Transmigrated as the Villainess, She Made the General Blush - Chapter 107

Chapter 107

Since the horse racing on the outskirts of the Capital ended, Xiao Wangshu’s days in the Chancellor’s Mansion had become much more peaceful.

Xiao Dingbei was busy transcribing the *Classic of Horse Appraisal*. Since returning from the races that day, he had hardly stepped out of his courtyard, let alone come to find fault with Xiao Wangshu.

For the first time, Xiao Wangshu realized that her life had actually been quite quiet before.

Before Xiao Dingbei returned, that is.

–

The twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month was an auspicious day.

On the day of Xiao Pingnan’s grand wedding, Xiao Dingbei finally put down his brush and left his courtyard to join Xiao Hong in receiving guests.

Xiao Wangshu, meanwhile, accompanied Fang Qin’er in receiving the female guests.

The two were separated by a great distance, so they couldn’t bicker even if they wanted to.

Furthermore, today was Xiao Pingnan’s big day. No matter how much they disliked each other normally, they wouldn’t disrupt Xiao Pingnan’s wedding today.

Red silk decorated the entire Chancellor’s Mansion, the vibrant color standing out brilliantly against the backdrop of white snow.

The clamor of the mansion lasted all day, continuing until dusk.

As the light faded and the evening mist settled in, the sound of drums and gongs echoed along the path. The bright red bridal sedan was carried from the Official Lodge to the gates of the Chancellor’s Mansion, followed by a long, winding line of dowry chests.

The Second Young Mistress of the Prime Minister’s Mansion had arrived.

…

The next morning.

Tuoba Xin had only entered the Prime Minister’s Mansion the previous evening. This morning, while still half-asleep, she was woken by her maid to go pay her respects and serve tea to her parents-in-law.

In Fang Qin’er’s courtyard, she went through a complex and tedious series of greeting rituals. Although Fang Qin’er did not make things difficult for her at all, Tuoba Xin was still exhausted by the end of it.

Just then, Xiao Hong asked Xiao Pingnan to accompany her to see off the Tuoba Envoys. Only then did she suddenly remember that her two brothers were returning to their tribe this morning.

In an instant, a flood of emotions rushed to her heart.

As a new bride, Tuoba Xin felt a bitter ache in her chest for the first time.

However, standing in Fang Qin’er’s courtyard and looking at Xiao Hong and Fang Qin’er – who were accommodating her in every way – Tuoba Xin couldn’t bring herself to cry. She could only thank Xiao Hong and hurry toward the Official Lodge.

On the way there, she wasn’t just accompanied by Xiao Pingnan; Xiao Wangshu went with them as well.

After all, Tuoba Yunxiao was her sworn brother; there was no reason for her not to see him off.

“If you want to cry, do it now. We have about thirty minutes before we reach the Official Lodge,” Xiao Wangshu said, sitting in the carriage and handing her a handkerchief.

Tuoba Xin took the handkerchief, covered her face, and sobbed softly.

When her brothers weren’t leaving yet, she had been full of anticipation for this wedding, and she had indeed been joyful and excited when it concluded yesterday.

But hearing that her two brothers were leaving this morning made her heart feel suddenly empty, as if she had lost her support.

“Wangshu… from now on, I only have you and Pingnan.”

Tuoba Xin finally understood why Tuoba Jihui had tried so hard to advise her and tell her to be prepared.

It turned out that once her brothers left, she really would have no home left in this vast Capital.

“Sister Xin, I am your sworn sister. Brother Yunxiao’s blood flows in me; the blood of the Tuoba family flows in me. Since you are by my side, I will naturally do my best to ensure your safety.”

Xiao Wangshu’s slow, gentle tone always possessed a power that settled the heart.

Tuoba Xin pulled her into a hug, sobbing against her shoulder for a long time.

It wasn’t until the carriage was almost at the Official Lodge that Xiao Wangshu spoke up to remind her to wipe away her tears.

–

Inside the Official Lodge, the Tuoba Envoys’ luggage was already packed.

Tuoba Jihui and Tuoba Yunxiao were sitting in the room drinking tea. The pile of melon seed shells on the table was quite high, indicating they had been waiting for a while.

Seeing Tuoba Xin come to see them off, Tuoba Yunxiao teased first, “Tsk tsk, let me see which little kitten has cried her face into a mess.”

“Third Brother!” Tuoba Jihui looked at him disapprovingly.

“Waaah… Second Elder Brother!”

