Since everyone here is smart, there's no need for her to beat around the bush any longer.
"The general must have received the king's permission long ago. I suppose my sister is out of danger. Why bother coming to see me?"
"You're right. I've indeed received the king's permission, and my younger sister is safe. But I'm not here just for this matter today."
"Oh? Does the general have something else important to discuss?"
Du Heng nodded slightly and took out an exquisite bracelet from his body.
The pattern on the bracelet was strange, but it looked so natural as if it was carved that way.
This pattern was really strange.
She raised her eyebrows, and a sense of curiosity welled up in her heart.
"You're giving this bracelet to me. Is there something strange about it?"
"It seems that Concubine Rui has never seen the pattern on this bracelet before. But since I'm taking it out, it must be a good thing. Your ladyship may just accept it."
Concubine Rui knew that nothing from his hands could be bad. Rumor had it that this general had been fighting on the border for a long time and had received countless rewards from the Western Region King. This jade bracelet might be one of them.
But she always felt that this jade bracelet was not as simple as it seemed. If she accepted it so easily, there might be hidden troubles. She had to find out the origin of this jade bracelet.
So, the two of them were at a stalemate, neither willing to back down.
"The general should explain the origin of this jade bracelet. I'm new here and don't want to hold a knife that might kill me at any time."
Du Heng didn't mind her caution.
"Of course. Your ladyship is very thoughtful. Since you're so eager to know, please sit down and listen to this long but touching story."
Surprisingly, Concubine Rui didn't pick a fight and actually listened to the story attentively.
It turned out that the origin of this jade bracelet was not in the Western Region but in her hometown, the Great Liang.
Moreover, to her greater surprise, the maker of this jade bracelet was the Qiao family.
That family that had been wiped out, just because they were related to the late emperor's secret, no one in the whole family could survive.
Concubine Rui had heard of this secret before but had never verified it.
Now Du Heng had cleared up all her doubts. It turned out that when the late emperor asked the Qiao family to do this, he didn't tell anyone.
Presumably, it was to prevent outsiders from getting the truth in the mausoleum.
A truth that could subvert the dynasty. Only those who could find the treasure in the mausoleum according to the map on the jade bracelet could obtain the wealth that could topple a nation.
The head of the Qiao family knew that this matter was of great importance. So, after making this jade bracelet, he sent his daughter away, letting her carry this secret and live on.
At that time, the late emperor didn't know that the Qiao family had a little - known daughter. He thought he had done everything perfectly.
After the fall of the Qiao family, the late emperor spread a rumor that the Qiao family had made weapons and bribed soldiers in an attempt to rebel.
Just like that, a family of peerless craftsmen disappeared from the world.
After hearing the whole story, Concubine Rui more or less understood what was going on.
But what she was most concerned about now was one of the key figures.
"It seems that the general knows the whereabouts of Miss Qiao. From your words just now, I've heard that. If the general is really sincere, why not tell me where Miss Qiao is? As the saying goes, 'Help a person all the way to the end'."
Du Heng twitched the corner of his mouth slightly. This lady was really not polite to him at all.
But he had already made up his mind, so he didn't hesitate at all when facing this request.
"Sure. Since I've paid so much, I believe your ladyship won't mind making a deal with me?"
"Go ahead. I'm getting such a great benefit from you. It's okay to make a deal. It's just an equal exchange."
"Then I won't beat around the bush. My younger sister is always unable to handle things in the harem alone. Please show mercy. Our Du family is willing to stay out of it and won't interfere no matter what your ladyship does."
He said this seriously. Concubine Rui was silent for a long time but didn't find the slightest flaw on his face.
Could Du Heng really do what he said?
She always had doubts in her heart and slowly approached him with this doubt.
The final distance between them was only about a finger's width. Even so, Du Heng didn't move at all. His unwavering look made Concubine Rui pout.
"Sure enough, the general is really boring. Fine, I agree to this. I'll make up for the favor I owe you. I'll go to find Miss Qiao myself tomorrow."
Du Heng hesitated a little but didn't object.
"Everything will follow your ladyship's order."
The news that Du Heng had come to see Concubine Rui quickly reached the ears of the Western Region King. He was naturally suspicious and couldn't sit still.
So, without thinking, he came directly to the Kunning Palace. After he entered, he didn't find any outsiders in the bedroom.
This move made Concubine Rui a little unhappy.
"Does the king want to find something from me? Or does the king think that I've hidden someone in my bedroom?"
The Western Region King searched but found nothing. He was still half - believing and half - doubting.
"I heard from the palace servants that the general came to see you not long ago."
It was a good thing for her that he could be so straightforward.
Concubine Rui secretly let go of her tightly - clenched hands. "So the king came for this matter. The general did come. I've always behaved properly with the general, and there's nothing to hide. The general came to apologize to me on behalf of my sister."
The Western Region King sat down beside the table. "Oh? Then why did the general come alone instead of bringing Concubine Ning with him?"
"Pfft. Does the king forget that my sister has a devious mind and has been confined by you? So she had to ask her elder brother to come instead."
The Western Region King knew that it couldn't be that simple. Concubine Ning was not the kind of person who would admit defeat easily or apologize casually. All this was probably led by Du Heng.
He was a smart man. He was just afraid that the king would take action against the Du family in the future.
After thinking it through, the Western Region King looked much better. He pulled the aggrieved woman into his arms.
"I know you're truly willing to stay in the harem. I know you've been wronged. I'm sorry for believing the slander this time. You can ask for any compensation you want."
"Humph. The king doesn't even believe me. It seems that I'm still regarded as an outsider. In that case, it's better to let me die directly."