**Chapter 37: Columbina's Scheme**
Kuroda and Hiiragi Shinsuke simultaneously pushed open the door to Jingchen's room. Apart from Sayu, who was sound asleep, there was no sign of anyone else. They hastily closed the door and hurried off to search elsewhere.
The sound of the door creaking open slightly roused Sayu. She yawned and sat up, only to catch a fleeting glimpse of a purple fox spirit outside the window.
In an instant, she was wide awake.
*Yae Miko had ordered her to monitor Jingchen!*
But where was Jingchen?!
Sayu scrambled to her feet.
*After slacking off for so many days, that woman Yae Miko wouldn't...*
The thought filled her with regret, but there was nothing she could do now except desperately search for Jingchen.
Inside the Serenitea Pot, Jingchen shivered slightly.
Columbina asked with a puzzled expression, "What's wrong, A'chen?"
"Aya, I... I just sensed Yae Miko's fox spirit."
"Hmm? Are you afraid?"
"No, it's just that every time Yae Miko descends, I feel terribly uncomfortable."
"Oh?! A'chen, do you remember what I told you yesterday about manipulating Yae Miko to obtain the God's Heart from her?"
Jingchen's eyes lit up, and he hastily rose to his feet, accidentally bumping into Columbina.
"A'chen!"
"Aya, I... I didn't mean to."
"Sigh, I'm not blaming you. The key to obtaining the God's Heart from Yae Miko still lies with you."
"With me? Aya, what do you mean? I'm still a bit confused."
"I think she's probably similar to that woman Ningguang."
"Similar to Ningguang? Hmm, their voices are indeed very similar, but their personalities and strength are quite different, aren't they?"
"No, no, I mean the degree of regret they feel."
"Regret? Regret about what?!"
"The kind of regret Ningguang has, of course—about you."
Jingchen frowned slightly. Could Columbina mean that even that sly fox Yae Miko would regret chasing after him?!
He recalled the times he had spent with Yae Miko at Yae Publishing House and Narukami Shrine, and the day she confessed her feelings to him.
*She would regret it? That's impossible!* Yae Miko, despite having a voice as warm as Ningguang's, was far too cunning and mischievous. Jingchen had even begun to suspect that most foxes were like that.
"Aya, why don't we wait for La Signora and Childe to come to Inazuma? We can discuss it together then. If all else fails, we can wait for the Traveler. Once she arrives and the Archon Quest begins properly, securing the Raiden Shogun's Heart will be much easier."
Columbina stared at Jingchen, her face etched with confusion.
"The Traveler? The Archon Quest? Why make things so complicated?! Jingchen, with just a little scheming, you could naturally obtain the Raiden Shogun's Heart from Yae Miko."
"A little scheming? What kind of scheme?"
Columbina whispered into Jingchen's ear.
"A delaying tactic and—"
Jingchen's expression turned panicked as he vehemently refused.
"Ah?! No! No! Absolutely not! Even if Yae Miko regrets her actions now, what about you, Aya? What about your feelings?"
"Don't worry. I'll stay in the Serenitea Pot, observing your interactions. If Yae Miko tries anything forceful, I'll ambush her, drag her into the Serenitea Pot, and take the Raiden Shogun's Heart by force. It's a desperate measure, but necessary."
"I..."
Columbina hugged Jingchen tightly.
"I trust you completely. Once we have the Raiden Shogun's Heart, we'll flee to Snezhnaya and ask Her Majesty the Tsaritsa for a long vacation."
Columbina then explained her detailed plan to Jingchen.
Jingchen gazed at Columbina's earnest face, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.
Columbina had instructed him to publish the final six volumes of the novel *Ellie's Paradise of Bygone Days* at the Yae Publishing House.
He would gradually approach Yae Miko through light novels, observing her closely to see if she harbored regrets like Ningguang. If she did, it would be easier to gain her trust. If not, he would proceed slowly.
Once the time was right, he would ask to see the Raiden Shogun's Heart and then casually snatch it.
Throughout this process, Columbina would remain by Jingchen's side, staying in his Serenitea Pot to monitor every development outside.
The plan was a bit devious, but their opponent was Yae Miko herself.
With Columbina's surveillance and protection, that sly fox wouldn't dare harm him.
Moreover, obtaining the Raiden Shogun's Heart would allow him to write to Her Majesty the Tsaritsa and request a vacation.
He would use Mora from the Northland Bank to buy a mountain of food and gifts for a spontaneous trip.
They hadn't yet visited Starsnatch Cliff in Mondstadt. He would take Aya to witness the legendary sunsets and starry skies there, enjoying a seaside barbecue under the open sky.
Just imagining such a life made him feel at ease.
"Aya, let's work hard and get the Raiden Shogun's Heart soon!"
Columbina nodded with a gentle smile.
***
That evening, Jingchen changed into the Vice Priest's robes he had once worn at Narukami Shrine.
The silver-blue attire lacked the imposing presence and oppressive aura of the Harbinger's white robes, replaced instead by a sense of purity and sanctity.
Combined with his natural grace and impeccable bearing (as Jing Liu's younger brother, he lacked nothing in terms of refinement), the effect was utterly flawless.
Columbina hugged Jingchen tightly.
"My Jingchen looks perfect in anything he wears!"
Jingchen paused, turning to look down at Columbina.
"Aya, I think you're the one who's truly perfect."
Whether she wore her usual Harbinger's white robes, the flowing celestial gowns of Liyue, or... anything else, she was always the most flawless girl in his eyes.
Columbina's lips curved into a gentle smile as she cupped her cheeks with her hands, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Alright, let's get the last eight volumes of *Ellie's Paradise of Bygone Days* ready. Remember, release them one volume per week. The key is to keep Yae Miko eagerly anticipating each installment of your light novel."
"Mm."
The moment Jingchen stepped out of the dojo, the surrounding Fatui agents cast him curious glances. They exchanged bewildered looks, unsure how to react.
Lord Jingchen wasn't wearing his usual Harbinger's white robes but instead the traditional attire of Inazuma.
*Is the most conscientious Harbinger quitting?!*
The Inazuman citizens were equally stunned. *Could their Vice Priest be returning to his former position?!*
*Eastward sunrise, westward rain—though it seems there's no clear weather, there is indeed sunshine.*
This perfectly captured the conflicting emotions of both the Fatui agents and the Inazuman citizens in that moment.
.......
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(End of Chapter)