Chapter 108 What a coincidence, Madam Lu, we've met again!
Back in the embroidered chamber.
Lu Zhaoruo then told Abao about the fruitless investigation she had made that day.
Ah Bao leaned dejectedly on the windowsill.
Lu Zhaoruo gently stroked Abao's fluffy little head and soothed him softly, "Abao, don't be anxious. We will soon be able to set off for the capital, and we will definitely be able to find that young master then."
Two days later.
Lu Zhaoruo, not seeing any movement from Xiao Yeming, went to Linhai Wharf, but did not find Xiao Yeming. She only saw the deputy general Ban Ling.
Ban Ling waved his hand and spoke in a loud but deliberately low voice: "Madam Lu, you've come at an inopportune time! Commander Xiao encountered a strange wind at sea a few days ago and caught a lot of miasma. He collapsed as soon as he got back! He's currently holed up in the camp sweating it out, and he's refusing to see anyone, afraid of passing on his illness to the brothers!"
She turned and went to Xiangyun Medical Shop. After careful consideration, she prescribed several doses of medicine specifically for treating miasma and clearing heat and dispelling evil.
Then, carrying the prepared medicine packet, he personally delivered it to the gate of the water fortress and handed it to Wang Wu, Xiao Yeming's bodyguard.
Wang Wu looked apologetic, clasped his hands and said in a low voice, "Madam Lu, the commander has been suffering from high fever and fainting several times during the return voyage. Although he has improved slightly now, the evil poison has not been cleared and he is very susceptible to infection. He needs to rest absolutely and is really unable to receive guests. Please forgive him."
Lu Zhaoruo was puzzled after hearing this.
How could Xiao Yeming have suddenly contracted this vile disease? Having already investigated and confirmed the location of the Japanese pirates' lair, he returned home and refused to leave, not even showing his face...
As she was pondering, Wang Wu stepped to the side and, taking advantage of her turning around, lowered his voice and said, "My lady, there seem to be more sparrows outside the water village today than usual, and they are chirping more enthusiastically. On your way back, please listen carefully to their chirping and don't disturb them."
He spoke slowly and calmly, his face still showing a respectful expression, as if he were just casually chatting about the scenery.
Lu Zhaoruo instantly understood.
Yes, Xiao Yeming's sudden personal patrol at sea must have alerted those in the shadows.
Now he is pretending to be sick and staying at home, probably plotting to capture those in the Maritime Trade Office who are secretly colluding with the Japanese pirates!
"Thank you for reminding me."
Her voice was gentle and calm, as usual, "It's windy today, so the sparrows are naturally more active. I will be careful not to disturb their fun."
Wang Wu was slightly surprised; Lady Lu was indeed intelligent!
Commander Xiao asked him to relay these words.
As Lu Zhaoruo turned to leave, she deliberately slowed her pace, glancing at the passerby out of the corner of her eye…
Sure enough, several figures were hidden under the shadows of the trees and at the base of the wall.
At this moment, Meng Xi was seen walking slowly with Chang Hong.
The two met in the twilight and were both taken aback.
Meng Xi recalled the scene at the entertainment venue the day before yesterday, when he mistakenly assumed she had come to curry favor with him by bringing gifts, only to have her leave after asking for information...
At this moment, things were somewhat awkward.
The next second, he suddenly realized, tsk, it turns out she wasn't trying to climb up to him, but had already gotten involved with Xiao Yeming.
He showed no emotion on his face, only a lazy smile that seemed both a sigh and a mockery: "Madam Lu, what a coincidence."
Lu Zhaoruo gave a composed curtsy, her voice indifferent: "I have finished my visit and will not disturb you any longer. I will take my leave now."
She didn't explain her purpose for visiting, nor did she engage in much small talk.
Meng Xi tried to probe, but couldn't get any information out of him.
Lu Zhaoruo felt that she wouldn't have much interaction with him in the future, so there was no need to say anything more.
Moreover, although he had extricated the situation previously, he had also set up that dangerous trap of taming the horse...
