Chang Lili stayed in the general's mansion every day to take care of Meng Yuxiu. The servants in the mansion seemed to take it for granted, but her mother-in-law felt that it was not quite right.

Therefore, every day when Chang Lili did not go to the military workshop, he would ask her about it. When he received her answer that she planned to take care of Meng Yuxiu, she always seemed hesitant to speak.

Chang Lili smiled helplessly, let out a breath, sat down next to her mother-in-law, and said in a coquettish tone, "Mother-in-law, I know what you're worried about, but General Meng saved my life and has helped us so much. We're practically part of the General's family now. General Meng has faced death this time, I can't just sit idly by and do nothing."

Hearing this, the mother-in-law smiled. She had already seen through the situation. The news of the two young people's affair had already spread, so any further worry from her was unnecessary.

Moreover, in her opinion, the most important thing is Chang Lili's choice.

"I will support whatever decision you make, but as a daughter, you must think more about yourself," the mother-in-law said affectionately, stroking Chang Lili's hand.

Chang Lili snuggled into her mother-in-law's arms and said softly, "Grandma is the best!"

The mother-in-law showed a loving expression, gently patting her back, but her gaze was somewhat unfocused.

She could tell that Meng Yuxiu was a good child.

Chang Lili has a special identity. If she could really marry him and live a peaceful life together as husband and wife, she would be at ease.

Having suffered no serious injuries, Meng Yuxiu recovered quickly.

Although he liked it when Chang Lili stayed by his side, lying in bed every day was a real ordeal for him, who was used to being on the go.

Moreover, he could sense that Chang Lili was already itching to go to the military workshop; she truly felt uneasy without the iron-making and sword-forging.

So when he felt a little better, he couldn't wait to get out of bed.

But before he could even warm his boots, he was holding the longsword Chang Lili had given him, wanting to go out and play with it in the courtyard, when Chang Lili stopped him. Before he could even draw his sword, the Emperor's summons arrived.

"I just took it out to look at it, I didn't mean to practice swordsmanship." Meng Yuxiu reached out to draw the sword.

Chang Lili grabbed his arm and stopped him forcefully: "If you want to see, you can go inside. You've only just recovered, what are you doing running into the yard?"

A servant rushed over, seemingly with something to report, but Meng Yuxiu and Chang Lili were locked in a stalemate, and no one noticed him.

He blushed, wanting to speak but not daring to.

At this moment, a group of people walked over. The person in the lead had white streaks at his temples and stood tall with his head held high.

But when he inadvertently saw a man and woman behaving intimately in the courtyard, he blushed and coughed awkwardly.

The servant was so frightened that he stepped aside. Meng Yuxiu and Chang Lili were also taken aback and looked up.

Chang Lili immediately blushed and took a few steps back, nervously clasping her hands together, saying, "I...I'll go first."

Meng Yuxiu didn't feel embarrassed at all; instead, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

"Ah, this must be Miss Chang Lili. This old servant has come on His Majesty's orders to summon General Chang to the palace." The eunuch looked kind and gentle, smiling at Chang Lili.

Chang Lili turned her head and saw that it was the eunuch who had stood next to the emperor during the archery competition.

She was completely confused. What did Xuan Mengyuxiu's entry into the palace have to do with her?

Meng Yuxiu smiled faintly: "Your Majesty is truly a prophet, and Eunuch Guangde's arrival is also very timely; I was just able to get out of bed."

Eunuch Guangde said without changing his expression, "The Emperor is very concerned about General Meng's injury. He often sends this old servant to the Imperial Hospital to inquire about your injury from the imperial physicians. That's why he can't wait to see the General."

Meng Yuxiu said nothing more, handed the long sword in his hand to Chang Lili, and said, "Then let's go."

Eunuch Guangde said, "General, don't be anxious. His Majesty sent this old servant here with special instructions. He specifically instructed that the General must bring Miss Chang along, as well as that peerless sword that can cut through iron like mud."

A hint of surprise flashed across Meng Yuxiu's face, then he turned to Chang Lili with a slight smile: "The imperial decree is hard to disobey, let's go."

Even after getting into the carriage, Chang Lili was still a little dazed.

"The Emperor wants to see me? What... what's he up to?" she wondered.

Meng Yuxiu said with a laugh, "You dare to say anything. If the Emperor knew you were talking like this, he would surely punish you."

Chang Lili said unhappily, "That's why the people in the palace are all strange and difficult to serve."

“But you should thank the Emperor right now,” Meng Yuxiu said meaningfully, which made Chang Lili look at him with suspicion. “The Emperor is a man who is fair in rewarding and punishing, and he cherishes talent very much. This time, you may have an unexpected gain.”

Chang Lili's face lit up with joy, and she looked intently at Meng Yuxiu.

Meng Yuxiu scoffed, "I'm afraid there's something even more satisfying than gold and silver."

Chang Lili racked her brains but couldn't figure it out.

The palace was magnificent and splendid. Chang Lili couldn't help but look around as she walked, and she kept sighing in her heart that this was the most noble and prosperous place in the entire Yun Kingdom.

They followed Eunuch Guangde for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before arriving at the Qianqing Palace.

Even without looking at the plaque, Chang Lili could tell that this was definitely the palace where the most honored emperor resided, as it was much more imposing than the other palaces.

The palace was too far away, and her legs were starting to ache from walking.

The palace was filled with a faint scent of ambergris. The emperor sat there leisurely, letting the maid behind him massage his shoulders, and was dozing off.

Upon hearing Guangde's report that Meng Yuxiu and Chang Lili had arrived, he quickly smiled and waved for them to come in.

Upon arriving before the Emperor, Chang Lili and Meng Yuxiu kowtowed and paid their respects.

Actually, the emperor doesn't look scary at all; he has a kind and benevolent face. But Chang Lili still feels a little flustered inside.

After all, he was a man who could turn the world upside down with a flick of his wrist; he not only ruled the country but also held the lives of all of them in his hands.

"Rise, rise! There's no need for such a grand ceremony!" the Emperor said with a smile.

Chang Lili stood up and realized that there was another person standing in the hall. A man dressed in black stood next to them, neither humble nor arrogant, with an extraordinary face.

Her gaze faltered for a moment, then she quickly looked away.

Chu Moyu was looking at her with a calm gaze, his eyes filled with indifference and inquiry.

A scene from a few days ago came to Chang Lili's mind.

That was when Meng Yuxiu was injured and fell into a coma. Apart from Chu Moyu and Lu Ming, there was no other living person to be found in the hunting grounds.

Lu Ming and she were both young women, so they couldn't move Meng Yuxiu. Chu Moyu took the initiative to help and carried Meng Yuxiu onto the carriage.

When Chang Lili thanked him, she met a pair of cold eyes.

She only regarded Chu Moyu as a gentleman, and those rumors about him were just criticisms from others. He was not only powerful, but also of noble character.

Unexpectedly, the other person looked at her with a cold gaze and asked in a chilling tone, "Did you make that sword?"

Chang Lili paused for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Yes, what's wrong?"

Chu Moyu's probing gaze held a chilling intent as he took a few steps closer to her, pressing her aggressively, "Who are you?"