Transmigrated as the Villainess, She Made the General Blush - Chapter 110

Chapter 110

Three vertically interlaced jade rings formed a hollow sphere, fixed at the top and bottom with gold clasps.

Inside the jade sphere, a charmingly small Treasure Basin rolled back and forth, tumbling within the rings in rhythm with Xiao Wangshu’s steps.

The tassels hanging beneath the jade sphere swayed gently in the air, exquisite and peerless in design.

“That old master is truly fast. We only sent the jade over this morning, and in just half a day, he’s already finished the pendant for you, Miss.”

Yichun leaned down to look at the jade pendant at Xiao Wangshu’s waist, unable to resist reaching out to give it a light poke.

The little Treasure Basin inside the sphere rocked from side to side like a chubby toddler who couldn’t stand straight, landing bottom-first into its cradle.

“Haha! It’s so beautiful!” Yichun looked up at Xiao Wangshu and continued, “There’s a palace banquet tonight; it’s perfect for you to wear, Miss.”

With the Yu State Envoy having arrived, a welcoming banquet was inevitable.

Xiao Wangshu nodded and instructed her and Shuxia, “Go find some clothes. See which set is appropriate, and I’ll change in a moment.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Just as Yichun and Shuxia answered, Qin Tai called out from outside the room, “Miss, the young master is here.”

Xiao Wangshu waved her hand to dismiss Yichun and the other to their task, then turned to head out the door.

Outside, Xiao Fuguang spoke as soon as he saw her emerge. “Sister, Father wants you to come over for a moment.”

“Father?” Xiao Wangshu was slightly surprised.

Their Prime Minister father was busy with government affairs; they only sat down to eat together once every few days. Why was he suddenly calling for her today?

As she walked, Xiao Wangshu asked, “What does Father want with me?”

Xiao Fuguang pursed his lips and thought for a moment before answering, “It’s about those things you told me last time. It just so happened that Father was checking my and Seventh Brother’s lessons today. Second Brother was nearby and mentioned the Yu State Envoy entering the capital to present tribute, so I repeated what you said to Father.

“Father said a tutor wouldn’t teach such things and asked where I heard it. I didn’t have the ability to deceive Father, so I just told the truth.”

Furthermore, since the insight had been provided by his sister and he found it extremely reasonable, how could he casually attribute the credit to someone else?

Xiao Wangshu already understood his temperament and had long anticipated this, so she wasn’t surprised to hear it now.

“Then let us hurry. We shouldn’t keep Father waiting.”

***

In the Chancellor’s Mansion study.

As soon as Xiao Wangshu and Xiao Fuguang entered the room, they began brushing the snow off themselves. The commotion was loud enough that even Xiao Hong put down his brush and looked over at them.

Chen Chu’s gaze had been fixed on Xiao Wangshu’s waist since the moment she entered, only shifting away after a long moment.

“Why didn’t either of you use an umbrella?” After asking, Xiao Hong gestured toward the stove. “Go warm yourselves for a bit.”

“Thank you, Father.” Xiao Fuguang pulled Xiao Wangshu’s sleeve toward the stove and raised his hand to pat the snow off his shoulders. The two of them then paid their respects to Xiao Hong in turn.

As Xiao Wangshu brushed off the snow, she said, “The snow started right as we were on our way. It’s been falling whenever it pleases lately; we were caught off guard and got a headful of it.”

At the moment, only Xiao Hong, Chen Chu, and Lu Xuyang were in the study; Xiao Pingnan and Xiao Zhenxi had already departed.

Xiao Hong raised his hand and instructed Chen Chu and Lu Xuyang, “You two may leave as well.”

“Yes, sir.” Lu Xuyang and Chen Chu cupped their fists and turned to leave.

As they were about to pass each other, Xiao Wangshu gave them a slight, graceful curtsy.

Seeing this, Lu Xuyang came to such a sudden halt that his upper body nearly pitched forward.

It wasn’t until Chen Chu had returned the gesture that Lu Xuyang steadied himself and hurriedly bowed back. He truly hadn’t expected Xiao Wangshu to perform a formal greeting to see them off.

Certain courtesies were not mandatory; one could choose to perform them or not.

