Resplendent – Chapter 563

Chapter 563: Handsome Guy, You’re Exposed

The announcement of this result caused quite a stir in Fanjing. 

First, the reason for the commotion was that this convention had produced not one, but two Grand Pharmacists! It must be understood that the title was not something easily attained. It was not like radishes or cabbages.

In past conventions, producing even one Grand Pharmacist was exceedingly rare. Often, attendees had grown accustomed to no Grand Pharmacist emerging at all. Yet this year, two had appeared!

Moreover, the individual who attained Grand Pharmacist status chose not to publicize it, instead playing up this Invisible Grand Pharmacist gimmick. Did he not realize the immense benefits that Grand Pharmacist status could bring? How utterly foolish!

Speculation about this mysterious Grand Pharmacist ran rampant. Some claimed it was that ancient, toothless Level 9 Apothecary from the Li Kingdom. Others suggested it was someone from an obscure minor kingdom. Yet another theory pointed to the Witch Apothecary from the Sen Kingdom…

Various versions circulated among the common folk, some so vividly detailed that Gu Ye nearly believed them. She couldn’t help but marvel at the rich imagination of the masses!

The rumors about this mysterious apothecary’s identity grew increasingly intense. The reputation of the Invisible Grand Pharmacist far surpassed that of Grand Pharmacist Ge. Having finally ascended to the rank of Grand Alchemist only to be ignored, he might have felt resentment or indignation in the past, but his current state of mind had transcended his former self. It reached a realm where he neither rejoiced over external gains nor grieved over personal losses.

Only the eleven Grand Pharmacist judges and the chairmen of the various nations’ Apothecary Guilds knew of Gu Ye’s Grand Pharmacist status. 

While there were speculations about her in the outside world, they remained just that—speculations. Especially her outstanding acting and performance before leaving the examination hall had greatly diminished any artistic embellishments about her.

After all, a Grand Apothecary (will alternate this with Grand Pharmacist) at thirteen seemed too outrageous to others, more fantastical than any myth. The gaze focused on Gu Ye gradually faded, making her inwardly breathe a sigh of relief.

Following the Great Pharmacists Convention’s closing ceremony, this once-in-a-decade event finally drew to a close. At this moment, the Grand Pharmacists began bustling about. Many high-level apothecaries lingered in Fanjing. With such a rare opportunity for Grand Pharmacists to gather, it would be foolish not to seek their guidance.

The Grand Pharmacists, while unwilling to reveal their sect’s closely guarded secrets, were still willing to offer some guidance to the younger generation. Of course, this privilege was reserved for high-level pharmacists of the eighth or ninth level. 

As for lower-level practitioners? Even if you managed to knock on their doorstep, could you comprehend such profound pharmacology? You’d only waste the Grand Pharmacist’s time and squander a precious opportunity!

After the closing ceremony, the Chu family had formed a tentative conclusion about the identity of that mysterious Grand Pharmacist. Upon returning home, Gu Ye was ‘summoned’ to the Zhengde Hall—the main courtyard where her grandfather resided. There she found two grandfathers seated at the head of the table, with her father and mother occupying the first seats on either side. Next came her six elder brothers (five from the Chu family, plus Gu Ming), three on each side—quite symmetrical indeed.

“What’s this? A three-court interrogation?” Gu Ye rushed to Lady Jun’s side, squeezing onto the same armchair with her, clinging to her arm affectionately.

Grandpa Chu forced a stern expression, slamming his teacup down on the table. “Behave yourself! Since you know this is a trial by three courts, I advise you to confess honestly!”

“Confess and get leniency, resist and face severity, right?” Gu Ye remained cheerful and playful, pestering her mother to peel walnuts for her.

“Good, good! Now tell me, who is that mysterious Grand Pharmacist? Does it have anything to do with you?” Grandpa Chu banged the lid of his teacup like a judge’s gavel.

“Grandpa, easy! That’s a precious glass teacup, a gift from your granddaughter. Don’t break it!” Grandpa Chu’s authority might intimidate his sons and grandsons, but to Gu Ye, he was nothing but a paper tiger—easy to puncture!

Gu Ye said mischievously, “There’s another saying, Grandpa, I wonder if you’ve heard it. ‘Be honest and get leniency; resist and rot in jail; resist and get strict punishment; go home and celebrate the New Year.’ So, you know, one shouldn’t be too honest!”

“You little minx, where do you pick up all this nonsense?” Grandpa Chu couldn’t keep up the act any longer. He smiled as he pointed at the girl, shaking his head repeatedly.

Truth be told, Grandpa Gu knew his granddaughter well. Her rambling, seemingly irrelevant chatter was clearly meant to cover something up. And what she was covering up was obvious enough!

“Ye’er, tell me honestly. Did you come up with this ‘Invisible Grand Pharmacist’?” Gu Xiao cut straight to the chase, his eyes brimming with certainty. 

To establish Gu Pharmaceutical’s reputation in just over a year and cure so many incurable diseases—if she hadn’t been promoted to Grand Apothecary, there must be foul play involved!

