He knew that Xiao Shu'er had been keeping an eye on Chang Lili and was determined to get rid of her, but he didn't expect Xiao Shu'er to act so quickly and blatantly. He had been so busy these past few days that he hadn't paid any attention.

"When did this happen? Why weren't you reported to me?" Meng Yuxiu asked with a grim expression.

The servant, puzzled, bowed respectfully and said, "I don't think this is a serious matter. Miss Chang just left not long ago."

Meng Yuxiu was worried and didn't want to waste time with the guards, so he ordered someone to fetch his horse.

"Where did the Princess take her? In the palace?" Meng Yuxiu thought that it would be safer if she went to the palace; Xiao Shu'er wouldn't go on a killing spree in the palace.

But then the guard said, "It is said that the Princess has prepared a boat house by the Youyang Lake and is holding a banquet there, inviting young ladies from the capital."

Meng Yuxiu frowned and exhaled, his heart filled with increasing worry.

He led his horse quickly out of the mansion gate, mounted it, and galloped away.

The boat shop was still bustling with activity, with girls gathering in small groups, whispering about Xiao Shuer and Chang Lili.

On the surface, they were all obedient and respectful to Xiao Shu'er, but they couldn't help but jokingly say in private that Xiao Shu'er had finally met her match. They were not actually united with Xiao Shu'er, but rather just looking forward to a good show.

However, what they talked about most was that Chang Lili was ungrateful and didn't know what was good for her, and they all said that she was doomed this time.

To their astonishment, after simply changing clothes in a separate room, Xiao Shu'er and Chang Lili seemed to have reconciled and walked back together, chatting and laughing.

"The food and drinks at this banquet are all brought from the palace. You've probably never tasted them before, so hurry up and try them," Xiao Shu'er said politely, while also having Bai Mei arrange a seat and pour wine for Chang Lili.

Chang Lili didn't stand on ceremony. She took the wine glass, smelled it, and exclaimed, "Hmm, this is really good wine. I was so sorry to have splashed you with such expensive wine just now."

The girls followed Xiao Shu'er to their seats. Hearing Chang Lili's words, they all waited for Xiao Shu'er to explode, but to their surprise, Xiao Shu'er didn't seem angry at all. Instead, she smiled and invited Chang Lili to eat.

The girls were all shocked; some were so surprised their jaws almost dropped.

When Meng Yuxiu arrived at the shore of Youyang Lake, he found this unique, brightly decorated boat and entered the boatyard, where he saw this scene.

Chang Lili sat comfortably at the table, enjoying her food and drinks, while Xiao Shuer warmly greeted her from the side. The scene was quite different from what he had imagined, which was unexpected.

When Meng Yuxiu stepped onto the boat dock, he was stopped by the servants. Bai Mei recognized him, but she did not immediately make way for him, saying that the boat dock was full of young ladies and it was inappropriate for Meng Yuxiu to barge in.

But her attempt to stop him only made Meng Yuxiu's heart pound even harder, and he barged in without saying a word.

When the girls saw the imposing Meng Yuxiu, they were all surprised and almost all blushed.

“Princess, I told you that the ship is full of women, but General Meng insisted on barging in,” Bai Mei said, bowing her head.

Xiao Shu'er, however, was not unhappy at all. She assumed that Meng Yuxiu was coming for her, and instantly beamed with joy. This happy appearance was completely different from her previous insincere and evasive manner with Chang Lili.

"Brother Meng, why are you here? Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I wasn't prepared at all," Xiao Shu'er said shyly.

The girls whispered among themselves, saying that this was what Meng Yuxiu looked like, and that he was indeed extraordinary. They kept glancing at him furtively as they spoke.

Meng Yuxiu glanced at Xiao Shuer with a puzzled look, ignored her, and instead walked up to Chang Lili.

Chang Lili snapped out of her daze, pulled the half-eaten duck leg out of her mouth, and looked at her with her bright, puzzled eyes.

Meng Yuxiu frowned as he looked at her as she ate and drank heartily, then carefully examined her from head to toe, and only after confirming that she was indeed unharmed did he ask, "Are you alright?"

Chang Lili's mind raced for a moment before she realized why he had come here. He probably remembered that she had almost been assassinated before and was worried that Xiao Shu'er would harm her. She said gratefully, "I'm fine. Look, I can eat and drink."

Meng Yuxiu still seemed unconvinced and grabbed Chang Lili's arm, shaking it as if checking if she was truly unharmed.

Ignored, Xiao Shu'er stood there, smiling at the two of them, but her ten fingers under her wide sleeves were tightly intertwined.

She walked to Meng Yuxiu's side and said with a charming smile, "Brother Meng, since you're here, sit down and have some wine. This is a fine wine that I brought from the palace; it's a tribute from another country."

Meng Yuxiu looked at her intently, scrutinizing her for a while before saying, "No need. Let's not disturb the Princess and the ladies' enjoyment. This is a maid from my household. She left the General's mansion without permission, and I need to take her back to be punished."

As he spoke, he grabbed Chang Lili, whose eyes were still lingering on the table full of delicious food. However, the difference in strength was too great, and she involuntarily followed Meng Yuxiu out.

She felt it was a waste to leave after enjoying such a delicious meal, but with so many people watching, even she couldn't bring herself to say it.

Xiao Shu'er was anxious, but dared not ask anyone to stop her. She could only follow behind and said aggrievedly, "Brother Meng, don't go. Since you're here, why don't you sit for a while? We haven't had a proper chat in a long time."

Meng Yuxiu, without turning his head, said, "Your Majesty and I have nothing to talk about, so let's not disturb Your Majesty's grand banquet."

"Brother Meng!" Xiao Shu'er could only stand on the deck and watch Meng Yuxiu pull Chang Lili ashore.

When Chang Lili turned her head to look at the shipyard with lingering eyes, she saw Xiao Shuer standing on the deck looking aggrieved. She suddenly felt sorry for Xiao Shuer.

Although she was a princess and had everything, the general she admired was Meng Yuxiu, who was insensitive and lacked any sense of romance.

Watching Meng Yuxiu leave with Chang Lili, the two even riding the same horse, Xiao Shuer was so angry that her fingernails dug into her palms.

When she returned to the boat shop, her previous gentleness and virtue had vanished completely. Her eyebrows were raised, and her gaze was murderous, making the girls around her, who had been laughing at her, afraid to even breathe.

Chang Lili threatened her, and Meng Yuxiu's actions turned what was supposed to be a banquet that ruined Chang Lili's reputation into one where Xiao Shu'er herself lost face.

She couldn't swallow her anger and had no desire to continue the banquet. Her rage almost burned her to ashes. She didn't know where she got the strength, but she overturned the table full of delicacies and fine wines.

The exquisite and magnificent shipyard was instantly turned into a mess.

On the shores of Youyang Lake, a tall and handsome man and a petite yet spirited woman ride together on a horse, galloping through the gentle night breeze.