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The time was simply not yet ripe; military funds and manpower alike were insufficient to establish a navy.

"When will those two return?" Rong Xi asked curiously.

He burrowed into the bedding, leaving only his head exposed, looking rather adorable.

Qin Ke could not help but smile. He reached out and tucked Rong Xi's loose strands behind his ear. "They'll be back in a few days."

Previously, Golden Lucky and Wei Zhan had focused on training their water skills. Later, they had carried out sea-surface combat exercises near Cangzhou's coast, and the results had already begun to show.

Once they returned, they would need to teach the two of them and the soldiers how to use Firearms.

"My lord, Madam He is looking for you," Elder Liu reported from outside.

Rong Xi was briefly puzzled. Rising from the bed, he said, "I'll go at once."

When he reached the front courtyard, Madam He smiled gently upon seeing him. "Eldest Brother, I made this scented balm myself. It moisturizes and nourishes the skin. Winter air is dry, and it can keep the skin from cracking. It is nothing particularly useful, so I hope Eldest Brother will not dislike it."

"How could I dislike it?" Rong Xi accepted it gratefully. "I was just in need of balm to apply. I had even been planning to swallow my pride and ask you for some myself."

Madam He had run her cosmetics shop for several months now. Since her powders and scented balms were remarkably effective, business was flourishing. Though she was exhausted every day, her spirits were better than ever before.

Her strength alone was not enough. A young girl from the school happened to be very interested in this craft, and Madam He wished to take on an apprentice and pass it