Xiao Shuer was born into wealth and privilege, and had always been a figure of power and influence, but her love life was not going as she wished.

She looked down on all the princes and nobles in the court, but set her sights on Meng Yuxiu. All the princes and nobles in the court were eagerly looking at Xiao Shuer, wanting to win the favor of this princess, but Meng Yuxiu didn't care.

I thought Meng Yuxiu was a stubborn blockhead who wouldn't listen to reason, but unexpectedly he brought a woman back to the mansion without warning, causing quite a stir.

"Brother Emperor, please grant Meng-gege a marriage. If you don't give the word, Meng-gege will be kidnapped by that vixen," Xiao Shu'er said, feeling quite aggrieved.

This put the Emperor in a difficult position. He said with affection but helplessness, "It's not that I don't want to speak up. As you know, I once privately expressed my desire to betroth you to him, but he refused. You know what kind of person he is. Once he makes up his mind, not even eight horses can pull him back."

Xiao Shu'er was displeased and shook her body, saying, "But you haven't officially issued an imperial decree to grant the marriage. If you had really announced it to the world, could he have disobeyed the decree?"

"Meng Yuxiu is an invaluable general, and this method will likely anger him," the Emperor said, half-consoling and half-helpless.

Xiao Shuer flung her wide sleeves and said angrily, "He is a good general, but he is also your subject. As the saying goes, 'If the ruler commands the subject to die, the subject must die.' You issued an imperial decree to grant him the marriage, and for him to disobey the decree is treason and disrespect!"

The Emperor sighed and the two remained silent for a moment. Xiao Shu'er softened her tone and continued to plead, "Brother Emperor, please have some pity on Shu'er. Shu'er will marry no one but Brother Meng in this life. Please help Shu'er with this important matter."

"Alright... Go back first. This matter is of great importance, and I need to make proper arrangements. Go back first, and I will certainly not let you suffer any injustice," the Emperor reassured him, though he had other thoughts in mind.

Issuing an imperial decree to grant a marriage still requires careful consideration.

Having received this assurance, Xiao Shu'er left satisfied.

On the way back with Bai Mei, Xiao Shu'er's expression completely changed. At this moment, she felt that she had already trampled Chang Lili underfoot, but then she felt that Chang Lili was so despicable that she didn't deserve to be trampled on at all.

No sooner had Xiao Shu'er left than the Emperor instructed his attendant, Eunuch Liang, to send a message to the General's residence outside the palace, summoning Meng Yuxiu to an audience with the Emperor after the morning court session the following day.