While Shi Muyuan was carefully observing them, Zhao Jin had already decided to play his last card.
"The Zhao family is currently the only choice that can help the Empress Dowager overthrow the rule of the Western Region King. If the Empress Dowager chooses someone else, I'm afraid it may take decades or even longer to take over the Western Region. Moreover, it will only give the Western Region King more opportunities to take advantage."
It has to be said that the head of the Zhao family is really good at making deals.
She pursed her lips slightly. When she spoke again, her mind had already changed.
"Fine. I'll make this deal with you. But you have to show some sincerity first. How can I trust you otherwise?"
"That's easy."
Zhao Jin took out a jade pendant from his body. The words on it were eye - catching and also piqued Shi Muyuan's interest.
"The people of the Zhao family must be truly desperate. Otherwise, they wouldn't hand over the family head's token to me, the Empress Dowager of an enemy country."
There was a hidden meaning in her words, and everyone present could hear the sarcasm.
Perhaps the Zhao family was really desperate for that goal, so they had been swallowing their anger.
"Please forgive us, Empress Dowager. We offended you before. We beg you to help us. In the future, our Zhao family will do anything to repay you."
"Alright. I'll take this token for now. If it's all true, I'll surely come to you later."
"Please act quickly, Empress Dowager."
They knew that it was not easy for the young girl to temporarily agree and give them a place to stay. One should know how to be content. Being greedy would only lead to bad results.
When the group arrived at another tent, the general's face looked rather ugly, and his tone was a bit resentful.
"Although we all agreed at the beginning to make a deal with them, the Empress Dowager agreed a bit too quickly. This goes against our original plan."
"I understand how you feel, General. But now we have a better bargaining chip. It won't hurt to give it a try with them."
Following her words, the general looked at the jade pendant on the table. His first reaction was disbelief.
"The people of the Zhao family would never hand over such an important thing easily. There might be some hidden agendas. Empress Dowager, don't be deceived. My soldiers can't afford another setback."
The young girl lazily raised her eyes like a cat. "I know what I'm doing. General, you'd better go out and check. Who knows if the Western Region will come up with more powerful Gu worms."
Hearing the impatience in her tone, the general looked gloomy. "I'll follow the Empress Dowager's order."
He turned around and left. Even Cui Qizhou could tell how angry he was.
However, this time he thought Shi Muyuan had done the right thing.
"The general has been guarding the border for a long time and is overly protective of his soldiers. Please forgive him, Empress Dowager."
Qin Feng, who also came from a military background, could understand the general's feelings at the moment.
Shi Muyuan didn't take it to heart at all.
"It's okay. Xiaoxiao, quickly contact our people in the Western Region and ask them to investigate. If the spies are too slow, directly use the power of our Shi family."
A look of surprise flashed across Xiaoxiao's eyes. "My Lady..."
"It's worth it. I always have a premonition that the people of the Zhao family will be beneficial to our Great Liang in this battle."
There was nothing she could do. Since her master was so determined, Xiaoxiao naturally wouldn't stop her. After all, she also received a look from the young master beside her.
The days of investigating intelligence always passed slowly. Both sides were anxiously waiting for the results. Concubine Rui was so angry that she wished she could kill these useless fools in front of her.
She swept the tea set on the table to the ground again. This was already the fourth set of glass tea sets broken in the past month. Even a small corner of these tea sets was extremely valuable, but in her eyes, they were just a way to vent her anger.
However, no one dared to voice their dissatisfaction. Anyway, Concubine Rui was the master of the entire capital now. Those ministers who used to be extremely arrogant were now trembling on their knees.
"Your Ladyship, we've searched all the villages within a hundred - mile radius and turned the capital upside down, but we still can't find the traces of those people from the Zhao family."
"What's the use of you useless fools? Don't forget that it was you who claimed to pledge your allegiance to me. If you can't find those people, you should know the consequences. Even if I let you live, falling into their hands will be even worse."
Although her face remained calm, the broken glass on the ground and her tone constantly reminded these people.
The prime minister took the lead. He thought Concubine Rui had calmed down, but unexpectedly, as soon as he was about to speak, he was hit hard on the face.
Then, another cup that had just been placed on the table shattered on the ground.
The prime minister felt a hot stream on his face. His expression was a bit flustered, and his tone became angry.
"Your Ladyship, don't forget that we are your last helpers now. Without us, how can you fight against the King and challenge the Zhao family?"
Concubine Rui was really angry, which was why she had acted like that. But hearing what he said, she felt even more aggrieved.
"Yes, I'm on the same boat as you. Do you think you can threaten me with this? Don't forget that I can tell the King that it was you who forced me. I'm just a weak woman who has just arrived. How could I persuade you ministers? It seems that your suspicion is much greater than mine."
She quickly calmed down and analyzed the pros and cons clearly. The more the ministers listened, the more frightened they became. They hadn't thought about it before, but now they realized that they had already become pawns in the game and could be discarded at will.
They glared angrily, but according to what Concubine Rui had just said, they still didn't dare to act.
"Fine. We'll follow your Ladyship's orders."
"That's better. Now, expand the search scope to find their traces. I don't believe they can just disappear into thin air."
"Yes."
...
Seven days later, there was a stir in the Great Liang military camp.
Shi Muyuan looked at the two letters that had been delivered. The corner of her mouth curled up slightly. "I knew she wouldn't give up easily. I didn't expect her to be so smart. Starting from the Western Region and then going to war with Great Liang. She has a good plan."
"Master, should we think about how to deal with this?"
"Hehe. Now it's not just the Zhao family who doesn't want him to take that position. I heard that our Western Region King has now arrived at the border. He's probably right across from us."
She looked in a certain direction, and the others immediately understood.