Chapter 63 I have also eaten Lady Lu's food.
A deep friendship?
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoruo immediately curtsied, her slender waist slightly bent, lowering her posture to the extreme: "Commander Xiao, please understand. I was merely serving some food to the Deputy Commander a few days ago, and he was so kind as to praise me. That's why I shamelessly asked for favors every time."
"The deputy commander is kind and never finds it bothersome that I am here."
She added, "These are just petty tricks of a common woman; Commander Xiao, please excuse them."
"But I also ate your food."
His voice was still deep, but it carried a hint of youthful stubbornness, like a neglected child sulking and demanding fairness.
Lu Zhaoruo was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
What does Xiao Yeming mean?
Before she could figure it out, his deep voice came from ahead again: "Banling has gone on a sea patrol and will not return for two days. I also ate Lu Niangzi's meal..."
He paused for a moment, then added, "Naturally, they should also be grateful and repay kindness."
So, does he mean he's willing to help me?
Or was it proactive?
Lu Zhaoruo had actually considered befriending Xiao Yeming, not only because he was currently the commander of Linhai, but also because he would later be appointed by the emperor as the "Grand Commander of the Naval Forces of the Various Seas," a powerful Marquis of the Various Seas.
Such a powerful and influential status will naturally be beneficial to him in the future.
Besides, asking him for help is actually more useful than asking Ban Ling for help...
But he always had a cold and aloof demeanor, which made her hesitant to get close to him.
Lu Zhaoruo raised her eyes and looked at his figure in black armor reflecting the moon, feeling a deep respect for him.
For a century, Japanese pirates ravaged the seas, committing atrocities of burning, killing, and looting. Countless fishing villages were reduced to ashes, and countless families were destroyed. It was this general who personally led the navy in a bloody battle and finally wiped out the Japanese pirates.
With unwavering loyalty and courage, he forged peace and tranquility across this vast coastal region.
Such a person is naturally trustworthy.
If he were to offer his assistance willingly, that would be the best outcome.
Lu Zhaoruo lightly touched the wax-sealed nautical chart in her sleeve with her fingertips, weighing her options in her mind...
Giving this map to Xiao Yeming would indeed be more appropriate than giving it to Ban Ling.
Although Ban Ling was exceptionally brave, he ultimately lacked strategic acumen; while Xiao Yeming was a brilliant strategist, possessing both wisdom and courage.
Moreover, two years later in his previous life, it was he who personally led the troops and wiped out these three Japanese pirate strongholds in one fell swoop.
A night wind suddenly rose, and the chill on the dock intensified.
Xiao Yeming's gaze swept over Lu Zhaoruo's slender figure, and saw that she was still standing in the same place, seemingly lost in thought, her clothes being lifted and then falling back down by the sea breeze.
He took a slight step, but stopped about ten feet away, and said, "If Madam Lu really has something to discuss, please do not be offended and come with me to board the ship."
Boarding the ship?
How could a mere merchant's wife board a naval warship?
While he was still hesitating, Xiao Yeming had already walked towards the warship moored on the shore.
The ship was painted entirely black, and the bixie head on the bow looked lifelike in the moonlight.
After a slight hesitation, she finally lifted her skirt and followed.
The warship swayed gently with the waves. She steadied herself by holding onto the sea-salt-soaked palm ropes. She noticed that the oars on both sides of the ship were covered with waterproof tarpaulins, which gleamed with a bluish-black luster in the moonlight.
Xiao Yeming lifted the indigo curtain of the main cabin, and the interior was not as grim as he had imagined...
The walls were covered with detailed coastal defense maps, with the reefs and water ripples marked in vermilion ink. On a sandalwood table sat an inkstone that was still wet, and the "Complete Essentials of Military Classics" was spread out on the table. Between the pages were a few tags made of shell fragments, and the words "Naval Warfare Chapter" could be vaguely seen in red ink.
Xiao Yeming stepped aside to make way and gestured, "Madam Lu, please come in."
Lu Zhaoruo curtsied and slowly stepped inside.
He glanced around the cabin and walked to the low rattan stool in the corner, where he sat down.
