The General's Mansion had a wide variety of ingredients, which left Chang Lili somewhat dumbfounded, and some of them were even ones she had never seen before.
She examined the unfamiliar ingredients from all angles, but eventually gave up on the idea of taking on the challenge. Instead, she dutifully prepared a few simple home-style dishes and brought them to the dining room.
She thought she should give him a surprise. Firstly, she was genuinely grateful to him, and secondly, he was still hoping that he could help her learn mechanical arts.
She was carrying the dishes when she was stopped by several maids.
Mei Jing pulled her toward Meng Yuxiu's room and said matter-of-factly, "Lili, you should take the food to our general's room. Our general always likes to eat in his room."
"Really?" Chang Lili thought about it carefully; she really hadn't paid attention to this aspect.
She had a good relationship with Mei Jing, so she naturally trusted her and let several maids help her carry the food to Meng Yuxiu's room.
As soon as she stepped across the threshold, Chang Lili froze. Mei Jing called her to come back to her senses, and she carried the dishes into the house.
Her shock was written all over her face, but the maids remained calm and left after putting down the food.
Have they already become accustomed to it?
Chang Lili was surprised. Was it strange that they couldn't see Meng Yuxiu's room?
The bed curtains were bright red, the bedding was bright red, the tables and chairs were covered with bright red satin, and there were wedding candles on the table, giving it a festive and celebratory feel.
Meng Yuxiu, actually likes this kind of room?
It took Chang Lili a long time to come to her senses. She never expected that Meng Yuxiu would have such a hobby.
Although he was a military general, he was shrewd despite his rough exterior, and handsome in appearance, making him a rare and excellent husband.
However, no one is perfect. Today, she discovered one of Meng Yuxiu's strange habits, which left her quite moved.
The sound of steady, powerful footsteps approached, and Meng Yuxiu appeared at the door without any surprise. Chang Lili immediately stood up and stood respectfully and sincerely by the table.
Such a humble demeanor seemed odd coming from someone as rascal as her.
Meng Yuxiu paused for a moment, then looked at the red objects on the table with a puzzled expression before turning to Chang Lili and hesitantly asking, "What is this...?"
Chang Lili solicitously pulled Meng Yuxiu to sit down at the table and said, "Thank you, General Meng, for protecting me these past few days. These dishes are a small token of my appreciation. Please accept them."
As she finished speaking, she clenched her fists, displaying a rather heroic air.
Actually, Meng Yuxiu was wondering why his room had become like this. Only then did he notice the food on the table and couldn't help but laugh, "I didn't expect you could cook. It looks quite professional."
Chang Lili said with dissatisfaction, "I know a lot more than that."
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Meng Yuxiu pick up his chopsticks. She immediately focused her attention on him, her eyes fixed on his chopsticks as she watched him put a few bean sprouts into his mouth. She asked expectantly, "How is it?"
Meng Yuxiu nodded with a relaxed expression: "The taste is surprisingly good."
"An accident?" Chang Lili was somewhat dissatisfied.
Meng Yuxiu glanced at the room's furnishings and smiled meaningfully. He looked at Chang Lili with something indescribable in his eyes, a tender gaze that made Chang Lili blink in disbelief.
"W-what's wrong?" She reached up and touched her face, making sure she didn't feel anything strange. "Is there something on my face?"
Suddenly, Chang Lili felt a warm hand gently stroke her hair. Meng Yuxiu's face drew closer, and he smiled softly, saying, "Actually, you don't need to remind me like this. As long as you nod, I will send people to prepare for the wedding. I guarantee you will be satisfied, and it will not seem rushed."
The candlelight flickered, and Chang Lili was captivated by his tender and lingering expression. After a moment, she came to her senses, her intoxicated gaze turning into confusion: "What? Wedding arrangements? Who's getting married?"
The tender atmosphere from just now froze, and the gentleness on Meng Yuxiu's face and in his eyes also stiffened.
He couldn't believe that Chang Lili, who was like an omniscient person in the General's Mansion, wouldn't know what had happened in the past few days.
"Did you decorate the room like this and cook this whole meal just to remind me to get married soon?" Meng Yuxiu said bluntly.
Chang Lili denied it without hesitation: "Of course not!" The two stared at each other for a second, and then she hurriedly explained, "I mean, I didn't decorate this room, I cooked this food, but I was just expressing my gratitude to you, not to remind you to get back to...get back to...that's not what I meant!"
As she spoke, her face turned red.
"You didn't arrange this?" Meng Yuxiu was highly skilled, and his hearing and eyesight were naturally better than others. At this moment, he also noticed that there were several servants outside the house.
He then guessed what was going on. In fact, he had taken the initiative to propose this. Firstly, he should indeed take responsibility for Chang Lili, and secondly, he needed an excuse to refuse the Emperor's bestowal of Xiao Shuer to him in marriage.
He said those things a few days ago to protect Chang Lili and spare her from punishment. He wasn't sure if Chang Lili, who had asked him for money before and was about to leave, was willing to marry him.
But at this moment, perhaps because of the room's layout, his face turned red.
The scene became awkward for a moment. Chang Lili stole a few glances at Meng Yuxiu and found it amusing that such an open and honest man could blush.
"Let's not talk about that. It's three days from now. I'm ready for the first test you mentioned. Test me anytime." Chang Lili's face was still slightly flushed, and her heart was beating fast. To avoid making the atmosphere awkward any longer, she forced herself to look at Meng Yuxiu.
Meng Yuxiu cleared his throat in agreement and asked skeptically, "You really memorized everything on the weapon ranking list in just three days?"
Chang Lili crossed her arms, raised her head, and said dismissively, "A piece of cake."
"Alright, come with me." Meng Yuxiu said, getting up and walking outside.
Chang Lili rubbed her hands nervously and expectantly before following after them.
Sure enough, there were maids and servants outside, and even the auntie from the kitchen, unable to contain their curiosity, hiding outside the door to find out what was happening inside. When Meng Yuxiu and Chang Lili suddenly swaggered out of the house, everyone was so frightened that they scattered like birds.
Everyone tacitly pretended that nothing had happened.
Meng Yuxiu led Chang Lili to the armory of the general's mansion. He carried a lantern and opened the high door of the armory, which seemed to have been closed for a long time.
The tall iron gate slowly opened, and Chang Lili was surprised. She really didn't expect that there was such a spacious and magnificent place in the General's Mansion. She was even more surprised when she walked through the gate.
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