Transmigrated as the Villainess, She Made the General Blush - Chapter 97

Chapter 97

On the other side.

Xiao Wangshu stood in a private booth on the second floor of the Jade Feast Pavilion, looking out the window.

The Yan Street Market had been reorganized into proper shape. The vegetable and rice markets were much cleaner than before; at a glance, everything was orderly and bustling with the vibrant energy of everyday life.

“Miss, we’ve already seen the Wanfeng side. Shall we go over to the Zhulu side?” Qin Tai suggested, his expression appearing somewhat eager.

The Jade Feast Pavilion was created by connecting two separate buildings. One side was Wanfeng, and the other was Zhulu.

On the Wanfeng side, when one climbed the stairs to look out, the window frames were filled with the sights of domestic life.

On the Zhulu side, looking north into the distance, the view was filled with galloping steeds.

The scenery outside the windows-one soft and the other bold-complemented each other, creating a striking visual experience.

“Miss hasn’t even eaten yet. What’s your rush, Qin Tai?” Yichun leaned against the windowsill, unwilling to leave. Her head was poked out of the frame as she looked left and right at the street below.

Shuxia also chimed in, “Qin Tai, you just want to go see the horses, don’t you?”

To make it easier for customers to select horses at the horse market, Market Director Tan had renovated the area according to Xiao Wangshu’s blueprints, carving out a section specifically for a trial track.

Every day, many fine steeds galloped through the track for people to choose from.

On the day the Jade Feast Pavilion opened, a Steed Race would be held at the horse market. The private booths in the neighboring Zhulu section would be the best vantage points, providing a full view of the horses racing across the track.

“That’s right!” Qin Tai answered honestly. He then turned his gaze toward Xiao Wangshu, waiting for her decision.

Xiao Wangshu lightly tapped the window frame, turned to look at them, and smiled. “Let’s go. We’ll head over to the Zhulu side to take a look.”

***

In the neighboring Zhulu booth, Tian Huaien felt a bit constrained as he looked at the young man before him-a fourth-rank Military Guard General with illustrious military achievements.

“Is General Chen here to see the Miss?”

Seeing that Chen Chu remained silent for a long time, Tian Huaien took the initiative to ask.

Chen Chu looked at him and replied, “I’m picking out warhorses. You have a good view here, so I’m taking a look first.”

Warhorses for the military camps were gathered from various places; most were offered as tribute by tribes, captured in battle, or bred in large quantities at mountain manors.

It was relatively rare to purchase warhorses individually at a market, but it wasn’t unheard of.

If any superior horses were spotted at the market, they could be bought and assigned to commanders or used for breeding.

Hearing Chen Chu’s reasonable explanation, Tian Huaien came to a sudden realization. He nodded and then reminded him, “General Chen, our decorations aren’t fully finished yet, and we haven’t purchased any ingredients…”

In short, the shop wasn’t open yet, and there was nothing to eat.

Chen Chu’s mind automatically filled in what Tian Huaien hadn’t said. He spoke up, “It’s fine. Go about your business; you don’t need to mind me.”

“Listen to the General’s words. A visitor is a guest; how could we possibly ignore you?”

The door to the booth wasn’t closed, and Xiao Wangshu happened to be coming over to the Zhulu side for an inspection. Hearing Chen Chu’s words, she walked in with her attendants, a smile on her face.

Chen Chu’s gaze had been fixed on Xiao Wangshu from the moment she appeared. Once she finished speaking, he stood up and cupped his fists in greeting.

Xiao Wangshu gave a graceful curtsy. After returning the greeting, she asked with a smile, “What brings the General out in such a leisurely mood to buy horses today?”

How could a matter like buying horses require Chen Chu to come in person?

Chen Chu paused for a moment before replying, “The horses in the camp… I felt their stamina and speed were a bit lacking, so I came out to take a look.”

Hearing this, Xiao Wangshu glanced at him with interest.

Is that so?

Under her gaze, Chen Chu suddenly felt his ears grow hot.

At that moment, Xiao Wangshu gave a soft chuckle. She walked to his side and looked out the window toward the distant horse market track.

