Transmigrated as the Villainess, She Made the General Blush - Chapter 23

“Sister, what do you mean by that?” Xiao Fuguang still looked completely puzzled.

Xiao Wangshu gave him a mysterious smile and asked, “Those ladies and young misses who just came into the shop and greeted us-did you really look at them carefully?”

Xiao Fuguang shook his head. “I didn’t really look.”

He was a man, after all; how could he stare at the womenfolk of other families?

Xiao Wangshu had expected this answer and smiled. “Those ladies and young misses are all from official and merchant families. Chances are, they’re hoping to form ties with the Chancellor’s Mansion.”

“Really?” The more Xiao Fuguang listened, the more confused he felt.

“Of course,” Xiao Wangshu replied. “With our shop’s goods being expensive and unattractive, why would they bother coming in? Do you really think they’re there just to shop?”

That’s not shopping at all-it’s simply a way to give money to Fang Qin’er in another guise.

When he heard this, Xiao Fuguang’s eye twitched a little. “Sister, you don’t have to be so blunt about our shop.”

Expensive and unattractive-he really had no way to argue with that.

“Ladies and young misses from official and merchant families may not spend extravagantly, but since they’re coming here to please our mother, they must be spending quite a bit. Yet the shop only reports a little over twenty taels of silver each month. Fuguang, do you think that’s reasonable?”

Xiao Fuguang’s expression turned serious and he shook his head.

Of course that wasn’t reasonable.

Silver doesn’t grow legs and run off by itself-so who took it?

“Sister, these other families’ ladies are trying to curry favor-does Mother know about this? If they keep spending, hoping for Father’s help but can’t reach him, and the shop takes their money while neither Mother nor Father knows a thing, we’ll end up making plenty of enemies without realizing it.”

Xiao Fuguang lowered his voice and leaned in a bit closer to Xiao Wangshu.

Xiao Wangshu smiled. “This matter could be big or small. Those eager to attach themselves to the Chancellor’s Mansion are certainly not as powerful as our family, so they can’t stir up much trouble in the short term. But Mother has always been thorough in handling things. If she knew about this, she wouldn’t just sit by, so I think she probably doesn’t know.”

After all, the Chancellor’s Mansion has too many complicated affairs, and Fang Qin’er is only one person-how could she have the energy to manage so much?

Prioritizing the more important matters, compared to the internal affairs of the Chancellor’s Mansion, these outside shops just aren’t as significant.

“Sister, you said yourself, this matter can be small, but it can also be big. It’s never good for Father to make too many enemies. Even a small enemy, working in secret, can ruin things.”

Xiao Wangshu nodded. “You’re right, Fuguang. That’s why I’m trying to help take some of the burden off Mother.”

But this kind of thing has to be handled step by step.

It’s like building a house-if you find a beam has been eaten away by insects, you can’t just kick it out. You need to reinforce everything around it first, and then, when it’s no longer needed, remove it and replace it with a new one.

If you act too decisively, you risk damaging the foundation.

She only wanted to replace a beam, not tear down the whole house. There’s no need to rush.

As for that rotten beam, whether it’s chopped up or burned, it doesn’t matter. In the end, it’s up to them how to deal with it-whatever’s most comfortable.

“Sister, how do you plan to-”

Before Xiao Fuguang could finish, a familiar female voice came from not far ahead-

“Fourth Sister Xiao, Eighth Younger Brother, it’s been a long time.”

The siblings turned to look in unison and saw a young man and a girl in a gauzy dress walking toward them side by side.

When she saw the girl in the gauzy dress, Xiao Wangshu chuckled softly and whispered to Xiao Fuguang, “Just a mere servant, Fuguang-don’t worry, just get ready for a good show.”

Xiao Fuguang nodded and didn’t bring up Shopkeeper Xiao again.
Not far away, Mu Xiaoxiao, dressed in a flowing skirt, walked over with graceful steps and stopped in front of Xiao Wangshu and her brother, bowed in greeting, and said warmly, “What a coincidence, to run into you both just by strolling down the street. It must be fate.”

