There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 367 I Like You

"Mother, why are you crying? Did Ning'er do something wrong?"

"It's alright, Mother is happy, happy that my Ning'er is recovering," Princess Jiale said tenderly, stroking Changning's hair with affection, her eyes filled with unwavering tenderness.

Princess Changning's eyes also reddened upon seeing this, and she muttered, "I thought Mother didn't love me anymore, and was forcing her daughter to get married."

"Your mother loves you the most, how could she possibly force you? But..." Princess Jiale hesitated, wiping away her tears, and turned to look at Li Shuchen and the others.

"I'm sorry to have made you laugh. Did you enjoy your meal today?"

"I'm full, I'm full, I'm stuffed! Your Highness, you didn't finish your sentence, what was it?" Li Shuchen said casually.

"This matter is none of your concern, you juniors. I, the princess, will find a way to resolve it."

"Mother, what is troubling you so much?" Princess Changning pressed, but Princess Jiale didn't answer, only looking at her with affection.

A moment of silence

Liang Yuying suddenly asked, "Is the Princess worried about the fact that the Boyu Kingdom has made a three-bow crossbow?"

Princess Jiale smiled helplessly upon hearing this: "You already know. Of course, you are a general of this dynasty; nothing could be hidden from you."

Li Shuchen was completely confused and asked, "What does this have to do with Changning getting married? It's not like the Boyu Kingdom is also going to arrange a marriage alliance and specifically ask Changning to go, is it?"

Everyone remained silent. Li Shuchen felt she had hit the nail on the head and cautiously asked...

"Has the Emperor issued an imperial decree?"

"Not yet, but it should be soon," Princess Jiale said with a worried expression.

Liang Yuying: "Not necessarily. Although the Kingdom of Boyu has created the Three-Bow Crossbow to coerce our dynasty into marrying off our princess, if our dynasty can develop a weapon more powerful than the Three-Bow Crossbow within three months, we can make the King of Boyu retract his order."

Princess Jiale sighed: "How could I not know? The three-bow crossbows are more than three times more advanced than our dynasty's crossbows. It will not be easy to surpass them in a short time. There are no princesses of marriageable age in the palace, and the only candidates for marriage alliances will be from the imperial clan. Moreover, many ministers in the court are inclined to recommend Changning..."

"That's why Mother is in such a hurry to find me a husband. It's my fault for causing Mother trouble these past few days."

"It's all my fault. I was too eager to succeed and didn't investigate thoroughly. I was almost blinded by those with ulterior motives. Fortunately, your close friends intervened and prevented a major disaster."

Princess Jiale looked at the old woman beside her as she spoke.

"Go to the storeroom and select a few gifts for these young ladies as a token of my gratitude."

Li Shuchen quickly waved his hand: "Your Highness is too kind. We helped Changning out of our own goodwill; there's no need for gifts."

"This is my heartfelt gift."

Princess Jiale's words silenced those who wanted to offer advice.

"Mother, they have very different styles and like different things, so we'll have to have the nanny carefully choose appropriate gifts."

"Alright, alright, I'll do as you say. Mother will go to the storeroom to choose herself."

Princess Jiale affectionately tapped Changning's forehead, then turned and left.

Li Shuchen tugged at Liang Yuying's sleeve and asked, "Why do you say that if we can create a weapon more powerful than the Three Bows and Arrows within three months, the King of Boyu will withdraw his intention to arrange a marriage alliance?"

Liang Yuying: "The mountains of Boyu Kingdom are continuous, and the mountain roads are rugged. Now it is winter, and the snow is falling heavily, blocking the roads. Even if our dynasty does not agree to the marriage alliance, the Boyu Kingdom's army will have to wait until the snow melts in the spring to attack our dynasty. From then on, there are still three months."

Ye Bingli: "Judging from what the Eldest Princess said, it won't be easy to create a weapon more powerful than the three-bow crossbow."

