Transmigrated as the Villainess, She Made the General Blush - Chapter 25

Xiao Wangshu pushed the plate of pastries a little closer to him and said, “Xiao Fuguang, have some too. You’re still growing.”

Xiao Fuguang wrinkled his nose. In truth, he didn’t really like eating in the study.

“Try it-it’s good for your stomach and it tastes nice.” Xiao Wangshu reached out and slowly slid the half-bitten pastry in front of his face.

Xiao Fuguang couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, alright, sister, just take it away. I’ll eat it, okay?”

Xiao Wangshu quickly withdrew her hand.

Xiao Fuguang reached for a piece of Chinese Yam Cake from the plate, frowned a little, and brought it to his mouth for a bite.

“Is it good?” Xiao Wangshu asked.

Xiao Fuguang tilted his head, savoring it for a moment, then straightened up and nodded with a smile.

Xiao Wangshu smiled too, finished the pastry in her hand, and picked up another piece.

The servant who had taste-tested earlier stood to the side, somewhat surprised to see how quickly the Chinese Yam Cake was disappearing from the plate.

The Young Master rarely ate anything sent to the study.

Unless he was truly hungry, he would only force down a few bites.

Today was certainly unusual.

“By the way, sister, how are the renovations going on your two shops?”

Xiao Fuguang asked, then added, “You’ve been busy for days-you haven’t come to watch us ride horses in a while.”

It had also been days since he’d had tea sent by his sister, or tasted the fruit and pastries she brought. Not that he was the only one who missed it-seventh brother and General Chen did too; every now and then, they’d glance over at the viewing platform.

“Renovations don’t happen that quickly. The blueprints aren’t even finalized yet. Once I decide on the plans, the craftsmen will get started and things will move quickly.” Xiao Wangshu counted the days on her fingers. “It should be finished and open for business by mid-October.”

Xiao Fuguang poured two cups of tea, handed one to Xiao Wangshu, and sighed, “It’s rare to see you so focused. But in a few days, you might have to put all this aside for a while.”

“Oh?” Xiao Wangshu thought for a moment and asked, “Is it because the Gu Family is holding a birthday celebration?”

Judging by the time, the seventh month of Mengqiu (early autumn) was approaching, and it really was almost time for Old Lady Gu’s birthday, just as described in the book.

Old Lady Gu was the wife of Gu Cheng, the Director of the Department of State Affairs.

The Gu Family had yet to pledge allegiance to any faction, and Xiao Hong was doing his utmost to win them over. Out of respect for Old Lady Gu’s seventieth birthday, Xiao Hong and Fang Qin’er would bring their three legitimate children to offer birthday wishes.

This banquet was not only to celebrate her birthday. More importantly, with Gu Cheng growing older, the Gu Family needed to find a faction to depend on, so their descendants’ official careers could go more smoothly.

“That’s right, it’s for Old Lady Gu’s birthday,” Xiao Fuguang replied, then continued, “So you already knew, sister. Father reminded me this morning to be sure I told you.”

Seeing Xiao Wangshu lost in thought, Xiao Fuguang went on, “Father wants you to spend the next few days with Mother, to learn how to prepare these birthday gifts. You’ll definitely need to know this in the future.”

His sister had already come of age; she really should be learning how to handle such occasions.

Xiao Wangshu nodded to him and said, “I understand. I’ll go visit Mother’s courtyard a bit later.”

In Xiao Hong’s eyes, she truly did need to learn more about these things.

Otherwise, if it really came to a marriage alliance with the Tuoba Tribe, and the Xiao Family’s legitimate daughter married into the Tuoba without knowing anything, wouldn’t that be looked down upon?

The Tuoba Tribe was different from Xiao Hong’s usual allies; it was the strongest military force under his command. She couldn’t simply refuse them on a whim.

Of course, she could do as the original heroine did and thoroughly humiliate the Tuoba Prince, but she’d have to be ready for the painful consequences that would follow.

If the Xiao Family collapsed, how could any egg remain whole beneath a toppled nest?

In this era, as a woman, once she lost her family’s protection, who knew what fate awaited her?

“Sister?”

Xiao Fuguang waved a hand in front of her eyes, puzzled. “You’re daydreaming again. Has something been troubling you lately, sister?”
Xiao Wangshu came back to herself, the focus slowly gathering in her eyes.