Gu Ye felt the intense stares of her family members fixed on her, making it awkward to keep hiding the truth. She scratched her head, gave a few nervous chuckles, and said, “I just didn’t want the title to cause more trouble for our manor!”

Chu Mushan jumped up, waving his arms excitedly. “So you passed the final assessment and became one of the thirteen Grand Pharmacists! Amazing! A thirteen-year-old Grand Pharmacist! Absolutely unprecedented! The most promising Grand Pharmacist Baili earned his title at eighteen—you beat him by five years! I can’t believe I have such an incredible sister…”

The Duke’s mouth stretched nearly to his ears, yet he maintained a composed facade as he admonished his youngest son: “Don’t get carried away! Stay calm and low-key! Never forget your sister’s original purpose. She’s now a mysterious Grand Pharmacist. You must never reveal her identity, lest it invite unnecessary trouble!”

Chu Mutong, the Cunning Fox, closed his fan and voiced his concern, “Sister and that Grand Pharmacist Ge were the last to leave together. I fear outsiders may have already guessed her identity…”

“Let them guess! It’s just speculation. We’ll deny it tooth and nail. What can they do about it?” Chu Xiaowu retorted bluntly.

Exactly! Let them speculate all they want. Without concrete evidence, even if they’ve glimpsed the truth, it remains mere conjecture!

But the entire Chu family was suffering. Though they were overjoyed and bursting with pride inside, they couldn’t reveal a single shred of it. Facing others’ probing questions, they had to keep up the act perfectly.

Especially for the outspoken Chu Xiaowu, who was nearly bursting from the pressure. To evade his rowdy friends’ probing, he’d dashed straight to Junlang Pass to report the good news to his elder brother. Unexpectedly, he stumbled into a meticulously planned battle. Working alongside his brother, they’d fought a thrilling, decisive victory!

That very night, Gu Ye, who had already moved into Mingzhu Pavilion, received an uninvited guest, as expected: Brother Chen.

Under the moonlight, a figure in white, ethereal and untouched by worldly dust, drifted gracefully to the window. The fiery bouquet he held in his hands added a touch of earthly warmth to the otherworldly beauty of this strikingly handsome man.

A large bouquet of fiery red roses was placed before Gu Ye. She narrowed her eyes, bent down to gently inhale their fragrance, then reluctantly lifted her eyelids to glance at him. “What’s this for?”

“A gift to celebrate your promotion to Grand Pharmacist.” Ling Juechen never doubted that the genius alchemist who ranked first in his previous life would be stumped by the minor Grand Pharmacist exam. The moment the so-called ‘Invisible Grand Pharmacist’ title was unveiled, he knew his little girl had orchestrated it. 

Truth be told, there’s a saying: The more you try to hide something, the more obvious it becomes. 

Could an Invisible Grand Pharmacist truly remain hidden?

Gu Ye casually handed the bouquet to Yue Yuan, instructing, “Keep it safe. Tomorrow we’ll make rose jam, rose panna cotta, rose cookies, rose…” The little girl listed the delicious rose treats while clicking her fingers, smacking her lips with delight.

Ling Juechen leapt through the window, grabbed her fingers, and chuckled, “If you like them, I will get you more tomorrow, enough to satisfy every craving!”

“As if you own a rose garden!” Gu Ye pouted, plucking a single stem from the bouquet of ninety-nine roses and twirling it between her fingers.

Ling Juechen raised an eyebrow, a smile playing at his lips. “How do you know I don’t?”

Gu Ye’s eyes widened. “You really do?”

“Not yet, but next spring I will! After you marry me, I’ll build you a vast rose garden for admiring, for cooking, for rose oil. Whatever you desire!” Ling Juechen cradled the young girl in his arms, leaning her against her recliner as he gently inhaled the fragrance she exuded—more intoxicating than the roses themselves.

Yue Yuan had long grown accustomed to her two masters’ affectionate displays. Sensing the moment, she gracefully carried the enormous bouquet out of the room, leaving the space to the couple within.

Gu Ye pursed her lips, her tone tinged with disinterest. “If you replaced that rose garden with a vast medicinal herb garden, I might actually be happier and more touched.”

I knew it! His little girl was one of a kind. Other girls might prefer romantic rose gardens, but his little girl would rather choose a practical medicinal garden. He kissed the top of her head and laughed, “You’ll have both! A medicinal garden and a rose garden too! Whatever you like, whatever you want, no matter how difficult, Brother Chen will bring it to you…”

“Really?” Gu Ye tilted her head, eyeing him sideways.

Ling Juechen knew the little girl’s mind—she was hatching mischief again. Still, he declared firmly, “Of course it’s true. Truer than gold itself!”

“But what I want most is your true heart. Would you be willing to dig it out and give it to me?” Gu Ye extended her small hand, tapping his left chest with a mischievous grin.

He drew a sharp dagger from his boot and placed it in the girl’s palm. “If you want it, take it!”

Gu Ye held the dagger, tracing it across his chest.