Transmigrated as the Villainess, She Made the General Blush - Chapter 86 - She's Actually Quite Cute 1

Chapter 86 – She’s Actually Quite Cute 1

Yuchi Yan’s mouth twitched. “Miss isn’t planning to wait until Shopkeeper Wang gets robbed, then send someone to the authorities to investigate, claiming Shopkeeper Wang stole her money, so she can take the opportunity to declare that whole bandit den’s gold stash belongs to her, is she?”

Was their lady using Shopkeeper Wang’s life as bait to fish for money?

Ruan Fuxin rolled the Lion-handled Baoding Balls in his hand and nodded in satisfaction. He stepped forward and patted Yuchi Yan on the shoulder.

“You’ve been with Miss this long, and you’ve finally grown.”

Seeing Yuchi Yan looking completely rattled, Ruan Fuxin added, “Miss alone has to feed so many mouths. Money’s tight. Just look at your Jade Feast Pavilion-renovating it costs money, doesn’t it?

“And all those shops on both sides-taking them over costs money too, doesn’t it? Building granaries and repairing roads on the estate also costs money, doesn’t it?

“Our Miss works hard. It’s not easy supporting all these people. She has to find a way to bring in some money and get through the urgent shortage first, right?”

By the end, Ruan Fuxin patted Yuchi Yan’s shoulder again and let out a long sigh.

“Yan’er, what we’re doing is robbing the rich to help the poor. Nothing shameful about it.

“And right now, we’re the poor.”

Listening to Ruan Fuxin dress it up so righteously, Yuchi Yan was impressed to the point of speechlessness.

“If you keep talking, I’m going to start believing you.” Yuchi Yan touched the Herbal Honey Paste tucked against his chest. “I’m heading back. I’ll have to trouble you and Uncle Tian to keep an eye on the Jade Feast Pavilion.”

Ruan Fuxin withdrew his hand and nodded. “Go on.”

…

More than half a month passed. As for the Blood Exchange Brotherhood between Tuoba Yunxiao and Xiao Wangshu, a reply had already come back from the Tuoba Tribe-specifically, a written response from the Tuoba Chieftain.

Tuoba Kang had not the slightest objection. He even sent people to deliver the attire and identity jade slip that only a tribal princess would possess.

The Blood Replacement Ceremony would be held in the ancestral hall of the Chancellor’s Mansion, with the Xiao Clan Relatives invited to attend as witnesses.

As for Xiao Wangshu, people from the Ministry of Rites would come to the mansion and arrange everything for her. During this period, she didn’t need to worry about anything at all. She only needed to recover and keep her body well.

—

That day, seeing Xiao Wangshu’s wound healing nicely, and with Chen Chu not busy for once, Xiao Fuguang invited Chen Chu to sit in the garden for a while.

When Xiao Wangshu arrived, Chen Chu looked up at her, his expression briefly going blank.

It was his first time seeing her go out in such a languid, unguarded manner. Her hair fell naturally, gathered only at the ends with a jade hairpin.

Her snow-colored pleated skirt swayed with every step, clean and refined, like an immortal descended to the mortal realm.

“General.” Xiao Wangshu dipped into a slight curtsy.

Chen Chu immediately stood, reflexively reaching out to steady her.

The moment his hand went out, he hurriedly pulled it back and returned her courtesy with a fist salute. “Miss is still injured. There’s no need to be so polite.”

Xiao Wangshu’s smile bloomed. She walked to the seat opposite him and sat down with unhurried grace, then turned her gaze to Xiao Fuguang, who was standing to the side.

Xiao Fuguang froze, then chuckled. “So I’m in the way, am I?”

His sister really was something. Even with her own younger brother, she used him and tossed him aside without mercy.

“Listen to you, Brother. It’s not that you’re in the way,” Xiao Wangshu said, utterly frank. “I’m just worried you’ll delay your studies. Hurry back.”

“Alright. Sister, you and General Chen chat. I won’t interrupt.”

Xiao Fuguang didn’t argue. He cupped his fists toward Chen Chu, then turned and left.

Yichun and Shuxia stood guard outside the pavilion and did not come closer.

