Transmigrated as the Villainess, She Made the General Blush - chapter 44

Chapter 44

After returning to the Chancellor’s Mansion, Matron Du quickly recounted everything that had happened at the Brocade Gate to Fang Qin’er.

Coincidentally, Xiao Hong had just finished discussing matters with Xiao Pingnan and came to accompany Fang Qin’er for dinner. The two of them sat in Fang Qin’er’s quarters, listening to the lively tale.

Upon hearing about Shopkeeper Xiao, Fang Qin’er’s face was tinged with a layer of cold frost as she asked, “There are so many shops outside the mansion. If he was the only one embezzling, how could he have kept it under wraps?”

Those old things-there probably isn’t a single clean one among them!

They really kept it tightly covered, hiding it from her for so long.

“Madam is right. The young lady has already given orders, demanding that they return the embezzled funds within three days. If they do not comply, there will be a thorough investigation,” Matron Du continued.

Fang Qin’er lightly tapped the corner of the table, deliberating, “That’s good. Otherwise, if everyone is removed at once, it would be difficult to handle.”

Matron Du hurriedly replied, “Yes, yes, Madam and the young lady truly think alike. The young lady said the same thing to this old servant just now.”

At this moment, Xiao Fuguang happened to walk over. He first bowed slightly with clasped hands to Chen Chu and Lu Xuyang, who were standing guard at the door.

Chen Chu and Lu Xuyang looked at him, returned the salute with cupped fists, then turned back to stand at attention outside the door.

One on the left and one on the right, they looked just like two door gods.

After entering, Xiao Fuguang glanced at the room full of people, and with a hint of surprise, bowed again.

“Father, Mother, Second Brother.”

Xiao Hong looked at him and nodded with a soft “Mm.”

Xiao Pingnan also looked at Xiao Fuguang, returning the greeting with a smile. “It’s still Eighth Younger Brother who is more considerate, often coming to keep Mother company. Every time I come, I run into you.”

Xiao Fuguang also smiled and replied, “Second Brother, what are you saying? You have official duties and must share Father’s burdens. Unlike me, I’m still young and have plenty of free time.”

“You and that mouth of yours,” Xiao Pingnan said with a laugh, shaking his head. The two of them appeared to be affectionate brothers.

Fang Qin’er gestured to the side, and Cang Dong immediately understood, guiding Xiao Fuguang to sit nearby and instructing the Maid to serve him tea and snacks.

After sitting down, Xiao Fuguang asked, “I heard that quite a few shopkeepers came to the Chancellor’s Mansion to see Mother today?”

Fang Qin’er nodded. “Your sister discovered today that Shopkeeper Xiao from her shop was lining his own pockets at the expense of the business. There was a bit of a commotion during the handling, but it’s all settled now.”

Xiao Fuguang raised the corners of his mouth in a smile and casually added, “Sister didn’t just discover it today. The first time she visited the shop, she already knew Shopkeeper Xiao was up to no good.”

That pair of eyes of hers-she saw right through Shopkeeper Xiao at first glance.

“Oh? Tell us about it,” Xiao Hong said with interest, looking at Xiao Fuguang and signaling for him to continue.

Xiao Fuguang then recounted the events of his and Xiao Wangshu’s first visit to the shop.

At the end, he added, “As soon as Sister entered and saw the goods and customers, she knew the shop’s revenue was far more than what was reported. It’s just that there was no evidence at the time, so she didn’t act against Shopkeeper Xiao yet.”

Xiao Hong picked up his teacup, as if reminded of something, and smiled as he covered the cup to savor the aroma.

“By the way, Mother, how did Sister deal with Shopkeeper Xiao?” Xiao Fuguang continued to ask.

Fang Qin’er gestured to Matron Du.

Matron Du then gave Xiao Fuguang a brief account of what had just happened.

Xiao Fuguang frowned as he listened, a bit puzzled. “Sister only asked Shopkeeper Xiao to return the stolen funds within three days, and that’s it?”

Letting Shopkeeper Xiao off so easily? That doesn’t seem like Sister’s style.

Matron Du thought for a moment and nodded. “The young lady did indeed only say to have him return the money, and after that, he would simply be dismissed. For the sake of the Old Madam and Madam, his life would be spared.”

Seeing Xiao Fuguang’s furrowed brow, Xiao Hong asked him leisurely, “You are closest to your sister. Can you discern her intentions?”

Xiao Hong’s question stumped not only Xiao Fuguang, but also left Fang Qin’er and Matron Du a bit dazed.

