Genshin Impact: I, the Winter Prince, reign supreme.

Ningguang smiled and asked, "Keqing, you've never been late before. What happened this time?"

"There are so many people on the street that the roads are blocked... Sorry to keep you all waiting. It's been a long time since I've seen the streets this lively."

On her way there, Ningguang, surrounded by maids and guards, walked against the flow of the crowd and saw a group of elderly people in the nursing home.

She was quite familiar with that nursing home. Every year on the Lunar New Year, she would make an appointment with Ningguang to visit the elderly there with some gifts.

Visiting nursing homes during holidays is a new task she's taken on for the "Liyue Seven Stars." Once she retires from her position as the "Yuheng Star," this task will become a tradition and one of the duties of the new "Yuheng Star."

As the elderly residents get older and have difficulty walking, they usually spend most of their time sunbathing in the courtyard of the nursing home, or sitting together chatting and playing chess. Today, they helped each other out to join in the fun.

As she passed by the elderly people, she asked them why they were all out today.

The old people chuckled and said that while they still had a breath left, they would go and cheer for Prince Zhidong.

Keqing then asked them if they hoped Prince Zhidong would defeat the immortal in the game of Go.

The elderly people said it was to participate in a legendary period of history.

In the chaotic crowd, she couldn't ask any more questions. The elderly people were pushed forward by the flow of people behind them, but she had already seen through their simple thoughts.

Every event that Prince Zhidong experiences will be spread around the world and may even be recorded in history. If he can defeat the immortal in the world of Go, it will be equivalent to creating a new history.

As ordinary people without extraordinary lives, if the elderly can participate in this period of history, even as spectators of this event, it will be a very meaningful addition to their lives.

People love and admire heroes, and the halo of heroes illuminates their lives.

This is a living legend who can bring the world not only hope but also the most beautiful spiritual gift to the people.

While Ke Qing was filled with emotion, a sudden idea struck her: should she take advantage of the situation to hold a new Go tournament...?

At this moment, Ningguang listened to her explanation and smiled, "Holding a Go tournament is exactly what I was thinking. To be honest, I thought you were the hardest one to persuade among us. Now that you agree, things will be much easier."

Keqing said with a dark face, "Ningguang, how could you think like that? Go is an intellectual activity that is beneficial to the public, so why would I object to it?"

Ningguang reminded her: "In the last Go tournament, the immortal won the title of 'Go Immortal,' and you clearly expressed your opposition. That day, you came to Qunyu Pavilion and argued with me all day long, from morning to night. We argued until our throats were dry. We used up six whole pots of the fine tea that someone gave me, and I still feel sorry for those tea leaves."

Hearing Ningguang's half-joking tone, Keqing stamped her foot and said, "Ningguang, you hold a grudge? I'll make you pay for some good tea next time!"

She strongly opposed the Go tournament last time because Ningguang agreed to let the immortal participate.

Ke Qing believes that it is not a good thing for immortals to participate in the competition. Not only will it not deepen the understanding between the two sides, but it will also intensify the conflict between humans and immortals.

Subsequent results confirmed her hypothesis.

After winning the title of "Chess Immortal," the immortal made a bold statement, saying that he would dominate the competition and monopolize the title of "Chess Immortal," which aroused public anger.

The immortals themselves didn't realize that their words had unintentionally provoked the common people and stirred up their nerves.

The fact that ordinary people are now spontaneously going to the delegation's residence to support Prince Zhidong is an effect of the previous competition. Among the onlookers, the vast majority want to witness the immortal's defeat.

"Alright, since you've come to your senses, then go ahead and help me prepare for the competition." Ningguang's eyes flickered as she looked at the others at the conference table. "What are your opinions?"

Tianxuan Star Bai Shu was the first to speak: "Since Ke Qing has changed her stance, I have no objection."

Tian Shu Xing Shu said, "The purpose of the Go tournament is to promote Go culture and enrich people's leisure life. The time of the event is not important; what is important is that it has influence and attracts attention. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with holding it in advance."

