Even though he knew she wouldn't offer him help for no reason, Meng Yuxiu's lips still unconsciously curled up, softening his sharp and rugged features.

"I'll have to think about that carefully," Meng Yuxiu said, but he deftly gathered up all the arrows that Chang Lili had made.

Chang Lili frowned and said with dissatisfaction, "You're obligated to take someone's money and food, but why doesn't that apply to you? Yet you're quick to take things back."

Meng Yuxiu calmly tied all the arrows together, held them in his hand, and said with a smile, "You really put a lot of effort into making these arrows. You haven't been busy with this all this time, have you?"

"Huh?" Chang Lili felt guilty and looked away, saying, "Yes... that's right, as you can see."

“This arrow is indeed quite good. Then I will agree to take you to the archery competition. We will use this arrow you made to see if it is truly both good-looking and useful,” Meng Yuxiu said with a light laugh.

In fact, he has never liked this kind of competition and has never participated in it before. Whether he participates or not, he is the undisputed number one in everyone's mind.

Therefore, the winner of the archery competition over the years has always won unfairly. Every time he wins a competition, others will say things like, "If General Meng came, we would do this and that."

Over time, the archery competition became nothing more than a pastime, and few people were willing to take it seriously. However, since it was a competition that the emperor attended every year, who, apart from Meng Yuxiu, would dare not show up?

Moreover, looking at the arrow in his hand, Meng Yuxiu found it to be indeed well-made, but he naturally didn't want to use it to kill enemies. It was perfect for participating in such a competition.

Chang Lili had expected it to be quite difficult, but he agreed so readily that she couldn't help but cheer and pounce on Meng Yuxiu.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Meng Yuxiu was stunned by the sudden hug, but instinctively and swiftly moved the arrow in his hand to his side.

Before they could even feel happy, they breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that the arrow hadn't hit Chang Lili.

But the next moment, Chang Lili was stunned, and so were everyone in the Military Manufacturing Department.

Only Meng Yuxiu came to his senses and did not push her away.

Although it smelled of sweat, the warmth and softness in my arms felt so real, and a light and pleasant familiar fragrance filled my nostrils and enveloped my entire being.

He nodded and smiled gently, his voice soft and silent, as he gently raised his hand.

The crowd fell silent for a brief moment before instantly returning to its noisy state, even more chaotic and clamorous than before.

Chang Lili could feel their secret glances directed at her.

She practically jumped out of Meng Yuxiu's arms, shoving away his outstretched hand that was about to touch her back.

"Well... it's settled then. I still need to prepare properly." After she finished speaking, she lowered her head and went back to her work, her face flushed red as if it were about to bleed.

Meng Yuxiu's well-defined hand reached into Chang Lili's line of sight, tapped lightly a few times on the blacksmith's platform, and said with a smile, "Then you should prepare well. I also need to go back and prepare, after all, the archery competition is in two days."

Chang Lili nodded firmly, her face still flushed and her head bowed.

Meng Yuxiu waited for a while, but she still didn't look up. With a smile in her eyes, she strolled leisurely towards the gate of the military workshop.

Hearing the footsteps fade into the distance, Chang Lili slowly raised her head and saw that Meng Yuxiu was no longer at the gate. She breathed a sigh of relief, then looked around and rubbed her temples in distress.

"Being surrounded by these weapons all day, I feel like I'm becoming less and less like a girl. Should I really read the 'Precepts for Women'?" Chang Lili wondered.

Meng Yuxiu returned to his residence, put aside the weapons he was originally going to send to Chang Lili for repair, and began to instruct the maids to prepare his luggage.

"Prepare a woman's riding outfit, in the same size as the clothes we prepared for Chang Lili last time," Meng Yuxiu instructed the two maids.

The two maids exchanged a sly glance.

After they left, Meng Yuxiu summoned Ke Shou, but his gaze fell on a bundle of arrows, a faint smile on his face.

Hearing footsteps, he said without looking up, "Bring me my Flowing Cloud Bow."

Ke Shou asked in surprise, "Hasn't the general not used this bow for a long time? You should keep it safe."

Meng Yuxiu smiled and said, "A good arrow naturally needs a good bow."

Two days later, Chang Lili nervously stepped out of the gate. Her black boots covered her slender legs, and the hem of her red dress swayed like flowing clouds with her steps.

The courtyard gate opened, and Meng Yuxiu, who was waiting there with his hands behind his back, looked up and felt that she was like a burning, blazing flame, outshining everything around her.

The red riding outfit was covered by a light, rosy veil, which tightly wrapped around her slender waist and narrow sleeves, making her appear even more delicate and fragile.

But at this moment, her bright face and her crystal-clear eyes shone with endless liveliness, and her long, ink-black hair was simply tied up high, revealing a touch of heroism and beauty.

Meng Yuxiu was momentarily stunned. Before he could recover, Chang Lili turned and ran into the courtyard, shouting, "I'd better change my clothes. This outfit is too eye-catching, and I feel really uncomfortable wearing it!"

The next moment, Meng Yuxiu grabbed her and threw her onto the carriage: "If we don't hurry, we'll miss the start time of the competition."

Chang Lili initially felt a little awkward, as she still felt more comfortable in the clothes she wore at the military workshop, which were still damp with the smell of smoke. However, she soon forgot about her discomfort.

Clutching a long, wooden box tightly, she peered curiously out of the carriage.

"What are you holding in your hand?" Meng Yuxiu asked.

Chang Lili said in a dismissive tone without any attempt to hide her feelings, "It's something you men wouldn't understand."

Meng Yuxiu gave her a strange look, then stopped asking questions.

When Chang Lili got off the carriage, she was still a little worried about the box. She put the box in the carriage and asked Meng Yuxiu with concern, "Won't we run into a thief?"

Meng Yuxiu couldn't help but laugh, and coughed twice, saying, "Don't worry, this is a royal territory, there won't be any thieves."

Chang Lili was finally relieved.

This hunting competition, as expected of a recreational event organized by royalty, was spectacular and grand, with the hunting grounds alone being almost the size of a small village.

Before even entering the hunting grounds, Chang Lili could see all sorts of carriages neatly parked along the edge of the hunting grounds, each one more magnificent and exquisite than the last.

A banquet was set up in the hunting grounds, with long tables laden with fruits and snacks placed on both sides of the vast shooting range, where people could sit, enjoy tea, and watch the competition.

Amidst the bustling crowd, everyone was dressed in finery and exuded wealth, so her red dress didn't stand out too much.

Meng Yuxiu, dressed in a simple gray embroidered robe, stood out all the more.

Chang Lili watched the people coming and going and felt that it was a beautiful sight. However, a thought in her mind made her feel a little nauseous.