Transmigrated as the Villainess, She Made the General Blush - chapter 55

Chapter 55

The Guards that had been secured were certainly not going anywhere.

When Xiao Wangshu arrived at the main courtyard, Fang Qin’er was sitting outside, brushing on dyed nail polish, while Matron Du carefully wrapped a sheer veil around her freshly colored nails.

Six armored soldiers stood in a line in the courtyard, like six pillars, motionless.

“Mother.”

Xiao Wangshu entered the courtyard and gracefully walked to Fang Qin’er’s side, bowing in greeting.

Fang Qin’er teased Matron Du, “Look at this, Matron. After being confined in the manor these past few days, our Wangshu has turned into a true lady of the house.”

Matron Du hurriedly replied, “Madam, please don’t wrong our young lady. She has always been a proper lady.”

Listening to their banter, Xiao Wangshu remained calm and collected, her expression unchanged, as if she hadn’t heard a thing.

“Enough, Wangshu. Take a look for yourself.” Fang Qin’er finally tore her gaze away from her nails and looked up at Xiao Wangshu.

Looking at Xiao Wangshu, she added, “These six soldiers accidentally offended your uncle Xiao Yu, which led to their dismissal and reassignment to Di Zhou.

“They are all diligent and reliable in the military camp. When your father heard about it, he felt sorry for them. But because of the influence of the clan, he couldn’t openly oppose your uncle’s decision, so he had to find another way for them.

“Take a look. Your father thought you happened to be short a few Guards by your side. If you find them agreeable, you can take them with you.

“Just one thing-try to rein in your temper a little and don’t be too harsh on these six soldiers.

“If you don’t find them suitable, I’ll arrange some idle positions for them in the manor, at the estate, or in the shops. It may not compare to being officers in the military camp, but at least they won’t have a hard life.”

As soon as Fang Qin’er finished speaking, the six men, led by Qin Tai, knelt in unison, lifting their robes.

“We thank the Prime Minister and Madam for your thoughtful arrangements!”

Qin Tai and the others had never expected that Chen Chu would actually plead their case, and that Xiao Hong and Fang Qin’er would be willing to take them in this way.

For a moment, the resentment they felt toward the entire Xiao clan because of Xiao Yu had faded considerably.

“Rise.” Fang Qin’er smiled gently, her voice soft. “You have served the people and the country in the army, and worked hard for the Prime Minister. We have seen it all and will not treat you unfairly.”

After she finished, the six men replied in unison, “Thank you, Madam!”

The six then stood up straight. Xiao Wangshu walked closer, inspecting them carefully, and asked-

“You all seem quite capable, but I wonder if soldiers from the camp can handle the change to being my Guards?”

Compared to Chen Chu’s intimidating presence, these six were a bit lacking, but they were certainly more than a match for any household Guards.

“Rest assured, Miss. We always remember that military orders are absolute. As long as you give the command, we will obey! Soldiers in the camp regard the Prime Minister as their master, and as his legitimate daughter, you are our mistress as well!”

Qin Tai’s words were pleasing to the ear. Fang Qin’er nodded slightly from the side, clearly satisfied.

Xiao Wangshu smiled, saying nothing more, only, “Very well, you six will follow me.”

In his heart, he still considered himself a military officer, not a Guard.

He respected her and followed her orders not because he was her Guard, but because he was Xiao Hong’s soldier, and by extension, respected Xiao Hong’s daughter as his mistress.

He might even think that if these words reached Xiao Hong, the Prime Minister would be moved and might find a way to bring them back to the camp in the future.

How naive.

But it didn’t affect her using them at all.

“We obey!” The six men cupped their fists and bowed in unison.

Xiao Wangshu, with a faint smile, reminded them, “Except for the Emperor, unless you are military officers, you cannot privately keep soldiers from the camp as personal Guards.

“As the daughter of a court official, my Guards may only refer to themselves as subordinates or servants, not as ‘humble officers’. Remember this.”

Qin Tai was momentarily stunned.

Beside him, the cautious Yuchi Yan immediately corrected himself, “Subordinate will remember!”

Qin Tai snapped back and echoed, “Subordinate will remember!”

The other four quickly followed, “Subordinate will remember!”

