After much deliberation, Meng Yuxiu could not reach a conclusion. He believed that everything required evidence, and speculation was of no use.
Hu Pin's behavior was highly suspicious. Meng Yuxiu put the dagger away and summoned his trusted guards, instructing them to secretly investigate Hu Pin, keep a close eye on his every move, and report any suspicious activity immediately.
He also sent people to investigate the events of that night, when Hu Ping ordered people to search the residences of officials of all ranks. He wanted to find out the truth about that as well.
This time, the creation of such a special weapon allowed Chang Lili, who was usually not allowed to touch such things by her mother-in-law, to have her fill of fun.
However, she was exhausted and went to bed early for the next few days, sleeping soundly through the night.
No secrets stay hidden forever. The news that she went out with Meng Yuxiu every morning and returned to the mansion with him late at night reached Xiao Shuer's ears.
"What did you say? They're always together?" Xiao Shu'er asked incredulously, her expression contorted with rage.
The person who came to report lowered his voice in fright: "Yes... they leave early every day, enter a courtyard, and don't come out until late at night to return to their residence."
Xiao Shuer swept all the teacups off the table and onto the floor, leaving a mess.
"Chang Lili! You shameless slut!" She was so angry that her face turned red, and she looked truly terrifying.
The servants standing nearby fell silent in fear.
Bai Mei immediately stepped forward to appease and comfort her: "Princess, please don't upset yourself. She is just a commoner, and her life and death are naturally in your hands. You can treat her slowly."
Xiao Shuer said breathlessly, "It seems her seductive skills are indeed remarkable. However, I won't let her get away with this so easily. Brother Meng is mine, before, now, and in the future! I can't just sit here and wait to die. If this goes on for too long, she might just steal Brother Meng's soul!"
Bai Mei winked at the other palace maids and eunuchs, signaling them to quickly clean up the mess on the ground.
"Yes, we can't let things continue like this." As Xiao Shu'er thought about it, she felt a sense of panic.
Chang Lili and Meng Yuxiu were inseparable every day. The two of them, like dry wood meeting a raging fire, had probably done everything that should and shouldn't have happened. Thinking about this, she felt uneasy and couldn't eat or sleep.
"Bai Mei, please deliver this invitation to the General's Mansion and ask Chang Lili to come to my palace as a guest," Xiao Shu'er said after some thought.
The latter reacted very quickly, his eyes darting around before he immediately agreed.
"No, don't send an invitation to that little slut yet. Send invitations to the noble ladies of the capital first, inviting them to a banquet in my palace. Pretend to send an invitation to Chang Lili as a side trip, so it doesn't seem deliberate," Xiao Shu'er solemnly instructed.
Bai Mei replied obsequiously, "Don't worry, Princess, I'll take care of this."
Watching Bai Mei leave to carry out her orders, Xiao Shu'er's face twisted into a grimace once more. She gritted her teeth and muttered, "Chang Lili, I'll spare your worthless life, but I'll make sure you're utterly disgraced and suffer a fate worse than death."
After Bai Mei left, she went to arrange the matter, preparing the invitations and delivering them one by one. She did not neglect Chang Lili, only delivering the invitations to her after she had sent out half of the invitations to the noble ladies.
Xiao Shuer had been so difficult and even malicious towards Chang Lili before, but now she suddenly came to show goodwill. She did things well and spoke beautifully.
"Miss Chang, the princess specifically instructed me to invite her over. She said she felt bad about how she treated you before. She said she acted impulsively, but now that she's calmed down, she thinks, why should women make things difficult for each other?" Bai Mei said with a sigh.
She spoke with such sincerity that Chang Lili listened from the side, but inwardly rolled her eyes.
If Xiao Shu'er really thought that way, then the sun would have to rise in the west, and Chang Lili would be a licentious person.
Bai Mei, despite Chang Lili ignoring her, continued to chatter on and on, using both soft and hard tactics.
"Oh dear, Miss Chang, you absolutely must attend the banquet. If you don't, the princess will blame me!"
Chang Lili slowly took the invitation, looking somewhat reluctant: "Fine, do I have the right to refuse? Will you leave until I agree?"
Bai Mei froze for a moment, then said with a forced smile, "Miss, what are you saying? I'm just following the princess's orders. I also hope that you and the princess can make peace."
Chang Lili found that this little palace maid was really good at talking, and she couldn't stand it anymore, so she stopped talking and saw her out the door.
Looking at the exquisite invitation in her hand, Chang Lili's gaze turned unfriendly. She disdainfully fiddled with the invitation a couple of times and said, "This Xiao Shu'er is really troublesome. It seems she's determined to go against me."
Looking at the invitation in her hand, she resolved to attend the banquet, even though she knew it was a trap.
But what's meant to happen will happen, and there's no escaping it. Thinking about her injuries that had just healed, and about how she and her mother-in-law had narrowly escaped death, she felt indignant.
She wouldn't hide. She didn't want Xiao Shu'er to think she was an easy target. If Xiao Shu'er wanted to take advantage of the situation, she would make sure she didn't get her way.
Thinking about the dangers she might encounter, Chang Lili began to prepare herself, planning to get something for self-defense.
But after thinking for a long time, she still couldn't think of a suitable weapon, so she simply went to the courtyard where she had previously forged the dagger.
Nothing much had changed in the courtyard. Master Lu and the other two blacksmiths were still there, hammering and tinkering, and the huge blacksmith's furnace was still burning with charcoal.
The group was naturally delighted to see Chang Lili appear, exchanging pleasantries and instantly enlivening the otherwise dull courtyard.
After they inquired, they learned that Chang Lili had come alone and had not told Meng Yuxiu.
"Miss Chang, you've come to have a hidden blade made?" Master Lu asked in surprise.
"Hmm." Chang Lili readily admitted it, leaving the other three dumbfounded.
Chang Lili said helplessly, "You don't need to look at me like that. I really just wanted to get this weapon for self-defense."
Although Meng Yuxiu was unaware of this matter, they naturally trusted Chang Lili, so there was no reason for them to disagree with her request.
So Chang Lili started fiddling around in the yard with great enthusiasm. The hidden arrow she was making this time was just an ordinary item, so it was naturally quick and easy to make.
Holding the delicate, small sleeve arrow, Chang Lili smiled with satisfaction.
The banquet was imminent, and she knew it was a trap, but she was also eager to try. Xiao Shu'er was going to make things difficult for her, and she was planning to take revenge on Xiao Shu'er.
On that day, while the other noble ladies leisurely rode in carriages to Xiao Shu'er's palace, Chang Lili walked casually to the front of Xiao Shu'er's palace.
She didn't find it strange or difficult to control herself when others looked at her differently.
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