Meanwhile, another man with a cold and aloof expression stood tall and elegant on a high pavilion not far away. Watching the backs of the two women, he couldn't help but reach into the wide sleeve of one hand. His slightly pale face blossomed into a smile as if the ice and snow had just melted.
When Chang Lili returned to the General's Mansion, she felt exhausted, both physically and mentally. It was just a banquet, but it felt like she had fought a battle of wits and courage.
As soon as she stepped off the carriage, servants and maids came to greet her. Among them was Jingmei, a maid who was very familiar with Chang Lili. She leaned over and said without any hesitation, "Miss, you're finally back! The general would have been worried sick if you hadn't come back."
"Huh?" Chang Lili looked puzzled.
"The general is restless in his study," Jingmei whispered to Chang Lili, her expression suggestive.
Chang Lili was increasingly puzzled. Now that she had returned from that treacherous banquet, she had something to say. She felt that the trip had been a waste and she was determined to get some benefits from Meng Yuxiu.
So she stormed off to the study, while Jingmei and the other servants and maids smiled slyly.
When Chang Lili entered the study, she found Meng Yuxiu sitting at his desk, writing something with a calm expression, showing no sign of urgency.
She immediately felt like she had bumped into cotton, and felt a little disappointed.
"You...why are you back so early?" Chang Lili asked somewhat unwillingly when she saw that Meng Yuxiu didn't seem to have anything to say to her.
Meng Yuxiu continued writing calmly, and smiled slightly: "The Emperor's decree is just to get me out of the way of the Empress's banquet. As long as I don't attend the banquet, that's fine. The so-called reorganization of the army is just a stroll around."
Chang Lili became increasingly unhappy and said with dissatisfaction, "You seem to be having a good time, playing your own game. You're using me as a pawn, making me sit among a bunch of unreasonable women, scheming against each other. It's so pointless."
She walked into the house, sat down, and poured herself some tea.
Meng Yuxiu's smile deepened, and he said with great interest, "There are many things in this palace that you have never seen before. Didn't you see anything interesting?"
Chang Lili thought to herself that she had indeed seen many things she never dared to imagine. Then she thought of Lu Ming, and her mood improved. She laughed and said, "I never expected to meet Lu Ming at the banquet. I really didn't expect it. Lu Ming has quite a presence. I thought she was just an unknown and willful little girl. She actually appeared at the Empress's banquet. She's really something. What kind of people have I met here!"
Meng Yuxiu smiled, his mouth slightly open, his handsome face looking exceptionally good.
But if he knew that the "group of people" Chang Lili was referring to included some people he had met by chance, he probably wouldn't be laughing anymore.
Chang Lili said with delight, "It's truly heaven's help! No wonder she was able to summon Deputy Director Lu and turn my miserable fate in the military manufacturing department around!"
Upon hearing this, Meng Yuxiu's smile was replaced by confusion. He hesitated, feeling unwilling to speak.
He clearly remembered that it was his capable subordinate who had been asked to do this.
“It’s not a good idea for her to stay like this in the military manufacturing department. She’s a very talented foundry worker, and her talent shouldn’t be wasted. You need to think of a way to change the current situation.” Meng Yuxiu instructed Lu Fuwei in this way at the time.
Lu Fuwei's thick eyebrows furrowed and then relaxed: "That Miss Chang?"
Upon receiving Meng Yuxiu's affirmative answer, Lu Fuwei couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He understood the saying, "Even heroes have difficulty resisting the charms of a beautiful woman," recalling Lu Ming's mother in the past…
Recalling the past, he felt conflicted.
Although he looked rugged, he was actually quite shrewd. He immediately agreed and had already made his plans.
So one night, he secretly took the exquisite spear he had given to Lu Ming and chipped it.
Then the next day, he pretended to be surprised that the spear was damaged and immediately told her to repair it.
To ensure things went smoothly, he also instructed the other forge masters not to repair weapons for Lu Ming, as the experienced craftsmen would never repair weapons for such a lowly soldier.
After finishing her speech in high spirits, Chang Lili said with relish, "Although the banquet was not pleasant, the walnut pastries on the table were really delicious. But there was only such a small plate. This imperial banquet is too stingy."
Upon hearing this, Meng Yuxiu's smile returned to his face, and he said gently, "If you like it, I will ask the chefs in my household to go to the palace to learn how to cook, so that you can have it anytime in the future."
Chang Lili felt a warmth in her heart, as if in a dream. She looked at Meng Yuxiu, but when she met his gentle, rippling eyes, she felt a pang of fear and looked away.
It was just a casual remark, yet he took it to heart and spoke of it so matter-of-factly. Has she and Meng Yuxiu really come to this point?
A thousand thoughts raced through her mind, and she couldn't help but smile slightly, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes gleamed with secret delight.
Seeing her like this, Meng Yuxiu put down his pen and smiled slightly, a smile that contained a hint of doting affection.
He picked up the seal beside him and stamped it on what he had written, the movement completed in one swift motion.
Chang Lili thought he was writing some important document because he was so serious, but Meng Yuxiu handed her the finished document and gestured for her to take it.
"What is this?" Chang Lili asked, taking the item with a puzzled look.
On the thin paper were a few lines of unrestrained cursive script. Chang Lili frowned slightly and stared at it for a long time before she could make out the content.
"I... Meng Yuxiu, swear to heaven that I will never marry Xiao Shuer in this lifetime. If I break this oath, I will die alone and suffer a terrible death." Chang Lili read on and realized something was wrong. By the end, she was dumbfounded.
Meng Yuxiu stood calmly behind the desk, looking at her with a half-smile.
"Grow old alone...and die a horrible death? You're so malicious! Are you cursing Xiao Shu'er or yourself?" Chang Lili couldn't help but laugh.
Meng Yuxiu laughed as well: "Whether it's cursing her or cursing me, as long as my vow is correct, isn't that enough?"
After he finished speaking, he calmly took a sip of tea, but Chang Lili suddenly came to her senses, blushed, and quickly threw the document on the table, saying, "You...you...why did you write this!"
Her face was burning hot, and her ears were ringing.
Most of the things she said at the banquet were intended to slander Xiao Shu'er.
Besides, she didn't think it was necessary for Meng Yuxiu to know. Even if he did know, it wouldn't matter if she told him about the situation and explained it to him.
Unexpectedly, upon returning, she received a written note personally written by Meng Yuxiu, leaving her stunned.
"I...I didn't mean that. I didn't really want the written agreement. I was just saying it casually. You didn't see their faces back then. They were absolutely furious. I can't just sit back and let them think the General's Mansion is easy to bully." Seeing that Meng Yuxiu didn't speak, she tried to explain.
Meng Yuxiu pretended to think for a moment, then nodded solemnly: "Well, of course not."
After thinking for a moment, Chang Lili felt something was wrong. She frowned and suddenly looked up, asking, "How do you know what happened at the banquet? I didn't say any of that."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
