Transmigrated as the Villainess, She Made the General Blush - Chapter 108

Chapter 108

Xiao Wangshu and her four companions accompanied the two Tuoba brothers all the way to the Ten-Mile Pavilion outside the Capital before finally coming to a halt.

“Today we see you off ten miles from the city; in the future, we shall welcome you back from ten miles out.”

Xiao Wangshu performed a formal curtsy toward Tuoba Jihui and Tuoba Yunxiao. “Safe travels, my sworn brothers.”

Tuoba Jihui was visibly moved and returned the salute.

Tuoba Yunxiao, on the other hand, reached out directly, intending to ruffle her hair, but Xiao Wangshu took a half-step back to avoid him.

“Brother Yunxiao, your grip is far too heavy, unlike Second Brother’s gentle touch. You’d better not mess with my head, lest you ruin my hairstyle.”

Her words instantly shattered the somber atmosphere of the parting.

Not only did Xiao Pingnan burst out laughing, but even Tuoba Jihui and Tuoba Xin found it quite amusing.

Tuoba Yunxiao was practically laughed into a fit of pique. Without a word, he chased after her and gave her head several rough rubs, as if he were grooming a horse’s mane.

He really was asking for a kick.

“Third Elder Brother, that’s enough!” Tuoba Xin stepped forward to pull Tuoba Yunxiao away. She helped Xiao Wangshu tidy her hair and complained to Tuoba Yunxiao, “Why are you so heavy-handed? With a personality like yours, it’s a wonder if any girl will ever like you!”

Fang Huaijin, watching from the side, couldn’t bear it either. He asked Xiao Wangshu, “Cousin, are you alright?”

“I only ruffled her hair twice. Isn’t Young Master Fang being a bit too anxious?” Tuoba Yunxiao glanced at Xiao Wangshu and asked, “Did it really hurt?”

Xiao Wangshu maintained her smile and replied, “I’m fine. You needn’t take it to heart, Brother Yunxiao.”

Tuoba Yunxiao shrugged at Fang Huaijin.

His meaning was clear: *See? I told you it was nothing. What are you getting so worked up about?*

Fang Huaijin’s hands, hidden behind his back, slowly clenched into fists before relaxing again. He smiled and said, “As long as my cousin is fine.”

“Then we shall be on our way. You all should head back now,” Tuoba Jihui said to Xiao Pingnan and the rest of the group, pulling Tuoba Yunxiao back to his side.

Xiao Pingnan nodded to him. “Take care on your journey.”

“Mm,” Tuoba Jihui grunted in response, his gaze sweeping across everyone’s faces.

When his eyes met Fang Qiluo’s, she bit her lower lip and gave him a slight curtsy in farewell.

Tuoba Jihui was momentarily stunned, then the corners of his mouth curled into a smile.

***

The envoy’s procession set off on their return journey. Xiao Pingnan and the others stood by the Ten-Mile Pavilion, watching them go. They didn’t start back toward the city until the envoy’s party had faded from their sight.

On the other side.

Once Xiao Pingnan’s group was no longer visible, Tuoba Yunxiao finally spoke to Tuoba Jihui beside him. “Since you like her, Second Brother, why didn’t you take her back with us?”

Tuoba Jihui sat atop his horse and let out a long, slow sigh.

“You know well enough that Wangshu shouldn’t be taken to the north to suffer. How could I possibly kidnap Qiluo?”

Tuoba Yunxiao gave a self-deprecating laugh. “If she had even half a shred of affection for me, I would have taken her back to the tribe regardless.”

If it weren’t for the fact that he owed her his life, how could he have been willing to let it go like this?

If he brought her back to the tribe, gave her the best food and drink, and pampered her for years on end, even a heart of stone would eventually be warmed.

Tuoba Jihui looked at him and sighed, advising, “Do not force things. Wangshu and her cousin are different.

“Qiluo is a canary in a cage, longing for freedom, delicate enough to evoke pity.

“But Wangshu is entirely different. In her eyes, I see an ambition and tenacity that many men lack.

“She is a fledgling eagle whose wings have yet to fully grow. Sooner or later, she will conquer the skies that belong to her.

“One with such an untamable nature will never submit to being kept in a cage.”

Tuoba Yunxiao’s expression darkened. It was unclear whether he had truly taken Tuoba Jihui’s words to heart.

