And so, Chang Lili said goodbye to her days of serving tea and water and doing chores, and transformed into a sought-after junior craftswoman in the military manufacturing department.
Three hundred was no small amount for her, but she did it with great pleasure. When the stars filled the sky and it was time to go back, she still couldn't quite believe it.
She had initially thought Lu Ming's offer of help was just empty talk with no hope of anything, but it unexpectedly changed her life completely.
After working for a long time, she was sore and tired, but she packed up and left, satisfied.
Upon reaching the gate, I saw a figure in the empty space in front of it.
His figure was tall and straight; even in the dim light, one could tell he was an exceptional individual.
Chang Lili approached with a puzzled look, and the closer she got, the more familiar the figure seemed.
She frowned, but the other person spoke first: "What? It's been a while, and you don't recognize me?"
"Meng Yuxiu?" She approached hurriedly and saw the man's strong features and handsome eyes, which shone like a bright star, illuminating the surroundings. "Why are you here?"
The word "surprise" was practically written all over her face. Meng Yuxiu leaned closer, their eyes meeting, his smile deepening and his gaze becoming more intense: "Why can't I come? Weren't you looking for me too?"
They were so close that the gentle night breeze couldn't dispel their warm breaths.
Chang Lili quickly pulled her head back and said, "I...I didn't mean to look for you..."
"Really? But I've been waiting here for a long time, and I've missed a lot of official business," Meng Yuxiu said, quite annoyed.
"Huh? How long have you been waiting? If you needed anything, just let me know and I'll come find you," Chang Lili said in surprise.
But when she looked up, she met Meng Yuxiu's eyes, eyes that shone like stars, yet outshone all the starlight.
Chang Lili lowered her head, feeling her heart pounding. She found herself completely at a loss in front of Meng Yuxiu. She didn't know what was wrong with her. She was looking forward to seeing him, but now that she had seen him, she didn't dare to look at him for long, and she didn't know what to do with her hands.
"Well, it's getting late, let's go back first, Grandma will be worried." Chang Lili said, lowering her head and walking forward in a low voice.
But Meng Yuxiu grabbed her wrist and led her to the side.
"I thought you didn't realize how late it was before you came out at this hour."
Chang Lili then noticed a horse by the roadside. Meng Yuxiu mounted the horse first and then reached out to pull Chang Lili along, but she didn't reach out for a long time.
"No...no need, men and women shouldn't touch each other, I'd better not go up."
Chang Lili thought to himself that he had been busy all day, covered in sweat, and didn't even know what his body smelled like, so getting so close was really not a wise choice.
But then he felt a strong force on his arm, and when he came to his senses, he was already sitting on a horse.
A cool breeze blew, and the sound of horses' hooves clattered as Chang Lili's petite body landed in Meng Yuxiu's arms.
Despite the firm chest and the fact that they had ridden together before, Chang Lili felt extremely uneasy, wondering if Meng Yuxiu smelled bad and if he would find out, thus ruining her reputation in his eyes.
Meng Yuxiu, however, kept a smile on his lips, looking quite pleased with himself.
After a while, the horse slowed down, and Chang Lili, who had been jostled around so much, finally caught her breath.
"How's it going at the military manufacturing department lately? Is there something you need from me?" Meng Yuxiu's slightly hoarse voice sounded from behind.
Chang Lili could feel the heat in his chest and the slight tremor when he spoke.
"I'm fine, nothing... nothing's wrong," Chang Lili felt lightheaded. Only after Meng Yuxiu's reminder did she suddenly remember and hurriedly reached for his hand. "How's your hand?"
Meng Yuxiu let him grab her, and his wrist was exposed under his wide sleeves. It was covered with many brown scabs, and the shape of teeth marks could be vaguely seen.
Chang Lili looked at the wounds with guilt and said, "I'm so sorry, it's all because of me. I don't know how to thank you."
Meng Yuxiu leaned forward and whispered in Chang Lili's ear: "You're already offering yourself to me, so why are you saying thank you?"
Chang Lili blushed and shouted, "When did I say I would repay you with my body? I never said that!"
"That means you've tacitly agreed. The doctor said that this wound will leave a scar. I, a great general, have many scars from knives and swords, but I never thought I would also have so many teeth marks. If word gets out, my lifelong reputation will be ruined." Meng Yuxiu said with melancholy.
Chang Lili covered her mouth, but still couldn't help laughing out loud: "Then you'll only become famous. Throughout history, only a general like you is so unique."
As they talked, they arrived at the entrance of the General's Mansion. After dismounting and entering the mansion, Meng Yuxiu said, "Today I saw that you have already accomplished quite a bit at the Military Manufacturing Department. With so many weapons to be made, Master Chang is truly busy!"
"How long have you been waiting there? Why didn't you call me?" Chang Lili asked in surprise.
"Seeing how busy you are, how could I possibly bother you?" Meng Yuxiu said, recalling her focused expression. "But no matter how much you have to do, don't forget the time. It's not safe for a young lady like you to be out so late at night."
Chang Lili nodded, blushing.
“However, it would be too much work for you to forge so many spears by yourself. I’ll send someone to help you,” Meng Yu said matter-of-factly.
Chang Lili immediately waved her hand: "No, no, no, I agreed to do it myself, as Deputy Lu specifically asked me to do it."
Meng Yuxiu smiled and said, "Okay."
"Then I'll go back first. My mother-in-law must be very worried about me." Chang Lili said as she ran into the yard, but stopped halfway and turned back to look.
Meng Yuxiu was still standing there, bathed in moonlight and starlight. He quietly looked at Chang Lili and smiled.
Chang Lili already felt that her hands and feet were not quite under her control. This smile, though faint, was so hot that it seemed to melt her. Chang Lili felt even weaker.
Even after returning to the courtyard and her room, Chang Lili still felt her heart pounding like a deer, unable to find peace.
"What's wrong with me? Meng Yuxiu likes me, right? He's famously handsome like Pan An but has the personality of a monk. If he didn't like me, why would he care about me so much?" Chang Lili thought to herself, feeling overjoyed and shy.
"I must be reserved, I must be reserved. Especially at times like this, we women must be even more reserved!" Chang Lili said, then buried her head in the blankets, her heart overflowing with shyness and sweetness.
The next morning, Chang Lili went out feeling refreshed. Her current situation could be described as "bowing to her wedding night and passing the imperial examination with flying colors." Although she was still a little short of success, Chang Lili felt that she was not far from passing the examination.
But as soon as she stepped out of the mansion, a carriage was waiting for her, and someone blocked her way.
"I am Ke Shou, a guard by the general's side. I am here on the general's orders to escort the young lady to the military workshop," the man said, a sword at his waist, bowing respectfully.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
