"Judging from Master Liu's conversation, this thing must be extremely useful. The Emperor will surely reward us handsomely with this," Chang Lili said with some emotion, revealing a reluctant expression.

Looking at her flushed face, Meng Yuxiu was both annoyed and amused. Judging from her expression, she probably thought this thing could be exchanged for a lot of silver.

He said helplessly, "It's more than just a generous reward; the value of this thing is far greater than you can imagine."

"That's good," Chang Lili said with relief. "My matter this time must be very troublesome."

Meng Yuxiu grabbed her hand and said, "Don't worry, I said I would get you out of here."

Chang Lili smiled and said, "I'm not worried, but I can't just do nothing. Since this thing is so valuable, you can use it as a bargaining chip to negotiate with others. If someone can help me get out, you can give this to them."

In fact, if the emperor had only known that Chang Lili possessed such talent, he probably wouldn't have been willing to execute her.

However, if the emperor finds out about this, there will be another hidden danger.

Emperors, being in high positions, are inevitably suspicious. If someone is too outstanding and shows off their talents, they are more likely to be guarded against than admired, and become the object of others' jealousy.

Meng Yuxiu himself was just like that.

Moreover, Chang Lili's true identity has not yet been discovered.

So although he agreed, he had no intention of handing it over.

He cannot allow one problem to be solved only to be followed by another.

The two talked for a while longer. Chang Lili had been drinking, and her spirits were getting worse. She started to doze off and eventually fell asleep on the table.

However, before falling asleep, in a half-dreaming, half-awake state, Chang Lili was still thinking about the nine-section whip she had made before.

She asked Meng Yuxiu if he still believed that if she passed the three tests, he would let her learn mechanical arts. Now that she had made the nine-section whip, was that promise still valid?

Meng Yuxiu was both amused and exasperated, and could only reassure her that it meant it.

He carefully picked her up and placed her on the clean little bed that had been temporarily set up in the prison. He looked at her face for a while before reluctantly leaving.

It's not the final moment yet; he still has to continue the investigation.

He had just tucked the drawings Chang Lili had made into his pocket and stepped out of the dungeon when he was greeted by a richly dressed noblewoman.

It was the Empress, who, supported by her maid, approached slowly with a worried expression.

Meng Yuxiu bowed calmly, but the Empress's reaction was very enthusiastic.

This woman was too smooth and worldly; her enthusiasm was genuine, which made Meng Yuxiu dislike her attentiveness for a long time.

Meng Yuxiu naturally disliked her. Putting aside the fact that she was Xiao Lingshou's mother, this woman's scheming and cunning were unfathomable.

"General Meng, did you just visit Lili?" the Empress asked with a sorrowful expression, her words filled with concern.

Meng Yuxiu frowned slightly, wondering if Chang Lili was that familiar with the Empress.

"I also intend to go see her. This girl is clever, witty, and lovable. She's a good girl. I don't believe she would do such a thing," the Empress said sadly.

Meng Yuxiu remained expressionless, and said gratefully, "I am grateful for Your Majesty's concern."

"General, why be so formal? When you sent Lili to the banquet I hosted, I took a liking to her the moment I saw her," the Empress said with great emotion.

Meng Yuxiu forced a faint smile and said, "That's truly Lili's blessing."

The Empress slowly approached Meng Yuxiu, revealing an indignant expression: "It can only be because she is too likable. But such a good girl has been framed. I wonder who wanted to harm her like this."

Meng Yuxiu slightly raised his eyelids and looked at the Empress with a puzzled expression, feeling that there was something more to her words.

Then the Empress continued unhurriedly, "Since Consort Lan miscarried, everyone naturally thinks it was me who caused it, even the Emperor thinks so. In the end, it was I who implicated Miss Chang, and I am truly to blame!"

"Your Majesty is joking. This matter has nothing to do with Your Majesty. Everyone has witnessed it," Meng Yuxiu said dismissively.

He had no more interest in dealing with her. Time was running out, and Meng Yuxiu wanted to give it another try.

The Empress, however, changed the subject, saying, "Actually, once we find out who did it and framed me, the truth might come out."

Meng Yuxiu was surprised, but after saying this, the Empress turned and left gracefully.

He didn't understand the meaning behind the Empress's painting, but he knew perfectly well who had tampered with it.

But he hasn't found anything yet, and if he tries to investigate from that angle again, it will only be a waste of time.

Not long after Meng Yuxiu returned to his residence, someone delivered a letter. The brief message reminded him to continue investigating the person who framed him.

With a try-it-and-see attitude, Meng Yuxiu investigated again from the beginning, but this time, things were different.

He actually found evidence that Xiao Shu'er had bribed Physician Jiang, including some expensive gold and silver jewelry, exquisitely crafted headdresses that left people speechless.

When Xiao Shu'er handed these things over to Physician Jiang, a young eunuch saw them.

This young eunuch happened to be shrewd and followed Imperial Physician Jiang after he received the items, watching him hand them over to someone else and secretly take them out of the palace.

At this moment, Meng Yuxiu held a finely crafted gold hairpin in his hand. It was redeemed from a pawnshop by the people he sent during the investigation. It was said to have been pawned by someone from Physician Jiang's family.

It was also said that ever since Meng Yuxiu visited Physician Jiang's home, his family had packed their belongings, sold off anything they could, and moved away.

Meng Yuxiu frowned in thought. He couldn't find out before, but now he could. Recalling the Empress's attentive reminder, he roughly knew what was going on.

"What is the background of that eunuch in the palace who can testify?" Meng Yuxiu asked, putting down her hairpin.

"Reporting to the General, his background is clear; he is a young eunuch who has only recently entered the palace," the subordinate replied respectfully.

Meng Yuxiu frowned slightly. Although he felt like he was being used and manipulated, the most important thing right now was to rescue Chang Lili.

He immediately took a box of gold and silver jewelry, entered the palace, found the young eunuch, and hurriedly went to the Qianqing Palace with him.

This time, the emperor did not avoid seeing him. He sat in the hall with a calm expression, and when he saw Meng Yuxiu, he still offered him a seat as usual.

Meng Yuxiu saw absolutely no guilt or unease on his face.

"Your Majesty, I have made progress in this matter." Meng Yuxiu presented a box containing jewelry and brought the young eunuch along.

After reading it, the Emperor looked puzzled. Meng Yuxiu then explained the matter in detail. However, the Emperor's face turned cold as soon as he heard that Xiao Shuer was behind it.

"This servant...this servant really saw the Princess...this servant is telling the truth..." The young eunuch looked young and was thin. He didn't dare to raise his head and was trembling all over.

Meng Yuxiu calmly said, "Your Majesty, there are both witnesses and witnesses, and this matter was not done by Chang Lili. I implore Your Majesty to make a wise judgment!"

"Go and summon the Princess to me," the Emperor said in a low voice, frowning and looking troubled, to Eunuch Guangde.