However, even if he hadn’t, Xiao Wangshu was now his sworn sister. According to Tuoba tribal law, those who underwent the Blood Exchange Brotherhood were no different from biological siblings.
How could there be romantic feelings between a brother and sister?

–

Meanwhile, on Zhuque Street.

The Chancellor’s Mansion carriage slowed to a stop as it passed Brocade Gate. Xiao Wangshu lifted the carriage curtain and spoke to Xiao Pingnan. “Sister Xin wants to go back and rest. Second Brother, please take her back. I have some matters to attend to at Brocade Gate.”

Xiao Pingnan didn’t address her request immediately. Instead, he reminded her with a smile, “Fourth Sister, it’s time you changed how you address your Sister Xin.”

Xiao Wangshu’s smile remained unchanged as she corrected herself. “Right. Then, Second Brother, please take my second sister-in-law back to rest first. I’m going to handle some business.”

“Go on, then. Be careful out there,” Xiao Pingnan urged casually, assigning four guards to follow her.

Xiao Wangshu thanked him and stepped down from the carriage to enter Brocade Gate.

After she disembarked, Xiao Pingnan continued riding toward the Chancellor’s Mansion. The coachman drove the carriage behind him, while the remaining guards flanked the vehicle.

Behind the Chancellor’s Mansion carriage was the Fang Mansion carriage.

Fang Huaijin lifted the window curtain and glanced outside. He happened to see Xiao Wangshu entering Brocade Gate, so he asked Fang Qiluo, “Do you want to get off and take a look?”

“No need, Brother. Let’s go home. I’m a bit tired today and want to rest for a while,” Fang Qiluo said, leaning against the carriage wall.

Hearing this, Fang Huaijin dropped the curtain and asked her, “Are you feeling reluctant to part with that Tuoba Second Prince?”

Hearing him ask so bluntly, Fang Qiluo bit her lip and did not answer.

At this, Fang Huaijin spoke to her with earnest concern. “Qiluo, do you know why Aunt Qin’er was unwilling to let Cousin Wangshu marry far away into the north? Do you know why Grandmother sighed repeatedly when she heard Cousin was to be part of a marriage alliance?”

“I know,” Fang Qiluo’s tone was somewhat muffled.

“It’s good that you know. It is true that the Tuoba Second Prince saved you, but we have already prepared generous gifts to thank him. A life-saving debt and your lifelong happiness are two different things and must not be conflated.”

When Fang Huaijin finished speaking and saw Fang Qiluo keeping her head down in silence, he felt a sense of helplessness. He added, “Mother has already asked Father to look out for young masters from suitable families for you. Stop being temperamental and don’t make Father and Mother worry.”

“I know!” Fang Qiluo’s voice rose, sounding slightly irritable.

Seeing her reaction, Fang Huaijin sighed and shook his head. He leaned back against the carriage wall and closed his eyes to rest, saying no more.

The two siblings remained silent for the rest of the journey back to the Fang Mansion.

–

Inside Brocade Gate.

The rotation speed of the Lion-handled Baoding Balls in Ruan Fuxin’s hand had increased significantly as he reported to Xiao Wangshu, “Miss, after the renovation of the Yan Street Market, the selling price of those shops we acquired around the Jade Feast Pavilion has already doubled.”

It was simply a windfall profit!

Xiao Wangshu had expected this. Her expression remained calm as she said, “No rush. Don’t flip them yet; I don’t plan on selling those shops.”

“Not selling? But with so many shops, setting aside whether we can use them all, the cost of renovating them all will be quite significant. If we don’t renovate them, I’m afraid the surrounding emptiness will affect the business of the Jade Feast Pavilion.”

After Ruan Fuxin finished speaking, he saw that Xiao Wangshu remained silent. He thought it over carefully and asked tentatively, “Could it be that Miss intends to… lease them out?”

Xiao Wangshu nodded.

“I spent so much effort renovating the Yan Street Market to create such favorable conditions for the shops along the street. If I sold them as soon as the price doubled, wouldn’t my hard work be in vain?”

Greed might not be everyone’s nature, but it was certainly the nature of a merchant.

To conduct business, one had to be an uncompromising pursuer of profit.

The potential profit visible in those shops was currently too great. If those people thought she would let go just because the price had doubled, they were being far too optimistic.

She was in the business of making money, not charity.