The Daily Life of a Female Esper in Ancient Times - Chapter 242

Li Xia and her group were preparing to travel to the southern frontier. Before leaving, they invited friends and family for a gathering. Qiu Shui showed Li Xia a list of arrangements she had made. Li Xia trusted Qiu Shui and gave her approval after a quick glance.

Those close to Lu XuanNing and Li Xia all came. Everyone offered their blessings, hoping for their safe arrival and return.

Li Xin found Li Xia resting and sincerely apologized, “Xia Xia, I’m sorry for what happened before.”

“I was wrong too. I shouldn’t have criticized you without understanding the whole situation,” Li Xia also reflected on her own mistakes during Li Xin’s incident, realizing some things shouldn’t have been said.

“I know, Xia Xia, you always mean well for me. I was the one who misunderstood,” Li Xin had been reflecting on why her life had become such a mess.

She realized she had limited herself to focusing solely on her children and Cao Fugui. She forgot that children grow up and become independent, and that she needed to learn to let go.

Every time Cao Dabao mentioned that Madam Cao gave him something or played with him, Li Xin felt uncomfortable, thinking her child was being taken away. She couldn’t help but forbid Cao Dabao from going there and wanted to yell at him.

But when Cao Dabao stayed by Li Xin’s side and didn’t go anywhere, Li Xin felt he was growing up and started giving more attention to her second child and Cao Fugui. This made Cao Dabao feel neglected and more inclined to seek affection from Madam Cao.

Li Xin became angry that Cao Dabao wasn’t close to her, and then discovered Cao Fugui’s betrayal. She became extremely irrational, suspicious of everything others said.

“Looking back at that time now, I really feel like I was crazy,” Li Xin was truly ashamed of her previous behavior.

“I’ve almost forgotten about it, and you shouldn’t dwell on it either. Look forward,” Li Xia advised Li Xin not to overthink.

“You’re right, we should look forward in life,” Li Xin had genuinely come to understand this. She wouldn’t let herself continue in a daze anymore. Li Xia was happy that Li Xin could think this way.

Mrs. Lu, still concerned, approached to find the two sisters talking amicably without any sign of conflict, which put her mind at ease. The mother and two daughters rarely had the chance to sit together and chat.

After seeing off the guests, Li Xia held back Xu Xinyue who was about to leave, “Mother, I’ve talked to my elder brother. If you need anything, you can find him.”

“What could I possibly need? Don’t worry,” Li Xia had arranged for quite a few people to stay by Xu Xinyue’s side. With these people around, Xu Xinyue wasn’t afraid of the Wang family or the Xu family coming to cause trouble.

The day before departure, Luo Shan came to see Li Xia.

“I want to marry Qiu Kui,” Luo Shan stated his intention straightforwardly.

“What makes you worthy of marrying her?” Li Xia scrutinized the slightly nervous Luo Shan.

Under Li Xia’s piercing gaze, Luo Shan felt an urge to flee. He couldn’t help but remember Li Xia’s notorious actions. In all these years, he had never feared anyone. Li Xia was the only person who made him afraid and timid.

If it weren’t for his genuine love for Qiu Kui, Luo Shan wouldn’t have come to face this witch Li Xia.

Faced with Li Xia’s questioning, cold sweat ran down Luo Shan’s back. He didn’t know how to answer. His identity as a shadowy assassin in the jianghu world would inevitably attract countless vendettas if exposed.

Financially, he had some savings but not much. He couldn’t even afford a house in the Capital City. He was also a whole generation older than Qiu Kui. Thinking about it, he seemed unworthy of Qiu Kui in every aspect.

Qiu Kui was the personal maid of the wife of the Marquis of Pacifying the South. Because of Li Xia’s generous dowries for Qiu Ling and Qiu Chan earlier, many fifth and sixth-rank officials’ families with modest backgrounds had come to propose marriage to Qiu Kui and Qiu Shui.