Tuoba Xin threw herself into Tuoba Jihui’s arms, once again crying until she was breathless.

Xiao Pingnan and Xiao Wangshu stood to the side watching them, nodding slightly to the Tuoba brothers before leaving the room together and closing the door for the three siblings.
The two of them waited in the courtyard for about half an hour. Instead of Tuoba Jihui and the others pushing the door open, they were met by two unexpected guests.

“Cousin Huaijin? Cousin Qiluo?” Xiao Wangshu was clearly surprised to see Fang Huaijin and Fang Qiluo appearing here.

Fang Qiluo twisted her handkerchief and explained in a low voice, “After all, we went through that assassination attempt together, and the Second Prince even saved my life. I wanted to come and see them off.”

Xiao Wangshu looked at her and nodded slowly, saying nothing more.

In the original book, the reason Tuoba Jihui repeatedly asked Xiao Hong for Fang Qiluo’s hand in marriage was not just because he liked her appearance. There was another reason: at that time, the Fang Mansion had already begun looking for a husband for her.

If he hadn’t asked then, Fang Qiluo would have become another man’s wife.

Later, because the original host of this body had insulted the Tuoba lands as barren, the three Tuoba siblings lost all goodwill toward the noble ladies of the Capital, and the marriage alliance between Tuoba Jihui and Fang Qiluo was called off.

However, after she entered this world, she seemed to have disrupted the rhythm of many events.

The elders of the Fang Mansion, who should have been anxious to find a husband for Fang Qiluo, were still very calm and had shown no intention of rushing her into marriage.

Tuoba Jihui still seemed to have feelings for Fang Qiluo, but he had never spoken up to request a marriage.

Furthermore, Fang Qiluo, who had previously been deathly opposed to the alliance, now seemed to have developed some unusual feelings for Tuoba Jihui.

It was too chaotic.

The plot of the book had completely collapsed. Oh well, she would just have to take things as they came.

“Commander Xiao, Cousin, why aren’t you going in?” Fang Huaijin looked toward the door.

Xiao Pingnan replied, “Xin’er has some private words to say to her two brothers. Let’s wait out here for a while and give them some time.”

“That’s only right.” Fang Huaijin nodded, then looked at Xiao Wangshu and asked, “Cousin, is the wound on your palm any better?”

Xiao Wangshu snapped out of her thoughts, looked at him, and smiled. “It’s almost completely healed. Thank you for your concern, Cousin.”

“Why so polite with your own cousin?” Fang Huaijin asked back with a smile.

A while ago, when he thought she was actually going to the Tuoba Tribe for a marriage alliance, he had kept his distance to avoid gossip and tried his best not to see her.

Now that he knew she didn’t have to go, he wasn’t sure what he was feeling.

Perhaps it was joy.

In the future, he would still be able to see her dressed in magnificent clothes, appearing at the Fang Mansion like a delicate flower, catching butterflies and feeding fish with Qiluo, calling him ‘Cousin’ in her soft voice.

At the thought of such a scene, the corners of Fang Huaijin’s mouth lifted slightly.

Just then, the door opened from the inside.

Tuoba Xin was clutching Tuoba Jihui’s arm. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, and she looked like a little rabbit as she was led over to Xiao Pingnan by Tuoba Jihui.

Tuoba Yunxiao followed behind them. He eventually stopped next to Xiao Wangshu and glanced at Fang Huaijin standing before her, but said nothing.

“I’ll leave my little sister in your care from now on, Commander Xiao.” Tuoba Jihui handed Tuoba Xin over to Xiao Pingnan.

Xiao Pingnan took her into his arms and replied with a smile, “Of course.”

To the side, Tuoba Yunxiao reached out and tugged at Xiao Wangshu’s hair. Under her expressionless gaze, he withdrew his hand, feeling a bit guilty as he spoke, “You’re really not as fun to tease as when you were a kid.”

Back then, if he had pulled her braid like that, she would have jumped up to fight him for three hundred rounds.

She really had changed!

But even though she had changed, she was still quite likable. He still enjoyed teasing her.

Xiao Wangshu shot him a sidelong glance and said, “Brother Yunxiao, you’re just as much in need of a kicking as you were when you were a kid.”

Tuoba Yunxiao let out two loud laughs, patted her shoulder, and said, “I’m off!”

“You’ll still have to come to the Capital to pay tribute in the future. We’ll see each other again,” Xiao Wangshu said to bid them farewell, and also to comfort the siblings.

Tuoba Jihui nodded and smiled. “Until next year.”