"I can't believe you played with those mischievous Children and still managed to keep a straight face. I thought with you working in the Jade Chamber, your stamina would be worse than an ordinary person's."
"Hehe~ I am a Vision holder after all; I still have the stamina to play with them. Besides, does working in an office necessarily mean worse stamina? I don't think so."
Outside the Jade Chamber, Durandal and Ningguang stood, gazing at Liyue Harbor in the distance.
The Children had already been picked up by their parents. Durandal, wanting to discuss something, followed Ningguang to the Jade Chamber with her tacit cooperation.
"You have a very good relationship with those Children. You've known them for a while, haven't you?"
"Yes, for quite some time now. When I first met them, they seemed to see a Fatui member and turned to run. Later, when we finally met face-to-face, they didn't dare to talk to me at all, looking terrified."
To prove to them that she had no ill intentions, Ningguang put in a lot of effort; otherwise, even the most basic trust couldn't be established, and subsequent conversations would be impossible.
Thanks to Ningguang's persistent efforts, her image in the Children's minds transformed from the lofty, untouchable [Tianquan Star] to the kind and approachable Sister Ningguang she was now.
"I think Keqing is the one they should be afraid of. Not just Children, even adults are scared of him. Do you know about him, Miss Durandal?"
"Adults are scared of him? Are you referring to his proposal to increase daily working hours?"
This was common knowledge; the Yuheng Star being a workaholic was something all Liyue residents knew.
This was where everyone admired him, but when he intended to make others learn his 'diligence,' fear was born.
"Yes, when his proposal first came out, many people came to beg me, saying that this proposal absolutely could not be passed."
Ningguang naturally wouldn't let such a proposal pass, but Keqing never gave up, bringing up the proposal every once in a while, making the residents of Liyue Harbor's moods fluctuate like a roller coaster.
"Does he know you evaluate him like that? With his personality, he'd definitely come looking for trouble with you."
"He always comes looking for trouble with me, not just about work, but also about some aspects of life he complains about to me."
Their relationship wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. Keqing couldn't stand some things about Ningguang, thinking he was just a merchant, and governing Liyue Harbor with a merchant's behavior would easily lead Liyue Harbor astray.
But facts proved that Liyue Harbor's development not only didn't worsen but was moving in a good direction, so even if he wanted to find trouble, he couldn't.
Ningguang would occasionally bully him, having to use some methods to buy the things Keqing liked, and then enjoy his angry but helpless expression.
The two chatted about some everyday occurrences. The previously stiff atmosphere improved slightly, but such a conversation wouldn't last forever, because Durandal came here with Ningguang not to listen to these things.
"Why do you get close to those Children? Even if you build good relationships with them, it won't benefit you, will it?"
Those Children were not the offspring of officials or nobles; they were merely the Children of the most ordinary residents of Liyue Harbor, offering her no help in any aspect.
Since there was no benefit anywhere, why would she specifically spend time getting close to them? Even lowering herself to play with them? What exactly did she want to do?
"Why... Well, what do you think is the purpose of my doing this, Miss Durandal?"
Ningguang wasn't in a hurry to answer the question, but pushed it back, wanting to hear Durandal's perspective. From her understanding of Durandal, she would probably think that she did this to gain some benefit.
Just like her previous impression of me. After all, he is a merchant, and a merchant goes where there is profit. Ningguang admitted that this was indeed a merchant's code of conduct.
But she wouldn't use these Children for profit. She liked Mora, but she had her bottom line, and not using these Children was one of the bottom lines she adhered to.
"You know my answer very well. My impression of you has never changed. So let's not have a meaningless conversation; just give me your answer."
"...You're really firm. It seems the previous conversation has worn down most of your patience."
No wonder Durandal could chat with her so calmly before. It turns out she was enduring, wearing down her already limited patience.
"Actually, there's no special purpose. One day in Liyue Harbor, I saw them playing and it reminded me of my past self."
"Your past self?"
"Yes, when I was a Children, I didn't have the opportunity to receive a good education. They are all intelligent Children, but their families don't have the means to provide them with a good education. Continuing like this would only waste their Talents, so I had the idea of nurturing them."
