Beiguang

"She's a hard one to please... so praise from her is high praise indeed."

- Beidou about Ningguang

Beiguang is the femslash ship between Beidou and Ningguang from the Genshin Impact fandom.

Canon
During the canon timeline, in the archon quest "Chapter II: Prologue Autumn Winds, Scarlet Leaves", when Beidou first shows up, she immediately mentions Ningguang as she talks to the traveler, saying "Haha, Ningguang told me about you. 'A traveler of great insight and remarkable skill has saved Liyue,' she said". Seeing as this takes place after the events of Liyue, it means that Ningguang met up with Beidou once the captain arrived back in the harbor and the two hung out recently. The pirate also talks about how Ningguang is "a hard one to please" so that praise from her means a lot. Beidou also notes the value of Ningguang's praise, as she says later that she was thinking it would be good to meet the traveler because of Ningguang's words.

Later, when the traveler and Kazuha are talking to Zhuhan, she says "If you're looking for the Captain, she was summoned by Lady Ningguang". Supposedly, the Crux Fleet got too out of hand. Zhuhan also mentions how Beidou was muttering something about Ningguang being "a stick-in-the-mud" as she headed back to Liyue Harbor. Kazuha then laughs and says that "it's not unusual for those two to be at odds with one another". Since Kazuha has only recently joined Beidou's fleet, he most likely saw the two interact with one another a lot to make a statement about such a thing.

Promotional Content
A promotional video shows the two of them having tea together and playing chess; hence proving that they have interacted and seem to be on, at the very least, friendly grounds with one another to spend leisure time together. In celebratory art for landmarks on Genshin Impact's social media accounts, the two are usually seen hanging out together as well.

Character Details/Voicelines
To start off, Beidou's character details talk about how "everything The Crux does is approved by the Qixing...more or less", meaning that Ningguang is aware of what Beidou does and even goes through the trouble of approving her not quite ethical work.

In Beidou's voicelines, there are two voicelines which describe Ningguang. Both of them seem rather critical, stating that her "responsibility lies with my ship and my men, and not with Liyue Qixing." The second voice line is about Ningguang's attitudes. It describes Ningguang's past criticism towards Beidou, although the latter does not seem to be affected by it.

The first one from Ningguang's voicelines is about Beidou's fines. "That... captain. She clearly receives the adoration of many, but will always be the first to disregard the rules. The fines she has paid would be enough to buy her a whole new ship..."

The second one is about Beidou's attitude; "Perhaps you've never heard me speak like this. All that can be said has been said — both the good and the bad — but she still does as she pleases. Forget it. Keep Beidou out of my sight.". We can assume that Beidou perhaps sometimes broke the rules or annoyed her? Although it can still be something different to that.

Ningguang's third voiceline; "Gales like this can be the demise of fishermen, not to mention... Heh, nevermind.", We can assume that this voiceline is about Beidou. The last voice line that includes Beidou is about Yaoyao, in the sentence of "I am content to extend some leniency to the odd bit of mischievous maneuvering by that boat captain.".

In one of Keqing's (the Yuheng) voicelines about Beidou, she says "(Smirk) Thing is, the Tianquan is supposed to be the one enforcing the rules, but she always seems to be too busy..." which hints at the idea that Ningguang turns a blind eye to Beidou's antics for one reason or the other.

Character Story Profile
In Beidou's third story, it is stated that Ningguang has collaborated with the Crux. "Of the many candidates available, she picked Beidou" - Ningguang handpicked Beidou and emphasizes this point in the story. In the third sentence it is stated that Beidou does all the dirty work for Ningguang, the sixth sentence, "Beidou is certainly unique among Ningguang's collaborators."

In Beidou's story "Pier Laborers' Gossip" It also is stated that Beidou has won against Ningguang twice. It's not simply about the fact that she won in Ningguang's personal chess; it's the fact that she dared to win. There are also quite a few voicelines from Ningguang that include Beidou.