Xiao Yeming turned to get the tea set, but when his fingertips touched the cold teapot, he realized that the tea had gone cold. He then tried to start a fire, only to find that the charcoal basket was empty.
He seemed slightly embarrassed.
Fortunately, he had his back to Lu Zhaoruo.
Lu Zhaoruo caught a glimpse of a faint blush behind his ear, which stood out starkly against his pale skin.
She was slightly taken aback. This great general, who struck fear into the hearts of the Japanese pirates, was actually embarrassed because of his poor hospitality.
"General Xiao need not trouble himself."
Lu Zhaoruo said gently.
Xiao Yeming suddenly grabbed a black cloak from the table, as if to hand it over but then stopped, and then, feeling it was inappropriate, put the cloak back down heavily and said directly, "Madam Lu, please speak freely."
Lu Zhaoruo thought that Xiao Yeming must have already known that she had asked Banling to investigate Shen Rongzhi's marriage and children outside, and that she had even obtained a copy of the marriage certificate.
After all, they were both naval commanders and had a life-or-death bond.
He probably let slip all the things he had done for her during those days when he was drunk and confused.
However, the rest of them probably don't know, including themselves, that they have tuberculosis...
How could a great general like him, so busy with countless affairs of state, possibly know about the private lives of small merchants?
However, it is unknown whether he has heard of the 'chastity arch' sent by Geng Qionghua.
However, what followed was a family scandal, specifically that her husband had married and had children outside the marriage, and that he would bring his mistress home two days later. She was determined to expose his shameful act of marrying another woman while already married, so that everyone would know that his marriage to her was merely a pretense to have her serve his parents and manage the household affairs...
He used the excuse of going on a business trip to evade his responsibility to support his family.
She worked tirelessly at the Shen residence, building up her family fortune penny by penny, while he used the silver she had painstakingly earned to buy expensive clothes and hairpins for his mistress overseas.
It would be quite embarrassing to tell a general about the affairs of women in the inner quarters.
Xiao Yeming knew the purpose of Lu Zhaoruo's visit.
He even knew every step she had taken carefully over the past six months.
From investigating Shen Rongzhi's mistress at Tuoban Mausoleum, to replacing the old servants of the Shen residence one by one, and then setting a trap to make Shen Lingyi sign a gambling contract and use two shops to pay off the debt...
That day, amidst the flashing blades and the falling severed arm, he was in the shadow of the eaves.
She asked Gu Xian to help her lie and claim that it was a reward from the emperor.
And those who feigned illness to deceive the Shen family.
In reality, she would have her maid secretly buy delicious food every day.
On one occasion, he was almost discovered by Granny Zhou, who lived next to Zhang, but he secretly covered for her.
He knew everything about it.
As Lu Zhaoruo hesitated, Xiao Yeming suddenly spoke up: "Master Gu and I..."
He paused mid-sentence, a rare occurrence, his usually deep and cold voice revealing a hint of unease. "We have a close relationship. He has mentioned Lady Lu's matter to me."
He quickly added, "I kept it a secret and didn't tell anyone."
His tone was so serious it was almost clumsy.
Lu Zhaoruo's eyelashes trembled slightly.
The General Xiao she was used to seeing was always as cold and aloof as a pine tree covered in snow when he stood with his hands behind his back at the bow of the ship. When he was reviewing military reports, he was so calm that he never even looked up when the candle flames burst. Not to mention his eyes, which were always like a waning moon in winter, clear and cold, without a trace of warmth.
How could things have turned out like this?
She suddenly found him somewhat adorable, and a faint smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.
Just then, the candlelight crackled and burst open, casting a warm yellow glow on her eyes and brows, perfectly outlining the charm hidden behind her usual scheming.
Xiao Yeming was momentarily stunned—
He had seen her gentle and demure demeanor.
I've seen the cold glint in her eyes when she's setting up her moves in chess.
But I've never seen anything like this before...
Like the crabapple blossoms just beginning to bloom on the branches in March.
Delicate and shy with morning dew,
It also concealed a hint of alluring beauty that it refused to reveal.
Lu Zhaoruo noticed his gaze and looked up...
But Xiao Yeming hastily turned his face away, revealing a long, slender neckline that was visibly flushed with a light red.
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