Chapter 273: Truly Nothing's Wrong

The imagined scene of being summoned for interrogation, even the Cloud Cavalry bursting through the door, never occurred.

In Tai Bu Si everything was routine; colleagues chatted about what to eat for lunch, complained about the workload, and occasionally someone mentioned some disturbance in the port district this morning, but the topic was quickly moved on.

Qingque's hanging heart eased just a little.

(Could it be… really nothing's wrong?)

(Heaven protect me, Imperial Bow above, may the God of Loafing be with me…)

She silently exhaled, picked up her teacup to sip water and calm her nerves, but her gaze fell again on the "culprit" jade token in her palm.

The jade token remained warm and cute, its blue‑fish carving vivid as life, as if silently mocking her morning's disarray and her current luck.

Qingque couldn't help a wry smile, muttering in a voice only she could hear, "Hey, jade token, you really messed me up. Next time could you give a heads‑up? Or at least make less noise?"

At that moment—

"Qingque!"

A colleague poked his head in from the doorway, "Lord Fu Xuan wants you to go to her office for a moment!"

"Pfft—!!!"

Qingque almost splashed a mouthful of water all over the star chart!

She clumsily wiped her mouth and the desk, her heart suddenly rose to her throat again!

(Here it comes! So it really can't be avoided?!)

(Lord Fu Xuan called me… found something? Wants to interrogate in person?)

(What should I say? Play dumb? Confess? Or… run away?)

Countless thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant, each pointing to an unfavorable outcome.

Her face grew paler and paler; finally, resigned, she stood, dragging legs that felt as if filled with lead, shuffling toward Fu Xuan's office.

Every step felt like walking on a knife's edge.

At last, she stood before the office door that symbolized authority and pressure.

After taking several deep breaths, she mustered courage, raised her hand, and gently knocked.

"Enter."

Fu Xuan's cool, steady voice came from inside.

Qingque pushed the door open and stepped in cautiously.

Fu Xuan was seated behind a spacious desk, head bowed, reviewing a document.

She was still dressed in a refined Tai Bu Si uniform, her pink long hair neatly tied up, and the Divination Eye on her brow seemed to contain boundless wisdom.

Sunlight streamed through the window onto her, making her appear both stern and imbued with an unapproachable dignity.

"Fu—Lord Fu Xuan…"

Qingque tried to make her voice sound normal, performed a proper bow, and asked, "Did you call for me?"

Fu Xuan lifted his head, his gaze lingered on her face for a moment before returning to the documents, and said evenly, "Hmm. Sit."

Qingque obeyed, sitting on the chair opposite the desk, daring only to sit half‑way, spine straight, hands on her knees, looking like a diligent student listening to a lesson—though inside she was trembling like a drum.

Fu Xuan flipped a page quickly, glancing at it while casually asking, "How's the verification of this morning's regional observation reports?"

"Report, sir, we've verified seventy percent, found no large‑scale anomalous energy fluctuations; some areas show sporadic void‑soldier activity, already forwarded to the Cloud Cavalry per procedure," Qingque replied fluently; it's her routine work, memorized by heart.

"Hmm."

Fu Xuan nodded, seemingly unsurprised by her report.

She closed the document in her hand and finally fixed her gaze entirely on Qingque, those eyes that seemed to read hearts sweeping over Qingque's face.

Qingque felt a chill inside under the stare, yet had to maintain the standard "subordinate listening to orders" expression.

"You look,"

Fu Xuan suddenly spoke, his voice still steady but with a hint of inquiry, "a bit nervous. What's wrong?"

!!!

Qingque's heart gave a "thud," but she reacted instantly, forcing a smile and waving repeatedly, "No, nothing! Lord Fu Xuan, you must be mistaken? I'm not nervous at all. Maybe I didn't sleep well last night, feeling a bit sluggish…right, didn't sleep well!"

As she spoke, she pretended to rub her eyes, trying to add credibility.

Fu Xuan raised an eyebrow slightly, clearly unconvinced: "Didn't sleep? Pulling an all‑night study on your 'Jade‑Jewel Array'? Or perhaps…"

She elongated her tone, "Got into some trouble again, afraid you'd find out?"