In Ningguang's fourth story it is stated that Ningguang stopped trying to change Beidou's attitude; "Ningguang agree to disagree and gave up trying to convince the stubborn Beidou to change.", We can as well assume that Ningguang tried to change the stubbornness or action Beidou does, it is also stated in the second sentence at the end it states; "Beidou had no time for Ningguang's advice.".

For Ningguang's fifth story, a part talks about how eligible bachelors, "from the young esquires of Yujing Terrace, to accomplished young businessmen, to renowned sea captains " have tried to win Ningguang's affection; the sea captains part most likely referencing Beidou.

Tea Master Liu Su, who tells stories about certain characters, talks about Ningguang. In the story, he talks about how Ningguang had made an enemy named Haiyan who set out to confront her. After he went into Ningguang's mansion, it was silent for hours before "they heard a sound like a peal of thunder. All was not well—". Since Ningguang does not have any electro abilities, it could only have been an electro user who was defending her. Beidou is an electro user.

In Game
As for in game, there is a notice on the board in Liyue Harbor that states "Ningguang has recently approved the construction of three additional docks for The Crux to anchor at and conduct repairs". In this case, the use of her actual name instead of Tianquan could hint at some deeper form of familiarity.

The second piece is the vase in the Jade Palace that is titled "Ningguang's Porcelain Antique". If clicked on, it is described as a slender-necked, aquamarine-colored porcelain vase, and is signed "From the Crux Fleet", which, in other words, is simply "From Beidou". In the Jade Palace, this is the only object that is linked to another named/playable character in game.

Quotes
"Ningguang eh? As far as Liyue Qixing is concerned, she seems to be doing a good job. But for me, my responsibility lies with my ship and my men, and not with Liyue Qixing"

- Beidou's first voiceline about Ningguang

"Ningguang is never really one to speak frankly, but she has been very direct with her criticism of me in the past. Haha... But hey, whether she likes me or hates me is her choice, nothing I can do to sway her."

- Beidou's second voiceline about Ningguang

"That... captain. She clearly receives the adoration of many, but will always be the first to disregard the rules. The fines she has paid would be enough to buy her a whole new ship..."

- Ningguang's first voiceline about Beidou

"Perhaps you've never heard me speak like this. All that can be said has been said — both the good and the bad — but she still does as she pleases. Forget it. Keep Beidou out of my sight."

- Ningguang's second voiceline about Beidou

Fanon
Despite them being not having interacted in the storyline, Beidou and Ningguang became quickly one of the most popular femslash ships in the Genshin Impact fandom. Many people like this ship because they see it as "opposites attract" and simply because of the dynamic of the duo. They both have a lot of voicelines and stories about each other as well, solidifying the idea that each one is an important part in the other's life. And, contrary to the dismissing tone in their words towards each other, their actions seem to show some form of care towards each other. Such as, Ningguang criticizing Beidou's ways of doing things but still allowing all of her actions.

In stories, many writers like to explore the prideful dynamic between the two; Beidou refusing to submit to anyone while Ningguang tries to get a hold over Beidou. With Beidou being outgoing and loud, fans enjoy seeing Beidou push Ningguang out of her comfort zone and explore new things. The same goes vice versa, with Ningguang showing Beidou a different perspective and a glimpse into the life she lives.

There has been a Beiguang week in which many fans contributed by writing stories or creating fanart corresponding to the themes. In Femslash week for Genshin, Beidou and Ningguang were also a popular pair to write stories about.

Furthermore, official fanart and winning fanart for competitions (ex. the Lantern Rite) depicting this pair, and sometimes only this pair fuel this ship.

In fact, all the official pictures depicting the cast of Genshin show these two talking with one another. Or just hanging out very closely with each other.

In the future updates, there may be more content featuring these two.

On Ao3, there are currently 500+ fanfics about Beidou and Ningguang.

Fandom
FAN FICTION

SOCIAL MEDIA

Trivia

 * The two were both featured on Tartaglia's November 2020 Banner.