Chapter 248

Lu Xuan Ning had his hands tied with responsibilities in Hai City. The navy necessitated his direction, and a trip to Snake Island would monopolize three months of his undivided attention. Li Xia, his wife, couldn't be left alone for that long.

"Seven days are needed to refine the Snake Heart Grass after harvesting. If you can't go, Li Xia must accompany," Zhou Heng asserted, which knit Lu Xuan Ning's brows in frustration. His responsibilities somewhat irked him at the moment; he would rather abandon them to join Li Xia in the seafaring expedition for the herb.

"I have always wanted to sail, this opportunity is perfect," Li Xia chimed in gleefully.

"I am not comfortable with this," responded Lu Xuan Ning, knowing that Li Xia was prone to seasickness. He had experienced the tumultuous nature of the sea firsthand and was worried she may not withstand it. Snake Island sounded fraught with danger, and what if Li Xia ran into trouble? Even worse, what if pirates boarded her ship? All these thoughts filled Lu Xuan Ning with dread and worry.

"I can take care of myself," Li Xia assured, to which Lu Xuan Ning, blinded by his worry, found it difficult to think clearly.

The plan: Li Xia embarks on her journey, Lu Xuan Ning drills his soldiers. Only Lu Liucheng and Lu Xuanyu remained at home in the military house, a fact that made Li Xia unsteady.

"I'll combine sailing and training for them. Liucheng has been yearning for training, so they can tag along and gain some experience," Lu Xuan Ning announced, attempting to allay Li Xia's concerns.

"Remember, Xuanyu is frail. Be careful," Li Xia warned. Severely punishing Xuanyu could lead his mother to travel all the way from the Capital City to Hai City for his recovery.

"Xuanyu is my brother. I know my limits with him," Lu Xuan Ning reassured her.

After wrapping up the discussion about everyone's destination, Lu Xuan Ning dispatched the brothers for their sea training. Li Xia, Zhou Heng, Qing Niang, Qiu Ling, Xiao Changning, Jiang Chong and Qiu Chan ventured in search of the Snake Heart Grass, with Qiu Shui and the rest left in charge of the general’s mansion.

Zhou Heng retired to his room to rest when Qing Niang gate crashed his solitude, “Do you love Li Xia?”

“Nonsense! Li Xia is a married woman and a mother,” he dismissed her insinuation.

“If she is not the one, why would you risk your life to find medicine for her? Seems to me she means a lot to you?” argued Qing Niang.

“There's more to our relationship than words can express,” Zhou Heng countered. Initially they were accomplices, but over time he willingly helped her with tasks she couldn’t take on herself.

While he admitted to once pondering over the idea of them and accepting it’s not about emotions, he simply hated loneliness. But their relationship evolved beyond, and they were good friends now.

“I am eager to hear your side of the story, I can sit all day,” Qing Niang taunted him.

“Suit yourself,” Zhou Heng retorted and left her alone.

With the favorable wind, they were half a month away from their destination.

On a rare sunny day, Li Xia felt somewhat spirited. She laid on a lounge chair on the ship, the sound of the waves almost putting her to sleep, until a voice from the wind woke her, "Jiang Chong."

"Madam," Jiang Chong quickly came over.

"There is a ship in the southeast direction." After hearing her words, Jiang Chong's expression turned serious, and he went to arrange a defense.

"Your abilities have increased again," Zhou Heng moved a chair and sat next to her.

"Not afraid of Qing Niang anymore?" Whenever Zhou Heng appeared next to Li Xia on the ship, Qing Niang would certainly show up to watch. This made Zhou Heng less willing to communicate with Li Xia. After answering Li Xia’s pulse, he always left quickly.

"Why would I be afraid of a young woman?" Zhou Heng stubbornly denied it. However, he looked around to make sure no one was watching before he could relax. The incongruity between his words and actions made Li Xia chuckle.

"If you like someone, just say it. Don't hesitate, it's not manly," Li Xia closed her eyes, feeling the sea breeze. Her voice was not loud, but Zhou Heng could hear it clearly.

"Who said I like her?" Zhou Heng's feelings for Qing Niang were quite clear to everyone on the ship, except Zhou Heng himself, who kept denying that he didn't like Qing Niang. He tried to avoid her all day, but the ship was only so big, where could he possibly hide?

Jiang Chong and his companions prepared as they saw a small boat approaching them. On the bow, there stood an eleven or twelve-year-old beautiful young girl.

She maneuvered the boat to a position where both parties could hear each other. The young girl bowed towards Li Xia and said, "Good day to you, Madam General. I am Yu Yao, and I am following my mistress's orders to invite you to the island for a discussion."

"Who is your mistress?" Li Xia stood up, stopping Jiang Chong's martial movements.

"My mistress is the one you have been looking for," Yu Yao's words made Li Xia's heart skip a beat. Could it be her?

"I have not been constantly looking for someone," Li Xia laughed softly, disputing Yu Yao's statement.

"Madam, please look," Yu Yao said, lifting her hand to toss an object their way. Li Xia caught it effortlessly with the wind. This effortless act not only showcased Li Xia's strength, but also caused the people on Yu Yao's boat to tightly grip the knives in their hands.

Li Xia opened it and Zhou Heng glanced at it from her side, "This is Snake Heart Grass."

It seemed like they had no choice but to accept this invitation.