Transmigrated as the Villainess, She Made the General Blush - Chapter 104

Chapter 104

Xiao Fuguang felt his scalp tingle at the question.

Looking at the map Xiao Wangshu was pointing to, Xiao Fuguang asked in return, “Sister, why the sudden question? Great Wei’s territory splits the land between east and west; how could they possibly unite?

“Furthermore, it is true that the Xianyu Tribe and the Hu Kingdom have always been on good terms, standing together against Great Wei. However, the Wu Kingdom and the Yu State have been at war for years, with constant friction. The Yu State submitted to Father and sought our protection precisely to resist the Wu Kingdom’s encroachments.

“Under these circumstances, how could they unite?”

Hearing Xiao Fuguang’s counter-question, Xiao Wangshu smiled and asked him again, “Brother, have you forgotten why they are at war?”

“To fight over territory,” Xiao Fuguang answered subconsciously. Then, a look of shock dawned on his face.

Yes, it was for territory.

Land could produce endless grain, endless tax revenue, endless troops, and endless subjects.

The rich earth could carry everything-the expansion of power and the ambitions of kings.

To seize that bit of territory, the Wu Kingdom had repeatedly invaded the Yu State.

To hold onto that bit of territory, the Yu State had fought bloody battles and even went as far as surrendering to his father, paying annual tribute to seek his protection.

If they were already fighting so tooth and nail over the Yu State’s meager territory, then wouldn’t the thousands of miles of Great Wei’s rivers and mountains laid out before them be like placing a platter of fatty meat in front of hyenas?

“Brother, perhaps I am overthinking things. But ever since I took over the Brocade Gate and sent out merchant caravans to the lower prefectures and counties to procure goods, my caravans have encountered many others heading toward the northwest or the southeast.

“One is the northwest, the other the southeast-two regions lacking in resources. Yet these caravans are crossing the vast expanse of Wei just to trade there.

“Brother, I am a merchant too. I know the costs involved in doing that. What kind of massive profit must be driving them to make them willing to pay such a price?

“In any case, I’ve thought of every business venture I possibly can, and there is nothing. Their business dealings have exceeded the scope of what is normal.”

As he listened to Xiao Wangshu, the shock on Xiao Fuguang’s face gradually subsided.

“Sister, since this is such an important matter, why don’t you go and tell Father?”

“Brother, I am a woman; I cannot discuss these state affairs with Father, but you can. Father also wishes to see you grow and become a pillar of support, just like him.”

Moreover, even if she were to participate in state affairs, she couldn’t be the one to seek out Xiao Hong. She had to wait for Xiao Hong to take the initiative to grant her power.

Appearing too eager for political power was not a good thing.

“Alright, I understand, Sister.”

Xiao Fuguang nodded, already turning the matter over in his mind.

Just as the siblings finished discussing their business, Xiao Dingbei’s voice rang out from the courtyard, drawing closer by the second-

“Eighth Brother! Eighth Brother, let’s go out and ride horses!”

Xiao Dingbei’s voice interrupted Xiao Wangshu and Xiao Fuguang’s conversation. The two of them stood up one after the other and walked out of the study.

The servant outside the study was doing his best to block Xiao Dingbei. Seeing Xiao Fuguang come out, the servant breathed a long sigh of relief, stepped forward to bow to Xiao Fuguang, and then stood behind him.

“Eighth Brother, you’re so young and yet you already have your own secrets!”

Xiao Dingbei teased. Regardless of Xiao Fuguang’s reaction, he simply waved his hand to drop the subject and invited him again, “Let’s go, Eighth Brother. Shall we go riding?”

“Riding?” Xiao Fuguang was stunned and asked, “Third Brother, the ground is wet and slippery with ice and snow right now. Where are we going to ride?”

Was he really not afraid of falling and becoming a paraplegic?
“Let’s head outside the city. The outskirts have plenty of open space to run,” Xiao Dingbei said. He then turned to Xiao Wangshu and asked with a hint of provocation, “Does Fourth Sister still dare to come riding with us?”

