novelzi Chapter 252
Chapter 252
Lu XuanNing ordered his guards to dispose of the hidden individuals and replace them with his own men. He then briefly exchanged information with Li Xia, learning that she had found Snake Heart Grass and had been treated, currently recovering in a small fishing village.
"I'll arrange for someone to notify Zhou Heng and his group to return. You rest in the fishing village for now, and I'll come to get you when I've finished here," Lu XuanNing said, pulling out a purse from his pocket and placing it in Li Xia's hand. Money was necessary for recovery.
"If you need me to do anything, just let me know," Li Xia said, eager to be active now that her body had healed. Lu XuanNing didn't refuse, kissing the corner of Li Xia's eye.
"Wait for me to return."
Lu XuanNing took the remaining men back to the military camp. Yu Yu and Li Xia returned to the small fishing village.
Yu Yu kept sneaking glances at Li Xia. She hadn't expected Li Xia's husband to be alive, recalling her earlier words, "Sister Xia, I didn't mean to say your husband was gone."
"Why did you think my husband was gone?" Li Xia asked curiously, as she hadn't said they had died.
"Didn't you say your husband and child weren't on the boat?" Yu Yu's words reminded Li Xia that Grandma Yu had previously asked if she had any family on the boat. Since Lu XuanNing and Lu Liucheng hadn't gone to sea, she had said they weren't on the boat.
Grandma Yu and Yu Yu had interpreted this to mean they had perished at sea.
"My husband and child are both fine," Li Xia stated firmly.
"I understand now. I'll tell grandma when we get back," Yu Yu realized her misunderstanding.
"Don't say anything yet," Li Xia instructed Yu Yu not to mention it. In her current state, no one would believe her anyway. It was better to wait until Lu XuanNing came to get her.
"Little Yu, I might have to impose on your family for a few more days," Li Xia said, taking out some silver and handing it to Yu Yu.
"Sister Xia, I can't accept this. You've helped me catch so many fish already." Yu Yu shook her head. During Li Xia's stay at their house, Yu Yu and Grandma Yu hadn't been able to afford a doctor, relying on Li Xia's self-recovery. They had only provided very basic meals.
"Take it. My life is very valuable. Don't you want to treat Grandma Yu?" Li Xia's words made it impossible for Yu Yu to refuse, as she only had her grandmother left and couldn't bear to lose her.
Yu Yu accepted the silver, "Sister Xia, I'll consider this money as borrowed from you. I'll definitely pay you back in the future."
To put Yu Yu at ease about using the money, Li Xia didn't say anything more.
"Xia Xia, I love whatever you give me, no matter what it is." Lu XuanNing was happy that Li Xia had put so much thought into his birthday gift, but he was more concerned about her safety.
The two arrived at a valley where many soldiers had gathered to make preparations.
Lu XuanNing had been applying pressure, causing the Chen, Wang, and Zhang families of Hai City to seek help from pirate forces behind their backs. They planned to ambush Lu XuanNing on his way back to Hai City.
Lu XuanNing decided to turn the tables on them, pretending to be unaware of the situation and feigning injury when ambushed. His subordinates urgently brought him back to the military camp, spreading word that he was severely wounded.
To appear focused on recovery, Lu XuanNing put on an act of fearing death and recalled the soldiers he had sent out to protect himself.
With no navy patrolling the seas, the pirates were ready to come out and plunder. However, the recent storm had hindered their plans, giving Lu XuanNing time to deploy and make arrangements.
Now, Lu XuanNing had everything in place, waiting for the three families' merchant ships to set sail and trade with the pirates so he could catch them all at once.
"Why didn't you tell me you were injured?" Li Xia looked at Lu XuanNing with concern.
"It wasn't serious. Xia Xia, was the recent storm your doing?" Although Li Xia hadn't explained her abilities in detail, Lu XuanNing had his suspicions.
"Yes, it was me." Li Xia recounted what had happened at sea. Hearing that Li Xia had been in danger, Lu XuanNing held her tightly. He had almost lost his beloved forever.
"Xia Xia, don't leave me," Lu XuanNing's voice was filled with fear.
"I won't leave you," Li Xia promised.
In the evening, Li Xia returned to the fishing village with a basket full of wild fruits she had picked in the mountains.
Grandma Yu was delighted to see the basket of wild fruits. After getting Li Xia's permission, she took half of the fruits to give to others. The Yu family had received help from villagers, and they wanted to repay those who had been kind to them.
Li Xia understood Grandma Yu's feelings. She had brought these fruits back as a gift for them, and she didn't interfere with how they chose to distribute them.
Late at night, the sound of the sea breeze changed, and Li Xia detected a faint scent of blood. She got up and left the room, riding the wind.
Although Lu XuanNing was well-prepared, the pirates were also strong, making it difficult to subdue them quickly. In the midst of the stalemate, cannons appeared on the pirate ships, firing at the main ship.
Was this how it would end? Lu XuanNing refused to accept it.