⋆.𐙚 ̊the space station

The Tianquan draws a long sigh of contemplation looking at the detailed schedule on her ornate gold-lined desk. Ah yes, it was that time of year again: contract renewals with Mondstadt. Each year, Ningguang is tasked with going to Mondstadt to discuss both formalities with the Knights of Favonius and alcoholic imports with Diluc Ragnvindr of Dawn Winery. As the Tianquan of Liyue’s Qixing, she is in charge of foreign affairs, which is precisely why this is her “burden to bear,” as she would put it. While a week is not too long, it is still a week from Liyue, where her home and work are stationed. Okay, let’s just be honest, between you and me, the Tianquan finds this week to be an utter bore. Mondstadt is an excellent nation for vacationing, but for business? It’s too predictable, even for someone as elegant and modest as the owner of the famed Jade Chamber. She is going to fake a smile during meetings she’s been through many times before, and she is going to sign the same contracts she has signed for what feels like centuries now. But as the saying goes, work is work. Without Mondstadt’s alcohol supply, Liyue Harbor might as well be the ghost town Funeral Director Hu rattles on about. Mondstadt is also Liyue’s most loyal ally and neighboring nation, so Ningguang will put her pride aside, yet again, and try to get through this one week, feeling somewhat relieved that she can at least visit Angel Share, the best tavern Teyvat has to offer.

It’s only a week, Ningguang thinks to herself, rising from her seat. As she goes to descend the spiral staircase before her just outside of her office, she hears familiar footsteps coming to greet her at a seemingly frantic pace.

“Lady Ningguang! Oh, Lady Ningguang, there you are!” Baishi, Ningguang’s head secretary hurriedly exclaims, catching the mountain of scrolls tumbling out of her rather petite arms. This must be important as Baishi is usually not excitable like this. “It’s the Millelith. Lady Keqing has just employed massive troops to stand guard just outside the Chasm. All other troops have been ordered to stand by at their bases until further notice. She didn’t say why, but who is supposed to escort you to Mondstadt? You leave TOMORROW!”

Ningguang can practically feel the vein protruding from her forehead. That Keqing; I swear I told her how important this meeting is. What could possibly be going on at the Chasm?

“Not to worry, Baishi, this is my burden to bear. I will simply go the Chasm myself and see what the issue is. Go ahead and sort those scrolls before you trip over them—it will be okay, I assure you!” And with that, the Tianquan let out an elegant (and put out) sigh as she exited the Jade Chamber not knowing the week’s worth of trouble ahead.

—

“And what in Teyvat is this monstrosity?” Ningguang was standing at the edge of a circular cliff: the Chasm. She had her right index finger and thumb rubbing her pristine forehead in frustration as she looked up to Keqing who gleefully glanced back at her colleague (much to the dismay of the Jade Chamber's Head Mistress at times) from a crane holding a rather large piece of steel. She tugged on her hard hat and waved with a bright smile.

“OH OH LADY NINGGUANG! LOOK AT THIS!” The Yuheng could barely contain her excitement. She stopped operation of the crane momentarily, hopping out of its cabin and fazing through air to meet the Tianquan on her cliffside. “Isn’t it great? The Traveler and her, is it her dog? Well anyway, they found a massive structure lodged in the Chasm, completely buried! I went to investigate and realized it is much bigger than we originally thought. So, in case it is some ancient weapon Rex Lapis plagued onto Liyue, or the remnants of some Abyssal camp, I have the Millelith on standby! I hope it’s okay that I used them.. I got so excited I just completely forgot to ask!” Keqing looked down and played with her hands, knowing how much it bothers Ningguang when the Millelith is being used without her knowledge.

“So, Keqing, what you’re telling me is: you need the entire Millelith on standby, and you don’t even know what it is exactly you’re looking for? Does this not seem like a waste of their time and our resources? Did you already forget that I have a very important meeting in Mondstadt this week? If I don’t speak with the Knights of Favonius and secure our alcohol supply for the next year, we could lose both our most loyal ally and the trust of our own people because we aren’t strong enough to secure alcohol! And don’t get me started on that old man because you know he’s probably the only being in Liyue that can even stomach that osmanthus.. oh I can’t even call it a wine! And what about the—“

“Lady Ningguang.. you’re spiraling about the demise of Liyue if things don’t go exactly as planned again. It’s going to be okay, trust me! I have already thought everything through!” Keqing says with a faint twinkle of mischief in her eye. “Yes, I know you need an escort to Mondstadt, I didn’t forget. I do in fact have the perfect person for the job, you just have to be, uh, open minded!”

“Open minded? What are you—“ As soon as the question escaped her lips, the Tianquan’s eyes went wide with horror, knowing exactly what, or who, rather, the young Yuheng was getting at. “No. No no no. Keqing spare me a troop. Absolutely not! I will not be escorted by a down right filthy miserable uncouth loud mouthed—“

“Language, Lady Ningguang! We have subordinates all around us, heh,” Keqing loudly reminds with nervous laughter as she scopes the surrounding cliffs populated by perplexed yet amused soldiers. “Look Ningguang, the truth is, yes, I forgot about the meeting. It was, ahem, her, who reminded me and offered to help. She just wants the money, okay? I truly don’t know what’s in that Chasm which is why I would rather be overly prepared than not at all. I could be facing nothing or the wrath of Celestia. I am in charge of urban planning and construction development, so it’s my job to ensure all locations of Liyue are clear of any structural danger for our people. You understand that better than anyone, right? It’s just this one time, I promise!” With a hopeful smile, the Yuheng looks up to Ningguang praying to Rex Lapis she has convinced the Tianquan to let it go this one time.

In all honesty, Keqing knew she didn’t need even one Millelith soldier on standby for this task, she cleared this structure over a week ago with the Hero of Teyvat. She was just returning the favor of a rather stubborn Captain. The Tianquan didn't need to know that, not yet at least. For the good of the people, Ningguang none the wiser reluctantly agreed to the plan, perfectly manicured nails digging into her balled fists as she marched her way to Liyue harbor to meet her escort-to-be for the next week. Alone.

This is the burden I bear, I guess.

Hello <3 This is my first fic ever, so please don’t be TOO hard on me. I just love Beigguang sm so I thought I would start with a cute fluffy fic that is not too long. There should only be around 3-5 chapters because I do not want to commit to something long, but if u guys like this I may make another much longer fic in the future!! please leave comments below and lmk what you think, thank you <3