“It’s nothing, perhaps I’ve just been a bit tired lately.”

At this moment, Fang Qin’er was probably still pleading bitterly with Xiao Hong over the marriage alliance, and Xiao Hong, bound by years of marital affection and fatherly love, had yet to make a final decision.

The matter had not yet leaked out, so Xiao Fuguang naturally knew nothing of it.

“If you’re tired, sister, go back and rest for a while. Just do your best with the shop, don’t push yourself too hard.” Xiao Fuguang stood up, walked around the table to the other side, and helped Xiao Wangshu up.

Xiao Wangshu nodded lazily, hugged her book, and left.

—

Later, Xiao Wangshu brought Yichun and Shuxia to Fang Qin’er’s courtyard.

When she arrived, Fang Qin’er was embroidering a sachet.

Looking closely, it was easy to see that the corners of her eyes and the tip of her nose were still tinged red, as if she had just cried and hadn’t recovered yet.

Seeing Xiao Wangshu enter, Fang Qin’er quickly put down her work, stood up, and said, “Why did you come in without a sound? The wind’s picking up, and you didn’t even put on a cloak?”

“It’s fine, not too cold.” Xiao Wangshu walked up to Fang Qin’er, reached out her hand, and placed it in Fang Qin’er’s palm.

Fang Qin’er held her hand to warm it for a while, disapprovingly saying, “It’s autumn now, the weather turns cold quickly. Look at you, dressed so thinly-if the cold wind blows, you’ll be bedridden for two days again.”

“Mother, you make it sound like I’m so delicate.” Xiao Wangshu didn’t take it to heart at all, joking and laughing as she pulled Fang Qin’er to sit down.

After sitting, Fang Qin’er put the sachet she’d just embroidered into her basket, then began to speak seriously to Xiao Wangshu about the Gu Family.

Of the Three Departments and Six Ministries, Fang Qin’er’s father-Old Master Fang, Fang Jingtai-was the Attendant of the Chancellery, overseeing the Chancellery and responsible for reviewing, approving, or amending imperial edicts.

Mu Yunze’s father-Central Secretariat Director Mu Han-was the head of the Grand Secretariat, responsible for drafting and issuing imperial edicts.

Besides the Chancellery and the Grand Secretariat, the last of the Three Departments was the Department of State Affairs.

The Gu Mansion they were about to visit for the banquet was headed by the Director of the Department of State Affairs-Gu Cheng.

The Department of State Affairs was responsible for executing imperial edicts and distributing them to the Six Ministries.

It oversaw the Six Ministries and implemented national policies, wielding considerable real power.

The new policies had been implemented for two generations, and there should have been no dedicated Prime Minister. But in order to make Xiao Hong relinquish his military power, the pro-emperor faction had to assign him a civil position of corresponding rank, thus reinstating the office of Prime Minister under the new system.

Clearly, Xiao Hong had not given up his military power, and the Prime Minister’s seat was firmly his.

Above the Three Departments and Six Ministries was the Prime Minister, assisting in state affairs.

If the Prime Minister monopolized power, the emperor would become a mere figurehead. Such was the current state of the court.

When the Prime Minister’s power grew strong enough to win the people’s trust, he could even replace the emperor.

This is what the historical records call-Usurpation by Powerful Ministers!

Looking back at the reasons for the collapse of dynasties throughout history, they boil down to three: foreign invasion, Usurpation by Powerful Ministers, and popular uprisings.

The Wei Dynasty was now on the brink of collapse.

“Old Lady Gu is the wife of Gu Laotaiye. The two have supported each other from humble beginnings for decades, sharing deep affection. Gu Laotaiye respects and cherishes his wife greatly.

“When we arrive at the Gu Mansion, as women, our sole purpose is to celebrate the birthday. Especially you, Wangshu, you must restrain your temper and not disrupt Old Lady Gu’s birthday banquet.”

Fang Qin’er patted Xiao Wangshu’s hand, earnestly reminding her.

With every sentence, Xiao Wangshu nodded in agreement: “I understand, mother.”

Receiving her response, Fang Qin’er continued.

Today, she spoke with Xiao Wangshu about many things-from the Gu Mansion’s birthday banquet to the difficulties faced by women, and even Xiao Wangshu’s childhood.

In the end, she never mentioned the Tuoba Tribe.

Xiao Wangshu pretended not to notice and kept her company for a long time.

……