Meng Yuxiu wanted to turn around and reprimand them, but he was worried about the serious situation at the military camp, so he had to hold back for the time being and decided to talk about it when he returned.
Unexpectedly, this scene, witnessed by the servants sweeping nearby, directly confirmed the rumors.
The rumors grew increasingly intense and eventually reached the palace. After hearing the eunuch's report, the emperor clapped his hands and laughed, "Our General Who Guards the Nation, is he really so sentimental?"
The eunuch chuckled, "I was quite surprised when I first heard this news. I never expected that General Meng, who usually seems so cold, would change so drastically when he takes a liking to a woman."
The emperor stopped laughing, tapping the table unconsciously with his hand, and said with interest, "I am quite curious about what kind of woman could make Minister Meng so infatuated."
"She must have some extraordinary qualities," the eunuch said.
The emperor pondered for a moment, then instructed, "Dexiang, tell Shu'er this news and have her go to the General's Mansion to investigate."
De Xiang accepted the order, "Yes, this servant will go and deliver the message to the eldest princess immediately."
The Shu'er the emperor spoke of was his younger sister and the eldest princess of the court. She had been in love with Meng Yuxiu for many years, and now that a woman had suddenly appeared by his side, how could she not be interested in finding out more?
Sure enough, when Dexiang mentioned the matter briefly, Xiao Shuer flew into a rage and grabbed her riding whip to go to the general's mansion to find someone.
“Princess, please calm down. His Majesty means that we should find out the woman’s background before making any plans. If we act rashly, it may cause problems,” De Xiang advised from the side.
Xiao Shu'er wouldn't listen to a word. She sneered, "Who cares about her background? All land under heaven belongs to the king. How dare she, a lowly commoner, try to steal someone from me, the princess?"
After saying that, she led her people to the general's mansion.
Meanwhile, Chang Lili was wandering aimlessly in the back garden when she was quite surprised to hear a servant report that the Princess had come to see her.
"Why would the Princess come to see me?" she asked.
The maid gave a vague answer, "This servant doesn't know either, Miss, you can go and see her."
Although everyone is saying how much Meng Yuxiu cares about Chang Lili, the general hasn't come to see her much in all this time. In addition, there are rumors in the manor that Chang Lili was originally a courtesan, so the servants in the manor look down on her to some extent.
Although they knew about the relationship between Xiao Shu'er and Meng Yuxiu, they were too lazy to say anything to remind them.
Chang Lili didn't think much of it and, led by her maid, went to the main hall to see Xiao Shu'er.
"Are you Chang Lili?" Xiao Shu'er asked, glancing at Chang Lili from the main seat.
"Yes." Chang Lili nodded.
When Xiao Shu'er saw that she readily admitted it, her face darkened, and she raised her riding whip to strike her. Chang Lili was unable to dodge in time and her arm was struck hard.
A searing pain immediately spread throughout her body. Chang Lili gasped in pain, tears welling in her eyes. She took two steps back and shouted angrily, "Why did you suddenly go crazy? If you want to cause trouble, go outside and cause trouble."
Upon hearing this, the servants nearby immediately looked terrified. They had long known that Xiao Shu'er's temper was unpredictable, and a slight misstep could cost them their lives. Now that Chang Lili dared to scold her to her face, their lives were in danger.
Upon learning of the commotion, the steward immediately sent someone to fetch Meng Yuxiu, while he himself went into the main hall to mediate.
"Princess, the general didn't know you were coming today. He went to the military camp in the west of the city this morning. I've already sent someone to look for him. Please wait a moment, he'll be back soon." He put on a smiling face.
Xiao Shu'er didn't flinch, and sneered, "You're here to protect this slut?"
The steward remained composed and respectful, saying, "Your Highness is joking. Miss Chang is the General's person, so how to deal with her is naturally up to the General."
He subtly reminded Xiao Shuer that Chang Lili was not like those servants, whom she could dispose of at will.
Xiao Shu'er was furious upon hearing this. "Are you saying that I have no right to deal with her? If that's the case, then I will definitely take action against her today. Guards, drag her away and beat her to death!"
As soon as she finished speaking, two old women stepped forward. Chang Lili had learned acrobatics and performed for a living in her younger years. Taking advantage of her agility, she bent down to avoid their outstretched hands and raised her neck to curse Xiao Shuer, "You are the slut, your whole family are sluts, what right do you have to beat me to death? Does the princess have no law?"
Upon hearing this, a fierce glint flashed in Xiao Shu'er's eyes. "Yu Xiu is someone I have chosen. How dare you lay a finger on him? For that alone, you deserve to die. What are you waiting for? Make your move."
The maids obeyed, their eyes flashing with malice, and swarmed forward to seize Chang Lili.
"Always shouting for violence, no wonder my husband doesn't like you and wants to marry me instead. Who would dare to marry such a fierce woman?" Chang Lili dodged left and right, her words full of sarcasm.
Every word he uttered struck at Xiao Shu'er's sore spots, and her face turned horribly ugly. She picked up her riding whip, ready to take action herself.
Caught off guard, Chang Lili bumped right into her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the riding whip raised high in Xiao Shu'er's hand, and immediately felt the wound on her hand begin to ache.
She quickly dodged to the side, picked up the teacup on the table, and splashed it at Xiao Shuer, saying, "You're so hot-tempered, here's some tea to cool you down."
This splash stunned everyone present.
Before they could react, Chang Lili grabbed Xiao Shuer by the collar and stuffed her clothes inside, then quickly pushed her away, clapping her hands and laughing, "Here are a few worms for you as a gift, you're welcome."
Xiao Shu'er felt the object being shoved inside her was icy cold, and it seemed to be sliding downwards. She immediately screamed in fear, "Useless trash, you bunch of useless trash, hurry up and take it out for me!"
The scene became chaotic again, and Chang Lili mingled in the crowd, quietly slipping away.
As she ran out the door, she bumped into Meng Yuxiu riding back on horseback. Several days had passed since their last meeting, and today he looked dashing in his armor. Chang Lili's eyes lit up at the sight of him.
She laughed and pounced on him, "Husband, you look so majestic today."
Meng Yuxiu lifted her away with one hand, frowning as he looked her over. Her clothes were disheveled, her hair was messy, and she looked like she had just rolled in the mud.
"How did it get into this state?" he asked.
Upon hearing this, Chang Lili immediately showed her grievance. She raised her arm in front of Meng Yuxiu and said, "Husband, a crazy woman came to the manor today. She started whipping me without saying a word. Look, it hurts so much."
Xiao Shuer had shown no mercy when she attacked, and the wound covered half of Chang Lili's arm. The wound was extremely deep, and when Meng Yuxiu looked down, he saw that the flesh was turned inside out and blood was flowing out continuously.
In that brief delay, Xiao Shu'er rushed out from inside, yelling, "You wretch, get back here right now!"
After the maids helped her remove the "insect," they discovered it was just a few flower petals. However, the disgusting feeling and the anger of being mocked made Xiao Shu'er vow to kill Chang Lili today before she would stop.
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