#here have some big chunk of keqing lore

[starwardsword]

re: family matters

Keqing is the only child of a very powerful family of aristocrats with a history of dealing in precious stones and minerals on both sides. Her father, Jingguo, inherited an exceedingly successful business focused on fashioning jade and gemstones into jewelry and intricate ornaments. He runs it jointly with his wife, Mingxia, who comes from a line of renown gemologists on her mother’s side. While both of her parents are perfectly decent people and their marriage is a happy one, the two of them were just too busy dealing with the business and its booming success to spend much time with Keqing when she was a child. As such, she was practically raised by her mother’s handmaidens and her maternal grandfather, Zhuang.

Zhuang was a famed real estate tycoon and an avid scholar of ancient texts on Liyue. Once he retired, he focused on studying Liyue’s traditions and trying to unearth truths long-lost with the pass of time, such as the true identity of the Stove God. He was the one who taught Keqing all about Liyue’s traditions and legends and who instilled in her such a great love for their nation and the people that inhabit it. As Keqing then grew old enough to form her own opinions, he then supported her radical views and way of thinking despite his own piety toward Rex Lapis and the adepti. Perhaps he too suspected that the time of the adepti would eventually come to an end and that people with views like Keqing’s would be the ones to pave the way for Liyue’s future prosperity without relying on the gods…

Keqing inherited most of her values from Zhuang, such as loyalty, compassion, honesty, and selflessness. He would always tell her that those who are lucky enough to have good fortune should look out for those less fortuned, and that all people should be treated equally. That’s something that she takes to heart and dutifully tries to fulfill to the best of her ability, which is why she comes across as a champion for the people regardless of their status. You will never see her turn her back on someone in need because of it.

Perhaps the few traits that Keqing didn’t inherit from her grandfather were his patience and his tendency to slow down and enjoy the little things in life. As I mentioned in an earlier headcanon, Zhuang greatly enjoyed fishing and would often bring her along on his leisurely fishing trips. When the two of them would settle down at the end of the day to enjoy a simple meal of fresh-caught fish and chili-mince cornbread buns, he’d encourage her to skygaze with him. “Both the clouds and the stars have a lot to say, Keqing”, he would always remark. “Make sure you take the time to slow down and listen every once in a while.” To this day, when she finds herself stuck on something, she’ll sometimes look to the sky in search of answers. Often enough, the quiet time is enough to clear her mind and help her think properly.

Zhuang’s death came unexpectedly when Keqing was in her mid-teens. The devastating loss left a void inside her that she’s still struggling to fill to this day, despite her best attempts at masking it.