"It's the Fatui again. Why is it always the Fatui?"
Paimon was getting a bit annoyed. Why did the Fatui's shadow appear in everything? Why were those people causing destruction everywhere?
"Old Master Chen, what exactly is going on? Do you understand the reason behind it?"
As one of the Liyue Qixing, Keqing keenly caught a hint of something amiss.
The Fatui dared not be as aggressive in Liyue Harbor as they were in Mondstadt. The Liyue Qixing constantly arranged personnel to secretly monitor their actions.
Liyue Harbor also wasn't afraid of the Fatui threatening war, because Liyue Harbor controlled the economic lifeline, and even Mora, the common currency, was produced in Liyue Harbor.
Furthermore, Liyue Harbor's combat strength was not low; it truly wasn't that easy for the Fatui to cause trouble here.
But what they couldn't do openly, they could still do in secret. Keqing had heard that the Fatui were secretly doing something behind the scenes, but the specific situation was still unknown.
Perhaps the one who understood it most clearly was her annoying colleague, Tianquan Star—Ningguang.
"ε = (' ο ｀ *))) Alas~ My son is young and impetuous. Besides wanting to do something for the family, he also wants to do something for Liyue. After investigation, he discovered the Northland Bank established by the Fatui in Liyue."
Old Master Chen sighed and explained: "Before the Northland Bank was built, Liyue Harbor also had several money houses. Due to the arrival of the Fatui, these money houses were gradually abolished. He saw the drawbacks in this and wanted to change the situation."
"Drawbacks? What drawbacks?" Paimon asked, puzzled.
"Perhaps he realized that the Fatui wanted to secretly control Liyue's industries through the economy."
Anyone who wanted to do business needed Mora. Without Mora, they would need to borrow. Now, the largest bank in Liyue Harbor was the Northland Bank. To borrow money there, besides the necessary interest, there might be other additional conditions.
If these conditions were not agreed to, the Northland Bank could simply refuse to lend the money.
And Liyue Harbor had no other institutions that could provide loans. To keep their businesses going, these people would ultimately be forced to agree to the Fatui's conditions.
It's important to know that Liyue is the Nation of contract, and everyone adheres strictly to the spirit of contract, so the Fatui weren't worried about them not keeping their promises.
Young Master Chen saw this point and wanted to break the Fatui's actions, which is why he was targeted by them.
"He wanted to re-establish a new money house, hoping to break the Fatui's conspiracy through it. For this, he also cooperated with people from other families. With his persistent persuasion, other families also agreed, and he even reported this matter to Lady Tianquan Star, finally receiving her affirmation."
He knew very well that merely uniting a few families to do this was not enough; he also needed help from above, so he sought out Tianquan Star—Ningguang.
This wealthiest woman on the entire continent, upon learning his purpose for wanting to build a money house, readily agreed to his idea.
However, there were a few conditions: this money house would need to accept the supervision of the Seven Stars, and once they arbitrarily modified loan interest rates for profit, she would intervene.
Besides this, there were other requirements, all aimed at preventing their family from controlling loan interest rates. Young Master Chen readily agreed to this point as well.
He really worked hard. Even during the establishment of the money house, when the Fatui heard the news, they tried to sabotage his efforts through various means.
But Young Master Chen, who was already prepared, foiled their conspiracies again and again. This greatly annoyed the Fatui. Seeing that the money house was about to be established, they decided to resort to underhanded tactics.
"So, he became like this, most likely because the Fatui secretly poisoned him?"
Keqing clenched her fist. This was truly outrageous! To continue their unscrupulous behavior, they actually tried to eliminate potential competitors in such a way.
"This is too much! How can they be so excessive! Hey, as one of the Seven Stars, can't you do something to curb their arrogant attitude?"
Paimon's face puffed up with anger. Keqing, as one of the Seven Stars, was right there; she should be able to do something.
"I'm sorry, if there were relevant evidence, I could do something, but currently, there's only speculation. We can't definitively conclude that this was done by the Fatui."
The Fatui also used such secretive methods to avoid being troubled later, so that others couldn't find any evidence to use against them.
Old Master Chen understood this, so he didn't expect Keqing to do anything, only sighing helplessly.
Regardless, the outcome was good; the person survived and could fully recover, and their schemes did not succeed.
It was just unknown if he would continue to pursue this matter. If he dared to continue, it was likely the Fatui would make another move.
"This matter... let me handle it."
Durandal, who had been listening to their conversation, suddenly spoke: "Since they dare to do such things to others, they should also be prepared for retaliation."
"Eh? Do you want to do something? But... what can you do?"
Paimon looked at Keqing cautiously. The Liyue Qixing was right here; was it really okay to say such things in front of her?
"However they did it, just let them experience it themselves."
Durandal didn't plan to say too much. Keqing had been staring at her since the beginning, clearly wanting to say something, but for some reason, couldn't voice it.
Old Master Chen also saw that Durandal wanted to deal with the Fatui and anxiously tried to stop her: "Please don't push yourself, this is our Chen family's matter, you don't need to force yourself, Lady Durandal."
