After her admonition, all the palace servants lowered their heads.
"We'll keep Your Highness's teachings in mind."
They could only watch helplessly as she and Du Heng walked in.
After the two figures disappeared behind the door, a few palace maids showed dissatisfaction on their faces.
"We're not allowed to go in, but why can that man go in? We didn't even ask where that man came from just now."
"Don't you think it's strange?"
One of the senior palace maids spoke mysteriously, as if she knew some big secret about Concubine Rui.
Seeing this, all the surrounding palace maids curiously gathered around.
"Sister, do you know some inside story? Otherwise, you wouldn't have said such things, right?"
The senior palace maid raised her eyebrows and smiled at the young palace maid who had spoken.
"You're the smartest one here. Yes, I do know a bit. But I'm afraid you'll betray me. Didn't Her Highness just severely scold us?"
Hearing this, the others sneered on their faces.
"Humph, she can only intimidate us. Otherwise, see if she can still keep others in line when she goes out. If the Princess hadn't been under house - arrest until now, I wouldn't have endured her bad temper here."
"Oh? It seems that younger sister wants to switch to serve the Princess. Well, how about we make a deal?"
Confusion flashed in the palace maid's eyes.
"Does younger sister have something that older sister wants?"
"Sigh, I also want to serve by the Princess's side, but I've never had the chance. Anyway, you can still speak in front of the Princess. Now that you want to get information from me, how about you exchange the chance to serve the Princess with me?"
Now the young palace maid hesitated. She clearly paused and didn't know how to choose.
The chance to serve the Princess was hard - won from other sisters. If she gave it away now, she might have to endure the bad temper of Concubine Rui for the rest of her life.
Thinking of this, her face turned ugly.
However, the senior palace maid was determined to snatch this chance. It wasn't something the young palace maid could refuse just by saying no.
"What are you still thinking about, younger sister? Older sister just wants to find a peaceful place for her later life. Look, I'm telling you the secret of Concubine Rui like this. Later, you can even use this secret to threaten her. Don't forget older sister when you live a prosperous life."
It seemed so real that the young palace maid couldn't resist the temptation and gave away her chance.
"Can older sister tell me now?"
"Of course. Didn't you ever wonder why the general stayed in Her Highness's bedroom for so long without coming out? We were all driven out at that time. Also, didn't you take a good look at the figure of the palace maid who got off the carriage with Her Highness?"
Some people didn't understand after hearing this.
"That person's figure was normal, just like an ordinary palace maid. Did older sister notice something strange?"
"Humph, before we set out, all the palace maids walked outside. No one was lucky enough to ride in the same carriage with Her Highness."
After this explanation, everyone suddenly realized. They thought carefully. Yes, when they left the palace before, there was only Concubine Rui in the carriage. Logically, only one person should have come out of it.
However, there was one thing they still couldn't figure out.
"What does this have to do with the general? Shouldn't the general be staying at home?"
The senior palace maid rolled her eyes. These people were really stupid. She had explained so clearly, but they still didn't understand.
"You're so silly. The relationship between the general and Her Highness must not be what we see on the surface. There must be something else going on. Besides, throughout history, there have been many love affairs between court officials and concubines. Even if our Her Highness has something going on, she won't let us find out."
It seemed to make sense. Gradually, the people around believed her after hearing her words.
"Older sister is really smart. How should we use this to threaten her?"
The young palace maid blinked her eyes, and her greed was hard to hide.
The senior palace maid took two steps back in disgust but did a good job on the surface.
"Think carefully, younger sister, about how to handle it just right. By the way, I've only told you this. You mustn't sell me out."
"We understand older sister's good intentions."
While the people outside were chatting merrily, it was dead silent inside.
Since Concubine Rui walked in just now and saw the legendary Miss Qiao, she had been stunned for a long time.
She whispered to the person beside her, "General, are you really not lying to me? Is this the Miss Qiao you mentioned?"
Du Heng couldn't help laughing helplessly. "Miss Qiao is very naughty and is good at the art of disguise. Maybe because I mentioned in advance today that Your Highness was coming, she studied Your Highness's portrait and imitated you. Please don't be angry, Your Highness."
"The art of disguise? Isn't that a lost skill and no one in the martial world can do it?"
"Your Highness is a bit ill - informed. There are so many strange things in the world. How could it just disappear? Now, does Your Highness think Miss Qiao has lived up to your expectations?"
Of course not. She originally thought she had just found a treasure map, but unexpectedly there was an additional surprise. This art of disguise was really useful to her.
"Not bad. General, rest assured. This palace will surely keep its promise and won't make things difficult for your younger sister after returning to the palace."
"Your Highness should not be too happy too soon. I don't know if you can persuade Miss Qiao to leave with you. Don't let Your Highness be disappointed in the end."
He spoke seriously and had already thought about his own way out. He really lived up to his reputation as a member of the Du family.
"Um, then you go out first. This palace hopes to be alone with Miss Qiao for a while."
Hearing this suggestion, Du Heng was very worried.
"Let me stay, Your Highness. Miss Qiao hasn't been in contact with strangers for a long time. I'm afraid she might offend Your Highness. I'll just stand by and say nothing."
"Do you have an opinion on this palace's words? Or do you simply not believe that this palace can win over Miss Qiao?"
It was really hard to say about this. Miss Xiao was now free from any worries, and no one could force or induce her.
Sensing Du Heng's worried look, Miss Qiao, who had been silent all along, suddenly looked up and smiled at him.
"What's meant to come can't be stopped. General, go out. Meng'er will be fine. In front of so many people, Your Highness won't force Meng'er, right, Your Highness?"