Xingqiu lamented the loss of the dreary, clearing skies. As he opened his eyes, punctuated knocks echoed throughout the house, and Chongyun's mother shouted despite their thin walls; his breath hitched. The front door whined as it opened, and they both heard everything, yet she called out to them still.
"Boys, there's-you have visitors!" They wordlessly agreed upon silence, because if their visitor was important they would reap a second call to arms.
"It's the Qixing!" He chose not to hear the conversation that followed, their voices muffled like a gargling storm. With a hand on his sternum he looked back to Chongyun, only to find him already gone. He rustled through his closet with stern intent, while Xingqiu worked to function at all.
"We'll explain the situation, it's going to work out!"
"No offense," he disentangled himself from the blankets, "but it's their word or mine, and if I were them I'd choose theirs every time!" While he yanked his ankle free from the bed, he shivered thanks to the ice box breathing down his legs, and a hanger was shoved into his torso just as he turned.
He found Chongyun still on the move, as he forced his usual jacket over his pajamas. The thick cloth protested as he walked, unlike his usual undershirt, and though it clearly restricted his movement he didn't acknowledge it.
"That doesn't make any sense, because they know you." Chongyun instinctively reached for his claymore, though his hand never graced the handle, and he turned with finality to face him, "Just, stay here."
The door shut, snapping him out of his trance.
Looking down at the bundle of cloth in his hands, he found that shockingly it belonged to him; he must have left this one behind on yet another hot summer day. After a spontaneous sparring match, a trip to Qingce Village, or perhaps a well deserved shove into the harbor. It must have been soiled somehow, yet it now gleamed in the sun stripes wriggling through the blinds. Someone had washed and hung it, though it honestly could have been folded, and after all this time Chongyun still remembered it was there.
Caught in the scent of qingxin, he pried himself from his nostalgia and dressed. He quickly pulled back the door and sidled down the hall, his socks catching the static on the carpet, and before he could peek around the corner-
"I already told you, he isn't here. I don't care who you are, because if you're content to believe the obvious lies that those gossip mongers spew, then perhaps you haven't earned the title so graciously bestowed upon you."
"And we understand your frustration, but if you could please listen for just a moment, then we can-"
"No, you listen to me," Chongyun's father rose his voice. This was a rare occasion. "Because I can tell you with absolute certainty; he would never even conceive of such a senseless traversal of the law. Only in his own defense will he lower his sword, so tell me, what on earth do you think he stands to gain?"
"Master Xingqiu." Lady Ningguang towered in the doorway. Uncomfortably, every eye in the room followed his approach, and he felt his cheeks nervously heating,
"Lady Ningguang." He swallowed loudly, and he was sure his hair looked awful. He didn't so much as finger comb it, and now he stood before the Tianquan. Years of galas and polished tile taught him they weren't friends. She always cast glares over the bridge of her nose, and he always wondered why.
Perhaps his reputation preceded him, or perhaps her disdain only stemmed from what he represented. His wealth wasn't earned nor was his power, yet they shared the same floor. Though usually he was forced to look up to her anyway. Now was a rare exception where he stood far enough away.
"Rest assured, I come in peace," she pursed her lips, ensuring the room silenced to her will. "We're aware that the warrant carries no merit, as your case involves far more than petty delusion circulation." Like their lines were rehearsed, Keqing easily continued Ningguang's sentiment. This sort of eloquence only came from diplomatic experience.
"We've arrived on behalf of the Qixing to offer our most sincere apologies. The true acts of treason occur as we speak, within the ranks of the Millelith themselves, and it's no coincidence that a scapegoat was nominated at the very moment that Feiyun faced any scrutiny."
"The evidence supporting your involvement was of course slim to none, and legally speaking this is enough to terminate the warrant for your arrest. Despite this, it would seem you still have more than just a few parties advocating on your behalf." Ningguang noted Chongyun's father again with her eyes, and sheepishly he laughed. He avoided her gaze and took a step back, so Xingqiu filled in the space.
The motion was supposed to convey his own accountability, especially now that he knew he wasn't being arrested, yet Chongyun followed and stood at his side. While he didn't always catch on to strategic gestures like this, he seemed to understand this one. It felt…calculated.
Xingqiu didn't look back at him, intent on Keqing as she continued, "We spoke with the Traveler early this morning, and she provided testimony. As did Master Hu of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, and Hongxing, a servant of the Commerce Guild."
"Hongxing?" He frowned.
"Yes. It's our understanding that he was blackmailed, although we are not at liberty to disclose in what fashion."
"I see." He tried to disguise the disappointment in his voice, although clearly he must have failed, because Chongyun abruptly reached for his hand. In his attempt to be subtle, he faltered and caught his wrist instead. It felt strange, especially given his trained posture; the aristocrat's stance didn't accommodate comfort by design, and it certainly wasn't devised with hand holding in mind.
Still, he appreciated the gesture nonetheless. He was careful not to drop his mask as he allowed himself the briefest of side glances, and he compromised, lowering their hands to hide behind his waist. He forced a deep breath. Ironically, it was Chongyun's hand that trembled instead of his.
"The investigation surrounding Feiyun's illicit activities are still ongoing of course," Keqing paid them no notice, "so Hongxing is still being held for questioning."
"And it is our hope that you will continue to remain cooperative as we interview members of the Commerce Guild," Ningguang continued, "but of course we understand if you decide to press charges. The Millelith's malpractice is a legal injustice."
