Meng Yuxiu lit the oil lamp on the wall, illuminating the vast armory. Chang Lili looked at it one by one, becoming more and more alarmed, delighted, and excited.
She rushed forward, looking at and touching the weapons as if they were her most cherished treasures, completely forgetting why she had come there in the first place.
Meng Yuxiu was left standing aside. Seeing Chang Lili's appearance, he was also a little confused. Usually, when young women go out, they would be unable to move when they see beautiful hairpins, jewelry, silks, or cosmetics. But Chang Lili was completely different. She was unable to move when she saw these weapons, and was even more obsessed with them than many men.
He shook his head, smiled helplessly, and clapped his hands to bring Chang Lili, who had been so happy that she had forgotten where she was, back to her senses.
"Do you remember why we came here?"
Chang Lili touched the spear with lingering affection, her eyes brimming with joy, and said, "Of course, didn't I say you can test me as much as you want?"
Meng Yuxiu's gaze swept over the weapons one by one. Seeing her so confident, he wanted to make things difficult for her.
He pointed to an inconspicuous weapon in the corner. The weapon looked very peculiar. Unlike ordinary swords, spears, and clubs, it consisted of two metal balls attached to the ends of a metal chain. It looked old and rusty.
"Tell me about this weapon," Meng Yuxiu said, adopting an expression of anticipation.
Chang Lili approached and examined it with an air of importance, then said casually, "This weapon is a meteor hammer, belonging to the category of rope-type concealed weapons. It seems to be a double-star hammer. There are also single-sword versions of this thing, called 'single meteor hammers.' These hammers also come in various shapes, such as melon-shaped, multi-faceted, and round."
Meng Yuxiu was increasingly surprised as he listened, and he developed a certain respect for Chang Lili. He did know that it was a meteor hammer, but he could not understand it so thoroughly and comprehensively.
"Then take a look at this one." Meng Yuxiu pointed to one of the various weapons.
Upon closer inspection, the object didn't resemble a weapon; it looked more like a walking stick.
Chang Lili was overjoyed when she saw the thing. She rushed over and picked it up, fiddling with it in her hands. "I didn't expect you to have this. I thought it only existed in the weapon manual. This is called a 'crutch,' a martial arts weapon that evolved from an old person's cane. This is a long cane. If it were a short cane, you could use two canes at the same time, or use it with swords and knives."
"What about this one?" Meng Yuxiu looked at her with a relaxed expression.
Chang Lili glanced at the weapon and immediately understood Meng Yuxiu's intention. She picked up the weapon with a sly smile and said, "You think this can stop me? Although I have read the weapon manual, even if I follow what it says, I cannot pass this first hurdle, because what is written in the weapon manual is actually wrong."
Meng Yuxiu's eyes flickered, somewhat alarmed. In fact, as long as Chang Lili followed the weapon rankings, he would tacitly agree that what she said was correct. At this moment, he was extremely alarmed.
"This weapon is called a Yue. I know that's not what you call it on the weapon list you gave me, but it is indeed a Yue. Many years ago, it was called an axe-yue, and it wasn't used much because its killing power was not as good as a spear or halberd. After many years of improvement, it has become the small one it is today," Chang Lili explained in detail.
Looking at Chang Lili's focused and earnest expression in the firelight, Meng Yuxiu suddenly realized that he had misjudged her all along. She was not a vulgar and unbearably common woman at all; she was an ethereal and intelligent goddess who was untouched by worldly affairs.
However, Chang Lili was naturally unaware of all this. She was mesmerized by the exquisite weapon in her hand, while Meng Yuxiu was staring intently at her. When she came to her senses, Meng Yuxiu was still staring at her intently.
Her face flushed, and she turned away from her gaze, blushing as she loudly asked, "What else do you want to test me on?"
Meng Yuxiu then came to his senses and said with a smile, "I think there's no need to take the test anymore."
"Then let's move on to the second challenge. Oh, wait, you also need to find five weapons for me to make on the spot." Chang Lili had her back to Meng Yuxiu, trying to make the situation less awkward, but she couldn't help but be captivated by the dazzling array of weapons in front of her.
Chang Lili didn't go to see Meng Yuxiu; she focused solely on looking at the weapons, treating herself as a tourist and appreciator.
After a while, Meng Yuxiu's voice came from behind: "Five weapons: whip, halberd, hook, fork, and trident. Have them ready and hand them over to me in two days."
He thought Chang Lili would lose her temper, after all, even Master Lu and the others would have some trouble with two days, but to his surprise, Chang Lili suddenly turned around with her eyes shining.
"No problem, but since we're making weapons, we'll have to borrow the blacksmith's forge!"
Before Meng Yuxiu could speak, Chang Lili burst into laughter, like a child overjoyed to have received candy.
She liked weapons and enjoyed tinkering with them, but her mother-in-law never let her touch them. Now she could finally have some fun with them, and Meng Yuxiu would keep it a secret for her.
"That's the only way. It's getting late, go back and rest. We'll set off for the blacksmith's forge first thing tomorrow morning. You have to be fair and not waste my time," Chang Lili said seriously.
Meng Yuxiu nodded with a smile and left the armory with her.
Before leaving, Chang Lili was actually a little reluctant to part, and her words were tinged with a hint of sourness: "You've done a really good job as a general. You have such a nice mansion and such a large armory with all kinds of weapons."
Meng Yuxiu was both amused and exasperated.
However, the thought of being able to start forging weapons tomorrow cheered her up again, and she returned to the courtyard with light and cheerful steps.
Watching her leave, seeing her cheerful figure, Meng Yuxiu felt a pang of unease.
Surprisingly, he found the weapons and blacksmith's furnace in the storeroom rather displeasing.
He was a renowned general, young and promising, with a handsome appearance. Every girl in the capital yearned for him. But now, he discovered that he was no match for those cold, hard weapons.
Inside the palace, Xiao Shu'er lay curled up on the bed, her face somewhat haggard, looking pitiful.
"Princess, please eat something. Why make things difficult for yourself?" Bai Mei advised cautiously.
Although Xiao Shu'er looked very sad and upset, she still had that fiery temper that was easily ignited. Without saying a word, she got up and swept the red date and lotus seed porridge from Bai Mei's hands onto the ground.
Upon returning to the palace from the hunting grounds, news of what had happened there spread quickly. The fact that Xiao Shu'er had almost been violated and lost her chastity also reached the entire palace and even the capital.
Somehow, the news that Meng Yuxiu had refused the arranged marriage several times also spread.
Once the most esteemed princess, she is now infamous, her household deserted, and no one hopes to marry her anymore.
"Chang Lili, I'll make you wish you were dead!" Xiao Shu'er said through gritted teeth.
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