Xiao Wangshu nodded, then turned to Fang Qin’er and said, “Mother, I’ll take these six with me now.”
Fang Qin’er gently blew on her freshly dyed nails. Hearing what Xiao Wangshu said, she looked up and smiled, “Look at how anxious you are. Go on back. Later, come here with Fu Guang and keep me company for dinner.”

Xiao Wangshu, with her slender waist, made a graceful bow and replied softly, “Yes.”

Fang Qin’er then joked with Matron Du, saying her daughter had been confined in the mansion for three days and was practically a different person now.

Xiao Wangshu did not respond to their teasing, but led Qin Tai and the other six back to her courtyard.

—

After returning to the courtyard, Xiao Wangshu sat by the stone table in the yard and had the Maid summon all the Guards assigned to her quarters.

The nine men exchanged glances. Three of them had been transferred to Xiao Wangshu’s courtyard at the same time as Li Ta, while the other six had originally been stationed there.

Now, standing beside Qin Tai and his men, they looked like a flock of chicks facing a group of hawks, shrinking their necks and shuffling aside to avoid them.

“I heard that after Li Ta and the others were sold out of the mansion, you all harbored quite a bit of resentment toward me.”

Xiao Wangshu spoke leisurely, still wearing that faint, serene smile.

In truth, she hadn’t heard anything at all-she was simply bluffing.

She needed these people to believe that someone among them would report to her. She needed them to think she had planted someone in their midst.

Only then would they understand what it meant to be cautious with their words and actions!

The nine Guards’ expressions changed instantly. They all dropped to their knees, speaking over one another, “We would never dare, Fourth Miss, please see the truth!”

They had come to serve Xiao Wangshu. Although this Fourth Legitimate Daughter had a bit of a temper, she was the household manager’s own daughter, and those who served her received higher monthly wages.

If they left Xiao Wangshu, they’d be assigned to rougher, dirtier work-and might even be targeted by the steward.

Earlier, they had only chatted idly, sympathizing with Li Ta and the others, and casually spoke a few words on their behalf. Who would have thought Xiao Wangshu would bring it up now!

“Li Ta and the others failed in their duty to protect their mistress. It’s only right they were sold off. How could we dare blame you, Fourth Miss!”

“Exactly! Please don’t listen to idle gossip, Miss. You treat us very well-we’re grateful, not resentful!”

Qin Tai listened, frowning deeply.

What kind of people are these? Are they calling us outsiders?

Xiao Wangshu found their words amusing as well. She picked up the tea the Maid had served and took two unhurried sips.

After drinking, and under the various gazes of the Guards, she finally spoke slowly, “Honestly, I’m just bored staying in the mansion, so I called you here to amuse myself.”

The Guards’ faces changed again, their expressions twisting in discomfort.

Qin Tai and his men also gained a new understanding of this Fourth Legitimate Daughter of the Xiao Mansion-

Unpredictable in temperament, fond of intimidation.

Just as they finished muttering to themselves, Xiao Wangshu continued, “But since you’re working for me, it’s best to watch your tongues. Otherwise, whatever you say might find its way to my ears in all sorts of ways.

“Today I’m just chatting with you for fun, but if it happens again, I’ll have to send you to the steward and let him have a few words with you.”

With every sentence Xiao Wangshu spoke, the Guards’ faces changed shade by shade.

By the time she finished, those kneeling on the ground could no longer utter a single word of plea.

Xiao Wangshu didn’t expect them to say anything more. She simply instructed, “Go on, get back to your duties.”

It was common for servants to complain about their masters behind their backs. There was no need for harsh punishment-a warning was enough. Otherwise, being too severe with servants could easily provoke collective resentment.

Even if she investigated and punished this group strictly, the next batch sent over might not be any more obedient. Since that was the case, it was better to balance kindness with authority and make them restrain themselves.

If anyone still failed to behave, it wouldn’t be too late to deal with them according to the rules.

As for bringing it up now, it was simply because she worried their careless words would corrupt the newcomers.

People are easily led astray, but it’s much harder to correct them afterward.

“Yes, yes!”

The nine men scrambled up from the ground, not daring to linger for a moment, and hurried off, bent at the waist.