Saying things like "true gold fears no fire" and "after a brief interrogation, he'll be released" was all meant to comfort her mother-in-law.

If someone is deliberately looking for trouble, even if she tries to explain herself, she won't be able to make a sound argument. These people are straightforward; they didn't give her a chance to explain at all and just locked her up in jail.

It's obvious they just want to mess with her.

A jailer came in with a whip and asked her directly if she admitted to stealing the medicinal herbs from Mingyi Pavilion. Chang Lili said disdainfully, "What? Are you going to torture me into confessing?"

Without saying a word, the jailer lashed out with his whip at Chang Lili.

Her skin burned as if it were being torn apart, and Chang Lili let out a muffled groan unexpectedly.

Although she was usually very eloquent, she was also a tough nut to crack and refused to admit to this fabricated charge.

Xiao Shuer did this simply to torture her; even if she confessed, she would still be severely beaten.

"You're actually trying to force a confession? What evidence do you have to prove I stole? Is this how you officials arrest people without any evidence?" Chang Lili shouted.

She wanted to make a big fuss so that the whole world would know about this injustice.

After the morning court session, the Emperor summoned Meng Yuxiu to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. It was not unreasonable to bestow a marriage in court, but Meng Yuxiu held a high position and was a man of his own mind. He could refuse once, and he might refuse a second time.

At that point, the royal family would lose all face.

"Give Minister Meng a seat," the Emperor said before Meng Yu could even perform the proper etiquette.

Meng Yuxiu also noticed something amiss and said frankly, "Your Majesty, please speak freely. Your subject will do his utmost."

The Emperor was quite pleased with these words and said with a smile, "Hearing what you say, Minister Meng, I am very pleased. However, this matter is not a bad thing for the General, but it is even more a joyous thing for me. You lead troops to fight on the battlefield and protect our country from turmoil, yet you still don't have a wife by your side..."

Meng Yuxiu frowned, already anticipating the Emperor's next words: "Your Majesty need not worry about me. Going into battle to kill the enemy is a man's duty."

"I just wanted to entrust my sister to you. You know that Shu'er is determined to marry no one but you." The Emperor didn't beat around the bush.

Meng Yuxiu indeed declined, saying, "This humble subject is neither talented nor virtuous, and is unworthy of the princess's favor. On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes, and I may die on the battlefield at any time. I am truly not a suitable man for the princess."

The Emperor was in a bit of a headache, caught in a dilemma. Xiao Shu'er had been listening to their conversation outside the palace, and now, after being rejected once again, she stormed in, fuming with embarrassment.

"Meng Yuxiu! What is it about me that makes me unworthy of you, that you would risk defying the imperial decree to refuse our marriage?" Xiao Shuer, dressed in a peach-colored dress, looked exceptionally charming, but at this moment, she was filled with rage, which destroyed her gentle beauty.

Meng Yuxiu spoke politely and respectfully, but his face was cold: "Princess, I have made myself very clear. I am not worthy of your favor."

Xiao Shu'er was so angry that she pointed at his nose and spoke sharply, completely losing her princess demeanor, and she didn't care about the emperor's reprimand.

"Meng Yuxiu, you just like that Chang Lili, don't you? Am I that bad? Can't I even compare to her?" Xiao Shuer said angrily.

A cold glint flashed in Meng Yuxiu's eyes, his voice grew even colder, and the respect in his tone diminished: "Your Majesty is truly noble, and I dare not presume to be worthy of your status. Someone of your stature should not condescend to bestow favors upon me."

"Aaaaah!" Xiao Shu'er screamed angrily, her words dripping with rage, "Fine, you really like her, don't you? I'll grant your wish today, as long as that little bitch lives!"

Her last sentence was delivered in a sinister and vicious tone, causing Meng Yuxiu to frown.

"Shu'er, what kind of talk is this!" the Emperor scolded.

“Your Highness’s words suggest that Chang Lili has met with misfortune. I never expected that someone of Your Highness’s noble status would be so vicious as to pick a fight with an ordinary woman!” Meng Yuxiu did not deny it, but sensing the hidden meaning in Xiao Shu’er’s words, he felt uneasy and his expression turned unfriendly.

After saying that, he hurriedly took his leave.

"Your Majesty, look at him! Does he even respect you anymore?" Xiao Shu'er shouted, stamping her foot.

The emperor could only rub his temples wearily.

Meng Yuxiu hurriedly left the palace and went straight to the General's Mansion. Sure enough, something had happened. Chang Lili had been arrested. It was said that Mingyi Pavilion had reported her to the authorities, claiming that she had stolen Mingyi Pavilion's medicinal herbs.

He was displeased. This Yige still owed him a favor, yet he dared to send constables to his residence to arrest someone. He was truly ungrateful.

He didn't linger in the mansion; he went directly to the government office in his official robes to demand the person in person.

When the lowly seventh-rank official saw Meng Yuxiu arrive, he was so frightened that his legs went weak, but he refused to let him go.

"General, please spare us! This Yige has lost his medicinal herbs. Most of the beauty and skincare products the Princess uses are purchased from his family. She said she would not tolerate the thief once caught. We dare not release him unless she relents!" the magistrate said with difficulty, looking as if he was about to cry.

Xiao Shu'er wanted to kill Chang Lili. Thinking that even if she was still alive, she had suffered a lot, he felt anxious.

The longer this person stays here, the greater the danger becomes.

He simply ignored the county magistrate and stormed into the government office's prison.

Then, in the prison cell, he saw Chang Lili, who was covered in wounds.

Her face was pale, her hair disheveled, and her eyes seemed too weak to open. Her body was covered in whip marks, and her clothes were torn. Yet, she still stubbornly shouted, "You are lawless...you've gone too far..."

Meng Yuxiu kicked the jailer holding the whip to the side and carefully untied the rope binding Chang Lili.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!