Xiao Fuguang thought for a moment and replied, “Sister doesn’t have many people at her disposal. She may not have actually found evidence against the other shopkeepers, so her words might be a bluff.

“By sparing Shopkeeper Xiao’s life, she preserves Grandmother’s dignity and also reassures the other shopkeepers, making it easier for them to hand over their embezzled funds.”
“Otherwise, either way it’s a death sentence. There’s no guarantee those people won’t just take the money and run.”

After hearing this, Xiao Hong nodded slightly and said, “Indeed, your sister has become quite skilled at intimidating people recently.

“But she has plenty of real skills, too. If she goes to the shop, takes a look, makes some guesses, and checks the account books, she might actually be able to estimate the situation pretty well.”

“That’s true…” Xiao Fuguang nodded in agreement.

He then asked Xiao Hong, “Father, what do you think? Does Sister have any other intentions?”

Xiao Hong smiled and countered, “If I’m not mistaken, isn’t your sister running out of silver?”

Xiao Fuguang was taken aback, then counted on his fingers and asked, “How did you know, Father?”

His sister had been busy with the renovations for Brocade Gate, almost turning the entire shop upside down and even redoing the land itself.

With such a complete overhaul, how could the silver she had possibly be enough?

“If your sister tried to conduct a forced investigation to recover the money embezzled by Xiao Tu, she would have to go through the authorities.

“She’d need to take evidence of Xiao Tu’s embezzlement and his indenture contract to the authorities, and have officials accompany her to the bank to withdraw the money. Otherwise, the bank would never hand over the funds easily.

“As for the estates and houses Xiao Tu purchased, transferring the deeds would also require going through the authorities. This would not only take a lot of time and effort, but property could easily be damaged in the process.

“Your sister is in urgent need of money and can’t wait. So she simply lets Xiao Tu hand it over himself – which is both safer and more convenient.

“She also does a favor in passing, openly sparing Xiao Tu’s life, and thus upholding your mother and grandmother’s reputation for kindness.”

After Xiao Hong’s explanation, everyone seemed to hear the crisp sound of an abacus being worked.

“Sister’s calculations are really loud and clear,” Xiao Fuguang remarked with admiration.

Xiao Hong then asked, “Do you think that’s all?”

Xiao Fuguang was startled. “There’s more?”

“If that were all, why would your sister send people to deliver gifts to the wives and daughters of those officials and merchants?” Xiao Hong continued, taking a leisurely sip of tea.

Xiao Fuguang thought for a while and replied, “Those officials and wealthy merchants tried to go through Mother but failed, and their money was already given. It’s only natural they would feel some resentment. Sister sends gifts and explanations to smooth things over, which can help eliminate many potential minor enemies.”

Xiao Hong finished his tea, set down the cup, and asked, “And what else?”

Xiao Fuguang furrowed his brow and lowered his head in thought.

Xiao Pingnan remained quiet, his fingers rubbing back and forth along the rim of his cup.

Seeing that Xiao Fuguang had pondered for a long time but still couldn’t figure it out, Fang Qin’er spoke up first: “Prime Minister, what do you think?”

Xiao Hong glanced at her and smiled. “Wangshu is reminding those officials and merchants that it wasn’t the Xiao Mansion refusing to help them earlier, but rather greedy servants blocking their goodwill.”

Xiao Fuguang’s eyes lit up at once, and he continued, “So that’s why Sister let Shopkeeper Xiao go – she doesn’t need to do anything herself; there are plenty of people who will deal with him!”

In this way, Sister not only resolved those potential enemies and maintained Mother and Grandmother’s reputation for kindness, but also didn’t need to take action herself. She simply handed Shopkeeper Xiao over to those officials and merchants to let them vent their anger.

That was Sister’s real calculation!

Sitting nearby, Xiao Pingnan added, “And those officials and merchants – even though their money was embezzled by Shopkeeper Xiao, it still ended up in Fourth Sister’s hands in the end.

“Fourth Sister took the money without owing anyone a favor.

“If someone from one of those families really does deal with Shopkeeper Xiao, and Shopkeeper Xiao’s indenture contract is still in Fourth Sister’s hands, then that person has essentially killed Fourth Sister’s servant.

“If Fourth Sister wants to press the matter, she can even turn the tables and use it as leverage to trade for favors.”

An indenture contract represents a servant’s life.

If someone kills another family’s servant, and the master comes to demand accountability, the killer must pay compensation.

At that time, just mentioning the matter in passing is enough, and the situation becomes:

Although you killed my servant, for the sake of our relationship, I won’t pursue it further.”