"You also may demand that a court provide a declaration of liable cause, before we conduct any further investigation."
"Uh-" the thought had never even occurred to him. Suddenly the personal apology made sense. They weren't here for any sort of gain, they were here for damage control. "I won't."
He could have imagined it, but Keqing seemed to sink with relief.
"It was my intent from the beginning to inform the Qixing of Feiyun's activity. Justice has always been my primary motivation, even if I must confront those closest to me." He swallowed past the lump forming in his throat, and the room awkwardly silenced. He wasn't graceful like Ningguang nor firm like Zhongli, and this was obvious from the way his voice tapered, but he was fortunate that his words could speak for themselves.
"Thank you, Master Xingqiu," Ningguang cut in smoothly, "your convictions are certainly admirable." Uncertain, he kept his mouth glued for too long. He wasn't good at receiving praise. As he opened his mouth to utter some feeble word of gratitude, Keqing interceded.
"The Guild Manager and the First Son have fled according to our sources, and since you are the next of kin that of course makes you liable for Feiyun's current operations. This perhaps goes without saying, but your business will be put on hold until we can confirm proper conduct." Xingqiu nearly sighed in relief. At least he didn't have to take care of Feiyun and solve the delusion crisis at once.
"Likewise, we'll be sure to investigate as well."
"Let this be a tenuous agreement then," Ningguang held her hand out, "as we cooperate in uncovering the truth."
"For justice." With his opposite hand, he smiled and shook.
For all that he changed, Zhongli stayed much the same. New furnishings and trinkets threaded their way into his space like a tapestry, each one adding to a narrative only he could portray. It's what Xiao liked most about this place. The antiques scattered throughout the room clearly portrayed their age, yet they still fit between the modern walls. Everything sat conspicuously inconspicuous, an enigma like Rex Lapis himself.
"I hadn't expected to see you so soon," a faint smile rested on his face, the steam from his teacup curling in the air like an invitation. Xiao nodded, though he couldn't think of a timely response. In her great attentiveness, Noelle already poured him a glass and gestured for him to sit.
He cleared his throat instead, "I was summoned by a pair of Mondstadters on the border. They claimed to be Venti's friends."
"Barbatos' friends?" Zhongli delicately set down his glass. It didn't make a sound as it settled on its saucer, a piece crafted by an adeptus long gone. "It's alright," he clarified, "Miss Noelle is already wise to his identity."
"Uh, yes…" he cleared his throat again. "Like all of Venti's friends, they are also Barbatos' friends."
"I'm aware," he concealed a gentle laugh, "I was referring to the nature of their relationship. Was Master Diluc there?"
"Yes, and the Acting Grandmaster." He should have caught on to that. "They managed to…" he trailed off. A pair of vision users approached from the outside, their shoes scuffling against the terrace stairs. Their steps were too deliberate to be Hu Tao's yet too quiet to be the Traveler's, despite the clicking of heels.
A knock followed.
"I'll get it!" The door opened to reveal Chongyun and the one that always seemed to follow. The latter leaned against the exorcist ever so slightly, although whether this was due to his injury or some unknown social convention, he wasn't sure. In any case, they exchanged pleasantries there at the door while Xiao fought against his slipping focus.
"Is…Lumine not here?" His attention returned.
"Unless I'm mistaken, none of us have seen her today." Their faces dimmed as that truth silently solidified; Xiao scowled.
It didn't matter to him that Lumine met with the Qixing that morning, because it didn't matter if she met with them last week or within the last hour. She could be anywhere in Teyvat right now, meeting with or doing just about anything he could imagine. Right now she could be fighting for her life, or she could be meeting with god for a spot of afternoon tea. For this exact reason, he always listened with vigilance. Of course he was always vigilant, but somehow listening for her summons required even more vigilance still.
Of course the few people he cared about had to be the cliff diving, dragon fighting, thaumaturgic nut jobs with death wishes.
"I think it's a bit too early to say," Chongyun replied, "ordinarily she may have updated us, but these aren't ordinary circumstances."
"Understandable as that is, I wouldn't expect her to leave us in the dark like this…pun unintended."
"Regardless, it isn't as if there's anything we can do. If the Traveler wishes to be known, then she will make her wishes known. Until then, we operate with the information we have now."
"And that is?" Noelle folded her hands over the table, as if awaiting the orders of a sergeant. At first it inspired a hint of nostalgia and then it inspired a prick of fear; here he was, relating to and working amongst mortals. Now was far too late to back out, and of course Rex Lapis knew this too.
"Given my involvement in Dadaupa Gorge, I'd feel most qualified to accompany Xiao while Barbatos rests. It's my understanding that Young Master Xingqiu can still learn from what they've left behind at the Guild."
Chongyun's acquaintance, Xingqiu apparently, nodded.
"Though it pains me, I doubt they've concocted this scheme without some sort of audit trail. Be it paper or not."
"Then we'll investigate the Guild in the meantime."
"And we'll uncover the truth behind this all," Zhongli finished his glass, "if for no other reason than to restore the balance to this brew. Somehow it isn't the same."
"Somehow, I doubt it will be the same even after." Xiao stood with his weapon uncomfortably, with Morax in tow. Neither of them spoke as he teleported them both to the stagnant City of Wind.