Marrying Qiu Kui or Qiu Shui would not only bring a dowry of tens of thousands of taels but also establish a connection with the Marquis’s mansion. It was much more advantageous than marrying a girl from an ordinary family.

The more Luo Shan thought about it, the more he felt he had no advantages, and the more discouraged he became. Wouldn’t it be better for Qiu Kui to marry an official and become a madam, rather than living a future without prospects with him?

Seeing this, Li Xia let out a cold snort. He didn’t even have the courage to stand up to her, yet he wanted to marry Qiu Kui.

“You may leave,” Li Xia didn’t want to say more to Luo Shan.

Luo Shan turned to leave dejectedly, but then he saw Qiu Kui talking to someone not far away. Did he really want to give up on Qiu Kui?

He had done it before, given up twice already. Qiu Kui had said if there was a third time, they would have no chance at all. This was the third time, he couldn’t give up again.

Clenching his fists, Luo Shan turned back to face Li Xia, “I deserve her because I love her, because I’ll protect her with my life for the rest of my days. As long as I live, I won’t let her suffer any grievance, including from me.”

Luo Shan finished speaking and waited for Li Xia’s answer. Li Xia didn’t speak, but her aura locked onto Luo Shan, pouring pressure on him. Luo Shan resisted with all his might, not retreating a step.

If he retreated, he and Qiu Kui would have no possibility in this life, which he was unwilling to accept.

Just when Luo Shan felt he couldn’t hold on any longer, Li Xia suddenly withdrew her aura. Luo Shan gasped for air, thinking he was about to die a moment ago. “Remember what you said today,” Li Xia warned.

If Luo Shan ever did anything to hurt Qiu Kui in the future, Li Xia would not let him off easily.

Qiu Kui walked into the room and knelt before Li Xia, “Thank you, Miss, for your blessing.”

Li Xia took a box from Qiu Shui and placed it in Qiu Kui’s hands, “I’ve always been fair. You should have what Qiu Ling and Qiu Chan have.”

Due to Luo Shan’s identity, Li Xia couldn’t arrange a grand wedding for Qiu Kui. She converted the prepared dowry into bank notes and put them in the box.

Besides the bank notes, the box also contained Qiu Kui’s household registration certificate, which would allow her to obtain a new identity at the government office. From now on, Qiu Kui would no longer be a servant.

“Miss,” Qiu Kui hugged the box tightly and kowtowed three times to Li Xia. Qiu Kui then left the Mansion of Marquis of Pacifying the South with Luo Shan.

It was time for Li Xia and her group to depart. If they didn’t leave now, they wouldn’t reach Hai City within the specified time. Having bid farewell to friends and family, they set off.

Despite Madam Zhou’s protests, she was unable to keep Lu Xuanyu in the Capital City. Reluctantly, she packed his things and arranged for people to protect Lu Xuanyu.

Lu XuanNing promised Madam Zhou that he would take good care of Lu Xuanyu.

Lu Xuanyu was excited about going to the southern frontier. He sat in the carriage with Lu Liucheng, happily discussing all the information he had gathered about the southern frontier.

Qiu Ling and Xiao Changning also joined the journey. Qiu Ling had no desire to stay at the Xiao mansion playing mind games with the other women. Xiao Changning also wanted to see the southern frontier, but most importantly, Zhou Heng had sent a message saying he had found two of the medicinal ingredients and discovered that the location of the last ingredient was in the southern frontier.

They traveled south, first by carriage for half a month, then switched to boats at the river port.

Qiu Shui had prepared a large quantity of anti-seasickness medicine. Li Xia felt unwell for the first two days on the boat, lacking energy. However, after a few days of sailing, Li Xia adapted to the rocking of the boat and felt much better.

She was able to leave the cabin and watch Lu Liucheng and Lu Xuanyu fishing. Qiu Chan, being skilled at fishing, instructed the two on how to fish.