“General, don’t be nervous. I’m here today to thank you.” Xiao Wangshu lifted the teapot on the table with her left hand, about to pour, when Chen Chu reached out.

“Let me.”

Xiao Wangshu glanced at the thin calluses on his hand and smiled, turning the teapot so it would be easier for Chen Chu to take.

Chen Chu picked it up and poured her a cup first, then poured his own.
“General, you saved my life. Is there anything you desire? I will do my best to fulfill it,” Xiao Wangshu asked.

Chen Chu’s lips pressed into a thin line, making his face appear even more cold and stern.

After a moment, he replied, “Protecting you is my duty, Miss. You need not take it to heart. I only wish for your safety and seek nothing else. Please do not overthink it.”

He only wanted to keep her safe; he had never thought of demanding anything from her. She really didn’t need to be like the Prime Minister, treating everyone with constant suspicion.

At least, she didn’t need to suspect him.

Upon hearing Chen Chu’s answer, Xiao Wangshu was stunned for a moment before she smiled. “General, perhaps you’ve misunderstood me. I meant that when you’re training my younger brother in the future, you can tell me whatever you’d like to eat or drink, and I’ll keep it in mind.

“As for other things, if there are any little trinkets you want, I can buy them for you as well.

“You are a Military Guard General personally appointed by the imperial court, with illustrious military achievements. What major matter could you possibly need my help with?

“If you asked for anything bigger, I wouldn’t have the ability to satisfy you right now anyway.”

Xiao Wangshu spoke cleverly. Her light words dissipated the stagnant atmosphere from a moment ago, her casual and gentle tone sounding very much like friends chatting.

Chen Chu didn’t know if it was because he had misunderstood her or because Xiao Wangshu’s words sounded so intimate, but he felt his ears start to burn.

“General, you really are…” Xiao Wangshu watched as his ears turned red at a pace visible to the naked eye. Under his slightly nervous gaze, she continued-

“Quite adorable.”

The moment she finished speaking, Chen Chu’s ears turned bright red.

The blood-red color spread all the way to the back of his ears, creating a stark contrast with his sturdy physique.

“General, are you very hot?”

Xiao Wangshu finished her tea and set down the cup. Seeing that Chen Chu’s ears were still red, she stood up with a smile and suggested, “The air in the pavilion is a bit stagnant. Shall we go for a walk?”

Chen Chu nodded, tilted his head to finish the tea in his cup, and stood up to follow at her side.

As the two of them walked out of the pavilion, Yichun and Shuxia followed behind them.

The two maids exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with the same confusion.

General Chen had always been iron-faced, ruthless, and a man of few words.

He had only spent a short while in the pavilion with their lady-how did he end up looking like a young girl who had been teased by a rogue?

Deeply puzzled, the two lowered their heads and walked behind Xiao Wangshu and Chen Chu.

Up ahead, Xiao Wangshu asked Chen Chu, “I heard from my brother that you are still putting a lot of effort into searching for the spy?”

She had thought that General Chen would look for Qin Tai for a while at most and give up if he couldn’t find him.

She hadn’t expected that after so many days, the momentum of Chen Chu’s search hadn’t weakened at all.

Not only had it not weakened, but he had even conducted a carpet search of the mountains and forests outside her manor, showing signs of wanting to enter her estate for a thorough investigation.

“Yes. I shot a spy in the right shoulder that day, but he wasn’t among the assassins who were killed. That man is still at large, which threatens the stability of the Capital. I must capture him.”

And after the interrogation is over, I’ll take his life with a single arrow!

Chen Chu kept this last sentence to himself, not saying it aloud for fear of frightening Xiao Wangshu.

After hearing this, Xiao Wangshu said, “That day, General Lu led a large number of soldiers to pursue the assassins, and the heavy cavalry trampled over many bodies. Perhaps that person has already been crushed to pieces?”

“Is that so?”

General Lu Xuyang had actually said the same thing to him a few days ago, but his intuition told him the man had escaped.

However, hearing Xiao Wangshu say the same thing today, Chen Chu unconsciously began to reflect.

Was he really trampled to pieces? Was that why no body could be found?