Keqing, who had come to greet her politely, and immediately put on her signature smile, offering a compliment:

"The temple fair at Yuheng Star has been so successful that I heard many merchants have made a fortune. Of course I have to come and congratulate you on your wealth."

In Ningguang's view, these words were nothing more than polite congratulations.

After all, the temple fair did bring in a lot of revenue. As the organizer, Keqing could enhance her reputation through this event even if she didn't profit from it, which was worthy of a "congratulations".

But to Ke Qing, these words felt like a thorn in her heart, as if they were no different from scolding her for "only caring about interests and forgetting her original intentions."

She suppressed her displeasure, forced a smile onto her face, and replied with a hint of sarcasm, "Haha, Lady Ningguang, you flatter me."

"The profits I make from the temple fair are nothing more than pocket change compared to the 70% of the businesses you control in Liyue. They're hardly worth your special congratulations."

Ningguang could immediately sense the resistance and resentment in those words.

But she didn't take it to heart, and just smiled lightly. Ever since Ke Qing did her "self-examination" in front of the public last time, she has always liked to go against her own nature.

Keqing now resembles a irritated but harmless Haki-Qing, chattering away to express her dissatisfaction.

But who would really find a cute little cat that only bristles in front of them annoying?

Ningguang didn't continue the topic, but instead followed Keqing's lead and gestured with her chin toward the main table not far away.

“Since Yuheng Star has specially prepared some wine, let’s not waste time standing here. Let’s sit down and chat.”

Ke Qing didn't say anything more, but turned around and led Ning Guang to the main table.

The two walked side by side, seemingly amicable, but their auras were distinctly different, with no sense of closeness between them.

Once Ningguang and Keqing were seated at the main table, the surrounding merchants lowered their heads and began to whisper among themselves. Their voices were very low, but they could still be faintly heard by others.

"Hey, hey, hey, what do you think Lord Tianquan Star and Lord Yuheng Star are talking about right now? The way they were talking just now seemed a bit off."

A merchant in a blue robe nudged his companion with his elbow, his eyes full of curiosity.

Another merchant standing nearby stroked his beard and guessed, "By the way, I heard someone say that this temple fair was actually co-organized by these two, but they said it was led by Yuheng Star."

"Do you think they might be discussing how to split the profits right now? After all, they made a lot of money at this temple fair, and it's easy for them to have conflicts if they don't split the profits equally."

"I don't know, why should I concern myself with those big shots' business!" A chubby businessman waved his hand, quite pragmatic.

"Even if these two really have a falling out, we won't get a share of the profits."

"I've recently come across a new business opportunity. I'm planning to ship a batch of porcelain from Liyue Harbor to Nata. The profits should be quite good. Are you interested in investing in my business?"

"I've heard that Nata still lives in a tribal way, so life must be quite backward, and the utensils they use are probably quite primitive. There would definitely be a market for porcelain there!"

(Shinoning: Who the hell are you calling backward! 凸(艹皿艹 ))

……

As the servants brought out more hot dishes, the victory celebration officially reached its climax.

Merchants who were previously secretly discussing Keqing and Ningguang quickly shifted their attention from "gossip about important figures" to more practical matters.

Taking advantage of the celebratory banquet, the business owners gathered in small groups and began to chat enthusiastically about business matters.

For a time, the banquet was filled with whispers of bargaining and dreams of cooperation. The tense atmosphere that had been created by Ningguang's arrival was gradually diluted by the businessmen's enthusiasm for profit, and everything seemed to be going smoothly.

Barbara, watching this scene from a short distance away, thought to herself, "Well, at least for now, Keqing and Ningguang's conversation hasn't caused any conflict, so there might really be room for reconciliation."

But this peace did not last long.

Just as the merchants were chatting enthusiastically, a dull thud suddenly came from the direction of the main table.

Keqing slammed her hand on the table, stood up abruptly, and roared at Ningguang, "Lord Ningguang, please don't avoid my topic!"

The roar instantly silenced the entire banquet.

All the merchants stopped talking and turned to look at the main table.

No one expected that the two Seven Stars, who seemed peaceful just moments ago, would escalate to this point in the blink of an eye.

Ningguang sat in her seat, her face still expressionless, but there was a hint of impatience in her eyes.

In her opinion, Keqing's talk about "reshaping the governance of Liyue" was simply wishful thinking.

Using Shao Yun's reputation is currently key to stabilizing Liyue; losing this "protection" would be tantamount to destroying our own Great Wall.

Although leaving the asylum is inevitable sooner or later... now is not the time.

Instead of directly refuting Keqing's anger, she instructed the servant beside her, "Someone, Miss Keqing is drunk and a little emotional. Take her to the hall to rest and we'll talk again once she's sober."

This statement was partly to save face for Keqing, and partly to give both sides a way out.

After all, arguing in front of so many merchants would not be good for the stability of Liyue if word got out.

"I'm not drunk!" Ke Qing pushed aside the servant who came forward and stubbornly shouted at Ning Guang.

"I'm perfectly clear-headed! This matter concerns the future of everyone in Liyue; it's extremely important! You can't remain so stubborn!"

Ningguang looked at Keqing's eyes, which were red with emotion, and ultimately said nothing more.

She picked up the wine glass on the table, downed the remaining liquid in one gulp, then slowly stood up and repeated expressionlessly:

"You still say you're not drunk? I can smell a strong odor of alcohol on you. Go and rest first, we can talk about it tomorrow."

After saying that, she didn't look at Ke Qing again, nor did she pay attention to the surprised looks from the surrounding merchants. She turned around and left the celebration banquet venue with steady steps.

When that elegant figure disappeared at the entrance, the entire banquet hall fell into a deathly silence. The previous liveliness and clamor vanished, leaving only an inescapable awkwardness.

The merchants looked at each other and began to whisper among themselves.

"What... what happened? How did things turn into such a bad breakup?"

"Oh no, oh no, the two gentlemen are having a fight, what are we going to do about our business..."

Keqing stood by the main table, looking in the direction Ningguang had left. She knew that this time she had not only failed to persuade Ningguang, but had also completely ruined their relationship.

Barbara, watching this scene from a short distance away, knew in her heart that the "worst-case scenario" that Zhongli had been worried about had finally come to pass.

……