Meng Yuxiu had no idea what kind of trouble she was up to this time. He frowned, but still let her in. "Speak quickly, I have other things to do."
Upon hearing this, Chang Lili didn't mince words and went straight to the point, "General, I already know that you were framed that day, so I don't intend to keep bothering you. How about this, you give me five hundred taels of gold, and I'll pack my things and leave immediately."
So she came here to ask for money, and gold at that. Meng Yuxiu sneered upon hearing this. This woman was quite the schemer. First, she asked him to help her redeem herself, and then she came back to ask for money.
People who come from brothels are indeed very cunning.
He felt disgusted and didn't even bother to look at it, so he said, "Don't even think about it. Just stay in the West Garden and don't cause me any trouble."
Chang Lili thought he didn't believe her, so she quickly said, "I'm telling the truth, please believe me. I promise I won't bother you anymore."
In the past, Meng Yuxiu might have paid to settle the matter, but recently he heard that the palace intended to bestow a marriage upon him and Xiao Shuer, which he had intended to refuse. Chang Lili's commotion gave him an excuse, so how could he let her go?
He said, "Whether what you said is true or false, it has nothing to do with me. Now go back to your room right now."
Chang Lili wanted to say something more, but Meng Yuxiu had already called people in to forcibly send her back to the West Garden.
"You blockhead, why won't you listen? I told you, I don't need you to take responsibility, just give me the money and I'll leave, didn't you understand?" Chang Lili said angrily.
Meng Yuxiu ignored him and went back to his desk to work. Chang Lili was sent back to her room and was not seen for several days afterward.
Just when she was at her wit's end, someone came and asked her to go to a teahouse on Tianshun Street for a talk.
Chang Lili was wary and didn't plan to go, but the person who came to deliver the message said, "She said she can help you resolve the issue of leaving."
Upon hearing this, she did not hesitate and immediately went out to keep the appointment.
Upon arriving at the teahouse, Chang Lili discovered that the person who delivered the message was none other than Xiao Shu'er. She turned to leave, but Xiao Shu'er said leisurely behind her, "Stop. Don't you want your money back?"
Chang Lili stopped, her expression wary. "What do we have to talk about?"
Unlike their last meeting, Xiao Shu'er didn't shout for violence. She sat down at the table, took out the silver notes, and said, "Here are ten thousand taels of silver notes. Take them and go back. Pack your things and leave quietly."
Chang Lili asked in confusion, "Why are you giving me money?"
Xiao Shu'er sneered, "Since it can be solved with money, I'm naturally too lazy to put in any more effort, lest the matter get out and people say that I'm abusing my power."
She paused, then said impatiently, "Do you want it or not? I don't have time to waste with you."
"Yes." Chang Lili quickly stepped forward and took the silver note. "Of course I want it. Don't worry, I'll go back and pack my things and leave right away. I'll make sure to stay far away from General Meng. I wish the princess and the general a long and happy marriage."
A look of satisfaction flashed across Xiao Shu'er's eyes. She waved her hand and said, "Get out of my way and stop getting in my way."
Chang Lili was naturally eager to help. She had already planned how to use the money: first, to cure her mother-in-law's illness, and then to use the remaining money to buy a courtyard and a shop. After that, she wouldn't have to worry about making a living.
She smiled and said goodbye to Xiao Shuer.
Watching Chang Lili leave, a fierce look immediately appeared on Xiao Shuer's face. "Go, send someone to take care of her for me. Remember to bring her head back to report."
Her maidservant obeyed and left.
After leaving the teahouse, Chang Lili headed straight home. She didn't plan to go back to the General's Mansion. Anyway, she didn't have much there, and she could just buy a few more clothes later.
When she got home, she saw her mother-in-law sitting in the yard doing embroidery. Chang Lili went over and snatched the embroidery away, saying, "Mother-in-law, how many times have I told you? You are not allowed to do any work until you are fully recovered."
The mother-in-law smiled indulgently, "I'm feeling much better now. I'll take advantage of my good spirits today and quickly make some food so I can pay back the money for the medicine."
Chang Lili told her mother-in-law that the money she brought back from the brothel was borrowed.
She didn't return the items, but said, "We'll talk about that later. Go pack your clothes now, we're going out."
"Where are we going?" the mother-in-law asked.
“I recently took on a job that requires me to go to another city with my employer. It’s supposedly going to take six months, so I’m thinking of having you come with me,” Chang Lili said casually.
"Why does it take so long?" the mother-in-law said. "Did you talk to the family who lent you the money? Don't let them think we ran away."
Chang Lili reassured them, "Don't worry, I got an advance on my wages from the master and have already paid it back. Go pack your things, the master is waiting for us to get going."
Upon hearing this, the mother-in-law didn't say anything more. She went inside to pack her things and left with Chang Lili.
Outside the door was the carriage that Chang Lili had arranged in advance. She helped her mother-in-law into the carriage, locked the door, and set off.
Thinking about the wonderful life ahead, Chang Lili was happy and chatted with her mother-in-law along the way.
What kind of job did you find this time?
"I was there to serve the mistress. She was going there to give birth, and she chose me because I was quick-witted."
"Is the master easy to serve?"
“The family is very easy to talk to and treats me very well, so don’t worry, Mother-in-law.”
Just as the two were chatting happily, the carriage suddenly lurched, and Chang Lili almost fell forward. She angrily lifted the curtain and yelled, "How are you driving? There's still... ah..."
Before she could finish speaking, a long sword came flying at her, and Chang Lili screamed as she retreated.
She had only retreated halfway when she remembered her mother-in-law behind her. Gritting her teeth, she jumped out of the carriage. Landing on the ground, she scrambled to her feet, running and screaming, "Help! Murder!—"
As expected, the assassin charged straight at her. No matter how clever Chang Lili was, she couldn't dodge someone who knew martial arts. She hadn't run a few steps when she tripped over a tree branch and fell hard to the ground.
"No, don't kill me! I have money, I'll give you all of it!" she said, quickly pulling out banknotes.
The assassin reached out and took it. Chang Lili breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the matter was over. Just as she was about to speak, she saw the other party raise his hand again and swing his sword to stab her.
Before Chang Lili could even catch her breath, her mother-in-law, who had been in the carriage, suddenly rushed over, shoved the assassin aside, and shouted to her, "Lili, run!"
The assassin seemed very unhappy with the mother-in-law's sudden appearance. He turned around and went towards her. Chang Lili watched in horror, her eyes wide open, her mind blank.
“Mother-in-law—” she cried out, her eyes wide with fury.
I wanted to rush over, but when the time came, my feet seemed to be rooted to the ground and I couldn't lift them.
A blinding flash of cold light struck Chang Lili, and her heart felt as if it had fallen into an ice cave.
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