Chapter 52: Apologizing in Person

"Alright, alright, I'll go! I'll apologize to that guy properly and ask him to be magnanimous and forgive me, okay?" Feng Zhirou had no choice but to agree.

"That's more like it! By the way, why did you suddenly come to find me?" This niece usually avoided him in the academy, so coming today must mean she had something to discuss.

"Oh, you made me forget—it's all your fault for interrupting!" Feng Zhirou put on a look of sudden realization.

"..."

"Actually, I came to say goodbye. I'm going back to the imperial capital for the alchemist exam in five days. Once I pass, I'll be an alchemist just like you!" Feng Zhirou said proudly.

"With your skills, an alchemist? Talk to me after you pass!" Feng Ruoqing didn't hesitate to dampen her spirits.

The advancement of an alchemist was completely different from martial arts. To become an alchemist, the first requirement was to reach the Liquid Realm, but that didn't mean reaching the Liquid Realm guaranteed becoming an alchemist!

Feng Zhirou had long been in the Liquid Realm, yet she had never passed the alchemist exam. And she was even in the top three of the Alchemist Ranking, which showed how rare alchemists were and how esteemed their status was.

Feng Zhirou pouted, "How can you be an aunt like this? You're actually cursing your own niece to fail the exam!"

Feng Ruoqing ignored her and mused, "Hmm, another group exam? I wonder how Ye Yuan will perform. With his level, passing as a senior alchemy apprentice should be no problem, right? Zhirou, tomorrow I'll go with you to visit Ye Yuan. I want him to take the alchemist exam with you."

"Hehe, Auntie, you say there's nothing between you, but Ye Yuan is all you talk about," Feng Zhirou teased.

"You little brat, looks like you're asking for a beating!" Feng Ruoqing blushed deeply, and the aunt and niece tussled together.

After a bout of horseplay, Feng Zhirou suddenly remembered something and said, "Ye Yuan... that name sounds familiar. Oh, is he the one who fought a life-and-death battle?"

"You just realized? He's been the hot topic in the academy lately. Don't you know? Just this morning, he broke through three levels and became a ground-level student with only the fourth layer of Yuan Qi! Zhirou, in the near future, he might become your formidable rival!" Feng Ruoqing said solemnly.

Feng Zhirou's mouth fell open in surprise. "He's that strong? It seems our Qin Kingdom Danwu Academy has been quiet for too long; this time it's finally getting interesting."

After Feng Zhirou left, Feng Ruoqing inexplicably picked up two brushes again and began diligently drawing circles on paper, over and over.

...

The next day, Feng Ruoqing and her niece arrived together at Ye Yuan's residence, but were stopped by Lü'er at the door.

"Sorry, you two, our young master is recovering from his injuries and won't see anyone," Lü'er said indifferently.

Feng Zhirou immediately flared up: "Hey! He only suffered a minor injury, and my aunt and I came all the way to apologize. What more does he want?"

Lü'er was usually sweet and cute, but when it came to her young master, she didn't mince words.

Yesterday, when the young master returned injured, she had been heartbroken for a long time. Now, not only did Feng Zhirou show no sincerity in apologizing, but she was also throwing her weight around. Naturally, Lü'er saw no need to be polite.

"Minor injury? I don't understand—you hurt someone, and then you come to their doorstep acting all high and mighty. Who taught you that? Your kind of apology is too precious; keep it for yourself. Our young master wouldn't dare accept it. I just ask you to stay away from our young master. No need to see you out!" Lü'er directly issued an order to leave.

Feng Zhirou was about to retort, but Feng Ruoqing quickly covered her mouth. This girl was more of a hindrance than a help!

"Miss Lü'er, it's our fault. Please don't be angry. Actually, Zhirou means no harm; she's just outspoken and often acts rashly, which caused your young master's injury. She feels guilty inside, but she can't bring herself to admit it. Please don't hold it against her. We came to see your young master both to apologize and to discuss something important. Please let us in." Feng Ruoqing spoke gently, much more sincerely.

Just then, Ye Yuan's voice came from inside: "Lü'er, tell them I'm not here!"

"..." The three outside were collectively speechless.

Feng Zhirou was enraged by Ye Yuan's attitude and wanted to rush in and tear him apart, but Feng Ruoqing held her back.

"If you cause any more trouble, you'll be grounded when we get back!" Feng Ruoqing said coldly, clearly annoyed by her niece.

Feng Zhirou backed down, and Feng Ruoqing called out to the house: "Ye Yuan, what happened yesterday was Zhirou's fault. I apologize on her behalf. And I also apologize for my attitude yesterday. I won't force you to be my assistant anymore, okay?"

"Creak..."

The door opened, and Ye Yuan darted out.

"You said it! A good woman's word is as good as a fast horse's whip! You can't go back on it!" Ye Yuan was beaming, showing no sign of injury.

"Ye Yuan, you!" Seeing Ye Yuan, Feng Zhirou wished she could draw her sword and finish him off again, but Feng Ruoqing blocked her firmly.

"What about me? Don't think I'm afraid of you just because you're a martial arts ranking expert! Once I break through to the Liquid Realm, I'll take you down with one hand!"

Ye Yuan was really annoyed with this woman.

Legend had it that Feng Zhirou was very aloof and looked down on everyone. Who knew that when they met yesterday, she turned out to be a complete lunatic!

Ye Yuan had nearly crossed the threshold of death again, so of course he wasn't happy to see her!

"Auntie, let me go. I'll kill him and see how he breaks through to the Liquid Realm!" Feng Zhirou struggled desperately but couldn't break free.

"Alright, calm down! Try moving if you dare!" Feng Ruoqing actually let go of Feng Zhirou, but her words made Feng Zhirou stop.

"Ye Yuan, I won't force you to be my assistant, but you have to agree to one condition. If you can do it, I'll let you off," Feng Ruoqing said calmly.

Hearing this, Ye Yuan instinctively became wary.

This woman seemed gentle and pleasant, but deep down she was as unreasonable as Feng Zhirou. She had set a trap for him before, and this could easily be another one!

"Tell me what it is first! Don't push me; worst case, I'll go back to the imperial capital and be a good-for-nothing again!" Ye Yuan said bluntly.

But Feng Ruoqing didn't seem to mind; instead, she smiled sweetly and said, "In four days, the academy will organize students to go to the imperial capital's Alchemist Guild for a group exam. I want you to take the exam with Zhirou!"

"Alchemist exam?" Ye Yuan was taken aback, not expecting Feng Ruoqing to make such a request.

Taking the exam was no big deal, but he instinctively felt some resistance toward the Alchemist Guild.

In his past life, he and his father had always had a poor relationship with the Alchemist Guild, being denounced as heretics by all alchemists.

Now, being asked to take the exam felt strange to him.

"That's right. I want you to take the alchemy apprentice exam at the Alchemist Guild, and you must give it your all! Don't tell me you can't even pass as an alchemy apprentice?"

Feng Ruoqing now knew that Ye Yuan's skill was far beyond that of an alchemy apprentice; it was only his limited strength that prevented him from refining higher-level pills.

But with Ye Yuan's alchemy skills, passing as an alchemy apprentice should be a piece of cake, right?

Ye Yuan didn't answer immediately. He paced back and forth, deep in thought, and finally nodded. "Alright, I'll go."