A gesture like the one Xiao Wangshu just made was a matter of polite etiquette. It wouldn’t have mattered at all if she hadn’t done it, but since she had, the two of them had to return the favor.

In the past, Xiao Wangshu rarely bothered with such pleasantries with them, so Lu Xuyang was completely unprepared. Now that she was being polite at every turn, this sudden curtsy nearly caused Lu Xuyang to throw out his back.
Lu Xuyang returned the salute and left the study with Chen Chu.

After they left and closed the door, Xiao Hong pulled a map from beneath a stack of bright yellow memorial cases on his desk. He looked up at Xiao Wangshu and asked, “Since when did you become interested in the maps of the various nations?”

Xiao Wangshu replied calmly, “My merchant caravans travel in all directions. Because the terrain and distances vary, the costs and labor required for procurement also differ. I need to be able to estimate my overhead.”

This explanation was perfectly reasonable because what Xiao Wangshu said was the truth.

It was just a truth that she had likely trimmed at both ends, presenting Xiao Hong with only the portion she wanted him to see.

She spoke with such logic and poise that Xiao Hong did not harbor any suspicions for the moment.

Xiao Hong leaned back against his chair, picked up the map from the table, and said, “Actually, the matter you are concerned about is exactly what I haven’t been able to figure out. That is why I had Fu Guang call you over when he mentioned it.”

As he spoke, Xiao Hong beckoned the siblings over.

Xiao Wangshu and Xiao Fuguang exchanged a glance before walking to the desk to look at the map in Xiao Hong’s hands.

Xiao Hong placed the map back on the table to make it easier for them to see.

Compared to this map of Xiao Hong’s, the one recorded in the Geographical Records was like a rough sketch compared to a masterfully refined blueprint.

The map Xiao Wangshu had seen previously was far too crude, only roughly outlining the territories of the various powers.

The one on Xiao Hong’s desk now was much more detailed.

Over the years, the Great Wei’s armies had marched across countless mountains and treacherous passes, refining the drawings every time they passed a checkpoint. It was only through years of accumulation that the map before their eyes had come to be.

“I have never been able to understand what the Xianyu Tribe in the northwest hopes to achieve by repeatedly raiding our borders. I have also been wondering why spies from so many factions have gathered in the Capital, all deliberately trying to sabotage our alliance with the Tuoba Tribe.

“They are working so hard and are willing to pay such a high price just to break our alliance with the Tuoba. It is truly difficult for me to comprehend.”

As he said this, Xiao Hong sat up straight.

Under the watchful eyes of Xiao Wangshu and Xiao Fuguang, he slowly reached out his hand and tapped his index finger on the map, pointing to the territory of the Tuoba Tribe.

The Tuoba Tribe was located to the northeast of Wei. Their territory was vast, and their people were brave and fierce.

If one were to say that Xiao Hong currently had ten parts of military force at his disposal, then three to four of those parts came from the Tuoba Tribe.

The Tuoba Tribe’s territory was so large that it was even slightly larger than the neighboring Yu State.

“The Tuoba Tribe is situated north of the Yu State, acting as a direct deterrent. If the Yu State rebels, the Tuoba cavalry can sweep south and break through the Yu State’s borders immediately,” Xiao Wangshu said, picking up where Xiao Hong left off.

Xiao Hong nodded and continued.

“That would make everything fall into place.

“The Xianyu Tribe repeatedly raids the northwest to draw away the majority of our military strength and attention. Meanwhile, to our east, the Wu Kingdom in the south is setting aside old grudges to join forces with the Yu State in the central region. They are attempting to stage a pincer attack from the east and west to carve up the territory of Great Wei.

“And the key to all of this lies in ensuring the Tuoba Tribe no longer keeps them in check.

“As long as the Tuoba Tribe guards the northeast, holding a blade over the Yu State’s head, the Yu State will not dare to make a move.

“If the Yu State does not cooperate, the Wu Kingdom alone cannot shake Great Wei’s eastern borders.”

Xiao Fuguang listened, the realization hitting him like a bolt of lightning. He nodded and sighed, “So that is why they were willing to kill the Tuoba Envoy at any cost.”

The Tuoba Chieftain had only four legitimate children in total. Three of them had come to the Wei Capital on this diplomatic mission.

If all three of those children were to perish here, no father would be able to accept it.