Durandal was such a brilliant doctor; he certainly didn't want anything to happen to her. If she encountered any danger, it would be a loss for everyone.
Durandal didn't answer. She just sat there drinking tea, as if only the tea in front of her slightly interested her, making those watching very anxious.
"You..."
Keqing wanted to warn her about something, but seeing Durandal's unyielding demeanor, she could only give up.
"Since the problem has been resolved, it's about time for us to leave. We won't disturb you any further."
Lumine saw that it was getting late and it was about time to leave. To be honest, she was very tired today and wanted to get some good rest.
"Ah, has it gotten so late without me realizing? My apologies for disturbing you. Please follow Butler Fu; he will take you to your resting place."
Butler Fu was the old butler who had brought them earlier. He had also been waiting outside the door, ready to accept any command from the Old Master.
Stepping out of the room, Old Master Chen whispered something into Butler Fu's ear. Butler Fu listened intently and nodded.
"I understand. Then, please follow me, I will lead you all to your rest."
Butler Fu gestured for Durandal and the others to follow, but he did not lead the three to a room in the mansion, but rather led them away, towards the residential area.
Lumine and Paimon didn't understand what Butler Fu intended to do, but their strength was not bad, so they let him lead the way.
Keqing, who had been silently following behind Durandal, finally couldn't hold back anymore.
"You intend to do something to the Fatui, don't you?"
...What do you want to say, Yuheng Star?
From beginning to end, Durandal had never addressed Keqing by her name, at most calling her Yuheng Star, and this address signified distance.
Although she didn't understand why Durandal was so distant with her, the most important thing now was to figure out what Durandal wanted to do, so the matter of the address could be set aside for now.
"I have reason to interpret what you said in the room just now as I see fit, don't I?"
"How would I know what you're thinking? Do I need to understand what you're thinking, Yuheng Star?"
In just a few sentences, the atmosphere became serious. Keqing frowned, looking at Durandal. Durandal ignored her gaze, looking back at her with a composed expression.
This scene startled the others. Butler Fu, who was leading the way, paid no mind. He was just a guide; did something happen behind him? Really? He didn't see anything at all.
Paimon was frightened by the atmosphere and timidly hid behind Lumine, tugging at her clothes and gesturing with her eyes if she should do something.
Lumine gently shook her head. At this moment, it was better not to intervene in their conversation. This was something Keqing, as one of the Liyue Qixing and an administrator of Liyue Harbor, had to do. Even though she and Durandal were friends, she couldn't stop Keqing.
"I must state again, I am the Yuheng Star of the Liyue Qixing. I cannot stand by and watch evil unfold before me."
"Has it happened?" Durandal retorted.
"Not yet, but you already have the motive."
"Oh? I see. You mean, as long as someone says anything that sounds like a crime, then it's a crime, and those people should be arrested, is that right?"
Durandal smiled: "Liyue's laws are truly strict. Just talking about it isn't allowed. It seems I'll have to be more careful with my words in the future, otherwise I'll be arrested as a criminal."
"Don't twist my words! You know very well what I'm trying to express."
"What are you trying to express? If you don't say it, how would I know what you want to say?"
Durandal looked at Keqing with a faint smile and said, "I... have no interest in guessing your thoughts. Just say what you want to say directly, Yuheng Star."
"You!" Keqing was a bit angry, seeing Durandal still unyielding.
As she was about to do something, Durandal suddenly asked, "Do you usually get along well with the Fatui, Yuheng Star?"
"No."
"Oh? Then have you received any gifts from them?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"If you have, then I can understand why you're being so aggressive. If not, then I'm very curious why you're helping them so much."
"I'm helping them? Don't be ridiculous!"
"Then why, when you saw a resident of Liyue being tormented by the Fatui like that, did you do nothing, citing lack of evidence? Yet, when you heard me say I wanted to do something to the Fatui, you became so aggressive?"
Durandal stopped, slowly walked in front of Keqing, and with her dark purple eyes fixed on Keqing's, she said.
"Is this the Liyue Qixing? It's quite laughable."
"What do you know? I don't want to see you suffer any misfortune for taking action against the Fatui. Didn't you see what happened to Young Master Chen of the Chen family?"
"Then you think I'll end up like that? Don't underestimate people, Yuheng Star."
Durandal shook her head with a wry smile. If it wasn't for not wanting Zhongli to be displeased and Liyue to be thrown into chaos, she would have already made a move when she saw the Fatui.
"Just as you said, you have no evidence, so you can't do anything, unless Liyue's laws stipulate that even speaking about it is forbidden. Otherwise, stop nagging; it's really noisy."
After speaking, Durandal didn't continue her conversation with Keqing. Ignoring Keqing, who had turned completely red for some unknown reason, she gestured for Butler Fu to continue leading the way.
She actually understood that Keqing said so much because she didn't want Durandal to be targeted by the Fatui, but Keqing's attitude just now had annoyed her, coupled with the events of the day, so she wasn't in a good mood with Keqing.
Actually, Keqing's worries were unnecessary. If she knew Durandal's abilities, she wouldn't have so much to worry about.
As long as it's done secretly enough and not discovered, it's not a crime, is it?