When Qingrang Academy made its sudden visit, it was impossible for Zhang Hong not to think the worst.
Naturally, this was partly due to the ingrained mindset leftover from the Old Era.
People never visit without a purpose, and when officials suddenly showed up at a commoner's home, it was mostly bad news because good news never fell to their kind.
Li Wei knew the worries in Zhang Hong's heart, so right from the start, he and Xu Qing stated their intentions.
He patiently explained, "Our task is mainly to observe and record the water elf, registering its origin, abilities, and various bodily data. Even as an elf, it is still Lord Lincon's subject, and it enjoys the identity and rights of a formal Longwind subject."
Li Wei noticeably heightened his tone on the last sentence, deliberately revealing to Zhang Hong that the elves born in Longwind City were not without status.
Zhang Hong was just an ordinary woman, and this speech instantly bluffed her into starting to explain how the seed Lei Xiaohu planted came to be.
"That seed is the one Xiaohu brought back from the entrance of Qingrang Academy last year." Her voice was somewhat nervous, and she specially added, "It was one of those free ones you gave out, the kind you said people could plant at home themselves."
"Xiaohu picked an E-Rank Waterheart Orchid, saying at the time that this seed was the largest and had the brightest color, so he thought its quality would be pretty good. Who would've thought he brought it back and it wouldn't sprout after a whole year?"
Li Wei listened quietly, occasionally exchanging glances with Xu Qing, curiosity flashing in his eyes.
If a seed failed to sprout for a consecutive year at Qingrang Academy, it would basically be