Chang Lili was holding back her anger, and it didn't subside even after she arrived in the capital.
"You really won't talk to me?" Meng Yuxiu teased her all day long, whispering in her ear, "In that case, shall I go to the palace alone?"
Chang Lili glared at him.
Meng Yuxiu sighed softly and pulled her into his arms: "I can't bear to see you suffer. The medical skills of the imperial physicians in the capital are still acceptable. The scars on your legs haven't faded yet, so we need to see an imperial physician to take a look."
Chang Lili didn't speak. Someone outside the carriage called them to get off. Chang Lili poked her head out and was the first to get off.
Inside the emperor's bedchamber, Meng Yuxiu clasped his hands in a salute and summoned a guard to bring him a purple wooden box: "Your Majesty, this is a thousand-year-old ginseng from the snow mountain."
The eunuch took the box, opened it, and revealed ginseng with dense roots inside. Each root represented ten years.
"Minister Meng, I am so grateful to you for risking your life for me this time."
The emperor was very pleased and had the eunuch accept the money, but then he thought of something else.
"Some time ago, Hu Cheng disappeared without a trace. I searched everywhere but could not find him. The guards cannot lose their commander. You are far away at the border. I think that since the Crown Prince will be married soon, I should also give him a gift. It would be very appropriate to entrust the soldiers to his command."
Chang Lili touched the tip of her nose. Xiao Lingshou was a friend, and the military power was in his hands, which was better than others. She had no objection to this. However, Meng Yuxiu's hard work over the years could not be in vain. Chang Lili said slowly, "Your Majesty, the general risked his life to go to the snow mountain, and several secret guards perished there... Your Majesty, the general and I will be married soon, and I would like to ask Your Majesty for a reward."
Chang Lili bowed her head in greeting, then noticed the person standing motionless to the side. She tugged at his sleeve, and Meng Yuxiu clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your Majesty, when I take a wife, I should naturally be carried in a grand sedan chair by eight bearers. Therefore, I shamelessly request Your Majesty's favor!"
The emperor gave Chang Lili a deep look, pondered for a moment, and slowly said, "Ten million in gold and silver, ten chests of jewels. I remember you love for forging weapons, so I will also grant you iron materials and other items. Take whatever the national treasury has on hand."
Chang Lili knew when to stop: "This humble woman thanks Your Majesty."
Meng Yuxiu and Chang Lili withdrew and walked out of the palace. Not long after, they were greeted by Xiao Lingshou, whose eunuch was carrying a tray with a bowl of dark medicine on it.
"Your Highness, congratulations!" Chang Lili smiled sincerely. "The Emperor's wedding gifts to you are very generous. Take good care of Lu Ming; she is devoted to you!"
Xiao Lingshou's expression darkened slightly.
Meng Yuxiu said, "The emperor has given Hu Cheng's military power to you."
Xiao Lingshou was astonished.
The Imperial Medical Academy was located just outside the palace. Meng Yuxiu pulled Chang Lili there to have the imperial physician examine her, prescribe some medicine and a few bottles of muscle-regenerating ointment, and put them in their pockets. The two of them chatted and laughed as they left the palace, where they bumped into Lu Ming, who was running towards them.
"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!" Chang Lili cried out in pain, then looked at the person in front of her and exclaimed, "You're about to become the Crown Princess, and you're still so reckless!"
Lu Ming had had enough of the formalities and hugged Chang Lili tightly: "My little darling, you've finally come back! You didn't even come to see me, you're so inconsiderate, if it weren't for me..."
"Cough!" Chang Lili coughed heavily, giving Lu Ming a meaningful look.
Meng Yuxiu was still standing there!
"I'll be waiting for you in the carriage outside the palace."
Lu Ming awkwardly watched Meng Yuxiu leave, while Chang Lili sighed, "Although Meng Yuxiu knows that you helped me, aren't you afraid he'll blame you for saying it to his face?"
