Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 456 It’s all over
The graduation exam at the Dan Academy is much more difficult than the initial entrance exam. The written exam covers a lot of first and second grade content, and the practical exam requires refining at least a third grade pill to pass, and it cannot be a substandard pill.

However, by removing the diagnosis and treatment component, the exam time is shortened to a single day.

The various speculations from the outside world are nothing more than a formality for Lu Xingzhou and his apprentice, a far cry from the apprehensive experience they had when they participated in the entrance examination back then.

Meng Li stared blankly at Lu Xingzhou's pill: "Is this the answer sheet you've submitted?"

Lu Xingzhou smiled ingratiatingly: "A second-grade pill, top-quality, not bad, right?"

"Generally speaking, it is possible. After all, many of these senior students who have studied for three years can only refine third-grade pills, and some even cannot graduate... But I must tell you, your grades cannot crush others. There are still two or three people who have achieved the same grades as you."

Lu Xingzhou breathed a sigh of relief: "I thought we wouldn't pass, but this is good enough. Who takes the imperial examination to become the top student after graduation? Besides, we skipped two grades to take the exam..."

Meng Li said with exasperation, "But you are Lu Xingzhou!"

Lu Xingzhou blinked.

"I originally thought you would become the best alchemist in the world, but you've just squandered your future like this, it's truly heartbreaking. You've already become an official, been granted a title, and married into a prestigious family, so alchemy is no longer a stepping stone for you, is it?"

Lu Xingzhou stared at him for a long time, then smiled with relief: "The instructor is truly a good teacher."

Meng Li kept a straight face and didn't say anything.

Lu Xingzhou stood up and bowed: "I am busy with worldly affairs and have many things to attend to, so it is indeed difficult for me to devote myself to my studies. I am ashamed of the high expectations of the instructor. But please rest assured, instructor, I will not only not give up on alchemy, but will continue to study it."

Meng Licai didn't believe it: "Forget it. This graduation exam also serves as a certification. This is your second-grade alchemist certification, although you probably won't even look at it."

Lu Xingzhou accepted the certification plaque, a slight sigh escaping his lips. He didn't really value it, because it was useless...

In the past, people went to complete professional certifications, just like taking the CPA exam or the bar exam in modern times—all for a better future. But the privileged class didn't need them, because those who passed the CPA exam ended up working for them.

Back in Xiazhou, I had to compete with Bai Chi for a seventh-rank certification. Now, I don't even care about a second-rank certification anymore. This year has really brought about earth-shattering changes. It feels like two completely different worlds.

But Lu Xingzhou carefully put away the plaque, saying, "Thank you for your instruction."

Meng Li said expressionlessly, "This time, a first-grade certification was issued. It is the only genius in decades to graduate with a first-grade certification. I originally thought it would be you."

Lu Xingzhou was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized: "Anuo?"

“Not bad.” Meng Li’s expression became even more serious: “Xingzhou, Anuo is so young, shouldn’t we consider hiding her talent a bit?”

Lu Xingzhou asked, "Could the academy help cover this up?"

"I've discussed it with Dean Qin. We'll still issue the first-rank qualification, but publicly declare it as a second-rank. What do you think?"

Lu Xingzhou bowed again: "Thank you for your instruction."

Meng Li patted his shoulder: "Since you're even considering asking me for a marriage proposal, then I'll naturally do what's expected of me. It's a pity I was summoned to the palace those few days..."

Lu Xingzhou's heart stirred slightly, and he took the opportunity to ask, "His Majesty's illness..."

Meng Li shook his head slightly: "Still the same."

Lu Xingzhou nodded without saying anything more.

He felt even more puzzled. Although Meng Li was a trustworthy person, it was normal that he would help Gu Zhanting lie because of the emperor's authority. But his expression didn't seem quite right. Meng Li wasn't the kind of person who could lie without batting an eye; there should be telltale signs. Yet, he seemed to be telling the truth.

That's strange, where is the misjudgment?