"No way!"

Qingque's voice unintentionally rose a bit, then she quickly lowered it, smiling, "Lord Fu Xuan, you see! I've been very compliant lately! Arriving on time, working diligently…uh, as diligently as possible, even going to the token hall less! Absolutely no trouble!"

As she spoke, she prayed frantically in her mind: please don't ask about this morning! please don't!

Fu Xuan watched her over‑compensating yet more suspicious demeanor, furrowed his brow briefly, but ultimately seemed not to pursue it.

Perhaps because the paperwork on the desk was indeed abundant, or perhaps for some other reason.

"That's all."

Fu Xuan picked up a new document, his tone returning to official business, "At the first hour of the afternoon (around 3 p. m.), several important guests will arrive. They are visitors from the Starry Sky Train; this trip is of great significance. You will represent Tai Bu Si to receive them and guide them here to my seat."

"Starry Sky Train?"

Qingque was startled, then quickly nodded, "Yes! Understood! I guarantee the Task will be completed!"

As long as it doesn't probe this morning's matter, she'll welcome anyone!

Even if it means receiving a whole train of void‑soldiers, she'll do it!

"Hmm. At that time the Cloud Cavalry will have personnel to assist; you'll mainly handle reception and guidance. Remember, maintain proper demeanor, don't tarnish Tai Bu Si's reputation."

Fu Xuan gave one final reminder, then waved his hand, "Go. Finish verifying the remaining morning reports."

"Yes! I take my leave!"

Qingque felt as if granted a pardon, instantly stood, saluted, then tried to keep a steady (though she wanted to sprint) pace as she exited the office.

Only after closing the office door and leaning her back against the cold door panel did Qingque truly relax her breath, feeling a slight sweat on her back.

(I was scared to death…… I really thought it was over……)

(But Lord Fu Xuan really seems unaware of this morning's events?)

She patted her chest, steadied herself, and prepared to return to her workstation.

As she turned, her gaze unintentionally swept across a corner of Lord Fu Xuan's desk.

There, beside a neat stack of documents and stellar instruments, sat something quietly—a cute, fluffy pink fish-shaped plush doll.

Qingque's steps came to a halt.

(……A fish plush?)

(Or is it pink?)

(In Lord Fu Xuan's office…… would there be something like this?)

She blinked, wondering if she was seeing things.

Would that ever‑stern Lord Fu Xuan, who always strives for simple and tidy office décor, really place a…… pink fish plush brimming with girlish charm on his desk?

Moreover…… the doll's style somehow feels vaguely familiar?

It seems to bear a resemblance to my own style……

Qingque tilted her head, a small question mark popping up in her mind.

But she dared not stare longer or think further, hurrying back to her workstation.

(Never mind, never mind—what's wrong with a big shot having a personal hobby? Maybe it was a gift from someone.)

(I should first think about how to adjust my attitude this afternoon to greet the visitor……)

The perspective shifts.

Black Tower crossed her arms, her brown long hair swaying slightly in the night wind.

She gazed at the golden ripples spreading in the air like ignited flames, and the Noble Phantasm protruding from them; her violet‑black eyes held no fear, only an extreme calm assessment.

(Is this the world's 'top‑tier firepower display'? Over‑reliance on 'legends' and 'concepts' in brute‑force stacking, lacking fundamental optimization.)

(Forget it, better to end this farce quickly.)

She lost patience to continue observing.

So she simply snapped her fingers.

Snap.

The sound was crisp, especially clear outside the courtyard.

The next moment——

Buzz——!!!!

The diamond‑shaped purple magic mirrors surrounding the entire Tohsaka Residence's perimeter simultaneously burst forth with deep purple light from their cores!

Each trajectory of the magic cannons was instantaneously calculated, weaving a three‑dimensional death net that bombarded Gilgamesh, floating mid‑air, from all directions—up, down, left, right—without blind spots!

No warning, no prelude—purely an efficient, near‑ruthless saturation strike!