But she humbly said that she wanted to learn mechanical arts from Master Lu, which made Meng Yuxiu laugh.
The mother-in-law and she appeared out of nowhere, and their past could not be found, which was rather strange.
Meng Yuxiu didn't react much. In the days he had known Chang Lili, he didn't even think she was an assassin or spy sent by someone, after all, he was the one who had provoked her.
Thinking of this, he felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and his handsome face flushed slightly.
He quickly banished the blush-inducing images from his mind, thinking to himself, "Chang Lili is so quirky. She said she wanted to learn mechanical arts from Master Lu. Who knows what kind of mischievous ideas she has up her sleeve?"
Chang Lili left the study and walked through the front hall, but suddenly sneezed.
She suddenly remembered the hidden arrow she had made before, which she had painstakingly crafted for self-defense.
Where did this thing go after that?
She carefully recalled the scene that day: Hu Pin came to cause trouble, something fell out of her sleeve, and he picked it up, but she wasn't sure where it went afterward.
Hu Pin snatched it away? If that's the case, Chang Lili will be furious. Such a good thing was given away for nothing.
But it's also possible that it wasn't there; maybe it fell on the ground one day and was picked up by someone.
Regardless, Chang Lili felt it was such a pity, so she turned around and decided to go ask Meng Yuxiu, hoping that she might be able to find it again.
But as soon as she turned around, she saw Meng Yuxiu walking towards her, holding the thing she was looking for.
"Isn't this my one?" she exclaimed with delight.
Meng Yuxiu, however, remained calm and tossed the hidden arrow in his hand to her, which she barely caught.
"Do you really want to learn mechanical arts?" Meng Yuxiu asked expressionlessly.
Chang Lili exclaimed in surprise, "You've agreed to let me go hunting in the Western Hills?"
Meng Yuxiu smiled slightly, a sly smile, neither confirming nor denying, and continued, "If you truly want to learn mechanical arts, then pass my test."
"A test? So, you're agreeing to let me learn mechanical arts again?" Chang Lili looked at Meng Yuxiu with bright eyes and surprise. "I really misjudged you before. You're a really good person!"
Chang Lili held her hidden arrow and looked at Meng Yuxiu with gratitude.
Meng Yuxiu was somewhat disappointed. He thought that at this moment, Chang Lili, who was overjoyed, would rush up and hug him as usual.
He coughed lightly to hide his feelings and said with a stern face, "Don't be too happy yet, you have to pass the test first."
Chang Lili, shameless as ever, gripped the hidden arrow in her hand and said with a mix of shyness and eagerness, "I know you won't make things difficult for me. So, what kind of test is it?"
Meng Yuxiu turned around awkwardly. In the past, if he got too close to her, he would feel something strange, and his body would feel hot and his heart would itch. But now, she was just standing in front of him talking, and he actually had these feelings.
He, who used to be indifferent to women, has become so easily seduced.
But Chang Lili still came up to him, very close, and asked him expectantly what kind of test it was.
Meng Yuxiu cleared his throat and quickly turned his back to her, solemnly saying, "The test is divided into three stages. First, within three days, you must memorize all the weapons in the General's Mansion's storeroom, and then select five of them and make them on the spot."
"Huh?" Chang Lili had just been thinking that he was acting a bit strange today, why he never dared to look her in the eye. Now, looking at Meng Yuxiu in surprise, she suddenly realized that he was really testing her, not joking.
Meng Yuxiu continued nonchalantly, "Secondly, design a weapon that is exquisite, powerful, and suitable for women to use."
After he finished speaking, he looked at Chang Lili and saw that her jaw almost dropped, with a "no way" expression on her face. He continued to drop bombshell: "Third, break the mechanism array."
He thought Chang Lili would surely back down, and that even if she made the weapon perfectly, it was just a blessing from heaven that she had some talent.
To think that he could overcome the three challenges he mentioned with just this little bit of talent is simply a pipe dream.
Chang Lili was still stunned, but her mind was racing. As each challenge was presented, she wondered if Meng Yuxiu didn't want her to learn mechanical arts at all and was deliberately making things difficult for her.
However, she thought about it again and realized that she definitely had to learn this art of mechanisms, so why hesitate?
Just when Meng Yuxiu thought she wouldn't make a decision anytime soon, she readily agreed: "Okay! I promise you!"
He looked at her as if he were watching a good show and asked, "You agreed so readily. Are you confident you can pass my three tests?"
Chang Lili was a little troubled, but said nonchalantly, "I don't know if I can get through, but I have to try. Things will work themselves out!"
She was quite good at comforting herself; after saying that, her furrowed brows relaxed.
"Then I look forward to your performance," Meng Yuxiu said with his arms crossed, his expression malicious.
Chang Lili rubbed her hands together nervously and expectantly: "Shall we start the first test tomorrow?"
Meng Yuxiu shook his head: "The hunt in Xishan is imminent. Do you choose to go hunting or stay in the manor for the test?"
Chang Lili raised an eyebrow and said irritably, "Of course we're going hunting."
Meng Yuxiu smiled and said, "Then we'll test it again after we return from the hunt."
The next day was the day to set off for hunting in the Western Hills. After returning to the courtyard, Chang Lili began to prepare her luggage.
Seeing Chang Lili happily tidying up, her mother-in-law was also happy and helped with the tidying up, but her brows furrowed unconsciously.
"Grandma, what do you think of this outfit? I'll wear it tomorrow!" Chang Lili held up her best piece of clothing, trying it on herself, and said with a smile.
It was a wide-sleeved dress, not suitable for wearing on the hunting grounds, and the old woman felt a pang of sadness.
Although she raised Chang Lili, she did not let her live a life free from worries about food and clothing. The clothes she wore were not as decent as those of the maids in wealthy families.
But she couldn't dwell on her sadness; she only asked worriedly, "Is it safe to go to the hunting grounds? Will there be any danger?"
Chang Lili immediately put down her clothes to comfort her, rested her chin on her shoulder, and said in a coquettish tone, "Grandma, don't worry. General Meng is a good man. Look, there are many guards standing in the mansion and outside our courtyard. General Meng is doing this because he is worried about our safety. He is going to hunt in the Western Hills, so he asked me to go with him so that he can keep me safe."
The mother-in-law nodded solemnly. She was grateful to Meng Yuxiu, but she was also conflicted.
Is it really okay for Chang Lili to get so close to him?
A maid knocked on their door, saying that the general had sent something for Chang Lili.
Chang Lili carried the wooden box into the house with a puzzled look in her eyes. She opened the box and found that it contained a riding outfit.
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