Feng Yi was shocked. Why had A'ying's focus veered so far off course, and so ridiculously so? His original intention was for A'ying to understand the dangers of a closed-door policy and thus retract her decision.
"Um, A'ying, besides this, do you have any other insights or gains?" Feng Yi was persistent, still harboring unrealistic hopes.
"Other insights? I really don't..." A'ying looked at Feng Yi blankly. She felt comfortable wearing the golden stockings Feng Yi had given her. Did that count as another insight?
"Alright, I shouldn't have expected anything more. Let's have some tea first, and we can talk about this later. I came to see you today regarding the collusion between the Tenryou Commission and the Fatui..." Feng Yi took a sip of hot tea, calming his vexation. His gentle persuasion tactics had been completely ineffective, and it seemed he would have to resort to more forceful methods in the future!
"The Tenryou Commission and the Fatui colluding?" Hearing Feng Yi's words, Ei frowned. She had entrusted all of Inazuma's affairs to the Raiden Shogun puppet. Judging by Feng Yi's tone, it seemed the Tenryou Commission had already betrayed the shogunate.
"Tell me more..." Ei put down her teacup, looking at Feng Yi with a serious expression. She could tolerate incompetent subordinates, but never disloyal ones. If Feng Yi's words were true, she would use her long blade to sever all betrayal!
"It all started with the bet I made with Kujou Sara..." Feng Yi presented all the evidence that Sayu had stolen from the Kujou mansion, one by one, before A'ying.
"Oh, and not long ago, Kujou Takayuki seemed to have reached a secret agreement with the Fatui to help them spread Delusions within Inazuma. Currently, almost every soldier in the shogunate army possesses one. Delusions are a product of the Fatui's wicked research, allowing ordinary people to wield elemental power at the cost of their life force..." Feng Yi added. The appearance of Delusions had turned the Raiden Shogun's Vision Hunt Decree into a complete joke. The more they prohibited supernatural powers, the more such powers appeared, which was a direct slap in the face to the Raiden Shogun!
"Anything else?" A'ying was at the brink of fury, her voice chillingly calm and terrifying. The Fatui's act of spreading Delusions was undermining the very foundation of Inazuma's populace and aimed to overthrow the nation. This was something she absolutely could not tolerate.
"Kujou Takayuki appears to be secretly transferring assets to Snezhnaya. Kujou Sara happened to witness this, and she can attest to it..." Feng Yi took out the Serenitea Pot from his waist and released Kujou Sara from within. When Kujou Sara appeared in the grand hall, she was still holding a steaming piece of grilled fish. Upon finding herself in an unfamiliar environment, a flicker of confusion and bewilderment crossed her eyes. Seeing Feng Yi and the General beside her, she seemed to understand something. As Feng Yi and the General's gazes fell upon her, Kujou Sara looked at the grilled fish in her hand, unsure where to put it, and offered an awkward yet polite smile. Feng Yi hadn't said there would be nothing for her to do next? Bored, Kujou Sara had decided to grill a fish and try it. And now... Feng Yi, you scoundrel! May Feng Yi die a terrible death! Kujou Sara felt her toes could dig out a three-bedroom apartment. Feng Yi had made her lose all dignity in front of the General. She, Kujou Sara, would remember this grudge!
"Little Sara, tell the General about how you witnessed Kujou Takayuki secretly transferring assets to Snezhnaya..." Feng Yi, seeing Kujou Sara standing there looking adorably clueless, quickly reminded her. As for Kujou Sara stealing the fish he had been raising in the Serenitea Pot without him, he would settle that score with her after the current matter was resolved.
"General, the situation is like this..." Kujou Sara, seeing the General's inquiring gaze, quickly hid the grilled fish behind her back and began her account. She recounted, word for word, how she had stumbled upon Kujou Takayuki and was subsequently pursued by him.
"Wait here for me for a moment. I'm going to deal with a traitor and will be back shortly..." After listening, Ei stood up directly, drew the long sword from her chest, left these words, and walked out the door. She could not tolerate any impurities, not even a single grain!
Watching A'ying's receding back, Feng Yi let out a sigh. If he were not considering A'ying's feelings, he would have already helped her eliminate that old scoundrel Kujou Takayuki. However, Kujou Takayuki was, after all, A'ying's subordinate, and only by having her personally deal with him could her inner indignation be assuaged. This was also why Feng Yi had spared Kujou Takayuki's life. But seeing that Kujou Takayuki was about to escape, Feng Yi knew he could delay no longer and had come to notify A'ying that very night.
In the grand hall, only Feng Yi and Kujou Sara were left, their eyes meeting. Feng Yi noticed a hint of resentment in Kujou Sara's gaze, as if she were about to blame him for not informing her beforehand. And so...
"How dare you, Little Sara, steal the large fish I meticulously raised in the lake within my Serenitea Pot!" Feng Yi decided to strike first and seize the moral high ground.
"Ah, this... I, I didn't mean to... I was just... I was just hungry..." Faced with Feng Yi's preemptive accusation, Kujou Sara was clearly unprepared and momentarily flustered, her gaze darting about in panic.
"Hungry? If you were hungry, you could have told me in advance. As my bed warmer, would I ever lack food for you? As long as you asked, I could certainly feed you until you were full!"
"Huh?"
"Ahem, I meant roasted rabbit. I can roast rabbits for you, and I can feed you until you can't walk!"
"Is that so? I'm sorry, I'm truly sorry. This was my mistake. Please forgive me..."
"Timely admission of fault, teachable. I won't pursue this matter this time. Just don't do it again!" Although Kujou Sara found Feng Yi's words somewhat strange, after thinking about it, she realized they made sense. Stealing someone's prized fish without asking was indeed her fault, and Kujou Sara promptly admitted it. Yet, for some reason, after Feng Yi's interruption, Kujou Sara felt like she had forgotten something. What was it? Kujou Sara couldn't recall and could only shake her head, putting it aside for now. She should finish the grilled fish first. It had been a while, and if she didn't eat it soon, it would get cold, and cold grilled fish wouldn't taste good!
As Kujou Sara ate, she saw Feng Yi beckoning her, and they entered the Serenitea Pot together.