"Five hundred taels of silver is just right. Young master, our Miss Ali is yours now." The madam took the silver notes from Meng Yuxiu's hand, her smile so wide her eyes disappeared.
Chang Lili voluntarily sold herself into this business, taking only fifty taels of silver with her. In just a few days, she made ten times that amount, a truly huge profit.
Thinking this, she personally saw the two out, saying, "Young master, please come again often."
Meng Yuxiu did not respond and climbed into the carriage that had been prepared outside. When Chang Lili saw this, she quickly ran to follow him. When she stepped into the carriage, the strange feeling between her legs made her gasp.
The person inside the carriage looked up when they heard the noise. Chang Lili smiled at him and said shamelessly, "My husband was too fierce last night. I still haven't recovered."
Meng Yuxiu's face darkened. "Who is your husband?"
Chang Lili squeezed next to him, "Of course it's you! Since you're going to take responsibility for me, you definitely have to marry me. Who else could it be but you?"
She was so close that Meng Yuxiu could see the view under Chang Lili's collar when he looked down; it was covered with bruises and marks, a testament to the eroticism and madness of the previous night.
Meng Yuxiu's throat moved slightly, and he had an urge to relive the moment. He clenched his fist and reached out to push her away, but he didn't control his strength well, and Chang Lili cried out in pain.
The sound instantly reminded the two of what happened last night, and for a moment, the atmosphere in the carriage became ambiguous and stagnant.
After a long while, Meng Yuxiu came to his senses and warned, "If you dare to talk nonsense again, I'll throw you down right now."
Judging from his expression, he was definitely someone who meant what he said, so Chang Lili didn't dare to provoke him and could only shut up with a forced smile.
The carriage traveled through the bustling streets and slowly came to a stop in front of the General's Mansion. Chang Lili, being very obedient, got out of the carriage first. Looking up, she saw the words "General's Mansion" written on the plaque at the entrance.
In a flash, she finally figured out the man's identity. It turned out that he was the legendary cold-faced Yama Meng Yuxiu, who came from a poor family. Back then, when the imperial court was suffering repeated defeats, he suddenly appeared, repelled the barbarians, and protected the territory of the present-day Hou Shun Dynasty. He was deeply loved by the people.
Chang Lili was surprised by her good fortune in climbing such a high branch. Just then, Meng Yuxiu walked by and she quickly went over to flatter him, saying, "I never imagined that my husband was the legendary General Who Protects the Nation. I've often heard my mother-in-law mention you; she admires you greatly."
Meng Yuxiu ignored her, walked into the mansion, and said to the steward who came towards him, "Prepare a room in the west wing for her to live in."
The housekeeper instinctively agreed, but when she realized what was happening, she looked at Chang Lili in surprise.
He had served the general for many years and had never seen him bring anyone into the mansion, let alone arrange for them to stay. What was this woman up to?
Chang Lili noticed his gaze and grinned at him.
The butler quickly came to his senses. After listening to Meng Yuxiu's instructions, he turned to Chang Lili and said, "Please come with me, Miss."
Chang Lili nodded and said with a smile, "From now on, you can just call me Madam. Calling me Miss is not proper."
"Madam?" The butler was shocked by the address. He forced a smile and said, "Miss, you are joking. Calling you that is an insult to your reputation."
“How could that be? I’m already my husband’s woman.” Chang Lili shook her head. “We already consummated our marriage last night. My husband has to take responsibility for me, so he brought me back. Now we’re just waiting for a wedding date.”
The butler's smile faltered, and he said stiffly, "The general promised to marry you?"
Chang Lili nodded. Although Meng Yuxiu did not admit it personally, his willingness to take responsibility and bring her back clearly indicated his tacit agreement.
The steward couldn't tell whether she was telling the truth or not, but since the general had brought her back personally, it was always better to serve her carefully. With that in mind, he instructed the servants to prepare the best room in the West Garden for Chang Lili to stay in.
Chang Lili settled down in the General's Mansion. Now that she had nothing to do every day, she would chat with the maids around her. In just a few days, the story of how she and Meng Yuxiu met, got to know each other, and fell in love spread throughout the mansion.
Even more surprisingly, four or five versions have emerged, in which Meng Yuxiu is portrayed as having an exceptionally deep affection for Chang Lili and insisting on marrying no one else.
What were originally just idle gossip and trivial matters somehow spread and were adapted into operas, which were sung everywhere in the streets and alleys.
The people originally only thought the General Zhenguo was mighty, and they both admired and feared him. Now, with this poignant love story, they suddenly felt that the general was also an ordinary person, and they felt a little closer to him.
As a result, the way the servants in the General's Mansion looked at Meng Yuxiu changed. Meng Yuxiu found this strange and ordered someone to investigate. When he heard the report, the veins on his forehead twitched involuntarily.
"Go and fetch her here," he said in a grim tone.
Chang Lili arrived quickly. Today she was wearing a light pink dress with silver embroidered butterflies and flowers, her hair styled in a flying fairy bun, and adorned with pearl flowers, making her look exceptionally charming and beautiful.
Upon seeing Meng Yuxiu, she smiled and walked over, "Husband, is there something you need?"
Meng Yuxiu calmly dodged her outstretched hand and said with a cold smile, "I heard that I love you to death and will marry no one but you?"
The rumor originated from Chang Lili. When she heard the person involved questioning her, she felt a little guilty, but quickly pretended to be surprised and said, "So my husband is so deeply in love with me, I'm so embarrassed."
Seeing her feigning madness, Meng Yuxiu's face grew even colder. "Chang Lili, I'm warning you, if you dare to talk nonsense again, don't blame me for kicking you out."
Chang Lili looked horrified, then said with heartache, "Husband, I originally thought you were a great and upright person, but I never expected you to go back on your word. You have disappointed me so much."
After she finished speaking, she covered her face and burst into tears. Meng Yuxiu did not expect her to cry so easily, and coldly shouted, "Enough, go outside to cry."
Chang Lili trembled as she was scolded. She secretly glanced at him, then lowered her head and continued to cry.
Meng Yuxiu was cold and stern, and women who wanted to get close to him had to be careful and watch their expressions. They were nothing like Chang Lili.
Moreover, she was a woman, so he couldn't hit her, and scolding her would only make her cry harder. Therefore, Meng Yuxiu surprisingly felt at a loss.
"General."
Just then, a report came from outside the door.
Chang Lili paused for a moment, then surprisingly stopped making a fuss and went to his side to pour him tea.
Meng Yuxiu gave her a warning look and said, "Come in."
The man outside walked in and noticed a strange look in his eyes when he saw the extra person in the room, but he didn't have time to think about it and quickly said, "General, something has happened at the military camp, and we need you to go there as soon as possible to deal with it."
Upon hearing this, Meng Yuxiu immediately walked out, with Chang Lili following behind to see him off. "Husband, I'll be waiting for you to come back in the manor. Please hurry back!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