Gu Ziying: "If we can't manufacture them, we probably can't avoid either a marriage alliance or war."

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen scratched her head. Actually, she had an even more powerful weapon: cannonballs.

This thing is incredibly destructive, with a long range and a large blast radius. Just dropping shells on the city walls can cause countless enemy casualties, forcing them to abandon their armor and weapons and retreat.

She only needs to tell Xiao Jizi to get the recipe.

However, once this thing is released, it will be mass-produced, which is terrifying for ordinary people. Their homes will be completely destroyed and extremely difficult to rebuild; their loved ones' bodies will be incomplete and difficult to bury; even more frightening is the possibility that some ambitious dynasties will expand their territories and wage constant wars, making life even more difficult for the people.

She decided not to say anything more.

"Princess, this is a birthday gift from the Eldest Princess, delivered by Jadeite."

"What kind of birthday gift is this that you specially sent over for me to see?"

Jade presented the brocade box to Princess Changning.

Princess Changning was instantly captivated, a smile playing on her lips.

"This is?"

"It's called the Platinum Diamond Conch Pearl Crown," Jade explained, "a gift from Scholar Cheng."

Gu Ziying: "Shu Chen said at the banquet that if this crown wasn't a gift from Young Master Cheng, then who was it?"

Li Shuchen chuckled: "It was a gift from Ruan Jingshang, the servant who works for Cheng Zhian."

Ye Bingli smiled knowingly: "This Ruan Jingshang is the young master Ruan who helped Changning that day, isn't he?"

"Indeed," Li Shuchen said, picking up the crown and placing it on Princess Changning's head.

Princess Changning's beautiful eyes were full of doubt. "Why would he give me such an expensive gift?"

"What else could it be? I like you, of course," Li Shuchen straightened his crown, took two steps back, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Beautiful, so pretty! The crown is beautiful, but the person is even more beautiful, though she looks a bit silly."

Gu Ziying: "Don't even mention Changning being clueless, I'm a little confused myself. When did this happen?"

Li Shuchen: "After the autumn imperial examination, Young Master Ruan came to the inn looking for Xiao'er, and happened to meet Changning, falling in love at first sight."

"This is too valuable, I don't want it, please return it."

Princess Changning hurriedly removed the crown and placed it in the brocade box.

Li Shuchen disagreed, "Didn't he say it was all of his own free will? Don't feel guilty. It's not like he's spending so much money just to make a beauty smile. Just accept it; you seemed quite happy just now."

At this moment, the old woman entered the room, followed by four maids carrying trays, on which lay exquisite short blades, ivory abacuses, gold ruyi scepters, and fine sandalwood incense.

"The Princess Consort has urgent business and won't be able to come. These are gifts she selected for the young ladies; I hope they won't be too sparsely received," the nanny said with a smile.

Gu Ziying replied, "Nanny, you're too kind. The gifts prepared by the Princess are naturally excellent; I'm delighted with them."

"Yes, yes, I love money the most. This golden ruyi is the most precious thing I've ever received. The Princess is so generous! Please ask the nanny to thank the Princess for me."

Li Shuchen touched the golden ruyi, a wide grin spreading from his lips to his ears.

After everyone thanked them one by one

Liang Yuying: "It's getting late, we should go back. Changning, you should get some rest."

Princess Changning: "Very well, Pearl, see our guest off properly."

The four arrived at the entrance, where three carriages were parked.

The three looked at Li Shuchen, their meaning self-evident.

Li Shuchen's eyes darted around, and he said, "Yu Ying can take me. Zi Ying and Bing Li, go home quickly."

"Good" *2

The two carriages gradually disappeared into the distance.

Liang Yuying looked at the cunning Li Shuchen in front of her, and a smile appeared on her lips.

"Does Shu Chen have feelings for Young Master Park?"

Li Shuchen narrowed his eyes and said, "Young Master Park cannot be allowed to live."

"That's exactly what I was thinking, tonight at midnight."

"Someone must die."