The other five members of the "Liyue Seven Stars" quickly approved Ningguang's proposal.

Once the matter was settled, Ningguang assigned specific tasks to the six of them, while the "Eight Gates" fully cooperated with her three secretaries.

As the meeting adjourned, Keqing asked, "Ningguang, you just said you only have three days to prepare. What's going on?"

"You will accompany me to see His Highness the Prince now, and together we will persuade him to participate in the Go tournament and postpone his agreed-upon match with the immortal until three days later. In any case, the longer the better."

Keqing blinked: "After all this talk, you still haven't reached an agreement with the prince. What if he doesn't agree? Our whole plan will be ruined."

Ningguang held her hand and whispered, "Today, my sister and I will fight side by side to persuade Prince Zhidong."

"Okay, then I'll go with you."

Ningguang rarely asks for her help unless she encounters something truly difficult.

She immediately agreed.

Chapter 152 Heart Fluttering

After the two women left, they got into the carriage.

Ningguang peered through the carriage curtain at the bustling crowd and whispered, "We all underestimated the Prince's standing among the people. He is indeed very charismatic, isn't he?"

Keqing, who was standing to the side, asked with a smile, "Ningguang, tell me honestly, have you fallen for Prince Zhidong?"

Having worked with Ningguang for many years, she knows this strong woman all too well.

Since Ningguang took the position of "Tianquan Star", she has never praised any man except for the Rock King Emperor.

Even though a general from the Thousand Rocks Army assisted the Knights of Favonius in a campaign in the border region last year and made great achievements, Ningguang only held a celebratory banquet and awarded him a large sum of money upon his return home, without giving any verbal praise or even a single comment.

So much so that the general secretly came to her to complain, asking if he had offended Lady Ningguang. She spent a long time doing ideological work to appease the general.

Ningguang was quite surprised: "That's a strange question. Why would you think I'm attracted to him?"

Keqing carefully observed Ningguang's reaction and immediately knew the answer. She smiled and said, "Don't be so nervous. A man as outstanding as the Prince can easily win the hearts of us women."

Ningguang felt a little annoyed that her thoughts had been seen through, so she took the initiative to reveal some information.

The secret report came from Yelan, sent by one of Yelan's subordinates from Inazuma and Mondstadt.

Intelligence reports indicate that Empress Zhidong once selected a wife for a prince.

The candidate for Mondstadt is Jean, the acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, while the candidate for Inazuma is Ayaka Kamisato, who is known as the "White Heron Princess".

In addition, Prince Shifu is suspected of having a close relationship with the high priestess of Inatsume Narukami Shrine.

After the Shifu delegation left Inazuma, the high priestess of the shrine in Inazuma frequently published novels anonymously in Yaedo's light novel magazine, mostly fabricated stories about the daily anecdotes of disciplining Prince Shifu.

Of the seven kingdoms, only the retinue of General Thunder and Lightning dared to use fiction to ridicule Prince Winter.

Prince Zhidong himself has clearly indulged her willful behavior, as he has not raised any objections so far.

Even more strangely, no one from the Fools' Organization, which was stationed in Inazuma by the Winter Kingdom, raised any protests.

Intelligence officials thus deduced that the relationship between the two was intriguing.

Upon hearing the gossip about Su Yu for the first time, Ke Qing felt inexplicably downcast and said, "This information has nothing to do with me, so there's no need to tell me. I'm not interested!"

"Oh? You said it yourself, then I won't talk to you anymore."

Ke Qing immediately stammered, "No... next time... next time send me one."

"It seems you're still interested."

Ningguang laughed at Keqing's contradictory mindset.

The two exchanged a glance and saw in each other's eyes how much they cared for the prince, and then they burst into laughter.

The coachman, sitting in the front, heard the laughter from inside the carriage and assumed they were caught up in the lively atmosphere on the street. He said loudly, "My lords, look how happy everyone is, it's like New Year's! I spent half a year's salary betting on Prince Zhidong to win, hehe, I hope I can make a little money."