When Ningguang was a Children, let alone receiving an education, even eating was a problem. He worked hard every day for food and warmth; where would he get the money to hire a teacher?
The situation of those Children was a bit better than his own, but they still couldn't get a good education, so he had this idea: to nurture them, to let them become remarkable adults.
"Of course, I can't teach them all day like a school teacher; I can only make time to see them. While spending time with them, I play with them and teach them knowledge. I also teach them how to observe, how to analyze and judge, and finally, how to think about problems."
As long as they could master these points proficiently, they could become very capable people. Those Children also didn't disappoint him; except for initially making mistakes due to lack of confidence, after receiving his encouragement, their progress became increasingly evident.
Originally, he didn't intend for these Children to become his Intelligence Agents, but they used the knowledge he gave them to observe the condition of goods in Liyue Harbor and reported it to him when they met.
It must be said that their intelligence brought great help to Ningguang, but she was not swayed by the immense help they provided.
She had talked to those Children, but they still gave the same answer; no matter what Ningguang said, it was useless.
To prevent them from being exploited by others with ulterior motives, Ningguang could only reluctantly accept them as her Intelligence Agents. Each time, she would find a way to reward these Children.
"Their future, ah~ With your guidance, will their future change?"
"I don't know, but I think there will be some changes. Because Liyue has a saying, 'Knowledge changes destiny,' and I believe this can at least give them more choices."
The atmosphere suddenly fell silent. They were all thinking about those Children, contemplating how far their futures would go.
It must be said that while Ningguang still obtained intelligence beneficial to her through them, those Children also gained very important opportunities—opportunities to change their own destinies.
If Ningguang were willing to take them as her students, their path in Liyue Harbor in the future would be much smoother.
"Heh~ You still do some good deeds, after all. I've slightly changed my impression of you."
Durandal turned to look at Ningguang, showing a smile to her for the first time. Although the smile was faint, compared to her previous hostility, it was already a great improvement.
"I am also doing this for Liyue's future. As a human, I will eventually grow old. To ensure Liyue Harbor can continue to prosper, cultivating an excellent next generation is very necessary."
The prosperity of a nation depends on its people. Ningguang's actions were not just for the future of those Children, but also to cultivate more outstanding Talents for Liyue.
Only with the emergence of more Talents can Liyue continue to prosper. As a part of Liyue, Ningguang hopes that the Liyue of the future can be even more prosperous.
"Although I don't want to praise you, what you've done is already quite good. Compared to certain egoists, you at least think of others."
"Egoists, huh? It seems I've successfully distinguished myself from that identity, right?"
"Hmph, quibbling in a place like this isn't endearing. Never mind, I'm in a good mood right now, so I won't argue with you about these things."
For some reason, Durandal let out a sigh of relief, perhaps having found a way to distinguish Ningguang from Hulder.
Now she could try to get along well with Ningguang, but… besides the Children of Liyue Harbor, did she and Ningguang have any other topics of conversation?
Durandal looked at Ningguang. The only interest she knew Ningguang had was probably making Mora.
She wasn't good at business, and the money she charged for treating patients depended on her mood; they had no common topics at all.
"By the way, I haven't seen Lumine and Paimon today. When I came over this morning, did you give them some kind of commission?"
She hadn't seen them all day. With their current speed of completing commissions, they should have finished by noon.
She read books at the Northland Bank at noon and played with the Children with Ningguang in the afternoon. They should have met, but she hadn't seen a trace of them.
"I gave them a commission, asking them to investigate a ruin strictly guarded by the Abyss."
Ningguang briefly explained the situation to Durandal, and no sooner had she finished speaking than she saw Durandal's gaze turn dangerous again.
"Wh-What's wrong?"
"How dangerous is the Abyss? Do I need to remind you? You actually let her investigate a ruin strictly guarded by the Abyss. You really trust her abilities, don't you?"
Durandal finished speaking fiercely, her body transforming into a black mist and disappearing from the Jade Chamber, moving rapidly in a certain direction, leaving only Ningguang standing there, staring blankly in the direction Durandal had left.
"Did I… mess up?"
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!