“I didn’t originally feel like moving, but since Third Brother has invited me so enthusiastically and sincerely, wouldn’t it be a blow to your pride if I didn’t go?”

“Tch-” Xiao Dingbei clicked his tongue and reminded her, “The Tuoba Envoys are heading back in a few days after the wedding banquet. Second Brother invited the three siblings to join us today. As his sworn sister, it would be good for you to see them.”

“Third Brother is right. I’ll go back and change my clothes right now, then I’ll watch you all show off your prowess on horseback later.” Xiao Wangshu appeared exceptionally submissive.

In the few days since Xiao Dingbei had returned, every time he encountered her, it felt like punching a bale of cotton.

He had bickered with this fourth sister of his countless times in the past, but he had never felt as powerless as he did now. It almost felt as if he were the one being unreasonably difficult.

“I don’t know what went wrong in Tuoba Yunxiao’s head for him to perform a Blood Exchange Brotherhood with you,” Xiao Dingbei muttered, sizing Xiao Wangshu up from head to toe.

Xiao Wangshu brushed her sleeves and smiled. “Perhaps my sworn brother’s taste is slightly better than yours, Third Brother.”

“Hey! I-”

Just as Xiao Dingbei was about to retort, Xiao Fuguang hurried forward to stop him, saying, “Third Brother, Third Brother! You head back first. Sister and I will be there as soon as we’re ready!”

With Xiao Fuguang, the youngest brother, intervening, Xiao Dingbei found it difficult to keep bickering with Xiao Wangshu. He flicked his sleeves and warned, “Hurry up, both of you. Don’t dawdle.”

“Understood,” Xiao Fuguang promised immediately.

A gentle smile remained on Xiao Wangshu’s face as she raised her hand and waved at Xiao Dingbei. “Safe travels, Third Brother. See you in a bit.”

Xiao Dingbei gave a cold snort, turned, and left.

After he departed, Xiao Fuguang looked at Xiao Wangshu and sighed helplessly. “Third Brother only stays at the manor for one month out of the year; he’ll be gone shortly after the New Year. Sister, please keep your temper in check and bear with him a little. Just let his words go in one ear and out the other.”

Third Brother was the same-he was a grown man and an older brother, so why did he enjoy taking jabs at their sister so often?

If it were like before, when Sister was the one picking fights, he wouldn’t have said anything.

But now that Sister wasn’t even initiating conversation with him, he was still chasing after her to provoke her. It really was a bit petty, wasn’t it?

“It’s fine. We’ve been at each other’s throats since we were kids; I’m used to it.” Xiao Wangshu scratched her ear nonchalantly and continued, “I’m going back to change.”

“Alright, go ahead, Sister.”

***

Upon hearing from the steward that Xiao Dingbei intended to go riding in the outskirts of the Capital-and was taking all his siblings along with the three Tuoba siblings-Xiao Hong felt a sudden throb of a headache.

Not a single one of these youngsters could put his mind at ease.

“Do not worry, Prime Minister. The spies in the Capital have been cleared out. Even if there are a few who slipped through the net, they surely won’t be able to harm the young masters. The Third Young Master possesses extraordinary martial skills and has taken soldiers with him. Nothing will happen.”

Lu Xuyang stood nearby, speaking as he ground ink.

Xiao Hong pondered for a moment, still feeling uneasy. He turned to Chen Chu and commanded, “Chen Chu, you are of a similar age to them. Go and ride with them.”

Dingbei’s martial skills were indeed not bad, but because of his position, the military tended to exaggerate Dingbei’s prowess since he was the Prime Minister’s son.

When it came to true martial ability, Dingbei was still a bit too refined. Compared to Chen Chu, who had lived a life of blood and grit since childhood, he was far behind.

If Chen Chu led the troops to follow them, Xiao Hong could rest easy.

“Yes!”

Chen Chu cupped his fists in acknowledgement, turned, and headed out the door.