Transmigrated as the Villainess, She Made the General Blush - Chapter 21

After summer, the weather grew cooler.

Ever since Xiao Wangshu returned from Fang Mansion that day, she had been earnestly poring over the account books of the two clothing shops under Fang Qin’er’s name, spending several days in the courtyard already.

It was Fang Qin’er who, seeing her so focused and worrying she might tire herself out, pulled her out of the courtyard and took her to the Riding Field to watch Xiao Fuguang train.

Even at the Riding Field, Xiao Wangshu still held an account book in her hands.

“Wangshu, put that thing down and rest for a while, or you’ll strain your eyes. They’re just two little shops with a monthly income of barely twenty taels. I only thought to let you take them over to pass the time when you’re idle, yet you take it so seriously.”

To be honest, Fang Qin’er never really cared much about those two shops with their meager monthly income.

She had quite a few shops under her name. Even if the business was average, the sheer number meant she could collect a decent amount of silver each month for her own use.

Thinking carefully, she realized she had never worried about money, nor had she ever studied these shops as seriously as her daughter did.

After all, when her mother handed these shops over to her, she only taught her how to manage the people running them. She didn’t need to master every detail-just know the basics and keep the staff in line.

“Alright, Mother. I’ll put it down once I finish this month’s accounts,” Xiao Wangshu replied while turning the pages, her gaze never leaving the account book.

Fang Qin’er sighed and shook her head gently, helplessly saying, “Children really do grow up beyond their mother’s control.”

Xiao Wangshu curved her lips into a smile and asked, “Mother, when did you learn to speak like that?”

Such obvious helplessness-anyone who didn’t know better would think she had a particularly difficult child.

“Don’t you know yourself?” Fang Qin’er retorted, then continued, “Have I been lacking in your food or clothing lately? The other day, your grandmother and Eldest Aunt gave you plenty of pocket money. Why are you so anxious about these two shops?”

If she remembered correctly, when they returned to Fang Mansion that day, both siblings received two hundred taels each.

Because Wangshu had just recovered from falling into the water and had been injured while earning merit in the palace, the old lady not only rewarded Wangshu with silver but also gave her many tonics and jewelry-every item was of fine quality.

This child had just received so much silver and treasure, enough to cover her normal expenses for a year or two. Why did she seem so obsessed with money lately?

Hearing Fang Qin’er’s question, Xiao Wangshu smiled apologetically, put down the account book, and replied sweetly, “Mother loves me most; how could I ever lack food or clothing?”

“Then why are you so eager to go over these account books? Aren’t you worried about hurting your body, which has only just recovered?” Fang Qin’er put on a stern face and looked at Xiao Wangshu.

Xiao Wangshu immediately softened, “How could I? My body is well cared for by Mother. Handling these little matters for a short while won’t harm me.”

Fang Qin’er reached out and gently tapped her forehead with her finger.

“You!”

Her daughter’s tongue was getting sharper by the day!

Xiao Wangshu giggled along with her. The mother and daughter sat together on the viewing platform, chatting and laughing in a warm atmosphere.

Just then, Fang Qin’er’s personal Maid Hui Qiu came running over, panting as she stood before Fang Qin’er and reported, “Madam, the Prime Minister has urgent business to discuss with you. It seems to concern the envoy from the Tuoba Tribe.”

The smile on Fang Qin’er’s face quickly faded. With Matron Du’s support, she rose to her feet.

“Wangshu, sit here for a while. Don’t keep staring at those account books. Later, let Fu Guang take you out for a walk,” Fang Qin’er instructed.
Xiao Wangshu rose to see her off, saying, “I understand, Mother. Please go ahead, Father is still waiting for you.”

Fang Qin’er nodded to her and turned to leave.

After she left, Xiao Wangshu sat back down, absentmindedly flipping through the pages of the account book.

The Tuoba Tribe-this will not be easy.

In the novel, it was also at the beginning of this winter that the Tuoba envoys entered the capital to pay tribute and seek a marriage alliance with the Xiao Mansion.

As for why they did not seek a marriage alliance with the Emperor of Wei State, it was because the Tuoba Tribe had been conquered by Xiao Hong during his northern campaign. The Tuoba Tribe admired strength, and from then on, they were incorporated into the territory of Wei State, submitting to Prime Minister Xiao Hong.

In the heart of the Tuoba chieftain, the world of Wei State would sooner or later belong to the Xiao clan, so the princes and princesses who came for marriage alliances were all matched with the sons and daughters of the Xiao Mansion.

In the original plot, the Tuoba Third Prince had intended to marry Xiao Wangshu, but at that time, Xiao Wangshu was madly in love with Mu Yunze and directly rejected the Tuoba Third Prince.

During that period, Mu Yunze treated Xiao Wangshu with unusual tenderness, giving her hope. Xiao Wangshu even went so far as to humiliate the Tuoba Third Prince, mocking him for coming from a barren tribe and saying that his desire for her was like a toad wishing to eat swan meat.

When Xiao Hong learned of this, he was nearly driven to illness by her.

With things as they were, the marriage alliance was abandoned.

Not only did the Tuoba Third Prince not marry a lady of the Xiao Mansion, but the Tuoba Second Prince, who had originally intended to marry Fang Qiluo, also gave up, and even the Tuoba Little Princess, who was to marry Xiao Pingnan, left in anger. The three siblings never mentioned the marriage alliance again.

After this diplomatic mission, although the Tuoba Tribe still obeyed Xiao Hong, a rift had inevitably formed between them and Xiao Hong.

Thinking of this, Xiao Wangshu unconsciously increased the force with which she flipped through the account book.

A marriage alliance was something she definitely did not want.

It was not about love or lack thereof; if the benefits were sufficient, she would not mind cooperating with Xiao Hong and the Tuoba Tribe to complete a political marriage.

But precisely because the benefits were insufficient, she felt it was not worth it.

Though her words were harsh, there was one thing she was right about-the Tuoba lands were barren.

Such land, in such an era, without advanced technology to pave the way, no matter how hard she tried, it would be difficult to build a commercial empire of her own.

To marry for this, she was unwilling.

But if the Tuoba Tribe and the Xiao Family were to become estranged, turning Xiao Hong’s loyal followers into hidden dangers, that would be even more unwise.

For now, the only option was to start with the Tuoba envoys and make the Tuoba Third Prince give up the marriage alliance on his own.

With this in mind, Xiao Wangshu raised her hand to rub her brow.

“Miss, have some tea. Are your eyes tired from reading?” Shuxia stepped forward to ask, pouring a cup of tea for Xiao Wangshu.

Xiao Wangshu picked up the teacup and took a sip, her gaze sweeping over the Riding Field. She said casually, “It’s nothing. The younger brothers look tired too. Take the tea to them first.”

Upon hearing this, Shuxia curtsied and replied, “Yes.”

After Shuxia left with the tea and snacks, Xiao Wangshu picked up the account book at hand and continued reading the pages she had not yet finished.

A gentle breeze swept by, occasionally lifting the stray hairs at her ear, making the ends of her hair dance and flutter in the air.

Those on the Riding Field drank their tea, occasionally glancing up at her, only to see sunlight pouring over her, as if gilding her silhouette with a layer of gold.

Magnificent and noble.

“General Chen, Seventh Brother is feeling a bit unwell. I’ll take him to rest first,” Xiao Fuguang called from afar, supporting Xiao Zhenxi with the help of a servant as they walked off the field.

Chen Chu turned to look at them, nodding to show he understood, but said nothing.