“In the army, there is a distinction between generals and soldiers,” she said. “As their ranks differ, so do their horses. The General’s horse, Baili Fenggu, is a creature of exceptional character that flies like a current. Having ridden it for so long, it’s only natural that you’d find the other cavalry horses lacking when you look at them.”
As she spoke, Xiao Wangshu took a seat by the window and instructed Qin Tai and the others, “Go check the other private booths. If there are any issues, communicate with the craftsmen in a timely manner.”

Qin Tai and his men glanced at Chen Chu, feeling a bit puzzled, but they cupped their fists and complied. “Yes, My Lady.”

Why did it feel like the young lady was intentionally dismissing them?

Seeing them withdraw, Xiao Wangshu turned her attention to Tian Huaien.

“The kitchen is ready for a trial run. Go see what ingredients are in stock; if there aren’t enough, send someone to buy more. Have Uncle Tian whip up a few dishes. The General and I will dine here later.”

“Understood,” Tian Huaien replied respectfully.

In truth, the young lady could have waited until General Chen finished looking at the horses and then taken him to any random restaurant for a meal. Yet, she was opening the kitchen ahead of schedule just to keep General Chen here for dinner at her own establishment.

It seemed that in their young lady’s eyes, this General Chen held a slightly higher status than he had imagined.

Tian Huaien was just about to turn and leave when he remembered something and turned back to report, “By the way, My Lady, regarding the two teams of craftsmen we signed contracts with-someone has been trying to poach them privately.”

“Oh?” Xiao Wangshu’s brow arched slightly.

Let’s see which of her competitors was already losing their cool.

Tian Huaien continued, “Those craftsmen are law-abiding people, and they also fear My Lady’s background. Since they’ve signed contracts with us, they’re afraid of being sued for breach of contract, so they’ve already declined all outside invitations.”

“Do we know which business owner is trying to poach them?” Xiao Wangshu mentally reviewed all the major industries in the Capital.

Tian Huaien answered, “It’s unclear. The other party is being very secretive, and the craftsmen don’t know their origins either. They only know that the person wants them to decorate several other shops in the style of Brocade Gate and Jade Feast Pavilion.”

Hearing this, the corners of Xiao Wangshu’s mouth curled up slightly, and her voice sounded languid.

“Have them come see me later.”

Tian Huaien was somewhat confused but bowed his head in compliance. “Yes.”

“You may go.”

“Yes.” Tian Huaien bowed and withdrew.

Xiao Wangshu turned again, looking at Yichun and Shuxia. “Go to Chen’s Shop and buy me a portion of brown sugar rice cakes. Also, pack a portion of jujube paste cake for Mother. Buy whatever you two want to eat as well.”

“Yes, My Lady,” Yichun and Shuxia curtsied and left.

Chen Chu watched as the people in the booth left one by one, until finally, only he and Xiao Wangshu remained.

A man and a woman, alone in a room.

The moment those words surfaced in his mind, Chen Chu’s ears instantly turned red.

Right then, Xiao Wangshu walked over to the door and naturally closed it before turning back to look at the flustered Chen Chu.

“What does the General think of this booth?” Xiao Wangshu asked.

Chen Chu avoided her gaze, his eyes darting around as he replied, “It’s quite good. The view is excellent, and the furnishings in the room are well-chosen.”

“You really are serious. Sit down.”

Xiao Wangshu teased him lightly as she personally took out the tea set, lit the small red clay stove with a fire starter, and began to brew tea.

Seeing her busy despite the bandages on her hands, Chen Chu felt awkward standing and even more awkward sitting. Finally, he walked over to her side and asked, “Is there anything My Lady needs me to do?”

A noble young lady like her surely rarely brewed tea herself, right?

Xiao Wangshu boiled the water to rinse the tea leaves. Hearing Chen Chu’s question, she casually spoke while rinsing the cups with the tea liquor, “It’s a bit warm. General, help me undo my cloak.”

Chen Chu nearly choked on his own breath.

He thought she would ask him to fetch something or wash something; how could she ask him to undress her the moment she opened her mouth?

Even if it was just a cloak, since it was worn on her body, it counted as half a garment…