…………

"The list of graduates from Dan Academy is out!" Someone waved the internal documents and ran into the casino: "The Lu family master and apprentice both passed, and both got excellent grades."

"This was all expected. What's there to say? Look at the rankings." The dealer snatched the documents from the man's hand and glanced at them.

The data did not show the specific results of each person or how many grades of pills they had refined, but these were all seasoned gamblers, so they could make their own judgments.

This list is not arranged according to the number of strokes in the surname; the order will only be based on the order of academic performance.

Lu Nuonuo was listed first.

"Damn, the apprentice has really surpassed the master!"

"Sigh, that's understandable. Lu Xingzhou has a job and is chasing after so many beauties, where would he find the time to study alchemy? It's better for the kids to stay at home and study properly."

"You're just being wise after the event. Who said a seven-year-old can't do anything? I was still wearing open-crotch pants when I was seven. Who said that?"

"Give me the money! Give me the money!" Sheng Yuanyao swept in like a whirlwind: "Don't tell me I have inside information, I haven't been to the Lu family these past few days!"

Everyone glanced at her sideways; even a dog wouldn't believe it.

Forget it. Considering she didn't bet much this time, let's give Chief Sheng face. No one said anything, and the bookmaker paid out directly.

Sheng Yuanyao took the silver note and left happily: "Oh, it's a silver note from the South, that's rare."

Yuan Muyu watched quietly from the corner, then turned and left.

"Hey." A familiar voice came from behind. Yuan Muyu turned her head and saw Pei Chuyun leaning against the street corner, tilting her head to look her over: "You left without saying goodbye before, and now you're quietly coming back to throw money away. What are you planning to do?"

Yuan Muyu said indifferently, "It's my business, what does it have to do with you?"

Pei Chuyun asked, "Did you know beforehand Xingzhou and Anuo's current level of alchemy?"

Yuan Muyu said, "I don't know, but I do know that A'nuo's talent in this area is unparalleled. Xingzhou is a genius among men, but A'nuo is simply not human in this area. It's normal for A'nuo to win."

Pei Chuyun said, "Then why are you still betting so much money on Xingzhou? Anuo is also a child you raised. Is it meaningful to show that you favor Xingzhou here?"

“It’s not about favoritism,” Yuan Muyu said calmly. “It’s just that in the past, when weighing others against him, I didn’t firmly stand by his side. Now, no matter who I compare him to, no matter the gains or losses, I’m betting on him, that’s all.” Pei Chuyun laughed. “Self-satisfaction, meaningless. You don’t actually think that this is a better way for you to treat him than Yuan Yao bet on A’Nuo, do you?”

"It doesn't matter what you say, and I'm not comparing myself to anyone," Yuan Muyu said. "Anyway, I'm not here to arrange a marriage for you as an older sister, so your opinion is none of my business."

Pei Chuyun tilted her head and looked at her for a while, somewhat puzzled: "You're different this time compared to last time."

Yuan Muyu didn't answer the question and brushed past her: "It seems that Long Qinghuang's letter hasn't arrived yet, and you're actually quite happy about it."

Pei Chuyun: "?"

By the time I wanted to ask, Yuan Muyu had already walked away.

Not long after, Yuan Muyu put on a mask and entered a seemingly ordinary mansion, which was the capital branch of the Yama Palace.

A group of people inside instantly knelt down: "Greetings, King Yama!"

Yuan Muyu, who had been in a daze these past few days, seemed to have regained his normal temperament. He said calmly, "Let's talk about the important things that have happened in the capital recently, especially those related to the emperor."

"Aside from the abrupt replacement of a few prefects, there's nothing particularly noteworthy. I heard that Pei Qingyan strongly opposed it in court, saying it was all for no reason... We feel that this is a forced reduction of the Pei family's influence."

"Pei Qingyan has bet on Lu Xingzhou, and this day was bound to come sooner or later. He himself knows it. His so-called opposition is just for show. What about the others?"