Lu Ming puffed out her chest: "What's there to be afraid of? I'm the Crown Princess, those military punishments have no effect on me!"
Chang Lili laughed out loud. The two friends, who hadn't seen each other for a long time, found a pavilion to sit down and told each other all the interesting things that had happened recently. As they talked, they also talked about their wedding.
Lu Ming said happily, "Your marriage to the general is finally on the agenda! Since you're both getting married this year, why not hold the wedding on the same day? You can also have a baby together later, and... well, you know... arranged marriage!"
"No way." Chang Lili refused without even thinking. "It would be disrespectful for a prince to celebrate with his subjects!"
Lu Ming didn't think much of it. After being reminded by Chang Lili, she hung her head dejectedly.
The Crown Princess...
The Crown Prince was to be married in seven days. The Emperor issued an edict and the guards brought the Empress out of the temple. However, the management of the six palaces was still in the hands of Consort Lan. The Empress did nothing and continued to purify her mind as usual.
The iron materials bestowed by the emperor were transported into the mansion in waves. Chang Lili was overjoyed when she received them and busied herself with work day and night. Finally, on the eve of the wedding, she managed to forge a suitable gift for Lu Ming.
On the carriage, Chang Lili was drowsy and almost bumped into the railing several times. Meng Yuxiu felt sorry for her and couldn't help but complain.
"So you know how sleepy you are now, staying up all night?"
Chang Lili muttered, "On this once-in-a-lifetime special day, I want to give her the best."
Meng Yuxiu said, "Once she becomes the Crown Princess, she can no longer wield weapons. Even if you give them to her, she may not be able to use them."
These words completely startled Chang Lili, who was still half asleep. She stared blankly at Meng Yuxiu, and didn't react until she got off the car.
If Lu Ming can't use it, wouldn't that be touching a sore spot for her?
Chang Lili said weakly, "Go away, I don't want to talk to you."
Meng Yuxiu did indeed leave, though he was dragged away by the ministers.
Chang Lili was even angrier. She sat down in her seat, wondering whether she should see Lu Ming off.
"Miss Chang," a maid called to her, "The general and his ministers have finished their business and need your assistance."
"What's up?"
The maid shook her head: "This servant does not know."
"What's with the mystery?"
Chang Lili muttered as she stood up and followed the maid, around the covered corridor, and as she walked forward, the crowd became increasingly sparse.
"How much further? He's talking to his ministers, isn't he going to the main hall?"
"Please bear with us, Miss Chang, we'll be there soon."
The maid grabbed Chang Lili's arm and dragged her deeper into the area, causing Chang Lili's expression to change slightly.
Are you sure it's the general looking for me?
The maid was taken aback.
Taking advantage of her distraction, Chang Lili twisted her hand behind her back and pressed the hidden arrow against her neck: "Who sent you?"
The maid gritted her teeth.
Chang Lili hardened her heart and pierced her neck with an arrow: "Speak!"
Blood slowly seeped out, and the maid finally realized her fear. She presented the tray, saying, "It's the Princess! She wants me to take you to the secret room! It's full of oil; she wants to burn you alive—"
Where is she?
"The princess is in Mingxi Pavilion."
Chang Lili knocked the maid unconscious with a single palm strike.
He stared at her expressionlessly, dragged her to a corner and began to take off his clothes, putting them on himself. Then he dirtied his body and face, his hair disheveled, and ran to see Xiao Shu'er in a panic.
"Princess! It's terrible, Princess! That woman is trying to break free, and I can't stop her. The guards have all been knocked unconscious!"
"Useless trash! Can't even stop one person!"
Despite her cursing, Xiao Shu'er kept running towards the dark room in the high-rise building. She opened the door and found it empty; there was no one there!
"you--"
Xiao Shuer turned her head sharply, her question unspoken, before she could even utter a sound, her eyes widening in terror.
"It's me."
Chang Lili smiled.
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