Physician Li looked at the young man across from him. Seeing that his expression remained unchanged, he nodded secretly to himself and continued: “I have a miraculous prescription that requires this type of pearl as medicine. The ointment made from it has extraordinary effects on restoring sight.”

“That’s wonderful! Mingyuan’s eyes can be saved,” Yang Houcheng said with great joy.

Shao Mingyuan remained calm and asked: “Do we need to continue south to gather that type of pearl? I heard from Chen Guang that there are hidden reefs south of Mingfeng Island, which is why hurricanes form there.”

Physician Li scoffed: “Without that type of pearl, how can your eyes be cured?”

“If that’s the case, then forget it.”

“Forget it?” Physician Li raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “In the face of natural disasters, humans are too insignificant. It’s not worth risking lives for my eyes.”

“You are the Marquis Guanjun. Having your subordinates gather pearls for you—what’s not worth it about that?” Physician Li said dismissively.

“My inability to see doesn’t greatly affect my life, but those subordinates are living, breathing human lives,” Shao Mingyuan said very calmly.

Physician Li looked deeply at Shao Mingyuan and said meaningfully, “It may not greatly affect your life, but it greatly affects your prospects, doesn’t it?”

“Being able to live peacefully is exactly what this junior hopes for.”

Physician Li lazily leaned back against his chair: “Since that’s the case, then I can save myself the trouble.”

“Mingyuan—” Yang Houcheng couldn’t help but call out.

Shao Mingyuan stopped Yang Houcheng from continuing and instead asked: “Physician, when you encountered the hurricane, how did you escape? And how did you end up on Mingfeng Island?”

“And also, why were those people on the island acting like rabid dogs? Do you know what that was about, Physician?” Yang Houcheng followed up with his question.

“Let’s wait until we see Zhaozhao to discuss these things. That way I won’t have to repeat myself,” Physician Li said, then closed his eyes. In moments, loud snoring could be heard.

Shao Mingyuan stood up: “Let’s go out. Don’t disturb Physician Li’s rest.”

The two men walked out. Yang Houcheng leaned against the ship’s railing and couldn’t help asking: “Mingyuan, are you not going to send people to gather those pearls?”

“Of course it’s real. What need would I have to lie?”

“But this way you’ll never see again for the rest of your life!”

Shao Mingyuan looked in Yang Houcheng’s direction, his tone serious: “My eyes are not more important than other people’s lives.”

Yang Houcheng opened his mouth, then finally sighed deeply: “As long as Miss Li doesn’t mind, that’s fine.”

Hearing this, Shao Mingyuan couldn’t help but smile, his lips curved with irrepressible tenderness: “She won’t.”

If it weren’t for his blindness, he didn’t know when he would have to wait for Zhaozhao to agree to their engagement.

For him, going blind was both a misfortune and a fortune.

Zhaozhao would be overjoyed to see him bring Physician Li back.

Shao Mingyuan felt the warm morning sun and became eager with anticipation.

On the other side, Qiao Zhao was also leaning against the ship’s railing, gazing into the distance.

She watched with her own eyes as a red sun slowly rose from where the sky met the sea. Golden light sparkled on the distant ocean surface—beautiful.

Chen Guang stood quietly not far away and couldn’t help but speak up to persuade her: “Third Miss, please go back and rest. You’ve been standing here all night.”

Qiao Zhao turned to look at Chen Guang, gently tucking the hair blown by the sea breeze behind her ear: “We’ve both been standing here all night. Isn’t that a good company?”

Chen Guang’s eyes suddenly widened as he stammered: “Third, Third Miss, what do you mean by that?”

Qiao Zhao looked at Chen Guang with a half-smile: “If I hadn’t been standing here all night, you wouldn’t have slept either, would you? Chen Guang, you’re waiting for a signal, aren’t you?”

“Third Miss—”

Qiao Zhao turned back to look into the distance, her tone calm: “Did your General order you to retreat quickly if you saw the signal?”

“How did you know?”

Qiao Zhao gazed at the distant horizon without speaking.

Of course, she knew. Wasn’t that man just such a fool?

After a moment of silence, Chen Guang asked: “Third Miss, if the signal appeared, what would you do?”

“Me?” Qiao Zhao turned her head to look at Chen Guang, the worry in her eyes masked by the slight smile at the corner of her mouth. “I would naturally follow his arrangements.”

If something happened to him, if this was what he wanted to see, she naturally wouldn’t go against his wishes.

“They should be returning now. It’s already bright daylight—victory or defeat should have been decided long ago.”

Chen Guang grinned: “Then we must have won.”

Qiao Zhao nodded gently: “It should be so.”

It’s just that some kind of unexpected situation must have occurred to delay them, otherwise, they should have returned by now.

Chen Guang suddenly stepped forward several paces, his voice excited: “Third Miss, look!”

Qiao Zhao looked in the direction Chen Guang was pointing and saw in the distance a ship sailing toward them—it was the vessel Shao Mingyuan and the others had taken.

At this moment, Qiao Zhao’s heart, which had been suspended all night, finally settled completely, and she showed a genuine smile.

She was short, and Chen Guang, being tall and large, was blocking part of her view as he stood in front, so she went around to stand in front of Chen Guang and stood on tiptoes to look out.

Shao Mingyuan stood at the bow and asked Yang Houcheng beside him: “Can you see our ship?”

Yang Houcheng’s tone was light: “Yes, Miss Li and Chen Guang are both standing by the ship’s railing!”

Shao Mingyuan raised his hand and waved.

Qiao Zhao saw from afar that tall, elegant man in dark robes waving at her, and couldn’t help but smile, her heart full of joy.

The ship on the opposite side approached from far to near and soon arrived close by.

Yang Houcheng laughed loudly: “We’re back! Shixi, you’re not still sleeping lazily, are you?”

Chi Can walked onto the deck, saying lazily: “What are you shouting about? Is it so great to come back alive?”

Standing on the opposite ship, Yang Houcheng chuckled: “I knew it! You must have been so worried you didn’t sleep all night!”

“Who said that? The one who didn’t sleep all night was Third Miss Li, not me.”

Qiao Zhao’s gaze swept over the dark circles under Chi Can’s eyes, and she smiled helplessly.

This was probably what they meant by saying one thing but meaning another, just like Chi Can.

The opposite ship drew closer and closer. Several guards took out ropes to tie the two ships together and began moving the spoils of war under Chen Guang’s direction.

“Zhaozhao, we’re back,” Shao Mingyuan said to Qiao Zhao with a smile as he stood at the bow.

He knew she would worry, and this feeling of having someone worry and care about him was truly wonderful.

“Hurry over. Breakfast is already prepared,” Qiao Zhao urged.

“Zhaozhao, wait a moment.” Shao Mingyuan suddenly turned and went back to the cabin.

Qiao Zhao looked toward Yang Houcheng.

Yang Houcheng chuckled: “Miss Li, don’t be anxious. Mingyuan has a big surprise for you!”

“Really? I’m very curious what the surprise is.” Qiao Zhao smiled, then saw Xie Shengxiao and Chen Guang each carrying an unconscious woman as they walked out.

Qiao Zhao’s smile froze.

Yang Houcheng quickly explained: “Miss Li, don’t misunderstand! The surprise Mingyuan has for you isn’t these two girls!”

Qiao Zhao pressed her lips together.

Of course, she knew it wasn’t, otherwise she would have given Shao Mingyuan a “surprise” too!

Qiao Zhao’s gaze fixed on the cabin door, and she saw a sleepy-eyed old man walking out, following beside Shao Mingyuan.