If she were not skilled at riding and tried to climb onto the horse's back, she would either die or be maimed. Even if she showed weakness on the spot and said she dared not, he would probably have other ways to punish her, and she would not be able to escape unscathed.
Such a person is unpredictable, acts on a whim, and is neither entirely righteous nor entirely wicked; he is hardly a trustworthy or worthy friend.
Of course, he really had no reason to help her.
Meng Xi's face still held that usual faint smile, the one that revealed no true meaning.
Changhong secretly glanced at his young master, inwardly marveling: This Lady Lu was truly the first person his young master had ever bothered to think about, and the first person who completely disregarded his illustrious family background as the eldest grandson of the Duke of the Founding State, and his alluring face.
What is the status of our young master? He is the legitimate son of the Meng family, and his mother is from the illustrious Di family, the founding duke. He is the genuine nephew of the current Duke of Di!
Such a person is always surrounded by admirers wherever he goes.
Wow, this Lady Lu is truly a rare find.
Just then, Lu Zhaoruo walked past Meng Xi without looking to the side.
Meng Xi's smile remained, but his gaze suddenly swept towards Chang Hong with a hint of coldness, signaling him to quickly hand over the jar of aged wine sealed in mud in his arms.
Changhong stepped forward and handed over the wine jar.
Wang Wu repeated what he had just said to Lu Zhaoruo to Meng Xi: "Young Master Meng, I am truly sorry, but the commander has contracted a terrible disease and is unable to receive guests..."
Lu Zhaoruo deliberately slowed her pace.
Meng Xi did not press the matter, and said in a leisurely tone: "It's alright. This wine is called 'Wanli Cheng'. It was brewed by me using spring tide water from the Penglai Pavilion in the East Sea, supplemented with snow gall and jade mushroom. I brought a jar to Jizhou this time, intending to drink it with Commander Xiao."
His gaze swept across the gate and the surrounding area, and he raised his voice slightly, just enough for those around him to hear: "The person I respect most in my life is General Xiao. He was doing a good job as the commander of the navy, but after the Japanese pirates were wiped out, he did not seek promotion. Instead, he gave up his high position and was willing to come to Linhai as a commander. He did not care about official career, but only about pacifying the sea. Such a magnanimous spirit is admirable."
Lu Zhaoruo heard everything and then realized that Xiao Yeming had originally requested a demotion from his post as the commander of Ganhai.
Meng Xi then turned to Wang Wu with a faint smile: "This wine is for the general. When he recovers, we can open the jar and drink together, which will make us friends."
His words were casual and unrestrained, yet they deliberately revealed a hint of a deliberate attempt to make friends.
Lu Zhaoruo didn't stop walking.
Thinking to himself, Meng Xi had previously openly and subtly mocked him for trying to climb the social ladder, but now he himself was coming to make a big show of it with wine in hand.
Compared to his lazy and misanthropic nature, it was quite a contrast.
I'm afraid it's—
Hidden within that wine jar was a hidden veil of wisdom.
Or perhaps they're using the guise of giving away wine to secretly send a message inside.
Of course, this was just her guess.
Wang Wu accepted the wine jar and expressed his gratitude.
Meng Xi nodded and said calmly, "I hope the general recovers soon. I will come to visit you in person next time."
After saying this, he turned and left with Changhong.
After walking a few steps, they saw Lu Zhaoruo's figure slowly walking ahead in the twilight.
For some reason, Meng Xi suddenly became interested and quickened his pace to catch up. Then he slowed down, waiting for her to strike up a conversation or at least exchange a few pleasantries, just like any other person would.
However, the journey was quiet, with only the soft sound of footsteps.
As Lu Zhaoruo turned the corner at the alley entrance, she turned straight towards the embroidered building without hesitation, not even glancing at it.
Meng Xi: "..."
Changhong secretly glanced at his young master, holding his breath and daring not to make a sound.
Meng Xi stared blankly for a moment at the receding, unwavering figure...
This woman completely defied his expectations twice in a row.
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