The man in white robes beside her cupped his hands in greeting to the Xiao siblings, his voice gentle: “Fourth Miss Xiao, Eighth Young Master Xiao.”

“Third Young Master Mu, Fifth Miss Mu.”

Xiao Wangshu and Xiao Fuguang returned the greeting, one bowing and one cupping his hands, in response to the siblings.

The third son of Mu Mansion, Mu Shuhao.

The two legitimate sons of Mu Mansion had already come of age and, under the protection of their father Mu Han, entered officialdom one after another, their careers smooth and promising.

When it came to this third son, it happened that Xiao Hong had just promoted Jiang Di to the position of Minister of Personnel.

The Ministry of Personnel oversees official appointments. With a new minister in office, Jiang Di joined forces with the Minister of Rites to hold the Imperial Examination to select new officials, enforcing strict selection. Thus, this Third Young Master Mu was eliminated.

Because the Mu Mansion was at odds with the Xiao Family, Mu Han knew well that Xiao Hong intended to cut off the official career paths of all the sons of their faction, forcing those officials to switch allegiances.

Therefore, Mu Han did not fight for Mu Shuhao, as the outcome was obvious-any effort would only bring him humiliation.

In short, the two legitimate elder brothers entered officialdom smoothly and basked in glory.

But when it came to Mu Shuhao, as a concubine-born son, he could only go into business, taking over the enterprises given to him by his maternal grandfather. Who could guarantee he did not harbor jealousy in his heart?

Gold and silver may be wonderful, but how can they compare to the allure of real power?

“It truly is a coincidence. My brother and I just came out for a casual stroll today, and here we meet Fifth Miss Mu again,” Xiao Wangshu replied with the same warmth as Mu Xiaoxiao.

Clearly, they were the children of political rivals, yet when they met, they were exceedingly polite, as if it hadn’t been the Xiao Family who had forced Mu Chuxue to be executed in public just days ago.

“Since fate has brought us together, why not walk together for a while? Later, let me treat you both to some tea, and perhaps we can have dinner together before heading home?” Mu Shuhao wore a clean, bright smile, not at all like a scion raised in the inner chambers of a noble house.

Unlike the refined and scholarly Mu Yunze, Mu Shuhao and his sister Mu Xiaoxiao both exuded a relaxing, clear, and harmless aura.

“Tea and dinner?” Xiao Fuguang repeated, then looked at Xiao Wangshu, tugging at her sleeve with a hint of difficulty. His voice was just loud enough for Mu Shuhao and his sister to hear-

“Sister, Mother told us to return early.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wangshu’s face showed a suitable trace of apology as she said to Mu Shuhao and Mu Xiaoxiao, “Thank you for your kind invitation, Third Young Master Mu, but I’m afraid it won’t be possible today. Let’s gather another time.”

Mu Shuhao looked a bit regretful and helpless. “Very well, then we won’t disturb you siblings.”

Mu Xiaoxiao pursed her lips, stepped forward, and asked Xiao Wangshu in a low voice, “Fourth Sister Xiao, is it because of our Sixth Sister that you don’t wish to associate with us anymore?”

The way she asked, one might think Xiao Wangshu was her real sister.

“Xiaoxiao!” Mu Shuhao sighed and shook his head, then said, “It was one thing for you to always compete with Sixth Sister at home, but now that she’s gone, why are you speaking nonsense in front of the Xiao Family’s young lady?”

Mu Xiaoxiao’s eyes reddened at his words. She stomped her foot and turned to leave.

Mu Shuhao lifted his leg to chase after her, glanced at the Xiao siblings, and hurriedly explained before leaving: “Xiaoxiao has always been at odds with Sixth Sister. Please don’t mind her. We’ll take our leave now-let’s meet again if fate allows.”

With that, Mu Shuhao hurried after Mu Xiaoxiao, leaving Xiao Wangshu and her brother standing where they were, watching the siblings’ departing figures.