Meng Yuxiu didn't say anything more, but he began to ponder in his heart that what they said made sense.

Chang Lili had been determined to take the money and leave, and her mother-in-law had also said she wanted to move out. He really should think about it and not let her move out like that.

"Get married?" he murmured to himself, a smile spreading across his lips like ripples.

The next day was the day Chang Lili was to go to the palace to attend the banquet. Meng Yuxiu sent someone to deliver clothes and headdresses the day before, and also sent a maid to do her makeup early the next morning.

This was also the day he was to take the imperial edict to reorganize the army. He was not in a hurry and decided to send Chang Lili onto the carriage before setting off.

He waited early at the gate of the courtyard, the morning sun shining on him, warm and soft.

Chang Lili put on her clothes, sat in front of the mirror, and obediently let the maid fuss over her for a long time.

This really put her through a lot of trouble, since she was usually quite restless.

Finally, she finished what she was doing. She looked at herself in the mirror, and then at herself again. Her eyes widened involuntarily, and the pretty woman in the mirror also widened her eyes.

The courtyard gate opened, and Meng Yuxiu turned around to see Chang Lili walking out of the courtyard.

He recognized Chang Lili at a glance, but now he felt like he couldn't recognize her at all.

A long, plain white brocade robe wrapped around her slender figure, and a wide, dark purple belt made her already slender waist look even more delicate.

Dark brown silk threads outline intricate and vigorous branches on the brocade robe, and on the branches, peach-colored silk threads embroider blooming plum blossoms.

Chang Lili, whose hair usually seems messy, now has her hair tied up in a simple bun, and her long black hair has reached her waist.

A light, pale purple gauze dress draped over her slender figure, and with every movement, the dress seemed to shimmer and flow.

Meng Yuxiu stared at her, and she looked at Meng Yuxiu. In the golden amber sunlight, a smile spread from the corners of her mouth, like a night-blooming cereus in full bloom, stunning everyone with its beauty and fragrance. Her smile was more radiant than the stars.

He couldn't help but smile, a smile as gentle as water.

Chang Lili suddenly lifted the hem of her dress and ran to Meng Yuxiu, immediately tearing apart his fairy-like appearance.

"You even prepared such... luxurious clothes for me. Are you afraid I'll bring shame to the General's Mansion?" she asked defiantly, her head held high.

She was so close that her warm breath washed over his face, carrying a faint fragrance.

Looking at her slender and exquisite body, memories that had been absent for quite some time seemed as vivid as if they had just occurred moments ago.

Her firm breasts were so soft and alluring that Meng Yuxiu blushed instantly, his Adam's apple bobbing as he said, "If I'm going to the palace, I should dress up properly. If I don't, the Empress will be angry."

Chang Lili thought about it and felt it made sense. In the palace, if one's clothes were not properly worn or one's hair was not combed properly, it was considered a lack of manners.

Then Meng Yuxiu said, "Alright, it's getting late, let's go and come back soon."

"The banquet starts at the same time whether I arrive early or late. It won't start earlier just because I arrive early." Chang Lili pouted and walked towards the gate of the mansion.

She turned around, and the naive girl she used to be had transformed into a phoenix. Even just her back view was slender and graceful, making everyone look at her with new eyes.

Meng Yuxiu's eyes were filled with tenderness, and a faint, lingering smile played on his lips as he followed.

Upon arriving at the gate of the mansion, a carriage was already waiting there. Without saying a word, Chang Lili lifted the hem of her clothes and tried to climb into the carriage, but unfortunately, the restrictive attire made it very inconvenient.

Meng Yuxiu was both amused and exasperated. Even if she changed her clothes and makeup, she was still the same Chang Lili!

He stepped forward, grasped her slender arm, and gently lifted her onto the carriage.

His palms were warm and strong, and you could feel the heat even through his clothes. Chang Lili subconsciously touched her arm and said goodbye to Meng Yuxiu with her cheeks flushed.

"Then I'm off." She waved obediently and got into the carriage.

Meng Yuxiu watched the carriage drive away with a gentle smile.

The carriage slowly made its way toward the vast palace. Chang Lili felt a surge of excitement. Although she had been to the palace once before, that time she had met the emperor and only seen some of the palaces; she had not had the chance to see anything else.

She thought she would only ever be able to see the magnificent architecture of the palace, but she never expected to have the opportunity to attend a banquet and feast her eyes and taste her heart.

But when she received the invitation and was respectfully led into a magnificent palace called "Hanyuan Hall," the flame of expectation in her heart seemed to be doused with cold water.

This palace is indeed magnificent, far surpassing anything found in ordinary homes. Stepping into this place is like stepping into a painting.

But Chang Lili forgot that Xiao Shuer was a member of the royal family, so how could such an important banquet be complete without her?

Looking around, she saw almost all the faces she recognized.

The noble ladies of the capital had all been invited to Xiao Shu'er's banquets, and they all remembered Chang Lili from that banquet where Xiao Shu'er attempted to humiliate her.

As soon as she entered, a buzzing sound filled the palace. The noble ladies gathered in groups of three or five, casting strange glances at Chang Lili. It was obvious to anyone with their toes that they were not saying anything good about her.

Chang Lili truly felt that this was not a good job, and thought that she would have to settle accounts with Meng Yuxiu when she got back.

Wearing a gorgeous dress, she felt somewhat uncomfortable, and at this moment she felt even more bored and annoyed, so she decided to go out for some fresh air and get away from this place of trouble before the banquet started.

As soon as she stepped out of the palace gate, Chang Lili felt a great sense of relief, and even her breathing became much easier.

"These people, all they do is gossip all day long. Don't they find life meaningless? Don't they know how tiring it is to live?" she muttered as she walked casually.

However, she was soon overwhelmed by the splendor and extravagance of the palace; it was truly magnificent and exquisite everywhere.

"Life in the imperial family is indeed different," Chang Lili couldn't help but sigh.

Having finally arrived at the palace and had the chance to stroll around, she didn't want to waste the trip. Temporarily forgetting her unpleasant experiences, she wandered off wherever she pleased.

She was merely delivering gifts to Meng Yuxiu; in essence, she was just running errands. However, to others, she represented the General's Mansion, which made her the envy of many.

However, when her mother-in-law heard about this, she seemed displeased and said that the palace was a place of trouble and advised her not to come.

Chang Lili felt it wasn't as serious as her mother-in-law said, so she comforted her by saying that she was just helping Meng Yuxiu and it was nothing serious.

The mother-in-law was still very worried. After a long while, she let out a sigh and said something seemingly unrelated: "Maybe this is for the best. The most dangerous place is the safest place."

Chang Lili didn't quite understand her mother-in-law's thoughts, and even felt that she was being a little too anxious.

However, she also knew what her mother-in-law was worried about. The incident at the hunting grounds had already frightened her, and now that she had come to a place where she had to proceed with caution at every step, how could she not be worried?