"The rest is that some officials have suggested establishing a Foreign Trade Bureau, which is currently being discussed in the imperial court. That's all. Oh, I heard that Lu Xingzhou is going back to Xiazhou to get married... Lord Yan? Lord Yan?"

Yuan Muyu clutched her chest, took a few breaths, and shook her head: "It's nothing. The emperor is replacing prefects. Please make a list for me of which prefectures are affected."

"Yes." The subordinate quickly made a list. Yuan Muyu took it and glanced at it, then unfolded a map of the Great Qian Dynasty to check the location, his brows furrowed tightly.

After a moment, he whispered, "Order Situ Yue and Ji Wenchuan to set up key control points in these locations."

The subordinate was stunned, completely baffled, but he dared not ask any questions due to the formidable power of the King of Hell, and could only reply, "Yes."

Yuan Muyu stood quietly for a while, then went out the door and went directly to the Lu residence.

Lu Xingzhou carried A Nuo back, bouncing along, and saw Yuan Muyu with her mask off at the door.

Snow was still falling heavily in the sky. Outside the Lu residence, the three men faced each other from several feet apart, and the atmosphere was quiet for a moment.

Several breaths passed before Ah Nuo reacted, jumping down from Lu Xingzhou's arms and running towards Yuan Muyu: "Sister Yu~"

Yuan Muyu smiled slightly, squatted down and picked her up: "The youngest graduate in the history of the Pill Academy, and ranked first in graduation, little genius, what do you want as a reward from your older sister?"

Ah Nu blinked her eyes.

What reward should I ask my sister for...?

That sentence feels so distant, like a memory from another lifetime.

But once I start talking about it, my thoughts are flooded back, and all the little moments we shared as family over the years come flooding back.

Anuo suddenly felt a lump in her throat. She didn't dare turn around to look at her master in the snow behind her. She couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions, wondering what her master's expression and mood were right now.

"Anuo doesn't want a reward." Anuo said softly, "Sister, how about we push Master out to play together? Master's desk is piled high with materials, you can hardly see him, and Master is still so small..."

Yuan Muyu closed her eyes.

When she opened her eyes again, Lu Xingzhou was already beside her, taking A'nuo from her arms: "Master doesn't need anyone to push her anymore, you silly girl."

Ah Nuo turned her head away and remained silent.

Lu Xingzhou looked at Yuan Muyu: "Sister, is there something you need?"

Yuan Muyu said, "Shen Tang originally wanted to come, but I persuaded her not to."

"What brings Tangtang here?"

“Long Qinghuang is pregnant, and Shen Tang impulsively wanted to come and deliver it, but I don’t think it’s necessary.”

Lu Xingzhou's eyes widened: "Should you repeat the first few words?"

Yuan Muyu said expressionlessly, "Long Qinghuang is pregnant."

Lu Xingzhou loosened his grip, and Anuo almost fell, but quickly reacted and hugged him back tightly.

Ah Nuo: “…”

"Don't wear that surprised and bewildered expression; it's an eyesore," Yuan Muyu said calmly. "Dragons take at least three years to conceive, so it's a long way off."

Lu Xingzhou took several deep breaths to calm himself down. Although he could calm himself down, he couldn't suppress the smile on his lips: "Then... if you think Tangtang doesn't need to come, then what is your purpose in coming?"

"Can't we just send a message?"

“Sure, sure, of course.” Lu Xingzhou’s smile widened. “Come in and have a cup of hot tea. It’s snowing heavily outside.”

After saying that, he turned and walked up the steps in front of the door.

Yuan Muyu suddenly said from behind, "I'm sorry."

Lu Xingzhou froze for a moment, then unconsciously pulled his foot back down.

In the heavy snow, one stood on the steps with their backs to each other, while the other stood below looking up. The swirling snowflakes blurred their vision, seemingly creating a sense of distance.

It felt like an eternity had passed, yet also like only a fleeting moment, before Lu Xingzhou stepped up the stairs once more: "It's all in the past."

(End of this chapter)