Outside the ancestral estate of the Li Clan, firecrackers crackled without pause. Liyue's townsfolk—having caught wind of the news early—gathered at the gates, hands outstretched in hopes of receiving a few pieces of wedding candy, eager to bask in the Li family's prosperity.
Although she never publicly declared it, nearly everyone knew that Keqing bore the Li surname. The eldest daughter of the Li Clan had risen to become one of the Liyue Qixing—the Yuheng—wielding immense authority and prestige.
Today was a great day for the Li family.
The eldest daughter of the Li Clan's second branch was to be married into the Kun family, becoming the wife of their heir. The Kun patriarch currently held the position of Yaoguang among the Qixing—this was, unmistakably, a political marriage.
If Keqing herself hadn't resolutely opposed it—and if she didn't already stand at an equal height of power—perhaps she would have been the one stepping into the bridal sedan today.
Keqing let out a quiet sigh as she stood in the inner courtyard, her gaze drifting toward her younger cousin. The girl's face was carefully made up, layers of rouge and powder lending her an exquisitely refined beauty—yet her expression remained blank.
Unlike Keqing, she had no power, no authority. In the end, she could only become a bargaining chip, a tool for the family to curry favor with another great house.
"Elder Sister Keqing," the girl said softly, "I'll leave Sugar to you. Please… take good care of her."
Sugar was a small dog she had raised since childhood. With marriage came strict household rules—she would never be allowed to bring the little dog into her husband's home.
"I will," Keqing replied gently. "I'll come back to see her whenever I can. Don't worry."
She couldn't truly promise it. Work kept her constantly busy, and her parents were forever scheming over arranged marriages. Those reasons only strengthened her reluctance to return home. At best, she could visit occasionally.
The younger girl nodded. She knew better than to ask for more. For Keqing to go this far was already beyond what duty required.
After all, she had once overheard Keqing arguing fiercely with the clan head on her behalf.
"The Kun family patriarch has arrived!"
At the announcement, the girl's eyes dimmed instantly, her face turning deathly pale.
Keqing fell silent. All she could do was support her cousin as they left the courtyard, escorting her into the bridal chamber to await the groom's arrival.
In truth, Keqing herself had never met the Kun family's eldest son. But as a fellow Qixing, she had no choice but to attend the reception.
When she reached the main gate, Keqing poked her head out—purple hair catching the light—intending to look for the Kun patriarch.
Instead, she immediately spotted someone she really didn't want to see.
Why is that guy here?
Is he here to cause trouble?
Keqing huffed and turned away, deciding to ignore him. The wedding banquet was invitation-only—those without special status had to present gifts worth no less than five hundred thousand Mora to even enter.
At that same moment, Ji Ming spotted the flash of purple as well.
Grinning, he raised the ornate smoking pipe Ningguang had given him and waved in greeting from afar.
Heh.
A wedding between the Li and Kun families—how could he not come enjoy the spectacle?
He'd been worrying about how to sneak into the Li estate. Who knew such a perfect opportunity would drop into his lap within days?
From amid the crowd, Keqing couldn't see clearly what he was holding. She merely snorted again, then stepped forward with impeccable courtesy to congratulate the Kun patriarch.
Just then, a middle-aged man with folded arms leaned toward Ji Ming.
"Say, kid—don't tell me you're here chasing after the Yuheng?"
Ji Ming turned, tucking the pipe into his robe, amused.
"That's right. What about it?"
"Hah. Give it up. See those well-dressed young masters over there? Every one of them's after the Yuheng. If they can't win her over, what makes you think you can?"
Ji Ming scoffed.
"Why can't I? I'm telling you, I came today specifically to pursue the Yuheng—and enjoy the Li estate while I'm at it."
The man chuckled knowingly.
"Ah, youth and bravado. But joining this 'fun' costs money. Fifty thousand—no, five hundred thousand Mora."
"Five hundred thousand?"
Ji Ming's expression turned meaningful.
Then he suddenly craned his neck and shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Ji Ming of Liyue Harbor—on behalf of the Ji family—presents a gift of one million Mora!"
Before the man could even finish being shocked, Li family servants rushed over, faces bright with flattery.
"This way, Young Master Ji! Please make way—don't block the path!"
The Li patriarch froze, then followed the voice to see a young man being escorted forward, a luxurious smoking pipe clenched between his lips.
The youth wore no silk or brocade, yet the pipe alone was clearly no ordinary item.
There was no notable "Ji family" in Liyue Harbor—could he be the heir of some hidden great clan?
The Kun patriarch shared the same doubts.
Only Keqing had already begun grinding her teeth.
What exactly does this bastard think he's doing?!
Anyone bold enough to attend a Li–Kun wedding was someone of stature. A street rat casually shouting "one million Mora" would normally never dare show his face here.
Others might be fooled—but Keqing knew better.
Ji Ming sauntered over, deliberately lifting the pipe and giving it a little shake in front of her, smug as could be.
"Greetings, Master Li, Master Kun. I am Ji Ming, eldest son of the Ji family of Liyue Harbor—and a devoted admirer of Lady Yuheng. I've come to congratulate both families on this auspicious union."
And to irritate a certain purple-haired cat, he added silently.
Keqing nearly shattered her molars, yet under countless gazes she had no choice but to maintain composure.
"Ji Ming," she said coldly, "I will never acknowledge you as one of my admirers."
Ji Ming ignored her and instead cupped his hands toward the two patriarchs.
"My apologies for the spectacle. There seems to be some misunderstanding in my pursuit of Lady Yuheng—but I'll work to resolve it."
"It's fine," the Li patriarch waved it off. "Young people should interact more."
That was the last straw.
Keqing grabbed Ji Ming by the arm and dragged him into the estate courtyard. She had to demand an explanation. Whatever her own feelings about the marriage, she would not allow her cousin's once-in-a-lifetime wedding to be ruined.
After they left, the two patriarchs followed at a slower pace.
The Kun patriarch—current Yaoguang—stared at Ji Ming's retreating figure, voice grave.
"That smoking pipe… isn't that Lady Ningguang's personal piece?"
The Li patriarch gasped.
"What?!"
"I serve alongside Ningguang. She often holds that very pipe while thinking. It never leaves her side—yet now it's in a young man's hands."
"Then… could he truly be from some hidden great clan?"
"No," the Kun patriarch shook his head. "There's no Ji family in Liyue Harbor. And I've seen the name 'Ji Ming' in General Affairs records—he's no noble heir."
As Yaoguang, he occasionally reviewed case files. Ji Ming appeared often—and not favorably. A gang member, not a scion.
The Li Clan had once suppressed the Old Nine Gates. Did their new in-law even know who Ji Ming was?
This visit was anything but coincidence.
"And that one million Mora?" the Li patriarch asked.
"Empty words. Vapor."
"Then he's just a reckless drifter? I'll have him thrown out at once."
The Kun patriarch raised a hand.
"Wait. Anyone who can obtain Lady Ningguang's personal possession is no ordinary man. Such a person may lie dormant—but once the winds rise, he could very well turn into a dragon."
"Since Keqing knows him, let them handle it."
Even if he were a mere drifter, such audacity alone made him worth observing. If handled well, the returns would far exceed a million Mora.
And if nothing else—out of respect for Lady Ningguang—the Kun patriarch decided to simply watch.
No matter what happened today, he would remain silent and let events unfold.
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