Ke Qing advised through the curtain, "The immortal's chess skills are unparalleled. Even the prince might not be able to win. You should buy less. If you lose money, how will you explain it to your wife when you get home?"

The coachman replied, "My wife is even more excited than I am. She told me to take all our savings and bet on Prince Dong's victory, saying that she believes His Highness will teach the immortal a lesson. Sigh, I don't know where she gets her confidence from."

Inside the carriage, Keqing and Ningguang's eyes met again in mid-air, and they both uttered the same question: "His Highness the Prince has partnered with the gambling den?"

……

"Is Prince Zhidong collaborating with gambling dens?"

The creaking of the windmills spinning on the Mondstadt walls almost drowned out the surprised voices of Grand Master Jean in her office at the Knights of Favonius headquarters.

After hearing Lisa's latest intelligence, she put down her quill, stood up, and faced the setting sun shining through the window, lost in thought.

"Yes, Qin."

Lisa gave her an affirmative answer again.

She was also surprised when she saw this intelligence report.

Anyone who partners with a gambling den has only one goal: to make money.

But there are many ways to make money, especially for Prince Zhidong, who has countless ways to acquire wealth. Why did he choose the gambling industry, which is detrimental to his reputation?

The gambling industry exists in a gray area of ​​the laws of various countries. Apart from the Kingdom of Winter, the other six countries do not explicitly prohibit it, but they do not encourage it either. If it weren't for the fact that the gambling industry actively pays huge taxes every year, it would have been banned by these countries long ago.

This intelligence was sent to me by Kaeya, so I had read it beforehand.

Kaiya stood in the corridor and handed her the information, his disdain evident: "Lisa, do you know how I feel right now? I'm going to have a good drink at Angel's Gift, and I won't leave until I'm completely drunk tonight."

Last time, when Su Yu was sent to Mondstadt, he supported the restoration of the Lawrence family and captured a high-ranking member of the Knights of Favonius. Su Yu had also ambushed and captured him at Dawn Winery, which made him completely convinced of Su Yu's superiority.

He admired Prince Zhidong's wisdom, but he also harbored some resentment in his heart.

As the glorious cavalry captain of the Knights of Favonius, the most humiliating thing that happened to him during his tenure was being taken prisoner.

This event represents a deep hurdle for him, who harbors a hero complex, and it will take him a long time to overcome it.

Before crossing over, he both respected and resented Su Yu.

Lisa continued to Jean, "The intelligence indicates that the Winter Prince's duel with the immortals of Liyue is being wagered on by the people of the Seven Kingdoms through gambling dens set up throughout the region. Jean, in the entire Mondstadt region, you and I are probably the people who know him best, I believe..."

Before Lisa could finish speaking, Qin suddenly turned around, the afterglow of the setting sun illuminating her beautiful face: "I also think that he did this not to make money. A person who intends to defy the laws of nature would disregard life and death and would not value money so much."

Since Qin was able to maintain a clear mind, Lisa no longer needed to worry and asked, "What do you plan to do?"

"Whatever Prince Zhidong wants to do, I will support him. I believe that Lord Fengshen will also guide me to make this decision."

As soon as she finished speaking, the evening breeze blew through the hair by her ear.

Jean, in her capacity as Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, immediately issued an administrative order: "During this period, gambling dens in Mondstadt are permitted to operate 24/7."

Lisa smiled and asked, "Is this the only one?"

"Is there anything else to add?"

“That guy Kaiya always likes to cause trouble for the gambling dens. If you don’t keep an eye on him, he might bring a bunch of people and smash the gambling den up if he sees that business is booming.”

Qin nodded: "I understand, I'll keep an eye on him."

Chapter 153 Bloodlust

Speaking of Kaeya, Jean has actually been having a bit of a headache lately.

Ever since the Winter Mission left, he has been absent-minded every day, often asking himself what happened after Su Yu knocked him unconscious and carried him to the room on the day he chose to commit suicide in protest.