That night, Meng Yuxiu had drunk quite a bit of wine, but he was a man who could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. After drinking the fruit wine and feeling the night breeze, his mind became even clearer.
He has already begun preparing for his wedding with Chang Lili, spending a lot of time and energy on it, and will spend even more on it later.
He wanted to give Chang Lili the best, the best wedding that everyone would envy.
As a smile appeared on his lips, another thing came to mind. He remembered the day he was restless and rushed into the palace, only to see men in black surrounding Chang Lili.
Later, he asked Chang Lili in detail and learned that something had happened that day.
It was said that the Emperor had issued a secret decree to deal with Chang Lili that very day. However, Meng Yuxiu's investigation revealed that the Emperor had not issued any secret decree at all. It was Xiao Shuer who sent someone to falsely convey the imperial decree, intending to execute Chang Lili first and report later.
After finding out the truth, Meng Yuxiu couldn't help but feel a sense of lingering fear. If it weren't for those men in black who appeared that day and rescued Chang Lili from the jailers, where would the peace be today?
“They probably wanted to capture me to threaten you,” Chang Lili said indignantly, not thinking too much about it. “I remember the weapons they used. They are the same group that tried to kill you in the hunting grounds before. How vicious! They are so unscrupulous in trying to control you!”
Although Meng Yuxiu agreed, he didn't think that the men in black really wanted to use Chang Lili as a bargaining chip to threaten him. If they just wanted to use her as a bargaining chip, they could have taken her away by any means necessary. Why go to such lengths and show so much respect for Chang Lili? They didn't need to be so careful when she raised her knife to cut her throat.
Why would they risk exposing their whereabouts and being captured alive to take Chang Lili away?
Who exactly is Chang Lili?
The next day was another sunny and beautiful day, the weather just like Chang Lili's mood, with not a cloud in the sky.
Although she had drunk alcohol the day before, she felt refreshed when she woke up this morning. Chang Lili went to the military workshop early in the morning and began to forge weapons while humming a little tune.
Lu Ming, who is simple-minded but loves to join in the fun, came to Chang Lili's place immediately to ask her about Meng Yuxiu.
"So, so, what did the General do this time?" she asked with great interest.
Chang Lili was focused on forging iron, but when asked this question, she blushed instantly and hurriedly pushed Lu Ming away, saying, "Don't you have anything to do? Look how busy I am, I don't have time to take care of you right now."
Lu Ming broke free unhappily and ran back to Chang Lili's blacksmith's platform. She pouted and said aggrievedly, "Look at you! You value romance over friendship. You've forgotten me now that you have the general. All my efforts to help you and solve your problems every day are wasted. I still haven't found my Su Ling. What have I gained from this?"
Seeing her expression, Chang Lili couldn't help but laugh. When she realized that she was still thinking about Su Ling, Chang Lili was surprised: "Why are you still thinking about him? A man like him is not someone we can afford to be with. It's better to draw a clear line."
I thought Lu Ming, who was simple-minded, was just having a fleeting crush on me, but I never expected that she would silently keep her feelings for Xiao Ling until now.
Chang Lili had always felt that Lu Ming and Su Ling were not on the same path. After this incident, she felt even more strongly that the dark and treacherous palace was not a suitable place for Lu Ming at all.
"Do you know who he is?" Lu Ming asked, staring at Chang Lili with a look of surprise.
Chang Lili immediately turned away to attend to her own business: "I don't know."
Lu Ming, however, circled around Chang Lili like a cheerful oriole: "You're lying. The way you looked just now showed you knew who he really was."
Chang Lili put down the hammer in her hand, turned around and said with a look of exasperation, "You're not still thinking about going to see him, are you? There are plenty of fish in the sea, Xiaoming. You know I barely survived this time after getting out of prison. Listen to your sister's advice, please, please don't keep thinking about that rich young master..."
She tried her best to persuade him, but to little avail. Lu Ming turned her face away reluctantly, pouting, as if she didn't want to hear anything at all.
Before Chang Lili could finish speaking, a clear voice called out "Lu Ming" from afar.
From afar, one could see the tall, handsome, yet shy young man waving as he ran toward Lu Ming.
Chang Lili's eyes lit up. Wasn't this Chu Huan? He looked like he was deeply in love with Lu Ming and couldn't extricate himself.
But Lu Ming turned around with a look of disgust, her back to Chu Huan.
"Why is he here again? He must be looking for me again because my dad is looking for me. I have absolutely no freedom!" Lu Ming complained angrily.
Chang Lili looked at the two bickering lovers and couldn't stop laughing: "Lu Ming, I think Chu Huan is pretty good. His looks are stunning. Stop focusing on Su Ling and look at the people around you..."
"Sister Lili, what nonsense are you talking about? Chu Huan is my soldier. He only respects me, and I only care about him. It's not like what you're saying." As she spoke, Chu Huan got closer and closer, and Lu Ming's dissatisfied voice gradually subsided.
Lu Ming chuckled and quickly asked in a low voice, "How many soldiers do you have under your command?"
Lu Ming hesitated for a moment before reluctantly whispering, "...one."
"Master Chang," Chu Huan greeted them respectfully as he approached them, then turned to Lu Ming, "Lu Ming, Vice Minister Lu is looking for you. Go back quickly."
Lu Ming reluctantly followed Chu Huan away, while Chang Lili suppressed a laugh as she saw the two little rascals off.
As the sun began to set, the small courtyard where Chang Lili and her mother-in-law lived in the General's Mansion was bathed in the glow of the setting sun, a scene of peace and tranquility.
The old woman was collecting clothes in the yard when she suddenly heard a young woman's voice behind her: "Aunt Chang."
She had heard that voice many days ago, and in the dead of night, it was that shout that brought her long-buried memories back to light.
She thought it was just a trivial, insignificant incident, and seeing that nothing had changed over the years, she assumed it had never happened.
But now, as she turns around, that young face reappears before her eyes.
"You... why are you here again? I told you you've mistaken me for someone else. Leave now, or I'll call for help." The mother-in-law's eyes flickered as she frantically pushed Guo Yan.
Guo Yan came here to find out Chang Lili's identity, and she wouldn't leave easily until she achieved her goal.
She grabbed her mother-in-law's hand, frowning urgently, and said, "Mother-in-law, it's me, Guo Yan. Don't be afraid, I won't tell anyone your identity. I came here to ask you about Chang Lili's identity. Is she...?"
"No! No!" the mother-in-law said instinctively, then suddenly covered her mouth, then let go and said in horror, "She is not the murderer who caused Consort Lan's miscarriage. The truth has been found out. Don't even think about putting her back in jail."
“Aunt Chang…” Guo Yan’s tone softened.
But the old woman continued to struggle, muttering angrily, "You people are always trying to cause trouble for Lili. I will definitely tell the general that you won't succeed!"
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