Running in excitement, Hu Tao ran speedily into the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in search of someone specific. She bursted into the room, getting the attention of a certain brown hair man with unique golden eyes. He was looking inside a scroll until hearing the sound of a door slamming open made him turn his head to find his boss with a large, and excited smile, her eyes sparkling.

"Zhongli! Zhongli! You won't believe who is here! Ningguang! The Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing!" Hu Tao informed him, hopping up and down. It was rare for the mysterious young woman to come to there parlor so to Hu Tao it was a big deal.

Zhongli remained calm, and smiled at the young girl, setting the scroll down. "Ah. Good. She has arrived to discuss with me about matters relating the Geo Archon" he explained to her the purpose of the Tianquan being here. "Hu Tao. Would you please bring her in?" He asked her politely as she nodded her head quickly, before running to grab their guest, enthusiastic about this.

He chuckled at the young girl's excitement as he went to the table where there was lunch prepared for them. For him to would be interesting to meet the Tianquan.

"Zhongli. Of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor"

He heard a soft as silk voice came to his ears, and he glanced up to find Ningguang with her secretaries accompanying her. "It is an honor to finally meet you in person" the Tianquan greeted him, eyeing him up and down as this was the first time they met. She had heard tales about him. But he was mysterious to her. Especially in those unique golden eyes of his.

"Ah. Lady Ningguang. You are looking more lovely than I have been told. A rare gem indeed" he complimented her, letting a small smile appear in his features. The secretaries looked at each other surprised, wondering how their boss would react.

Ningguang lifted her eyebrows, surprised at the compliment. It was surprising. But she returned the smile to him. "Why thank you, Mr. Zhongli" she told him. "Please come. Take a seat" he offered her, motioning to the table as they sat down. "I thank you again for accepting my request to come meet me. In person especially" he told her respectfully as they kept a steady stare. Her red eyes with like rubies that held a shimmer shrouded in secret of her wisdom that she has held to herself.

"I should be thanking you. I have heard stories about you, and it has made me very curious about you mister Zhongli. So, how could I say no to this chance? But for now, let's get down to business" she explained to him, leaning on her hands.

"I wish to discuss on the neglect of paying respects to the passing of the Geo Archon, Rex Lapis"

The whole conversation was about Ningguang taking the remnants of the 'dead Archon' and hiding it away. She explained to him that with the situation unraveling after that incident, it be in best interest to hide it since they didn't know the purpose or intention of the killer. Zhongli, however, explained to her that she had broken one of the old traditions of their home to pay respect to an adepti that has passed away. Little did the Tianquan know, she was talking to THE geo Archon himself.

"Zhongli. You would be wise to not get involve with the affairs of the fallened Geo Archon. We hid his remains to keep it from the assassin in case they seek use of it" she explained to him calmly, taking a sip of hot tea. The taste of mint made a satisfied smile form in her lips. Zhongli kept a calm yet firm look.

"All I am saying is that despite the ongoing investigation on who killed Rex Lapis, and their intentions for it, that doesn't excuse the fact that the Qixing have failed to pay respects to our fallen archon. As one who partakes in the duties of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, it is my responsibility to see that those who have passed are given a respectful farwell" he explained to her calmly. She was a person hard to read or determine one's own moves. On one hand, she can be a very powerful ally. The other hand is that she can be quite a cunning, and deadly enemy.

"Why are you so interested in this? You seem to have an immense knowledge of the adepti and our Archon" she asked him, curiously. Her eyes shined with a hint of cunning, and suspicion. She leaned back in her chair, one of her golden clawed fingers tapping her chin.

"Is it possible that Rex Lapis is still alive? It's puzzling how such a powerful Archon could have fallen"

She asked him in tempting tone. Zhongli stared at her neutral, glancing  at her three secretaries. They've been quiet the whole time, and seemed....rather focus. Could it be they act as her spies on any word that slips from his mouth and can prove of use to her?

However, he took notice of a small familiar black hat with a branch covered in red flowers poking out from the corner of the door. Hu Tao. He smiled, chuckling quiet at how cute his young boss was. Ningguang took notice, and her eye followed his direction. Once she saw the hat of the girl that greeted her, she smiled amusingly. 'So he too has his own little spy? Cute'

"Zhongli..." Ningguang said to him, extending her hand for him to take. "Perhaps we can discuss this further on a walk through Liyue? Alone" she offered him. It seemed like a offer. So why did he feel it was more like a challenge.

However, this would give Zhongli an opportunity to know her better. For her, she would know how useful he is to her. He was a man that was hard to know what his weaknesses were so this could be a chance for to dig deeper into a potential ally.

"Of course, Lady Ningguang" he responded to her, helping her up as they walked out of the parlor. Once they were outside, Hu Tao peeked from behind the corner of the door with curiously, giggling in amusement. "Very interesting..." she told herself with a big smile as the other secretaries peeked out too with curiosity.