Chapter 135

If Su Ruo says she won't forgive, Yan Jiaoshou will absolutely not let it go; he has practiced medicine, treating illnesses and saving people for so many years, if he can't even protect his own disciple, then he's lived in vain.

Su Ruo lowered her eyes; the Education Director had already gone this far—if she kept holding on, it would seem rather pushy.

Su Ruo knew that before her wings were fully grown, she should restrain her sharpness; making too many enemies would only put her in danger.

Besides, the Education Director has already received enough of a lesson today; surely he won't dare to provoke her again in the future.

So Su Ruo said, "It's fine, Master; I think the Director certainly didn't do it on purpose, and he definitely won't bully Ruo Ruo anymore."

The Education Director hastily waved his hands, saying, "No, no…"

Yan Jiaoshou gave a cold snort: "My little disciple not holding a grudge shows her magnanimity, but that doesn't mean this matter can be brushed aside lightly; though she is forgiving, I, as her master, cannot let her suffer a loss."

Just tell me how you intend to make amends for this! Don't give me that whole apology routine—what use are things you shouldn't eat or wear?

Su Ruo's face instantly lit up with a smile: "Master, you're wise!"

She thought an apology from the Education Director would be useless and ineffectual, would only give people gossip, and felt it was overly pushy for a student to make a teacher apologize—far less practical than gaining something tangible.

After being praised by his little disciple, Yan Jiaoshou's face filled with proud delight, and his body involuntarily straightened a bit.

The Education Director watched them smiling, looking at his master and disciple, his heart bleeding, but he also knew that if he didn't shed a little blood today, this matter could not be settled.

So he gritted his teeth and forced a smile, saying, "I just happened to obtain a rare herbal manuscript recently; I have no use for it myself, so I'll give it to Su Ruo as compensation."

Su Ruo's eyes lit up instantly; a rare manuscript! It must be ancient, and regardless of its medicinal value, it's certainly valuable.

Yan Jiaoshou gave a cold snort; he knew the Education Director had often used his position to gain advantages over the years, and today being able to give him a lesson and make him bleed a little was good—let's see who in the school would dare to bully his little disciple from now on.

The Education Director wiped the cold sweat from his forehead; no matter what, today's affair was over, and he made up his mind to stay away from this master-disciple pair in the future—they were Zhou Bapi.

After settling the matter with the Education Director, Yan Jiaoshou summoned Su Ruo to his office.

As soon as Su Ruo entered the room, she smelled a strong medicinal aroma; inhaling it, her spirits became noticeably clearer.

The room wasn't large, filled with books and herbs, and the books looked aged at a glance.

Seeing Su Ruo's eyes light up as she stared at the books, Yan Jiaoshou smiled and said, "If you like reading, there are plenty more books at my place—enough for you to read slowly."

Su Ruo nodded solemnly; any book that caught Yan Jiaoshou's eye must be extremely valuable.

I plan to hold the initiation ceremony in three days; by then your three senior brothers will return—what do you think?

Yan Jiaoshou said with a smile, having finally obtained this little disciple, he wanted his old comrades to meet her, and only after completing the initiation ceremony would the apprenticeship be officially established.

Su Ruo nodded solemnly: "I'll follow whatever arrangements you make, Master."

Yan Jiaoshou grew increasingly pleased with this, but Su Ruo at the time thought it would be a simple ceremony—just a few kowtows and a cup of tea—never expecting it to be so grand that virtually all the nobles and dignitaries of Kyoto would attend.

Yan Jiaoshou said, "Is that Feng Family girl hard to get along with? If you feel unhappy living together, I can arrange a separate dorm for you—rest assured, I still have that authority as your master."

"Don't worry, Master; although Feng Xiran is a bit spoiled, I can handle it, and the other people in the dorm are fine—I don't want to switch dorms right now."

Yan Jiaoshou nodded slightly: "Alright, if you ever change your mind, you can come find me anytime."

"Remember, you are my disciple, Yan Jiu; in everything, don't let yourself be wronged."

Su Ruo's heart jolted; reborn, she had relied on herself for everything, never thinking she'd need to depend on anyone, but now she had to admit that the feeling of being protected was truly wonderful.

"Yes, Master, I remember!"

This address of "Master" from Su Ruo was more sincere than any before; it was only now that she truly regarded the person before her as her master, because she could see that he genuinely wanted to treat her well and protect her, without any ulterior motive or self-interest.

"Good!" Yan Jiaoshou's gaze toward Su Ruo grew more relieved; he gave her careful instructions before letting her leave.

On her way back to the dorm, many people looked at him—clearly many had heard about today's incident—but Su Ruo paid no attention to their gazes and went straight back to the dorm.

But as soon as she reached the dorm, she was blocked at the door by an angry-looking Sun Yanni.

"Su Ruo, how could you do this? Xiran was worried you'd be bullied, so with good intentions she tried to help you out, yet you went and reported her."

Sun Yanni angrily questioned Su Ruo, as if Su Ruo had committed some heinous crime.

Su Ruo's face instantly turned cold: "Help me out? How did she help me out, with an innocent face telling everyone I was someone the Education Director was squeezing out, so I could be bullied at will?"

Sun Yanni looked at Su Ruo in surprise; she didn't know what had happened, having heard everything from Feng Xiran, and never expected things to turn out this way.

Feng Xiran directly reddened her eyes with grievance: "Su Ruo, I didn't do it on purpose."

"Whether you did it on purpose or not, only you know, but the words you spoke created exactly this situation; if you feel wronged, we can summon everyone present at the time for a confrontation."

Su Ruo retorted at Feng Xiran without hesitation, then turned to Sun Yanni: "When Feng Xiran first bullied me, joining forces with the Education Director to try to seize my bed, you didn't say a word!"

Now you suddenly can't stand it and start playing the hero—how can your sense of justice be so selective, able to expand and shrink at will!

It's fine for Feng Xiran to bully me, but it's not okay for me to report her; Sun Yanni, you're willing to be a sycophant yourself, but don't drag me into it.

Besides, you say Feng Xiran is doing this for my good; even without her words, it would only put me in greater danger, and even if it weren't so, I don't need it!

"What counts as being for my good? Only if I myself think it's good; otherwise it's moral coercion!"

"We're just strangers sharing a dorm; I don't need anyone using the pretense of doing good to interfere with my life!"

Su Ruo's words instantly made Sun Yanni blush with shame, laying bare her darkest thoughts and leaving her unable to utter a single rebuttal.