Xiao Lingshou revealed a faint smile, like pure white snow enveloped in sunlight.
"I will. You take good care of yourself too."
Upon hearing this, Meng Yuxiu frowned, put his arm around Chang Lili's shoulder, and said, "You don't need to worry about her, I will take good care of her."
Their eyes met, as if a violent storm was raging between them.
Xiao Lingshou withdrew his gaze, took out a dagger from his wide sleeve. The dagger looked small and well-made, but upon closer inspection, it was somewhat unsightly.
After all, it was made by someone who had never forged any weapons before, so even with guidance from a master craftsman, it couldn't be saved... Chang Lili thought to herself.
“Lili, this dagger was made with your help these past few days. It is of great significance to me, and I will definitely carry it with me at all times from now on,” Xiao Lingshou said solemnly.
These words sounded a bit misleading, and Chang Lili felt awkward about them, but Xiao Lingshou didn't give her a chance to speak.
He smiled at her like ice melting: "Lili, I won't forget what I promised you. Here, take this. When you've thought it through, come find me anytime. Take this to the palace gate and show it to the guards, and they will bring you to see me."
Chang Lili looked at Xiao Lingshou in surprise, pushed her chin up slightly, and happily accepted the priceless dragon-patterned jade pendant: "Just tell me where to find you, and you're giving me something so valuable. It's too much of a waste."
Meng Yuxiu, his face turning pale, asked, "What...what did he promise you?"
Now it was Xiao Lingshou's turn to show off. He said to Chang Lili with a smug look, "This thing can't be measured in money. Without it, you won't be able to find me."
"Huh?" Chang Lili looked surprised, then looked troubled. She had just been wondering how much silver this thing could be worth.
Meng Yuxiu sneered, "She is from my General's Mansion. If she really wants to see someone, I will take her to see them myself."
Xiao Lingshou's expression turned slightly cold, but he still managed a forced smile as he waved goodbye to Chang Lili and wished her well.
Gritting his teeth, Meng Yuxiu watched Xiao Lingshou's figure disappear in front of the military manufacturing department's gate, but he still couldn't help turning to Chang Lili and asking, "What did he promise you?"
Chang Lili looked at Meng Yuxiu's face and blinked. At this moment, Meng Yuxiu looked a little anxious, and also a little unwilling and aggrieved. His expression was really interesting.
If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would never have imagined that Meng Yuxiu would have such an expression on his face.
"Guess!" she laughed and turned to walk back.
Inside the carriage, Xiao Lingshou took out a dagger from his sleeve and carefully stroked it, looking as if he cherished it dearly.
He slightly withdrew the dagger, the carriage curtain swayed, and sunlight streamed in, reflecting the light onto the gleaming dagger bearing the character "离" (Li).
After pondering for a moment, he asked the driver to stop the carriage, got off, and returned carrying a mahogany box.
About an hour later, the carriage entered the palace gate, and Xiao Lingshou was taken to his palace.
After bathing and changing his clothes, he did not go to pay his respects to the emperor, but instead went to Kunning Palace.
News of his presence at the Military Workshop had likely already reached the Emperor's ears, yet he did not urge him to return to the palace. It was the Empress who urged him to return this time.
As an unfavored prince, he probably wouldn't want to see the emperor, so he wisely refrained from disturbing him.
Before they even reached Kunning Palace, the empress, dressed in magnificent attire, came out to greet them. Before she could even speak, tears were already streaming down her face.
"My child, you have suffered so much!" The Empress said, her eyes brimming with tears, as she touched Xiao Lingshou's face. "You've lost weight."
Xiao Lingshou was also somewhat moved, and finally stopped being cold and aloof. He helped the Empress into the palace and said softly, "Mother, you don't need to worry. Your son has returned safely."
"Yes, it's good that you're back!" the Empress said, wiping away her tears.
She immediately ordered someone to bring food, including many delicate pastries.
After exchanging pleasantries, the Empress's tears dried, and her face was filled with joy as she asked with a smile, "Didn't you say you would bring your mother a gift when you returned? Your mother has been looking forward to it for a long time."
Xiao Lingshou subconsciously tightened his wide sleeves and said to the eunuch behind him, "Bring it up."
The wooden box was placed on the table beside the Queen. When opened, it contained many small trinkets.
"These were all collected by your son from the common people, to help Mother Mother relieve her boredom," Xiao Lingshou said with a smile.
The Empress was surprised for a moment, then burst into laughter.
After seeing Xiao Lingshou off, Meng Yuxiu felt much more at ease. He thought that he would never see this spoilsport again when he went to the Military Manufacturing Bureau, which made him feel cheerful.
But gradually, he noticed something was wrong. Without Xiao Lingshou, Chang Lili was acting strangely.
She seemed even busier than before Xiao Lingshou left, and even busier than when he was forging those three hundred spears, but Meng Yuxiu couldn't tell what she was busy with.
Whenever he brought his weapon to her for repair, she would refuse three out of five times, and only reluctantly agreed the remaining two times when Meng Yuxiu insisted that it had to be repaired.
Moreover, it was obvious that she didn't take it seriously either time, failing to point out the weapon's shortcomings or suggest areas for modification.
Meng Yuxiu felt something was very wrong. This decisive and ruthless man, who had commanded armies on the battlefield, was actually having wild thoughts.
He felt neglected by Chang Lili; she seemed reluctant to talk to him. Was it because of Xiao Lingshou? The more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt.
This unpleasant feeling tormented him for a long time until one day, Chang Lili finally took the initiative to talk to him. It felt like the sky, which had been overcast and rainy for many days, suddenly cleared up and the sunlight shone gently.
"I heard the palace is going to hold an archery competition?" Chang Lili asked expectantly.
Meng Yuxiu put down the arrowhead he had just finished crafting and looked at her in surprise: "How did you know? This is for me?"
Seeing Chang Lili nod, he was suddenly overjoyed. He hadn't expected Chang Lili to care so much about his affairs. As for how she knew, he forgot to investigate.
Although Meng Yuxiu frequently visited the Military Manufacturing Office, he never mentioned Lu Ming again. It was unclear whether he chose to ignore it or had truly forgotten about it.
As a result, Lu Ming became bolder and would come to talk to Chang Lili whenever she had a reason.
However, the most frequent topic of conversation was about Xiao Lingshou, with people always sighing and wondering if they would ever meet again in this lifetime.
Chang Lili couldn't help but laugh when she heard her say that.
Yesterday, she learned from Lu Ming, who seemed to be in a good mood, that the palace was going to hold an archery competition. As the daughter of Deputy Lieutenant Lu, she was also eligible to participate in the competition.
"Is the horseback archery competition interesting?" Chang Lili couldn't help but ask, seeing Lu Ming's smiling face.
So he learned from Lu Ming how spectacular and exciting the royal horse archery competition was.
"Look at these fine arrows I made for you. As a way of repaying you, take me to see the archery competition!" Chang Lili said with shining eyes.
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