Genshin Impact: Villain Life Sim

[Age 30: In the blink of an eye, you have reached your thirties. At this time, you have completely secured your position as Tianshu and have made many connections in Liyue. For your thirtieth birthday, a modest banquet was held at your home, but the guests were all well-known characters in Liyue Port]

[The Liyue Qixing were naturally among the invited guests, with the exception of the Yaoguang and Kaiyang, who were handling affairs outside the city. The remaining Qixing attended, as well as key figures from the Ministry of Civil Affairs and Yuehai Pavilion.]

[Despite over a decade having passed, Ningguang's appearance remained unchanged. In fact, she seemed even younger than before. Remembering how she was someone you once admired as a child, your feelings were, understandably, quite complex.]

[As you anticipated, Ningguang seized the opportunity while toasting you to mention that the case of Yelan poisoning the former Tianshu might hold deeper secrets. She proposed allowing Yelan to be temporarily released to atone for her crime by finding the real culprit. If no results were achieved within six months, her conviction would be reinstated.]

[She voiced this suggestion in front of all of Liyue's high-ranking officials, showcasing her cunning. If you were to refuse, it might paint you as petty or even suspicious.]

[Feigning hesitation, you ultimately nodded in reluctant agreement. With your approval, Yelan's release naturally became a foregone conclusion.]

[While you and Ningguang publicly appeared to work well together, tensions had long brewed beneath the surface. Many of your policies had negatively impacted her enterprises.]

[The most intolerable blow to Ningguang was your repeated opposition to expanding the Jade Chamber, delaying her cherished project indefinitely. Building the Jade Chamber was her lifelong dream, after all.]

[Thus, both professionally and personally, Ningguang sought to dethrone you and elevate Yelan as the new Tianshu. With Yelan as her ally, Ningguang would effectively control Liyue Harbor.]

[Not long after, Yelan was secretly released and, under a hidden identity, became Ningguang's advisor, tasked with gathering intelligence on you.]

[All of this, however, was within your calculations. Though Yelan served Ningguang, she was, in truth, still loyal to you. To further deepen Ningguang's trust in Yelan, you even provided her with damaging information about yourself, including tenuous links to the Fatui.]

[This information delighted Ningguang. Proving your connection to the Fatui would make your removal from the Tianshu position inevitable.]

[However, the intelligence you leaked was just the tip of the iceberg—insufficient to substantiate any serious allegations.]

[Of course, such trivial obstacles wouldn't deter someone like Ningguang. Rising from a street vendor to the Tianquan Star relied on more than just honest dealings. If evidence was lacking, she would simply fabricate it.]

[Naturally, Ningguang couldn't risk dirtying her own hands. She left the task of forging evidence entirely to Yelan. Within two months, Ningguang and Yelan had "collaborated" to produce damning evidence and witnesses against you.]

[However, Ningguang knew that even this fabricated evidence wasn't enough. The key was public opinion. If the citizens of Liyue believed you were corrupt, the fabricated evidence would seem all the more credible. To thoroughly ruin your reputation, Ningguang was even willing to "sacrifice" herself to lure you into her trap.]

[Through Yelan's discreet whispers, you learned that Ningguang had prepared a feast—a veritable Hongmen Banquet. Fully prepared, you accepted the invitation and ascended the Jade Chamber, stepping into Ningguang's study.]

[Switching to Immersive Mode]

[Mission Objective: Make Ningguang Submit]

The Jade Chamber was eerily quiet today. Even Ningguang's three secretaries were absent, lending the air an additional chill.

Lucas pushed open the study door, revealing a spacious and ornate room. On the desk sat an elegant calligraphy scroll, its brushstrokes bold and flowing.

"Welcome," came a soft, fragrant voice.

A silver-haired woman emerged gracefully from the inner chamber—none other than Ningguang, the Tianquan herself.

Her typically coiffed hair now cascaded loosely over her shoulders, still faintly damp, and the air was tinged with a subtle and intriguing fragrance.

Though Lucas knew this was all part of Ningguang's trap, the sight before him still made his chest tighten and mouth dry.

Ningguang smiled faintly. "Well? Do you like what you see?"

Lucas also tacitly put down his usual serious look and asked in a quite flirtatious manner: "Are you talking about the copybook, or... are you talking about Miss Ningguang herself?"

"If you were asked to choose between the copybook and me," Ningguang gently poked Lucas' chest and said with a smile, "Which one would you choose?"

"Only children make choices," Lucas replied, smoothly taking her hand. "I want them all."

"You're quite the greedy one, aren't you?" Ningguang teased, feigning a pout. "With such a virtuous wife like Huixin at home, how can you behave so shamelessly with me?"

"How can domestic flowers be as fragrant as wild flowers?" Lucas said shamelessly: "Actually, I have been attracted to Miss Ningguang for a long time."

"I don't believe you," Ningguang inwardly sneered, though she maintained her seductive smile. "If you like me so much, why do you always oppose me?"

"To build an image of impartiality," Lucas said shamelessly. "But if you're willing to join forces with me, Liyue will be ours for the taking."

Hearing this, Ningguang's heart soared. Unbeknownst to Lucas, Yelan was hidden in a corner with a recording device, capturing every word he said.

Even these few sentences were enough to destroy him socially, leaving him beyond redemption.

Still, Ningguang was cautious. If she intended to ruin Lucas's reputation, she would do so thoroughly, leaving him no chance to recover.

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Author's note: Gimme stones and I'll give you an extra chapter today... Hmm 100 stones, yes.

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